Te Kawa Maiorooro | Educational Regulatory Framework Clause 2.28 Ākonga nō Tāwāhi Application and Offer of Place
The purpose of this Procedure is to ensure the consistent and transparent assessment of international applicant academic qualifications against New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF) entry standards.
This Procedure applies to kaimahi involved in international applications for admission to Otago Polytechnic programmes of study.
Otago Polytechnic ensures international applicants are assessed consistently using correct academic entry criteria. To support this, it provides the International Equivalent Academic Entry Requirements by Country Tool (hereinafter called “the Tool”), listing overseas qualifications comparable to NCEA Levels 2 and 3.
Prospective international applicants and agents can access the Tool on the Otago Polytechnic website. Kaimahi can access the Tool via Tūhono under Tools.
Read this procedure alongside the English Language Requirements for International Learners and English as an Additional Language Policy.
ECCTIS: United Kingdom’s (UK) official agency responsible for recognising and comparing internal academic qualifications.
NCEA: National Certificate in Educational Achievement
NZQA: New Zealand Qualifications Authority
NZQCF: New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework
OPAIC: Otago Polytechnic Auckland International Campus
Team: Dunedin and OPAIC International Team: comprises of members from Dunedin International Team, Academic Registry and Academic/Quality Lead
The Tool: International Equivalent Academic Entry Requirements by Country Tool
UK ENIC: The United Kingdom’s official organisation for the recognition and comparison of internationals qualifications and skills.
1. Roles and Responsibilities
1.1. The Director: International is responsible for periodic reviews and updates of the Tool.
1.2. As new information becomes available, the Team reviews proposed changes.
1.3. Academic Committee reviews and approves proposed changes to the Tool.
1.4. Academic Registry/International Admissions are primarily responsible for evaluating international qualifications and applying equivalence standards.
1.5. Programmes Leaders (Dunedin)/Academic Heads (OPAIC) approve final decisions for borderline or exceptional international applicants.
1.6. The Academic Registry/International Admissions communicate entry requirements and decisions to international applicants and agents.
2. Quality Assurance
2.1. The Director: International undertakes an annual review of equivalence decisions.
2.2. Periodic sampling of international enrolments will be carried out to ensure that decision making aligns with the Tool.
3. Change Control
3.1. The Team will:
a) Prepare and submit changes to the Procedure to Academic Committee for approval.
b) Once approved, changes to the Tool will be implemented, version-controlled, published and communicated to relevant kaimahi.
4. Procedure
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Step 1: Academic Registry/International Admissions - Receive prospective international application |
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a |
Confirm receipt of all certified academic transcripts, certificates, and translations (if required). |
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b |
Verify the authenticity of documents through original copies, certified copies, or digital verification systems. |
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Step 2: Academic Registry/International Admissions -For secondary school qualifications |
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a |
Refers to the Tool |
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b |
Confirm whether international applicant meets the minimum entry criteria for the programme of study. |
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Step 3: Academic Registry/International Admissions - Assess tertiary qualifications and validate institution (if applicable) |
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a |
Verify the qualification against the NZQCF requirements. |
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b |
Refer to the Tool and if information not applicable check the validity of the institution on ECCTIS (via UK ENIC) |
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Step 4: Programme Leaders/International Admissions - Assess for programme of study specific requirements |
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a |
Confirm additional entry requirements are met (e.g. portfolio, police vetting, interview, work experience, English language proficiency). |
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Step 5: Academic Registry/International Admissions -Review application |
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If the qualification clearly meets equivalence, proceed to a conditional/unconditional offer (for certain programmes of study) OR |
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b |
If uncertain or borderline, escalate to the Programme Leader/International Admissions for review |
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Step 6: Academic Registry/International Admissions - Decision and recording |
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Record the rationale for the decision and upload any supporting evidence in the application portal. |
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b |
Retain copies of all equivalence assessments for audit purposes in the application portal. |
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Step 7: Academic Registry/International Admissions - Communicate outcome |
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Inform international applicant or agent of one of the following three outcomes: 1. Offer of Place (conditional or unconditional); 2. More information required (e.g. when documents are missing); 3. Decline, listing the reasons and providing alternative study pathways where possible. |
Dr. Megan Pōtiki
Executive Director
Date: 25 November 2025
