University Entrance

University Entrance

University Entrance (UE) is the minimum requirement to go to a New Zealand university. Most universities require students to get more than the minimum to enter their courses. Students wishing to go to university need to plan ahead to take 4 or preferably 5 approved subjects in year 13 to give themselves the best chance of getting UE.

University Entrance Requirements

NCEA Level 3

60 credits including 14 Level 3 credits in each of three approved subjects (from Achievement Standards only) 

1. Literacy requirements

10 credits (5 in reading and 5 in writing) from specific Level 2 or 3 Achievement Standards or from 2 specific Level 4 English Unit Standards. The Level 2 or 3 Literacy Achievement Standards may be offered in subjects including Accounting, Biology, Business Studies, Dance, Economics, English, Geography, History, Maori and Sports Science.

(Note: Students wanting to study at The University of Auckland need 17 credits from Level 2 or 3 English or they will be required to take and pass an academic English course in their first year of study. Students who gain their UE literacy from Te Reo Maori are exempted from this requirement.)

2. Numeracy requirements

10 credits at level 1 or higher from specified achievement standards or three specific numeracy unit standards (If you have NCEA Level 1 you have met the UE numeracy requirement of 10 credits)


Click here for NZQA website


Entry to the majority of courses at University is very competitive and requires students to accumulate as many credits at Level 3 as possible, particularly at merit and excellence levels (grade average is used for entry into many courses).

Students considering going to university, should check course entry requirements on university websites. All universities have qualified careers staff who are available to help any students in planning their degree programme.

For further information, click on the university links below: