Credits, levels, university entrance, and endorsements
What is NCEA?
The National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) is New Zealand's main national qualification for senior secondary school students.
Credits are earned by achieving standards in your subjects.
60 credits at any level (Levels 1–3)
Plus the 20-credit Literacy and Numeracy co-requisite
60 credits at Level 2 or above
Plus the 20-credit Literacy and Numeracy co-requisite
60 credits at Level 3 or above
Plus the 20-credit Literacy and Numeracy co-requisite
Requirements for entry to New Zealand universities
To gain University Entrance (UE), you must meet all of the following. This is the minimum for New Zealand universities — individual degrees may require higher rank scores or specific Level 3 subjects.
Recognising high achievement
50 credits at Merit or Excellence (or Excellence only for an Excellence endorsement) at the certificate level or above
14+ credits at Achieved, Merit, or Excellence in one course in a single year, including at least 3 internal and 3 external credits
Achievements are graded as Not Achieved, Achieved, Merit, or Excellence. Endorsements reward consistent high performance across your credits.
Official resources and school systems for tracking your progress.
NZQA — NCEA Overview
Official information about NCEA qualifications
NCEA Levels and Certificates
Credit requirements for each level, including the co-requisite
Literacy and Numeracy Co-requisite
How the mandatory 20-credit co-requisite works
University Entrance
Requirements for entry to New Zealand universities
NCEA Endorsements
Certificate and course endorsement rules
KAMAR Portal
View your results, timetable, and school notices