Admission and pathway FAQs

If you haven’t completed NCEA, you can still be considered. Just provide any academic documents showing what you’ve achieved (for example, School Certificate, a diploma, or a degree). We’ll assess these to determine whether you meet the entry requirements for the course you’re applying for.

If you completed high school outside New Zealand, check the academic equivalence chart for entry into diploma or degree programmes to see how your overseas secondary school qualification compares. If you don’t meet the academic requirements, you may be eligible for Discretionary Admission or Special Admission. Apply for your chosen programme and we’ll guide you through the process.

If you don’t meet the entry requirements for a diploma or degree, or you want to brush up on your academic skills, our Certificate in Study and Employment Pathways provides a great foundation/bridging option. It's tailored to specific subject pathways such as health, tech, engineering, construction and more to give you the right foundation for your next step. Find out more here.

If you’ve completed a course (or part of a course) at Ara or another institute, you may be eligible for credit recognition towards an Ara qualification. Email info@ara.ac to enquire about eligibility.

Credit recognition means you don’t have to repeat learning you’ve already mastered. You can apply for credit recognition after you apply for your course. If you’ve completed previous study or have industry experience, you may be eligible for:

• Credit transfer or cross-credit (from other courses)
• Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) which is used to evaluate your existing knowledge and skills

Note: There’s a limit to the amount of credit recognition you can receive towards an Ara qualification.

If you're over 20 with life experience and potential, you may be eligible for Special Admission. Apply for the course you’re interested in - we'll assess your application and recommend a suitable path of learning.

Our New Zealand Certificate in Study and Employment Pathways (Level 3 and Level 4) is designed for anyone who needs to meet entry requirements for a diploma or degree, or anyone who wants to brush up on their academic skills before embarking on higher-level study. The certificate is available in a range of subject pathways. Find out more here.

Some Ara programmes have academic entry requirements but also an additional step, such an audition, interview, referee check or portfolio. They are examples of Selection Criteria. Selection Criteria is stated on the programme page it applies to, with selections managed by the relevant academic department.

If you’re in Years 11 to 13 at secondary school, our Dual Enrolment courses are a way to experience tertiary learning while you’re still at school.  You spend a day or two at Ara and the rest of the week at school. It’s a great opportunity to earn NCEA credits and get a head start in a subject you want to study when you leave school. Find out more here.

Youth Guarantee courses are free if you’re between 16 and 24, and not in school, employment or any other training. Funding is limited, so apply early to secure your spot. Find out more here.

Special Admission is for learners aged 20+ (or international students) who don’t meet academic entry requirements but have relevant life or work experience. Special Admission applies to all courses up to and including Level 7 (degree) that have no selection criteria. Apply for your chosen programme and we’ll guide you through the process.

This is for any learner and for all course levels. There are no academic requirements and no selection criteria. English requirements still apply.

Discretionary Admission is when our Admissions team assesses an application for a learner under the age of 20, including international learners, who may not meet the standard entry requirements but can demonstrate the potential to succeed. This applies to programmes up to and including Level 7 (degree) that do not have selection criteria.