Home

NCEA

Enrolling now for 2026 (Free for youth under 25 years)

INTRO
There are three levels of NCEA. In general, all students work through levels 1 to 3 in their eleventh to thirteenth years at school, or at an education provider such as VSTET. For all levels 80 credits are required as follows: Level 1 – 60 credits, plus 20 credits of literacy and numeracyLevel 2 – 60 credits at level 2, plus the 20 credits of literacy and numeracy from level one. Level 3 – 80 credits, with at least 60 credits at level 3 and 20 credits at level 2.
VSTET currently offers programmes to achieve NCEA L1 and NCEA L2.
NCEA (L1)
Graduate Outcome
  • From the Qualification Overview document on the NZQA website:
  • NCEA (Level 1) is designed to:
  • Attest to minimum levels of literacy and numeracy.
  • Act as a learning goal.
  • Attest to the ability to participate in, and benefit from, further study thereby promoting lifelong learning.
  • People who have gained NCEA Level 1 have shown themselves able to work at directed activities with limited responsibility for decisions about the organisation of their work.
NCEA (L2)
  • Programme Title/s
  • VSTET offers NCEA L2 in a range of contexts. If a student has achieved NCEA L1 they are not required to repeat the literacy and numeracy requirements for level 2: the literacy and numeracy credits of Level 1 also count for Level 2.
  • VSTET programme titles reflect the different learning contexts and vocational pathways:
  • NZ Certificate in Foundations Skills (Level 2)
  • Construction Skills
  • Café Skills
  • Childcare Skills
Entry criteria
Applicants will be interviewed to discuss the suitability of the programme and their preferred context.
Qualification awarded upon successful completion:
  • National Certificate of Educational Achievement (Level 2) [Ref:0973] Depending on the context for the learning graduates may also achieve:
  • NZ Certificate in Foundation Skills (Level 2)
  • NZ Certificate in Building, Construction, and Allied Trades Skills (Level 2)
  • NZ Certificate in Hospitality (Level 2)
  • NZ Certificate in Early Learning and Care (Level 2)
Future Pathways
EmploymentA graduate of one of the VSTET programmes leading to achievement of NCEA L2, will have skills for entry level roles in their chosen vocational context.