Diploma
Diplomas prepare people for the self-directed application of skills and knowledge.
These qualifications often build on prior study or experience and recognise capacity for initiative and judgment across a broad range of educational and vocational areas in technical, professional and/or management roles.
National diplomas recognise skills and knowledge meeting nationally set standards (unit and achievement standards). Some national diplomas automatically recognise credits from non-New Zealand framework qualifications as outlined by the qualification regulations.
This means that if a person has carried out study through another provider in another country, some aspects of that study could count towards the completion of the diploma.
A diploma must be registered at level 5, 6 or 7, with the top 72 credits defining the level at which it can be registered; and have at least 120 of all credits contributing to the qualification at level 4 or above.
The level of a diploma is determined by beginning with the highest level credits and counting back until a total of 72 credits is reached. The level at which the total of 72 is reached determines the level of the diploma.