This is New Zealand’s University Entrance qualification and is the minimum requirement to qualify for admission to a bachelor degree or to some of our diplomas:
- NCEA level 3 (i.e. a minimum of 60 credits at level 3 or above plus 20 credits at level 2 or above); and
- A minimum of 14 credits at level 3 or higher in each of three approved subjects; and
- Literacy – 5 reading credits and 5 writing credits at Level 2 or higher from standards on the NZQA list of university entrance literacy standards; and
- Numeracy – 10 credits from standards on the NZQA list of numeracy standards, or all three of the following unit standards:
26623, 26626, 26627.
For detailed information about the approved subject list and the university entrance literacy and numeracy requirements, go to the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA).
Prior to NCEA, other qualifications were approved as New Zealand’s University Entrance qualification and these are still acceptable. Please contact the Admission staff in Student Administration.
Important notes for all applicants
We may require you to provide us with specific documents to verify your Identity and support your study application.
This may include one of the following:
- New Zealand Full Birth certificate
- New Zealand passport
- New Zealand Citizenship Certificate
- Overseas Passport (with New Zealand Immigration visa/permit)
- A letter from Immigration New Zealand together with your passport (if your permit has not yet been issued)
- Australian full birth certificate or passport. Australian citizens and permanent residents are classified as New Zealand permanent residents for the purpose of admission to a New Zealand University.
English Language Requirement
Tuition for every course offered by Lincoln University is conducted in the English Language. Within some courses, part of the tuition may be taught in Te Reo Māori. Lincoln University requires all its students to be sufficiently competent in English to enable them to take part in academic study successfully. Therefore all students whose first language is not English need to satisfy Lincoln University’s English language requirements. Approved English language tests with the minimum levels required for Undergraduate degrees and some diplomas.
Verified Documentation/Certified True Copies
Documentation must be either original or in the form of verified copies. A verified copy of a document is a photocopy signed by someone in authority, who has seen the original document and checked that the photocopy is a genuine unaltered copy of that original. The verifier must be an authorised person such as a Justice of the Peace, Solicitor, Registrar or Deputy Registrar of the Court.
The person who verifies your document(s) prints their full name, address and uses their official stamp if they have one. Solicitors, registrars and Justices of the Peace usually have official stamps. Lincoln University Student Administration staff will copy your original documents if you bring them in to the office to verify for admission purposes.
Please note:
- The document must be in the name you are enrolling under or be supported by evidence of a name change by deed poll or marriage.
- It is preferable for you to send verified copies, please do not send us the originals by post.
- Lincoln University normally accepts scanned copies of documents if they are correctly verified. Students may be asked to present the original or the original verified document at any time.
Exclusion
If you have studied at a university in the past and have been excluded from further enrolment in that university or in a department, school, or faculty of that university on the grounds of unsatisfactory academic progress, then Lincoln University has the right to decline your admission, even if you meet other admission conditions. Please contact staff in the Admission office for advice.
University Entrance (UE) through NCEA
This is New Zealand’s University Entrance qualification and is the minimum requirement to qualify for admission to a bachelor degree or to some of our diplomas. To recognise the disruption caused by COVID 19 there are some changes to UE for 2020. To qualify in 2020 you will need:
- NCEA level 3 (i.e. a minimum of 60 credits at level 3 or above plus 20 credits at level 2 or above); and
- A minimum of 12 credits at level 3 or higher in each of three approved subjects (this applies to 2020 only. In other years, 14 credits in each of three approved subjects is required); and
- Literacy – 5 reading credits and 5 writing credits at Level 2 or higher from standards on the NZQA list of university entrance literacy standards; and
- Numeracy – 10 credits from standards on the NZQA list of numeracy standards, or all three of the following unit standards:
26623, 26626, 26627.
For detailed information about the approved subject list and the university entrance literacy and numeracy requirements, go to the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA).
Prior to NCEA, other qualifications were approved as New Zealand’s University Entrance qualification and these are still acceptable. Please contact the Admission staff in Student Administration.
Special Admission (20+)
Any New Zealand citizen or Permanent Resident who will be 20 years of age on or before the first day of the semester in which they wish to begin their programme may be granted Special Admission.
You may be required to submit a CV and personal statement outlining the reason why you want to take this programme and how it will assist you to reach your career goals.
You may also be required to attend an interview
Admission ad eundem statum at entrance level
Students who have passed qualifications other than NCEA can apply. If you studied in New Zealand, one of the following will be acceptable:
- University of Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) in New Zealand, achieving all of the following:
– 120 points on the UCAS tariff (in syllabus groups equivalent to equivalent to NCEA approved subjects)
– A minimum grade of D at AS level or higher in at least three syllabus groups equivalent to NCEA approved subjects
– A minimum grade of E in an English subject at AS level or the required NCEA credits
– A minimum grade of D in Maths at IGCSE level or the required NCEA credits. - International Baccalaureate (IB)
A completed Diploma with a minimum of 24 points, with English as Language A1 at either Higher or Standard level and any Mathematics subject.
- New Zealand Steiner Education (Level 3)
A completed Steiner School Certificate Level 3, including 9 points in each of 3 approved subject areas, 8 points in literacy (4 reading/4 writing), and 9 points in numeracy.
- New Zealand Accelerated Christian Education (ACE) Level 3 Certificate (Year 13)
A completed ACE Year 13 Certificate which includes at least 4 subjects (ie 16 credits) designated Level 3 and passes in Algebra 1 (1097 – 1108) and English 1 (1097 – 1108)
- Christian Education New Zealand (CENZ) Level 3 Certificate
A completed CENZ Level 3 Certificate which includes at least 4 subjects designated Level 3 and passes in Algebra 1 (1097 – 1108) and English 1 (1097 – 1108)
Other qualifications may be acceptable following assessment by our Admission staff. Check the links above or contact us.
Admission ad eundem statum with credit
Students transferring from another tertiary institution should apply for admission with credit.
Credit is awarded to recognise the quality, nature, level and achievement of previous study taken at recognised tertiary institutions. Transferred credit can contribute to the total credit required to complete a Lincoln qualification and enable students to access courses at higher levels.
Please apply for credits using the Credit Application form and send it to the Student Administration office along with an official copy of your academic record. A credit assessment is free, however if credit is approved, there is a fee to have this credit placed on your academic record. (Fee: $100.00)
Discretionary Entrance
New Zealand citizens and Permanent Residents who are under 20 years of age and who have not otherwise gained a university entrance qualification may be eligible to apply for Discretionary Entrance. A student who has been enrolled as a Year 13 student beyond 1 June at a New Zealand secondary school is not normally eligible to be admitted through Discretionary Entrance before July in the following year.
The decision to grant Discretionary Entrance is made by designated members of the University’s academic staff. Successful applicants would be expected to have a minimum of 80 credits at NCEA Level 2 over four approved subjects, and the literacy and numeracy standards required for University Entrance. The number of credits achieved with merit and excellence will also be taken into account. We may expect support from the Principal of your school and we would expect that the study you had taken would be highly relevant to your proposed study at Lincoln. Applicants with qualifications other than NCEA will also be considered.
Please complete the Discretionary Entrance application form Application fee: $60.00.
Bachelor Degree Admission Requirements
The entrance requirements for students from other countries include:
| Country | Qualification | Minimum achievement level (if appropriate) |
| All countries (International qualifications) | GCE ‘A’ Levels (taken in countries other than the UK) | A minimum of 3 results with at least 1 grade at Level C or above. (General Studies is not to be used as one of the results.) |
| Cambridge Pre-U | 3 principal subjects, a GPR and evidence of numeracy | |
| Advanced Placement International Diploma (APID) | At least 4 subjects with grades 3 or higher | |
| International Baccalaureate (IB) | The diploma must be completed with a minimum of 24 points | |
| Australia | Completion of Year 12 Note: Some approved Foundation programme certificates and pre-university courses are acceptable. | ATAR score higher than 69 OP score lower than 14 |
| Brazil | Successful completion of at least one year at a recognised university | Good passing grades |
| Canada | Ontario Secondary School Diploma | Overall average grade of 65% |
| Quebec Grade 12 Certificate | 60% average across 6 subjects, including English | |
| Chile | Successful completion of at least one year at a recognised university | Good passing grades |
| China | Senior High School Graduation – plus one year of successful study (full time equivalent) at a recognised institution of university standing, orCompletion of a 2 year diploma from a recognised institution Our preferred method of receiving academic documents from China is through CHESICC. | 70% score or better (minimum Tier 1 score) Good passing grades |
| Denmark | Hojere Forberedelseseksamen or Hojere Handelseksamen | |
| Fiji | Fiji Form 7 | Aggregate of 250 over 4 courses, with a minimum of 50 in English |
| USP Foundation Year | In either Science or Social Science with a grade average of B or higher | |
| Finland | Ylioppilastutkinoto/Studentexamen | |
| France | Diplome du Baccalaureat | |
| Germany | Abitur / Zeugnis der Allgemeinen Hochschulreife | |
| Ghana | GCE ‘A’ levels | Three passes with one at C or better |
| Hong Kong | Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education | Score of 15, based on an aggregate of the applicant’s best five subjects (i.e. 5 subjects at an average of Level 3 in each subject. Subjects must be from Core, Category A and Category C electives. |
| India | All India Senior School Certificate (AISSC) – awarded by Central Board of Secondary Education | Applicants must have completed 12 years of schooling and a minimum average of 75%, and 60% in English |
| India School Certificate (ISC) – awarded by the Council for the Indian Certificate Examinations | Applicants must have completed 12 years of schooling and a minimum average of 75% | |
| One year of study at a recognised university | 50% average (minimum) | |
| Indonesia | Sekolah Menengâh Atas (SMA) | Minimum score 8.5 |
| Successful completion of at least one year at a recognised university | ||
| Iran | Successful completion of at least one year at a recognised institution of university standing. | Good passing grades |
| Israel | Bagrut (Matriculation), OR | Minimum grades of seven in six subjects |
| Mechina (university preparatory) | ||
| Japan | High School Diploma (Kotogakko) | Minimum B average |
| One year of successful study at a recognised university | ||
| Junior College Diploma | Successful completion of programme of two of three years’ duration | |
| Kenya | Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education | Minimum of B average |
| Korea | University entrance examination | Minimum score 250 |
| Kuwait | General Secondary Education Certificate | Overall average grade of 80% across academic subjects |
| Malaysia | STPM | Three Principal passes |
| Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) | A maximum of 20 points over best 5 academic subjects | |
| Malaysian Matrikulation Certificate (Matrikulasi) | Cumulative minimum GPA of 2.5 | |
| Netherlands | VWO | |
| Papua New Guinea | South Pacific Form Seven Certificate | Three or more B grades plus Grade Five or better in PSSC English, and Grade Six or better in PSSC Maths |
| USP Foundation Year | In either Science or Social Science with a grade average of B or higher | |
| Senior High School Graduation – plus completion of a two-year diploma at a recognised university | Good passing grades | |
| Philippines | One year of successful study at a recognised university | Good passing grades |
| Russia | One year of successful study at a recognised university | Good passing grades |
| Samoa | Foundation Certificates of the National University of Samoa | Completed in one of Arts, Commerce, Education, General or Science. Minimum grades apply. |
| Saudi Arabia | General Secondary Education Certificate, plus one year (full-time equivalent) of successful study at a recognised university, or | Good passing grades |
| Associate degree from a recognised tertiary institution | ||
| Singâpore | H Levels | A minimum of three H2 passes at C grade |
| NUS High School Diploma | ||
| South Pacific countries | South Pacific Form Seven Certificate | Grade 5 or better in PSSC English and grade 6 or better in PSSC maths, plus3 or more B grades (minimum) |
| South Africa | National Senior Certificate | Successful completion of the certificate and eligible to enrol in a bachelor’s degree at a South African university |
| Sweden | Avgangsbetyg/Slutbetyg from: Gymnasieskola (Leaving Certificate from Upper Secondary School, three years) | Pass or higher: G = Pass; VG = Distinction; MVG = Special distinction |
| Taiwan | One year of successful study at a recognised university | |
| Senior High School and a two-year Junior College Diploma, or | ||
| Junior High School and a five-year Junior College Diploma | ||
| Thailand | One year of successful study at a recognised university | |
| United Arab Emirates | One year of successful study at a recognised university | |
| United Kingdom | ‘A’ and ‘AS’ Levels GCSE | Assessment on application |
| BTEC/SCOTVEC | A National Certificate or Diploma with at least 3 level III units with merit | |
| London Chamber of Commerce and Industry Examination Board (LCCIEB) | Completion of a Third level qualification (3 subjects) | |
| United States of America | High School Diploma and SAT | At least 50 in each SAT test and a minimum combined score of 1150. |
| High School Diploma and ACT | ||
| General Education Development (GED) Tests, and SAT or ACT | ||
| Vietnam | Viet Nam High School Graduation Certificate (Bang Tot Ngiep Trung hoc Pho thong) | Minimum GPA of 8.0 from select high schools |
Want more information?
Contact Student Administration
Phone: +64 3 423 0000
Freephone: 0800 10 60 10 (within New Zealand only)
Fax: +64 3 325 3850
Email: [email protected]
Student Administration
PO Box 85084
Lincoln University
Lincoln 7647
New Zealand