The following is a list of minimum academic requirement equivalences for entry into Ara diploma and degree programmes.
| Country | Diploma level programmes equivalent to New Zealand NCEA Level 2 (Year 12) | Degree level programmes equivalent to New Zealand NCEA Level 3 (Year 13) |
|---|---|---|
| Argentina | Bachillerato or Trayecto Técnico Profesional | Bachillerato Especializado or successful completion of one year tertiary study |
| Australia | Successful completion of High School Certificate | |
| Bangladesh | Higher Secondary Certificate with 65% passes in all subjects | Successful completion of two years tertiary study |
| Brazil | Completion of high school (3rd year of second level) | Successful completion of one year tertiary study |
| Brunei | GCE O Level in four subjects | GCE A levels (2xE or equivalent – minimum two academic subjects) |
| Canada | Grade 12 Certificate | Provincial High School Diploma, average 60% across 6 subjects |
| Chile | Licencia de Educacion Media or Tecnico Medio | Successful completion of one year tertiary study at a recognised institution |
| China | Senior Secondary School Certificate | Successful completion of one year tertiary study |
| Colombia | Successful completion of Tecnólogo Especializado at a recognised tertiary institution | |
| Denmark | Senior high school (Studentereksamen) with average grade of 8.0 on 11 point scale | |
| Fiji | Fiji School Leaving Certificate | Fiji Form 7 with aggregate 320 in best four subjects |
| France | Baccalauréat | |
| Germany | Mittlere reife/Realsculabschluss | Successful completion of senior high school (Abitur) |
| Hong Kong | HK Certificate of Education (HKCEE) | HKALEA Levels |
| India | Year 12 with at least a 55% average in relevant academic subjects | Year 12 with at least a 70% average in relevant academic subjects |
| Indonesia | SMA 3 | Successful completion of one year tertiary study |
| Iran/Iraq | Successful completion of one year tertiary study at a recognised institution | |
| Italy | Successful completion of Diploma di Maturità | |
| Japan | High School Leaving Certificate | Successful completion of one year of tertiary study |
| Kenya | Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education with a B+ average | |
| Korea | High School Diploma | Senior high school or upper secondary school with 80% (B) average |
| Malaysia | SPM or Chinese Unified Examination | STPM with two Es in relevant subjects; or MICSS. at least six subjects with a score of B5 or better in at least five of these subjects (cannot include more than one language). |
| Mexico | Successful completion of a qualification equivalent to New Zealand Year 12 | Successful completion of one year tertiary study or a qualification equivalent to New Zealand Year 13 |
| Nepal | Proficiency certificate with a grade average of 65% | Proficiency Certificate with a grade average of 80% |
| New Caledonia | Successful completion of Baccalaureate | Baccalaureate, minimum grade of 24 |
| New Zealand | Successful completion of Year 12 NCEA Level 2 55 credits over 4 subjects | Successful completion of Year 13 NCEA Level 3 42 credits over 4 subjects |
| Nigeria | Senior School Certificate with aggregate 22 in best six subjects | Successful completion of one year tertiary study |
| Norway | Successful completion of Videregående Skole | |
| Oman | Thanawiya Amma (Secondary School Leaving Certificate) | Successful completion of one year tertiary study at a recognised institution |
| Pacific Islands | Successful completion of Year 12 (6th Form) | Successful completion of Year 13 (7th Form) |
| Pakistan | Higher Secondary School Certificate with 60% average | Successful completion of a two year degree at a recognised institution |
| Papua New Guinea | High School Certificate | Successful completion of one year tertiary study |
| Philippines | Higher School Certificate | Successful completion of at least two years tertiary study |
| Russia | Certificate of Secondary Education; or Certificate of Maturity | Successful completion of one year of tertiary study |
| Samoa | Completion of high school | Successful completion of one year of tertiary study |
| Saudi Arabia | Tawjihiyah (General Secondary Education Certificate) with a minimum overall mark of 60% | Successful completion of first year tertiary study at a recognised institution |
| Singapore | GCE O Level in four subjects | GCE A Levels with three passes |
| Sri Lanka | GCE O Levels | GCE A Levels with four passes in relevant subjects |
| Sweden | Slutbetyg | Student Examen/Avgångsbetyg Leaving Certificate |
| Taiwan | Senior High School Leaving Certificate | Senior high school with B average (70%) |
| Thailand | Matayom 6 (with grade point average of 2.5) | Successful completion of one year tertiary study |
| Tonga | Successful completion of Year 12 (6th Form) | Successful completion of Year 13 (7th Form) |
| United Arab Emirates | 70% or better in Tawajihyya (General and Religious) | Successful completion of one year tertiary study |
| United Kingdom | GCSE | GCE A Levels |
| USA | High School Graduation Diploma | High School Diploma – SATV and SATM (mini composite score 1250) |
| Vietnam | High School Diploma | Successful completion of one year tertiary study |