New Zealand is a developed country filled with innovation and opportunities to be part of those innovations be it science, arts, business or any other field of study. Study in New Zealand is a dream for students and it is among the most preferred countries for international students. There are more than 35,000 international students in New Zealand and the numbers are increasing continuously. It provides various programs in different institutions.
The country along with the best education also provides better living standards and advanced life to students studying there. It is a safe country, friendly to international students and gives space for them to grow in various aspects.
The experts here at West Highlanders have researched thoroughly and gathered information to answer your question: What is Level 7 Graduate Diploma in New Zealand? This article includes an overview of the program, available courses, the Universities where the program is available and also the green list programs under the Level 7 graduate diploma. This article also answers the most frequently asked questions regarding the program in New Zealand along with the entry requirements you need to fulfill to get admitted.
We have been assisting with New Zealand study visa and helping students study in New Zealand for the past 18 years, since 2005.
What is Level 7 Graduate Diploma in New Zealand?
New Zealand offers numerous programs, provided by different institutions. According to the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA), the education system in New Zealand is divided into levels. Each qualification falls under a level which ranges from Level 1 to Level 10.
If you have completed your graduation and now looking to continue your studies in New Zealand then one of the options available to you is a Graduate Diploma, which is a Level 7 program according to the New Zealand Qualifications Authority.
A Graduate Diploma is a Level 7 program to study in New Zealand. It is a one-year vocational program which focuses on professional skills training. The Level 7 graduate diploma is on an advanced undergraduate level concentrated on a specific subject of study. The program is designed to fill the gap between postgraduate and undergraduate studies. The least required credit score required is 120. Students who have level 7 graduate diplomas usually get jobs in the skill work industry.
Graduate Diploma in New Zealand or Master’s Degree
Although many would argue that a Master’s is better than a graduate diploma but if you are looking for a short-term course with benefits like a master’s degree in New Zealand then the course suitable for you is a Graduate Diploma.
The graduate diploma on the green list under the New Zealand Qualifications Framework (NZQF) gives you benefits like post-study work visa and options for dependent visas with just 1 to 1.5-year course.
Apart from these benefits, the curriculum of the program is based on practical learning and skill development for students. By providing students with the necessary job-ready skills, they are better equipped to secure jobs in New Zealand and eventually settle down.
Courses under Level 7 Graduate Diploma in New Zealand
The Graduate Diploma is available in different faculties of study including management, science humanities, etc. The list of courses available in New Zealand is mentioned below.
- Graduate Diploma in Hospitality Management
- Graduate Diploma in Information Technology
- Graduate Diploma in Tourism Management
- Graduate Diploma in Cybersecurity
- Graduate Diploma in Business
- Graduate Diploma in International Studies
- Graduate Diploma in Marketing
- Graduate Diploma in Strategic Management
- Graduate Diploma in Supply Chain and Shipping Management
- Graduate Diploma in Teaching
- Graduate Diploma in Engineering
- Graduate Diploma in Human Resource Management
- Graduate Diploma in Project Management
- Graduate Diploma in Accounting
- Graduate Diploma in Computing
- Graduate Diploma in Networking
- Graduate Diploma in Designs
- Graduate Diploma in Visual Arts
- Graduate Diploma in Innovation and Entrepreneurship
- Graduate Diploma in Applied Science
- Graduate Diploma in Software and Web Development
- Graduate Diploma in Data Analytics
- Graduate Diploma in Professional Accounting
- Graduate Diploma in Applied Management
- Graduate Diploma in ICT
- Graduate Diploma in Construction
Why should the Program be on the Green List?
If you are planning to study in New Zealand then it’s important to keep in mind that all programs in New Zealand have different levels per the New Zealand Qualifications Framework. You get Post Study Visa according to the level of the program you study in New Zealand.
A Graduate Diploma is a level 7 course where you usually do not get post-study work visa but if your program comes under the Green List of NZQF then you are qualified for the post-study work visa in New Zealand.
What is the duration of a Post-Study Work Visa after the Green List Graduate Diploma?
The duration of post-study work visa after completing a green list graduate diploma directly depends on the duration of your program. If your program is of 1 year then you are eligible for a post-study work visa of 1 year but if your program is of 1.5 years then you are eligible for post-study work visa of 1.5 years.
So the duration of your graduate diploma is equal to the duration of your post-study work visa in New Zealand.
Green List Level 7 Graduate Diploma in New Zealand
There are many courses available but if you want post-study work after completing your program, you need to make sure that your program falls under the green list of NZQA. The green list programs will help you avail other benefits for you as well as for your dependents.
The list of Green List Level 7 Graduate Diploma in New Zealand:
- Graduate Diploma in Highway Engineering
- Graduate Diploma in Construction Management
- Graduate Diploma in Construction
- Graduate Diploma in Quality Surveying
- Graduate Diploma in Civil Engineering
- Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Early Childhood Education)
- Graduate Diploma in Electrical Engineering
Institutes offering Green List Level 7 Graduate Diploma in New Zealand
There are many institutes in New Zealand offering graduate diplomas, including Universities, Te Pukenga and PTEs. The list of top institutes that offer graduate diplomas under the green list in New Zealand is mentioned below.
- Waikato Institute of Technology
- Otago Polytechnic
- Southern Institute of Technology
- University of Auckland
- University of Canterbury
- Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology
- Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology
- Manukau Institute of Technology
- Western Institute of Technology Taranaki
Entry Requirements for Level 7 Graduate Diploma in New Zealand
The basic requirements for the program are academic and English requirements and also funds for your study and cost of living.
Academic Requirements– the student must have a bachelor’s degree in a related discipline. Choosing a logical study pathway is very important for your New Zealand Study visa.
English Requirements– if English is not the first language of the student then he or she needs to provide English language proficiency proof.
The acceptable exams in New Zealand are:
- IELTS
- TOEFL
- PTE
The usual required IELTS score for the program is overall 6 bands and 5.5 in each of 4 modules, speaking, writing, listening and reading although the score can vary from course to course and from institute to institute.
Funds– to study in New Zealand you need to submit the tuition fee for the first year in advance, as the Level 7 graduate diploma is only for one year, you need to submit the full tuition fee for the program you are choosing. Apart from tuition fees, if the AIP (Approval in Principle) requires FTS (Funds Transfer Scheme) then you need to submit 20,000 NZ Dollars in an FTS account which will cover your cost of living for the first year of your stay in New Zealand. You can withdraw the amount from your FTS account in monthly instalments in New Zealand. It is an important requirement for New Zealand Study Visa process.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is level 7 diploma equivalent to in NZ?
New Zealand offers a Level 7 graduate diploma. It is an advanced undergraduate program which bridges the gap between undergraduate and postgraduate programs.
What is a graduate diploma in business level 7 NZ?
There are many courses available for Level 7 graduate diploma in business in New Zealand:
- Graduate Diploma in Business
- Graduate Diploma in Business (Operations Management)
- Graduate Diploma in Business (Management)
- Graduate Diploma in Business Information Systems
- Graduate Diploma in Business (Human Resource Management)
Is a level 7 diploma a master’s?
Or
Is Level 7 Diploma equivalent to masters?
No, a level 7 graduate diploma is not a master’s or equivalent to a master’s degree. It is an advanced undergraduate diploma.
What is the duration of a graduate diploma in New Zealand?
The duration of a graduate diploma in New Zealand is one year, although it may be 18 months in some institutes.