To qualify for admission to a Bachelor degree at Lincoln University you will require one of the following:
University Entrance (UE) through NCEA
This is known as the common entrance standard to New Zealand's university degree programmes. The minimum standard is:
- A minimum of 42 credits at level 3 or higher on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF), including a minimum of 14 credits at level 3 or higher in each of two subjects from the approved list, with a further 14 credits at level 3 or higher taken from no more than two additional domains on the NQF or approved subjects; and
- Literacy – 8 credits at Level 2 or higher in English or Te Reo Maori; 4 credits must be in Reading and 4 in Writing. These credits must be chosen from a selected list.
- Numeracy – 14 credits at Level 1 or higher in Mathematics or Statistics and Probability or Pangarau
If you are enrolled at a New Zealand secondary school and have not yet completed this qualification you can still apply now for admission. When your results are released in January we will check them and contact you.
For more detailed information about the ‘approved list’ and specific literacy credits we suggest you check the information on the New Zealand Qualifications Authority website http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/ncea
Entrance qualifications obtained prior to NCEA
There are a number of older qualifications which are equivalent to the NCEA UE standard and acceptable for bachelor degree entry.
- New Zealand University Entrance, Bursaries and Scholarships (NZUEBS) examination prior to 2003: a student must have gained C grades or better in three individual subjects and hold a Higher School Certificate, or must have a combination of NZUEBS A, B or C grades and level 3 unit standards from the NQF in approved subjects.
- New Zealand University Bursaries Examination prior to 1993: a student must have gained a grade of A, B, C, or D in each of four individual subjects.
- New Zealand University Entrance accredited or passed by examination prior to 1986.
Ad Eundem Statum at entrance level
Ad Eundem Statum means ‘with equivalent status’. If you have not taken NCEA courses and achieved your UE, or if you have taken a mix of NCEA and other study, you may have an alternative qualification that has been approved as being equivalent to the common entrance standard.
View equivalent achievement level for admission to Lincoln’s Bachelor degrees
Also acceptable as equivalent qualifications are:
- International Baccalaureate (IB):
The diploma must have been completed with a minimum of 24 points, with English as Language A1 at either Higher or Standard level and includes any mathematics subject.
- University of Cambridge International Examinations (CIE):
Students must achieve 120 points on the UCAS tariff including; a minimum grade of D in at least three subjects at AS level or higher, equivalent to subjects on the NCEA approved subject list; a minimum grade of E in English at AS level; a minimum grade of D in Maths at IGCSE level
- NZIM and Young Enterprise Certificate
In some cases, credits gained through NZIM or Young Enterprise certificates may be combined with NCEA credits to give entrance Ad Eundem Statum.
- Exchange Programme
Completion of a year at an overseas high school as part of an exchange programme, having achieved a total of at least 72 level 2 NCEA credits across four subjects including three approved subjects.
Special admission
Any New Zealand citizen or Permanent Resident (referred to as ‘domestic’ students) who will be 20 years of age on or before the first day of the semester in which they wish to begin their course may be granted Special Admission.
Discretionary entrance
Discretionary entrance is a means of gaining entrance to university available to New Zealand citizens and Permanent Residents (domestic students) who are under 20 years of age and who have not otherwise gained a university entrance qualification.
The decision to award Discretionary Entrance is made by designated members of the University’s academic staff. A successful applicant would be likely 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. Domestic applicants with qualifications other than NCEA will also be considered.
There is an application fee and you must apply using the Discretionary Entrance application form. Contact us for further information.
Email: admission@lincoln.ac.nz
Freephone: 0800 10 60 10
Phone: 64 3 325 2811
Admission with credit
Students transferring from another approved tertiary institution may 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.
Credit applications can take some time to finalise so must be submitted at least three weeks before the start of a semester. Late applications are unlikely to be finalised before the closing date to enrol.
Students must apply using the Cross Credit application form (PDF 41 KB) and provide an official academic record from the other institution with the application. Additional documentation may be required to complete the assessment, such as course outlines. The application must be submitted to the Student Administration office. A fee is payable at the time that any credit awarded is transferred onto a Lincoln University record.
In addition
All students must meet the University's English Language Requirements.