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Career Requirements

BACKGROUND INFORMATION FOR CAREERS

This information will help students with their subject choices.

These represent only a small selection of possible careers and the entry requirements listed here are only a guide an generally minimum ones.  Often an extra year of school can help your chances of selection

Generally the higher the level the qualification sought, the higher the school qualification required.  Degrees require University Entrance and National Diplomas require 54 or more level 2 credits.

Careers such as trades which have an apprenticeship or pre-trade training requirement at present are not listed Most currently require English, Mathematics and a Science to level 2, as well as other appropriate subjects.

STAR courses and Work Experience often help to gain entry.

For further or more detailed information see the careers staff or use the resources and computers in the Library.  Two useful websites are: www.kiwicareers.govt.nz and www.careers.govt.nz.

Success in tertiary education correlates closely with success at school – the more you have above the minimum requirements, the higher the chances of success.

The schedule below relates mainly to local courses.  You need to check requirements for entry into specific courses as some have a restricted number of places. 

CAREER

 

BACKGROUND REQUIRED

Accountancy

Degree (BCom)

UE, maths, statistics, accounting or economics

Agriculture &Horticulture

Degree

Diploma

UE, level 3 maths and sciences needed, geography useful.

Lincoln, UE, 40 level 2 credits across 4 subjects with maths and english – minimum 2 months farm experience

Architecture

 

 

Degree

Diploma

UE, level 3 english, maths with calculus and physics.  Some drawing skill and advantage.  Entry into AKL requires portfolio + 16 credits in each of an English and science based subject.

12 level 2 credits in physics and maths

Armed Forces

Officer Cadet

Pilot Cadetship

At least 12 level 2 credits in each of english, maths, physics or chemistry.

Total of 56 level 2 credits in best 4 subjects including english, math, physical science, plus year 13 attendance, age 17-20 yrs.

 

Arts – Fine Arts

 

 

 

Degree

 

Diploma

Entry to School of Fine Arts (Canterbury) requires 48 level 3 credits in two art subjects, 14 level 3 credits in each of tow other non practical art subjects.  Entry competitive.

In commercial Art/Interior Decorating – Polytechnic – Folio of work, 12 level 2 credits or better, English and practical art.

Arts & Humanities

Degree BA

 

Banking

 

Degree in Commerce

Bankers Institute Award. Polytechnic – 12 level 2 credits.

Biotechnology

Degree B Tech

UE, Useful subjects maths, chemistry, physics, biology.

Business & Management

NZ Diploma Business

55 level 2 credits across four subjects.

Child Care

Min age 19

54 level 2 credits across four subjects.

Clerical Work – Reception

General education to level 2.

Keyboard skills helpful.  Various polytechnic office skills courses available.

Computing

Degree
Diploma

UE + 12 level 2 credits in maths, accounting or economics.
Polytechnic – good level 2 grades including English and aptitude test.

Construction Management

 

12 credits at level 2 in each of 3 subjects.

Cooking and Catering

 

General education to year 11.  Interest in the industry.  Polytechnic course, Armed Services main training options.  Year 12 generally required.  Work experience helps.

Design

Degree
Diploma

Wide range of courses and qualifications. 
Portfolio plus level 3.
Portfolio plus level 2.

Dietetics – Food Technology

Degree
NZ Diploma in Science (food)

UE level 3 maths, chemistry, biology, physics.
Polytechnic – good level 2 grades, biology and/or physics and/or chemistry required.

Education

Degree (Bed)

UE required.

Electronics

 

Math, physics or electronics to an advanced level, Degree levels now available. 
Polytechnic offers Diploma.

Engineering

Degree (BE)


NZ Diploma in Engineering

UE.  High achievement in level 3 mahs with calculus, maths with statistics, physics, chemistry, highly competitive.

Polytechnic – 48 level 2 credits or better in maths, physics and another science or management subject.

Environmental  Science

Degree (BForSc)



NZ Certificate in Forestry

UE.  Good marks in level 3 English, maths, biology and chemistry.  Physics, economics and geography are useful.  Lincoln Degree.

Polytechnic – level 2 maths and biology.

Food Science

 

Biology and chemistry required.

Hairdressing

 

General education to year 11.

Health

Doctor

 



Dentist
Pharmacy
Laboratory Science
Physiotherapy

Auckland – selection based on first year results – at least one humanity.

Otago – Health intermediate course for all health sciences – biology, chemistry, English, maths, physics, statistics.

As above.
As above.
As above.
As above.

Hotel & Catering Industry

Diploma (HCITB)

Certificate

Polytech – age 18, 55 level 2 credits in 4 subjects including English, accounting and/or economics preferred.  Interest and work experience helpful.  Selection includes interview and aptitude test.

Journalism

Degree (BA)

Diploma Postgrad

Certificate

Highly competitive.

Any good quality degree.

In Media Studies, Polytechnic – level 2 with good grade in English.  Work experience and STAR courses desirable. 

Land Surveying

 

Polytechnic – bursary calculus essential; statistics, geography, computer studies are helpful.

Law

Degree (LLB)

UE, entry to second year competitive; good English based grades.

Marketing

Degree (within BCom)

UE.  Preferably with maths, economics or English.  Languages are useful.

Marine Biology

BSc Biology

 

Motor Trades

 

Level 1 English and maths minimum.  Polytechnic pre-apprenticeship course.

Music

Degree (BMus)

Diploma

UE.  Year 12 and 13 music preferred.

3 years secondary education.  Audition pass – age 16 years.

Nursing

Degree (B Nursing)

UE.  English and biology or other science and English based subjects such as history and geography.

Occupational Therapy

 

12 level 2 credits or better in 4 subjects.  Biology and English preferred plus year 13 and/or work experience.  High competitive.

Parks and Recreation

Degree (BP&RMgt)

UE.  Year 13 biology, chemistry and physics.  English and geography useful.

Pharmacy

Degree (BPharm)

UE.  Chemistry, biology, statistics, physics,.  Highly competitive.

Photography

 

Portfolio

Physical Education

Degree (BPhEd)



Degree BEd (PE)

Otago – good grades in level 3 – no specific subject requirements, PhEd useful.  Highly competitive.  80 + level 2 credits with some excellence and merit grades an advantage.

Canterbury – 80 + level 2 credits.  UE necessary – very competitive.

Planning

 

Year 13 English, math, economics, geography, biology preferred.

Police

 

Age 19-31.  Must pass medical and fitness test.

Podiatry

Degree

AUT must have level 3

Quantity Surveying

Diploma

Certificate

Polytechnic, 12 level 2 credits in each of 3 subjects – maths desirable.

Radiography

 

UE. English, maths, physics, biology, chemistry.  Year 12 or higher at time of application.

Science

Degree (BSc)

Nat Diploma in Science

UE.  Maths and sciences desirable.

Polytechnic – level 2 chemistry and English essential, other sciences advisable.

Social Work

Degree

Diploma

UE.

CPIT – level 2 credits over 4 subjects

Teaching

Degree

Early Childhood, Primary UE.  Must have 50 level 2 credits in best 4 subjects, including 12 in English, Selection competitive.
Secondary.  University degree.  For physical education UE plus 60 level 2 credits with merits and excellence in many.

Tourism

Certificate

Polytechnic – 12 level 2 credits in 4 subjects.  Geography and languages useful.

Veterinary

 

 

Degree (BVSc)


Animal Science

UE.  Chemistry, maths, physics, biology.  Very competitive.  About 75 of 250 applicants are chosen at end of the first semester.

CPIT 12 credits level 1 English