NCEA Change 2028

New Senior Secondary Qualifications Coming to New Zealand
The Government has announced significant changes to New Zealand's senior secondary qualifications, with NCEA set to be replaced by a new qualification system designed to provide clearer recognition of student achievement and stronger preparation for further study, training, and employment.

Introducing NZCE and NZACE
From the end of this decade, students will work towards two new qualifications:
▶New Zealand Certificate of Education (NZCE) – typically achieved in Year 12.
▶New Zealand Advanced Certificate of Education (NZACE) – typically achieved in Year 13.
These qualifications are intended to be easier for parents, employers, tertiary providers, and students to understand, while maintaining high academic standards and credibility.

A Stronger Subject-Based Approach
Under the new system, students will study at least five subjects each year in Years 12 and 13. To gain a qualification, students must successfully complete a minimum of three subjects, while achieving success across a broader range of subjects will be clearly recognised on their certificate.
Unlike NCEA, certificates will display:
▶The subjects studied.
▶The grade achieved in each subject.
▶The total number of subjects successfully completed.
This approach aims to provide a clearer picture of a student's strengths, achievements, and areas of expertise.

Literacy and Numeracy Remain Essential
Before students can gain the new qualifications, they must first achieve a Foundational Award in Literacy and Numeracy, benchmarked at approximately Year 11 level. This ensures all students leave school with the essential reading, writing, and mathematical skills needed for life beyond school.

A New Grading Scale
The new qualifications will introduce a straightforward six-point grading scale:
▶A+
▶A
▶B
▶C
▶D
▶E
This grading system is intended to be easier for families, employers, and tertiary institutions to understand, while providing clearer differentiation between levels of achievement.

Recognition for High Achievement
Students who perform exceptionally well across all five subjects may be eligible for endorsement awards, recognising outstanding academic or vocational success. The new system is designed to reward consistent effort and achievement across a broad programme of learning rather than focusing solely on accumulating credits.

Changes to Assessment
Every subject will include:
▶Internal assessment, completed during the year.
▶An external examination, completed at the end of the course.
The balance between internal and external assessment will vary depending on the nature of the subject. This approach is intended to provide greater consistency while ensuring students can demonstrate learning in different ways.

A New Knowledge-Rich Curriculum
The qualification changes are being developed alongside a redesigned senior secondary curriculum. The aim is to ensure that what students learn and how they are assessed are closely aligned.
Several new subjects have already been announced, including:
▶Civics, Politics and Philosophy
▶Journalism, Media and Communications
▶Advanced Mathematics
The new curriculum will also include industry-led subjects developed in partnership with Industry Skills Boards, such as:
▶Building and Construction
▶Outdoor Education
▶Primary Industries
These vocational pathways will have equal status alongside more traditional academic subjects.

Science Becomes Compulsory
From 2028, Science will become a compulsory Year 11 subject alongside:
▶English
▶Mathematics
This change reflects the Government's view that scientific understanding is an essential foundation for modern life and future career opportunities.

What This Means for Students
The first students expected to progress through the new qualification pathway are those currently in Year 9. They will experience a more structured curriculum and a qualification system designed to:
▶Clearly recognise achievement.
▶Provide stronger preparation for tertiary study, apprenticeships, and employment.
▶Encourage excellence across a wider range of subjects.
▶Offer qualifications that are internationally credible and easily understood.

Looking Ahead
While NCEA has served New Zealand students for many years, the Government believes the new qualification framework will provide a clearer, more rigorous, and more transparent measure of achievement. The NZCE and NZACE aim to give students, families, employers, and tertiary institutions greater confidence in what a school qualification represents, while ensuring young people leave school well prepared for the opportunities ahead.