Looking forward to future options

Some information which will be important to note:

University Entrance: 10 credits Numeracy at Level 1 or higher

                                 10 credits of Literacy at Level 2 or higher - 5 credits in Reading, 5 credits in Writing

These do NOT have to be in Mathematics or English however*

14 credits in EACH of 3 APPROVED subjects - NCEA Level 3 Certificate

• Travel and Tourism and Hospitality are NOT approved subjects.

• Outdoor Education is an approved subject as it has 14 PE credits offered to its students.

• Remaining 18 credits CAN be Non Approved subjects

*If students are thinking of attending The University of Auckland: Students considering attending the University of Auckland should present with 17 credits of English at Level 2 or higher. The 5 Reading and 5 Writing are still required (but can be part of the 17 credits).

Not presenting with the 17 credits will NOT affect their ability to enter The University of Auckland, it will mean they will have a compulsory Academic English paper in the first year however as part of their degree.

In terms of the 3x14 credits:

New rules now exist for Level Three subjects which have multiple 'facets' For example previously students could only use Biology, Chemistry, and Physics separately. New rules means that students can 'mix and match' these subjects together to form another subject 'Science' 

The list of these subjects are:

• Biology/Chemistry/Physics/Earth and Space Science = Science 

• Mathematics with Calculus/Mathematics with Statistics = Mathematics

• Combination of Technology standards = Technology

Common Degree/Career Pathways and Recommended Subjects 

On the whole, there are very few degrees with absolute requirements. These will be listed in bold. All other degrees listed below are recommended subjects (and these are the highest entry criteria so students will have all options open to them).

Remember these are recommended subjects by universities and if students choose not to take them, it does not necessarily restrict them from entry into a chosen pathway.

These degrees are the most common destinations for students from Albany Senior High School over the past 3 years (as in we have had more than 10 students apply). Of course there will be other options and you can see Craig for advice on these.

• Arts: No formal subject requirements. University Entrance required.

• Science: No formal subject requirements. University Entrance required for most Sciences. Obviously subjects relating to a chosen Science major will be useful.

• Business: Recommended subjects Mathematics, Accounting, Economics, Business Studies and a language rich subject. No formal requirement to have any of these, however students should consider carefully to have at least Mathematics or a Business related subject.

• Medicine/Dentistry/Pharmacy/Vet: HIGHLY Recommended to have: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, and a language rich subject. Students who do not choose Physics will be recommended to take a Physics intensive course run by The University of Auckland, Massey University or The University of Otago prior to the start of the academic year.

• Engineering: MUST do all externals for Physics and Calculus (NOT Mathematics). 3PHYS and 3MAC compulsory. Other specialities (such as Chemical and Materials Engineering) may require specific subjects.

• Law: MUST meet entry requirements for 'other' degree. Subjects heavy in critical thinking and writing highly recommended.

• Fine Arts/Design: Portfolio is required for this. Students require University Entrance however entry is determined by the strength of their portfolio. Students need to make sure they know what the requirements are as different tertiary institutions may require different elements in a portfolio. Painting, DVC, Photography, Design, or Digital Technology recommended dependant on anticipated major in their degree.

• Nursing: (and other clinical health based programmes) Biology and Chemistry are required by most institutions. Some will accept students without one or the other, however these are highly recommended. If applying to University of Auckland, you must have 18 Credits in either Biology, Chemistry or Physics. Students should also have a current Advanced First Aid Certificate.

• Architecture: University of Auckland requires a portfolio, language rich subject, and a Math/Science subject (usually Calculus and Physics). Unitec, AUT and Victoria University do not have such requirements but students could be advised to take them to keep all options open. Recommended creative subjects any one of: Painting, Photography, Design, DVC, or Digital Technology.

• Sport and Recreation: (and other majors within). No specific requirements however preference is given to students with a language rich subject or Math/Science/PE.

• Education: No specific subject requirements (however for secondary teaching, student MUST take undergraduate degree in their teaching specialty first). University Entrance required, interview and police check.

• Health: (NON clinical pathways) Preference is for one of: language rich subject and/or Math/Science based subject. Some programmes will also require an interview and selection process.

• Communications, Media, Public Relations, Event Management: Institutions prefer two subjects from: Classics, Drama, English, Geography, Health, History, Art History, Media, or Social Anthropology. Competitive entry.

• Popular Study Destinations from Level Two: These programmes are our most entered programmes from students leaving school with NCEA Level Two. 

• Animal Science/Vet Nursing: At least one of Biology or Chemistry. A language rich subject also required.

• Trades/Apprenticeships: Most training providers will want English Maths and Science at at least Level 1. Higher level courses will expect English and Physics/Chemistry at Level 2. There are some foundation courses (listed above) which will take students without these subjects.

• Travel and Tourism: As our Travel course cross credits into tertiary programmes, no formal requirements needed. Highly Recommended for Flight Attendant is a FULL driver's licence.

• Hairdressing/Beauty: No formal requirements. Preference for English and Maths Level 1.

• Hospitality and Retail: No formal requirements. Experience is useful.

• Police/Military: Minimum Level 1 Maths and English. Other requirements for specialties. 

If ever confronted with 'I don't want to leave before Year 13 because I don't want to 'drop out', here is the guiding vision from the Ministry of Education:

Our Government has set clear and challenging better Public Service targets. 85% of 18 year olds will have achieved NCEA Level 2 or equivalent in 2017.

NCEA Level 2 is the National measure of 'success' at secondary school. All Certificate and Diploma course options are open to students with NCEA Level 2 (some may require specific subjects however). NCEA Level 3 should be for those intending to transition to university/degree level study.

Youth Guarantee Programmes. Because of the Government's targets, ALL Level 1 and 2 certificates at tertiary institutions are FREE. This is up to the age of 25. These courses are very introductory in nature and may suit students who require some type of qualification for more employment related purposes.

There are also a number of qualifications at Level 3 which are fully funded. These Youth Guarantee placements are limited in number and students have to apply for a funded place and/or have an interview. Youth Guarantee places are generally vocational in nature and are usually for students who do not have NCEA Level 2 (There are some exceptions). Most of these courses will require students to have basic literacy and numeracy (Level 1), however some places do not require any formal qualifications. Most Youth Guarantee places include travel costs and full fees paid. Students are unable to access Student Loans for these programmes.

Institutions we have current arrangements for Youth Guarantee places are:

• Unitec Institute of Technology – Trades (Automotive, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Multiskill Construction), Music, and Foundation Studies

• Servilles – Hospitality and Retail

• Cut Above Academy – Hairdressing

• NZMA – Early Childhood Education, Health, Disability and Aged Care Support, Sport, Hospitality, Floristry

• New Zealand School of Tourism – Travel and Tourism

• New Zealand Equine Training School – Equine Training (based in Pukekohe but pick ups from Papakura)

• New Zealand Institute of Sport – Sport and Recreation

• Advance Training Centre – Military Studies

• Auckland Hotel and Chef's Training School – Hospitality Cookery

• Whitereia (MAINZ) – Certificate in Foundation Sound and Music

• Te Wananga O Aotearoa – Construction, Multimedia (Computing), Maori Art, Fitness, Retail, and Tourism

• Premier Hairdressing Academy – Hairdressing

• Regent Training Centre - Automotive, Building, Customer Service, Tourism, Hospitality, Intensive Literacy & Numeracy

• Taratahi Agricultural College – Farming and Agriculture

• Mahurangi Technical Institute – Keystep (a programme which exposes students to 10 different career options. Very practical in nature and covers hospitality, tourism, automotive, marine technology and more)

• Workforce Development – Hospitality Cookery

These programmes all contribute credits from the National Qualifications Framework and therefore students can use these credits to gain NCEA certificates as well. The purpose of these programmes is to ensure students leave school to gain minimum Level 2 qualifications and pathway into higher level study if they so wish. These higher level studies will incur normal tertiary costs and Student Loans are available to assist with these. Students who have Level 2 will also generally pathway into Certificate and Diploma courses set at Level 4, 5, and 6.