Big Education Consulting offers fully supported applications for programme approval and accreditation and micro-credential listing, approval and accreditation with the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA).
This includes applications for …
- all areas of vocational education and training
- English language programmes and micro-credentials including the suite of New Zealand Certificate in English Language Certificates (NZCEL)
- face-to-face, blended and/or distance delivery
- any associated Consent to assess against unit, achievement or skill standards
To discuss your programme and/or micro-credential plans …
Get in touch
Frequently Asked Questions
What steps are involved in involved in applying for approval and accreditation of a programme or listing, approval and accreditation of a micro-credential?
The steps to apply for programme approval and accreditation or micro-credential listing, approval and accreditation are:
- Establish the needs of all stakeholders including where relevant the qualification developer, learners, your organisation, pathway institutions, professional bodies, industry and relevant communities.
- Compile all the evidence required and complete the relevant endorsement applications if required, i.e. Industry Skills Board endorsement for Consent to assess against standards and/or endorsement for programme/micro-credential applications
- Respond to a request for further information (RFI) from the Industry Skills Board if required
- Submit your application to NZQA
- Respond to a request for further information (RFI) from NZQA if required
For further details, get in touch to talk about your programme or micro-credential application or read the guidelines for programme applications or the guidelines for micro-credential applications on the NZQA website.
How long does it take to gain approval and accreditation of a programme or listing, approval and accreditation of a micro-credential?
It can take anywhere from two months upwards to prepare and submit a programme or micro-credential application and gain approval from NZQA.
The timeframe will depend on the level and length of the programme or micro-credential, whether endorsement is required from an Industry Skills Board, whether an application for Consent to assess is required, and whether there is a request for further information (RFI) from NZQA before the programme/micro-credential can be approved.
Once your programme/micro-credential application has been approved, you will need time to develop assessments and resources for teaching and learning before you start delivery.
How much does it cost to gain programme approval and accreditation or listing, approval and accreditation of a micro-credential??
The fees payable to NZQA to review programme and micro-credential applications are available on the fees page of the NZQA website.
Consultancy fees will depend on the programme or micro-credential, whether an application for Consent to assess is required, and the amount of support you need.
For further information, get in touch to talk about your programme or micro-credential application and the support you need.
How does an organisation maintain accreditation to deliver an approved programme or micro-credential?
To maintain programme or micro-credential accreditation, your organisation will need to:
- provide the programme (or part of the programme) or micro-credential to at least one enrolled learner in any 12-month period
- comply with NZQA rules, including the Programme Approval, Recognition, and Accreditation Rules and the Micro-credential Approval and Accreditation Rules
For further details, get in touch to talk about your programme or micro-credential application or read the guidelines for programme applications or the guidelines for micro-credential applications on the NZQA website.