ProVisas Immigration Advisers

Qualifications exempt from assessment

Ireland qualifications: do you need an NZQA assessment?

Immigration New Zealand lists 46 qualifications from Ireland that do not need an IQA at NZQF levels 4 to 10, awarded by 42 listed institutions.

If your qualification is on this list, was awarded by a listed institution within the listed years, and is not excluded by the notes, Immigration New Zealand accepts its level without an International Qualification Assessment (IQA) from NZQA.

All of the conditions below have to be met together. Meeting one of them is not enough, and this is where most people go wrong: the qualification and the awarding institution are two separate checks.

When is a qualification from Ireland exempt?

Immigration New Zealand exempts a qualification from assessment only when every one of these conditions is met. Meeting some of them is not enough.

  1. the qualification is listed in the Academic Qualifications Table
  2. the awarding institution is listed in one of the Awarding Institutions Tables
  3. the qualification abbreviation is listed in the right-hand column in one of the Awarding Institutions Tables
  4. the qualification was awarded from or within the year range listed in the right-hand column in one of the Awarding Institutions Tables
  5. the qualification is not excluded by the notes listed under the Academic Qualifications Table

If any condition fails, you need an International Qualification Assessment from NZQA before you claim points for the qualification. Our guide to the IQA and NZQA assessment explains that process, and the SMC points system explainer covers what a qualification is worth once its level is confirmed.

Academic Qualifications: exempt qualifications

The NZQF level is the New Zealand framework level Immigration New Zealand accepts for the qualification. It is not a points score.

Qualification Abbrev. NZQF level
Baccalaureus in Arte Ingeniaria with or without Honours BAI 7
Baccalaureatus in Medicina, in Chirurgia, in Arte Obstetricia (Bachelor of Medicine of Surgery and of Obstetrics) with or without Honours** BM 7
Bachelor of Architecture with Honours BArch 7
Bachelor of Arts with Honours (a speciality may be stated) BA 7
Bachelor of Business and Law with Honours BBL 7
Bachelor of Business Studies with Honours BBS 7
Bachelor of Civil Law with Honours BCL 7
Bachelor of Commerce with Honours BC 7
Bachelor of Corporate Law with Honours BCOL 7
Bachelor of Dental Science with Honours** BDSc 7
Bachelor of Dental Surgery with or without Honours BDS 7
Bachelor of Engineering with or without Honours (until 2004) BE 7
Bachelor of Engineering with Honours (2005 onwards) BEH 7
Bachelor of Midwifery Science with Honours BMS 7
Bachelor of Nursing Science with Honours BNS 7
Bachelor of Laws with Honours LLB 7
Bachelor of Pharmacy with Honours BP 7
Bachelor of Science with Honours (a speciality may be stated) BS 7
Bachelor of Science in Electrical Services and Energy Management with Honours BSES 7
Bachelor of Science (Geographical Science) with Honours BSG 7
Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine with or without Honours BVM 7
Master in Letters / Magister / Magisterii in Litteris ML 9
Master of Arts MA 9
Master of Fine Arts MFA 9
Master of Letters MLE 9
Master of Literature MLit 9
Master of Philosophy / Magisterii in Philosophia MP 9
Doctor in Philosophy / Doctores in Philosophia DP 10
Doctor of Philosophy / Philosophiae doctor PhD 10

Notes on this table

  • * Abbreviations used are for the purposes of this list only.
  • ** Baccalaureatus in Medicina, in Chirurgia, in Arte Obstetricia awarded in conjunction with study at Penang Medical College Malaysia, Perdana University in Malaysia, or the Medical University of Bahrain should be referred to NZQA for an International Qualifications Assessment.
  • *** For ’moderatores’ wording for degrees from Universitas Dubliniensis (The University of Dublin) (Trinity College Dublin) (Coláiste na Tríonóide, Baile Átha Cliath), refer to Honours degrees notes below.
  • Note: Award certificates must be provided in their original language. The award certificates from the National University of Ireland and the University of Dublin (Trinity College Dublin) are issued in Latin. English translations are also issued by these universities. The original award certificate and a translated copy issued by the University should be provided. Other institutions’ award certificates are issued in English, or in English and Irish. The following must be referred to NZQA for an International Qualifications Assessment: - All honorary degrees - All listed qualifications where study was completed at any institution outside of the country, including any overseas campuses of any listed awarding institution - All listed qualifications that contain cross-credited courses or papers - All qualifications awarded after 2017 Honours degrees: - From 1982–2004 ‘honours’ may be indicated by a class of Honours, for example ‘First’, or ‘Second’ Class Honours. - From 2005 all award certificates for Bachelor degrees with Honours should state either ‘Honours’, ‘(Hons)’, or ‘with Honours’, or may be awarded with a class of Honours, as above. - University of Dublin (Trinity College Dublin) Honours degrees may be recorded on the award certificates as Moderatorships, for example ’Moderatores Secundae Classis Primae Divisionis’ (Moderators of the Second Class First Division) or Honors, Honores which may be followed by the Class.

Academic Qualifications: awarding institutions

Your qualification is only exempt if it was awarded by one of these institutions, the abbreviation appears against that institution, and the award year falls in the range shown.

Institution Qualifications and years
Universitas Hiberniae Nationalis (The National University of Ireland) The award certificate will also state one of the following constituent colleges: Collegio Corcagiensi (University College Cork) Collegio Dublinense (University College Dublin) Collegio Galviensi (University College Galway) BM, BArch, BA, BC, BCL, BDS, LLB, BP, BS, BVM and PhD: 1982–1997 BE: 1989–1997
Universitate Hiberniae Nationali apud Galviam (National University of Ireland, Galway) (NUI Galway) (OÉ Gaillimh) BM, BA, BC, BCOL, LLB, BS and PhD: 1997 BCL: 2004 BE: 1997–2004 BEH: 2005 BNS: 2006 BMS: 2010 MLit: 2002
Universitate Hiberniae Nationalis apud Manutium (National University of Ireland, Maynooth) (Ollscoil na hÉireann, Má Nuad) (NUI Maynooth) BA, BS and PhD: 1997 BCL: 2011 BE: 2003–2004 BEH: 2005
Universitate Hiberniae Nationali apud Corcagium (University College Cork- National University of Ireland) (Coláiste na hOllscoile Corcaigh) (UCC) BM, BA, BC, BCL, BDS, BS, MP and PhD: 1997 BE: 1997–2004 BEH: 2005 BP: 2008
Universitate Hiberniae Nationali apud Dublinum (University College Dublin-National University of Ireland) (An Coláiste Ollscoile, Baile Átha Cliath) (UCD) BM, BA, BBL, BCL, BVM, MLit and PhD: 1997 BArch:1997–2008 BE: 1997–2004 BEH: 2005
Collegio Nationali Artis et Designationis (National College of Art and Design) BA and PhD: 2003 MA: 2003–2013 MFA: 2008 MLE: 2007–2010 MLit: 2012
Collegio Regali Chirurgorum in Hibernia / Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (Coláiste Ríoga na Máinleá ain Éirinn) BM: 1982 BS: 2006–2010
DCU (Dublin City University) (Ollscoil Chathair Bhaile Átha Cliath) BA and BS: 2003 BE: 1998–2004 BEH: 2005 PhD: 1998
DIT (Dublin Institute of Technology) (Institiúid Teicneolaíochta Átha Cliath) BArch: 2003 BA: 2001 BE: 2001–2004 BEH: 2005 LLB: 2009 BSES: 2010 BSG: 2003
Universitas Dubliniensis (The University of Dublin) (Trinity College Dublin) (Coláiste na Tríonóide, Baile Átha Cliath)*** BAI: 1989 BM, BA, BBS, BDSc, LLB, BS and DP: 1982 ML: 1983 MFA: 2015
University of Limerick (Ollscoil Luimnigh) BArch: 2010 BA and BS: 2003 BE: 2000–2004 BEH: 2005–2012 LLB and PhD: 2000
Athlone Institute of Technology (AIT) BE and BS: 2001–2004
Cork Institute of Technology (CIT) BE: 2004 only BEH: 2005 only BS: 2001–2005
Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology (IADT) BA: 2001–2006
Dundalk Institute of Technology BE and BS: 2001–2004
Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT) BS: 2001–2004
Letterkenny Institute of Technology (lyit) BS: 2001–2004
Limerick Institute of Technology (LIT) BS: 2001–2005
National College of Art and Design BA: 2001–2003
Waterford Institute of Technology BS: 2001–2003
Athlone Institute of Technology / Institiúid Teicneolaíochta Bhaile Átha Luain (AIT) BE: 2004 only BEH: 2005 BS: 2004
Cork Institute of Technology / Institiúid Teicneolaíochta Chorcaí (CIT) BEH: 2005 BS: 2005
Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology / Institiúid Ealaíne, Deartha and Teicneolaíochta Dhún Laoghaire (IADT) BA: 2006
Dundalk Institute of Technology/ Institiúid Teicneolaíochta, Dhún Dealgan BE: 2004 only BEH: 2005 BS: 2004
Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology / Institiúid Teicneolaíochta na Gaillimhe- Maigh Eo (GMIT) BE: 2004 only BEH: 2005 BS: 2004
Letterkenny Institute of Technology / Institiúid Teicneolaíochta Leitir Ceanainn (LYIT) BA (Law speciality): 2009 BS: 2004
Limerick Institute of Technology / Institiúid Teicneolaíochta Luimnigh (LIT) BS: 2005
Waterford Institute of Technology / Institiúid Teicneolaíochta Phort Láirge BArch and BS: 2004 BE: 2004 only BEH: 2005

Source: Immigration New Zealand Operational Manual . Synced 13 September 2026.

Craft and Trade Qualifications: exempt qualifications

The NZQF level is the New Zealand framework level Immigration New Zealand accepts for the qualification. It is not a points score.

Qualification Abbrev. NZQF level
Level 6 Advanced Certificate AC 4
National Craft Certificate NC 4
Trade Certificate - Grade: Senior Note: This also requires evidence of a Record of Apprenticeship, awarded by AnCO – The Industrial Training Authority, which includes a Certificate of Completion of Apprenticeship and a National Craft Certificate TC 4

Notes on this table

  • Note: This also requires evidence of a Record of Apprenticeship, awarded by AnCO – The Industrial Training Authority, which includes a Certificate of Completion of Apprenticeship and a National Craft Certificate
  • * The above qualifications must be awarded in one of the following crafts or trades within the relevant dates indicated:
  • ** Abbreviations used are for the purposes of this list only If an applicant believes their qualification may be higher than the level stated they should apply to NZQA for an International Qualifications Assessment.
  • Note: Award certificates must be provided in their original language. Award certificates are issued in English, or in English and Irish. The following must be referred to NZQA for an International Qualifications Assessment: - All listed qualifications where study was completed at any institution outside of the country, including any overseas campuses of any listed awarding institution - All listed qualifications that contain cross-credited courses or papers - All qualifications awarded after 2018
  • *Foras Áiseanna Saothair
  • ** Quality and Qualifications Ireland / Dearbhú Cáilíochta agus Cáilíochtaí Éireann

Craft and Trade Qualifications: awarding institutions

Your qualification is only exempt if it was awarded by one of these institutions, the abbreviation appears against that institution, and the award year falls in the range shown.

Institution Qualifications and years
Department of Education TC: 1980–1987
Department of Education / FÁS* - The Training and Employment Authority NC: 1987–1997
Department of Education and Science / FÁS* - The Training and Employment Authority NC: 1997–2001
FETAC (Further Education and Training Council) NC: 2001–2006 AC: 2006–2012
FETAC (Further Education and Training Council) (Awarded by QQI** will be evident under the FETAC logo on the award certificate) AC: 2013–2015
QQI Award - Further Education and Training Award AC: 2015

Source: Immigration New Zealand Operational Manual . Synced 13 September 2026.

Technical Craft Related Qualifications: exempt qualifications

The NZQF level is the New Zealand framework level Immigration New Zealand accepts for the qualification. It is not a points score.

Qualification Abbrev. NZQF level
Higher Certificate in Advanced Carpentry and Joinery CJ 5
Higher Certificate in Advanced Painting and Decorating Technology PD 5
Higher Certificate in Advanced Plumbing and Heating Technology PH 5
Higher Certificate in Construction Technology CC 5
Higher Certificate in Engineering in Building Services Engineering / Building Services BS 5
Higher Certificate in Electrical Services Engineering ESE 5
Higher Certificate in Engineering in Civil Engineering / Higher Certificate in Civil Engineering CE 5
Higher Certificate in Engineering Civil and Environmental CEE 5
Higher Certificate in Engineering in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering MM 5
Higher Certificate in Engineering in Mechanical Engineering ME 5
Higher Certificate in Science in Architectural Technology AT 5
Higher Certificate in Science in Construction / Construction Studies / Construction Practice / Construction Management / Construction Technology SC 5
Higher Certificate in Science in (Construction Economics / Quantity Surveying) CEQS 5
Higher Certificate in Science in Sustainable Building and Property / Sustainable Building and Renewable Energy SB 5

Notes on this table

  • * Abbreviations used are for the purposes of this list only.
  • Note: Award certificates must be provided in their original language. Award certificates are issued in English, or in English and Irish. The following must be referred to NZQA for an International Qualifications Assessment: - All listed qualifications where study was completed at any institution outside of the country, including any overseas campuses of any listed awarding institution - All listed qualifications that contain cross-credited courses or papers - All qualifications awarded after 2017

Technical Craft Related Qualifications: awarding institutions

Your qualification is only exempt if it was awarded by one of these institutions, the abbreviation appears against that institution, and the award year falls in the range shown.

Institution Qualifications and years
Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) / Institiúid Teicneolaíochta Átha Cliath PD and PH: 2005–2015 CE, CC, BS and ESE: 2005 ME: 2005–2012 CEQS: 2011
Athlone Institute of Technology / Institiúid Teicneolaíochta Bhaile Átha Luain (AIT) CE and ME: 2005 SC: 2012–2016
Cork Institute of Technology / Institiúid Teicneolaíochta Chorcaí (CIT) BS, CE, ME and SC: 2005
Dundalk Institute of Technology / Institiúid Teicneolaíochta Dhún Dealgan BS: 2010–2014 CE and ME: 2005–2015
Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology / Institiúid Teicneolaíochta na Gaillimhe- Maigh Eo (GMIT) CE: 2005 ME: 2005–2014 AT: 2012 SC and CEQS: 2011
Letterkenny Institute of Technology / Institiúid Teicneolaíochta Leitir Ceanainn CE: 2005–2007 ME: 2005–2006
Limerick Institute of Technology / Institiúid Teicneolaíochta Luimnigh (LIT) CE: 2005–2010 CEE: 2011 MM: 2010–2016 ME: 2005 SC: 2012 SB: 2013
Waterford Institute of Technology / Institiúid Teicneolaíochta Phort Láirge BS and ME: 2005

Source: Immigration New Zealand Operational Manual . Synced 13 September 2026.

Not sure how yours reads?

Matching an award certificate against this list is fiddlier than it looks: institutions get renamed, award years narrow the exemption, and the notes can rule a qualification out. Talk it through with us and we will listen to your situation and match you with the right IAA-licensed adviser.

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This page reproduces Immigration New Zealand's published List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment and is general information, not immigration advice. INZ revises the list, so check the linked source page before you rely on it. ProVisas is a licensed New Zealand immigration advisory firm (IAA Licence 201301110).