The NZQA and the NQAI announce the conclusion of a joint project which set out to improve the basis on which Ireland and New Zealand recognise each other’s qualifications. The project, which was undertaken by the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland (NQAI) and the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA), involved comparing the national qualifications frameworks of the two countries. 

  The final report on the project entitled “The Compatibility of Qualifications in Ireland and New Zealand” is available here and here .

The main findings of the project were as follows:
The project found that degree qualifications at Levels 7 to 10 of the Irish National Framework of Qualifications (Irish NFQ) are broadly comparable with degree qualifications at Levels 7 to 10 of the New Zealand Qualifications Framework (NZQF).
Technical work on mapping of Level 1 to 6 of the NZQF and the Irish NFQ was completed as part of the project. Findings indicate that ongoing implementation of the NZQF and the Irish NFQ is required to improve the compatibility between frameworks at these levels.

Both the NZQA and the NQAI valued the opportunity to work in partnership with one another and found the exercise of comparing both frameworks very interesting and informative. The joint-project provided a systems-level opportunity for NZQA and NQAI to:

• fulfil their respective roles of ensuring that New Zealand and Irish qualifications are accepted as credible and robust both nationally and internationally
• contribute to government and education sector priorities by increasing international understanding, comparability and recognition of New Zealand and Irish qualifications for both study and employment
• assist the mobility of learners and skilled workers by increasing their confidence that their qualifications and periods of study undertaken in New Zealand and Ireland will be recognised.

The report also contributes to the development of the strategic approach to qualifications recognition being promoted in the context of the Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications Concerning Higher Education in the European Region, the Bologna Process, and the European Qualifications Framework for Life Long Learning.

NZQA and the NQAI undertake to continue to collaborate with each other to further develop the improved approach to qualifications recognition.

If you require further information regarding the joint project or its outcomes, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Ms Carmel Kelly.