[minnieuk]

Is it possible to get a NZQA assessment for a qualification you haven't actually finished yet?

Without a degree in IT I am sitting in the pool on 110 points. Having done some research it looks to me as though a postgraduate certificate in IT would be assessed at level 8 and thus would allow me to claim bonus points for work experience in a skills shortage area. Postgrad certs have to be assessed by NZQA.

Can I send off a pre-assessment with a course finish date in the future and still get an assessment or am I forced to wait until I've passed and then get assessed. In order to finish by next year I would have to take time off work and study full time. Quite prepared to do this if it gets us into NZ but I don't want to do it if the NZQA aren't going to accept it.

Anyone had any experience of postgrad certificates in IT and/or managed to get a good assessment out of NZQA?

Thanks

[Darkrider]

My Post Grad has just been assesed as level 7 however I my understanding is that you have to have gained the qualification before the work experience for you to be able to claim for the work experience. Please correct me if I am wrong on this though.

[CjChris]

They will not assess a qualification that does not yet exist. Until you finish it, it is as if you don't have it.

Think about it: if they assessed qualifications that were "in process" as a regular habit, how many people do you think would even finish their degree once the had a full and official assessment in hand?

[speckythecky]

if they assessed qualifications that were "in process" as a regular habit, how many people do you think would even finish their degree once the had a full and official assessment in hand?

What a great idea if they did, I would sign up for all sort of degrees just to get extra points.

I am afraid they are right, you must have finished your course and got your results before you can get it assessed

[minnieuk]

Yes, I know what you mean. I didn't expect them to actually give me an assessment just to say whether or not when I finish it then what level it would be considered at.
My main worry is that although I have as BA already so am eligible to take the postgrad certificate my BA is not in IT. According to the NZQA levels of assessment the postgrad cert should be level 7 and postgrad diploma level 8. Either should then be technically enough to be allowed to claim LTSSL points for experience. But they do say that to get a postgrad qualification you need to also send details of your original degree. So they might not count mine as level 7 as my degree is non-IT. Anyone had any experience of this?
Before I give up work for 6 months to study for the qualifications I would have liked some reassurance that it was worth it. I could come out of this no closer to getting into NZ anyway.
Might be easier to look for a job!!

[speckythecky]

Could be worth giving them a ring and asking them. You might get an answer, just don't delay my assessment, I have been waiting long enough.

The are open from 8am so if phoning from UK wait till after 9 tonight and ask for the qualifications recognition service

[Myrkk]

I know of someone with an HND and a PGDip but no degree in the middle...... he was apprenticed if you like..... he got a level 7. He does have loads of experience though...