[geekpie]

Hi
I've come to the part of the EOI about qualifications that says:

What are the reference number, type and level assessed by NZQA?

I've got an MSc in Computer Science which I'll be using as points. Do I really have to pay (a lot of money to) the NZQA to prove that this is a valid qualification?

Obviously you need the ref number to fill in the EOI, but couldn't I just ask someone else with the same qualification what ref number an MSc in computer science from a UK university is?

[Jenny & Mark]

Welcome to the forum. :)

My understanding is that to claim the points you absolutely need the assessment. A few people abused the old system with made up qualifications.

Mark.

[Trigirl]

Hi
I've got an MSc in Computer Science which I'll be using as points. Do I really have to pay (a lot of money to) the NZQA to prove that this is a valid qualification?

It depends on where your degree is from. There is a list in the operations manual to tell you which institutions have degrees that do not require assessment. You can find the most recent list online here http://www.immigration.govt.nz/nzis/operations_manual/7960.htm. When you submit your EOI you don't need to give any evidence to back up your claim to the degree but when you submit your ITA you'll need to give them your degree certificate.

[geekpie]

Thanks for those replies:

Trigirl said
"There is a list in the operations manual to tell you which institutions have degrees that do not require assessment. You can find the most recent list online here http://www.immigration.govt.nz/nzis...manual/7960.htm. When you submit your EOI you don't need to give any evidence to back up your claim to the degree"

Thanks for that, and yes my institution is in the list: but unless I put a reference number in the Reference number box it gives you no points for qualifications, so I can't make the online EOI application due to not enough points.

Any other thoughts?
cheers

[Trigirl]

all i know is that we didn't put one in when we did ours. we definitely have no reference number for our quals. I suspect we put N/A or 0 or something similar in the box

[geekpie]

Thanks again.

Did you do yours online or paper?

[Ana&Steve]

geekpie, this may be one of those cases where you want to do the pre-assessment, then the full assessment, as the full can take up to 3 months to come back, while the pre only takes up to 10. (We got ours back in 7, by email)
You could also wait til the pre comes back before sending the full, but they will probably ask for the full with your ITA, so a head start is nice. :)
Good luck with all of it!
Ana

[snailandthewhale]

Hi

I didn't need to get my quals assessed either as institution was on the list. There is another table somewhere which tells you how many points your degree / diploma etc. is worth. I did it online, put in the number of points and I don't think it was accepted until I clicked "yes" for has your qual been NZQA assessed? and put "none" in for registration number. I remember trying lots of variations before the computer gave me the points.

Karen

[Trigirl]

yes we did ours online too. (sorry for the slow response - we have left home and are travelling around a bit before our move so erratic internet connections)

[Ana&Steve]

geekpie, this may be one of those cases where you want to do the pre-assessment, then the full assessment, as the full can take up to 3 months to come back, while the pre only takes up to 10. (We got ours back in 7, by email)
You could also wait til the pre comes back before sending the full, but they will probably ask for the full with your ITA, so a head start is nice. :)
Good luck with all of it!
Ana
Oy, the above was to read 10 DAYS and 7 DAYS, as opposed to 3 months :o ,sorry!
Ana

[geekpie]

OK thanks for the useful responses everyone. No doubt I'll be back soon.

[Juniper]

I think they have fixed this field in the EOI. In my "test run" I saw that they give you a chance to say whether your qualification is on the accepted list:

http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/general/formsandfees/formsandguides/lorq/

Then you tell them what level it's equal to:
http://www.immigration.govt.nz/nzis/operations_manual/6395.htm

Then you say "no" to whether or not it's been NZQA assessed, and leave the reference number blank.

Using this process, I got my 50 points for a bachelor's degree.

So don't run out and pay lots of money for assessment before checking the List of Recognized Qualifications!

[Tentun]

I think you will eventually need to get a NZQA assessment anyway if you are claiming points for a qualification. If not for the EOI for the ITA. I don't think it matters whether or not it's on the accepted list - my understanding of it is that you still need a NZQA eventually even if it's an accepted qual?

[lockstock]

I'm confused:confused: My degree is on the list but I've just spent the last two weeks harrassing universities and past employersfor transcripts and proof of employment for the NZQA. All I need is the number of the approved qualification to get the points to go well over 140. Is the number really in there somewhere? If it is, I can push the button today without sending off a mound of paperwork.

[Trigirl]

if the qual is on the approved list then you dont need NZQA to get the 50 points for a recognised qual or the 10 points for a partners qual either for EOI or ITA.

but you still do need NZQA if you are claiming points for work exp/quals in an area of absolute skills shortage and you don't have a job offer. for this one you can send off your EOI without it but you'll need it before you submit your ITA.

in either case if the qual is not on the recognised list you need NZQA.

[lockstock]

Ok -I think I'm up to speed. I'll play safe and go for NZQA because I need the work experience verified. The degrees are with recognised Unis etc but I'll need a number for the teacher's reg anyway. Thanks for all the info. No doubt I'll be back for more before long.

[Juniper]

Thanks Trigirl - since OH would be getting points for work experience, but our qualifications are on the list, we can submit the EOI and get the NZQA done later. Nice to have that cleared up!

[speckythecky]

teachers pay is also based on the quals assessment