- Hon Penny Simmonds
New data on New Zealand's tertiary education system shows growth in qualification completions across the sector, says Penny Simmonds, Minister for Tertiary Education
The latest Ministry of Education data, published on Education Counts, indicates the number of students completing a provider-based tertiary qualification increased by 8% in 2025, compared with 2024. Overall, domestic student completions rose by 5.9% (to 123,200), while international student completions increased by 22% (to 21,230).
"These results show more students are finishing their study to gain the skills and qualifications they need to succeed in work and life, while helping build the skilled workforce New Zealand needs. It also shows that international students value our tertiary education," says Minister Simmonds.
Student retention rates show 72% of domestic students who started a bachelor's degree completed a qualification or progressed to a higher-level qualification within eight years.
Women and full-time students, in university study, continued to achieve higher completion rates than part-time students. Māori and Pacific students recorded improved bachelor's degree completion rates, while Asian students continued to achieve the highest completion rates at bachelor's degree level.
"Not only are more students completing qualifications, but they are also progressing to higher levels of learning. It is particularly encouraging to see improved performance across both vocational and degree-level study."
Private training establishments recorded the largest increase in domestic completions of any subsector, up 12%. Overall, domestic completions increased by 14% for Level 1 certificates and by 13% for both Level 4 certificates and graduate certificates and diplomas. Completions among learners aged under 20 increased by 10%.
"These results demonstrate that more New Zealanders are engaged in higher learning and the tertiary education system is supporting them to succeed, helping deliver the skills New Zealand needs for economic growth and prosperity," says the Minister.
