Tertiary student progression

One third of students who completed a tertiary qualification in 2002 enrolled in higher-level study in the following eight years.

Date Updated: June 2011

Percentage of tertiary students who go on to enrol in higher-level study.

Generally, progression decreases the higher the level started. This is natural as the number of higher levels to progress to reduces. Hence progression rates for Masters students (8%) are lower than other levels, and progression rates for doctorates (the highest level) are, by definition, zero. 

Figure 1: Eight-year progression rates of domestic students who started study in 2002, by gender

Eight-year progression rates to higher education were slightly higher for females (34%) than for males (30%).  

Māori and Asian students had the highest eight-year progression rate to higher-level study (36%) followed by Pasifika (33%) and Europeans/Pākehā (31%).

Figure 2: Eight-year progression rates of domestic students who started study in 2002 by ethnic group and qualification level

Apart from enrolling at higher-level study, students also enrol in the same or lower-level studies than they have already achieved.  

Broadening knowledge by further study in the same or lower-level studies was most appealing to students with Masters degrees, as 34% of these students progressed to the same or lower-level study in 5 years since 2004.

Progression varies depending on the time-frame looked at.  Apart from five-year rates, we also consider direct progression, that is, progression in the year immediately following completion.  Comparison of one-year and five-year graduate progression can provide an indicator of the extent to which students take break after completing a qualification, and return to study in future years.  

In 2004, 42% of students who completed Certificates 1 to 3 progressed to further study within a year, compared to 61% within 5 years.  For students who completed Bachelors degrees in 2004, this is 34% and 52% respectively.  Out of the students who completed Masters degrees in 2004,  27% progressed to further study within one year compared to 44% within 5 years.