Tertiary participation
Participation in tertiary education in New Zealand.
Students enrolled at New Zealand’s tertiary institutions
The following section summarises the key trends in enrolments and equivalent full-time students (EFTS) at universities, Te Pūkenga (previously institutes of technology and polytechnics), wānanga and government-funded private training establishments (PTEs). The data covers domestic and international students that were enrolled during the 12 months to the end of December 2023. Participation rates for 2023 will be added once data is available.
Full data tables for provider-based enrolments, industry training and other programmes can be accessed below.
What does the 2023 data show?
- The overall number of students enrolled in formal study at tertiary providers increased by 2.3 percent (8,525), from 376,525 in 2022 to 385,050 in 2023.
- Domestic student numbers were steady in 2023. There were 0.2 percent (or 705) fewer students enrolled in 2023 than in 2022. International student numbers increased this year by 28 percent (9,225), from 33,470 in 2022 to 42,695 in 2023. While numbers of international students where still lower in 2023 than in pre-COVID years (59,700 in 2019), this represents some recovery in the number of international students which was disrupted between 2020 and 2022 due to the pandemic and subsequent border closures.
- All ethnic groups other than the Māori, Asian and other groups saw a decrease in enrolments for domestic students. The Asian ethnic group increased by 4.7 percent while the Māori ethnic group increased by 3.7 percent. The European group fell by 2.7 percent and Pacific Peoples decreased by 0.5 percent.
- Enrolments in wānanga and Private Training Establishments increased in 2023, by 4.3 percent and 22 percent respectively. The increase in Private Training Establishments was driven by strong increases in both international students (45 percent) and domestic students (20 percent). Universities saw a fall of 0.2 percent in total student enrolments, despite a 19 percent increase in international students. Te Pūkenga enrolments fell by 3.3 percent - the 5.7 percent fall in domestic students was not outweighed by an increase in international students of over 56 percent.
- Changes in study load, measured in EFTS, generally followed similar trends as for student enrolment numbers, but domestic EFTS fell slightly faster (by 2.6 percent) than enrolments (0.2 percent). International student EFTS increased by 32 percent in 2023, 4 percentage points higher than increases in enrolments (by 28 percent).
Total participation
The overall number of students enrolled in formal study at tertiary education providers in 2023 increased by 2.3 percent (8,525), from 376,525 in 2022 to 385,050 in 2023. Domestic student numbers were steady in 2023. There were 0.2 percent (or 705) fewer students enrolled in 2023 than in 2022. International student numbers increased this year by 28 percent (9,225), from 33,470 in 2022 to 42,695 in 2023. This represents some recovery in the number of international students which was disrupted between 2020 and 2022 due to the pandemic and subsequent border closures, (see Table 1).
Enrolments for male students increased while female students decreased, but EFTS for male students decreased, and EFTS decreased faster for female students than for enrolments. Note that reporting of students who are of another gender started in 2019. Year on year changes in this gender category may mostly reflect increasing reporting compliance and the reporting of demographic details of students new to tertiary education.
Number of students enrolled | Number of EFTS | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2022 | 2023 | % change | 2022 | 2023 | % change | |
Total | 376,525 | 385,050 | 2.3 | 241,250 | 242,985 | 0.7 |
Domestic | 343,060 | 342,355 | -0.2 | 218,080 | 212,510 | -2.6 |
Female | 209,790 | 204,535 | -2.5 | 132,860 | 127,935 | -3.7 |
Male | 131,275 | 135,485 | 3.2 | 83,720 | 82,830 | -1.1 |
Another gender | 1,990 | 2,335 | 17.3 | 1,505 | 1,750 | 16.3 |
International | 33,470 | 42,695 | 27.6 | 23,165 | 30,475 | 31.5 |
Figure 1: Domestic student enrolments and EFTS 2014-2023 and participation rates 2014-2022
Participation by ethnic group
Table 2 compares domestic enrolments and EFTS for the main ethnic groups for 2022 and 2023. All ethnic groups other than the Māori and Asian group saw a decrease in enrolments for domestic students. The Māori ethnic group increased by 3.7 percent and the Asian ethnic group increased by 4.7 percent, while the largest fall was seen by the European ethnic group with 2.7 percent.
Percentage decreases in domestic EFTS numbers were larger than the declines in headcounts for European and Pacific Peoples. For Māori and Asian students the percentage increases in domestic EFTS were smaller than for the number of students.
Figure 2 shows participation rates in provider-based tertiary education by ethnicity for 2017 to 2022. Participation rates for 2023 will be added once population data is available. Māori and Pacific rates are consistently higher than other groups. Participation rates increased sharply in 2021, corresponding to the rise in enrolment numbers seen in that year.
Ethnicity | Number of students enrolled | Number of EFTS | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2022 | 2023 | % change | 2022 | 2023 | % change | |
European | 214,380 | 208,605 | -2.7 | 136,355 | 129,570 | -5.0 |
Māori | 70,800 | 73,450 | 3.7 | 43,605 | 44,480 | 2.0 |
Pacific Peoples | 33,855 | 33,685 | -0.5 | 21,840 | 21,050 | -3.6 |
Asian | 62,495 | 65,450 | 4.7 | 42,075 | 42,960 | 2.1 |
Other | 18,565 | 19,225 | 3.5 | 11,505 | 11,705 | 1.7 |
Total | 343,060 | 342,355 | -0.2 | 218,080 | 212,510 | -2.6 |
Figure 2: Domestic participation rates in provider-based tertiary education by ethnic group 2017-2022
Participation by subsector
Total student enrolments decreased at Te Pūkenga in 2023, while enrolments at wānanga and Private Training Establishments increased. Enrolments at universities were steady, falling by just 0.2 percent. Te Pūkenga domestic enrolments fell by 5.7 percent but international student enrolments increased 56 percent (see Table 3).
All subsectors had increases in international enrolments, the largest being in Te Pūkenga and Private Training Establishments. For universities and Te Pūkenga, these increases partially offset declining domestic student enrolments. Both domestic and international student enrolments increased at Private Training Establishments, and wānanga.
Number of students enrolled | Number of EFTS | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Subsector | 2022 | 2023 | % change | 2022 | 2023 | % change | |
Domestic | Universities | 152,895 | 147,915 | -3.3 | 118,095 | 113,520 | -3.9 |
Te Pūkenga | 119,230 | 112,440 | -5.7 | 54,940 | 50,070 | -8.9 | |
Wānanga | 33,475 | 34,895 | 4.2 | 18,110 | 20,220 | 11.6 | |
Public providers | 299,860 | 289,960 | -3.3 | 191,145 | 183,810 | -3.8 | |
Private training establishments | 47,190 | 56,565 | 19.9 | 26,940 | 28,700 | 6.5 | |
Total | 343,060 | 342,355 | -0.2 | 218,080 | 212,510 | -2.6 | |
International | Universities | 24,600 | 29,300 | 19.1 | 18,175 | 21,925 | 20.6 |
Te Pūkenga | 4,915 | 7,640 | 55.5 | 2,795 | 5,050 | 80.5 | |
Wānanga | 15 | 25 | 59 | 5 | 20 | 153 | |
Public providers | 29,480 | 36,915 | 25.2 | 20,980 | 26,995 | 28.7 | |
Private training establishments | 4,085 | 5,915 | 44.8 | 2,185 | 3,480 | 59.2 | |
Total | 33,470 | 42,695 | 27.6 | 23,165 | 30,475 | 31.5 | |
Total | Universities | 177,495 | 177,210 | -0.2 | 136,270 | 135,445 | -0.6 |
Te Pūkenga | 124,140 | 120,080 | -3.3 | 57,735 | 55,120 | -4.5 | |
Wānanga | 33,495 | 34,920 | 4.3 | 18,120 | 20,240 | 11.7 | |
Public providers | 329,335 | 326,875 | -0.7 | 212,125 | 210,805 | -0.6 | |
Private training establishments | 51,275 | 62,480 | 21.9 | 29,125 | 32,180 | 10.5 | |
Total | 376,525 | 385,050 | 2.3 | 241,250 | 242,985 | 0.7 |
Participation by qualification level/type
Enrolments decreased across four qualification types / levels between 2022 and 2023. Enrolments in Level 3 certificates declined by 7.6 percent while enrolments in diplomas and certificates levels 5-7 fell by 9.3 percent. Bachelors and graduate certificates and diplomas (Level 7) enrolments both fell by around 1 percent (by 1.2 percent and 1.0 percent respectively). Level 1 certificate enrolments increased (by 3,075 students or 20 percent), followed by Level 4 certificates (10,220 students or 19 percent). Masters level enrolments also increased (3,380 students or 15 percent) as well as enrolments in certificates Level 2 (1,730 students or 8.9 percent) (see Table 4).
EFTS changes mostly matched changes in enrolments but increased by higher rates than enrolments for some levels (certificates Level 1 and masters).
Number of students enrolled | Number of EFTS | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Qualification type/Level | 2022 | 2023 | % change | 2022 | 2023 | % change |
Certificates 1 | 15,115 | 18,190 | 20.4 | 4,665 | 6,630 | 42.1 |
Certificates 2 | 19,485 | 21,215 | 8.9 | 6,950 | 7,680 | 10.5 |
Certificates 3 | 52,040 | 48,100 | -7.6 | 21,325 | 19,655 | -7.8 |
Certificates 4 | 54,755 | 64,975 | 18.7 | 22,940 | 25,245 | 10.0 |
Diplomas / certificates 5-7 | 50,690 | 45,995 | -9.3 | 25,990 | 23,215 | -10.7 |
Bachelors degrees 7 | 141,755 | 140,015 | -1.2 | 114,440 | 112,140 | -2.0 |
Graduate diplomas / certificates 7 | 9,840 | 9,740 | -1.0 | 4,790 | 4,810 | 0.4 |
Honours / Postgraduate certs & dips 8 | 30,075 | 30,110 | 0.1 | 19,715 | 20,000 | 1.4 |
Masters degrees 9 | 23,310 | 26,690 | 14.5 | 12,990 | 16,265 | 25.2 |
Doctoral degrees 10 | 10,090 | 10,205 | 1.2 | 7,450 | 7,355 | -1.3 |
Total | 376,525 | 385,050 | 2.3 | 241,250 | 242,985 | 0.7 |
Data sources:
Data relates to students enrolled at any time during the year with a tertiary education provider in formal qualifications of greater than 0.03 EFTS (more than one week's full-time duration). Data excludes all non-formal learning and on-job industry training. Data includes those private training establishments that received Student Achievement Component funding, and/or had students with student loans or allowances, and/or delivered Youth Guarantee programmes. Students are counted in each ethnic group they identify with. Totals also include those students with unknown values.
Equivalent full-time student (EFTS):
One equivalent full-time student (EFTS) unit is defined as the student workload that would normally be carried out in a single academic year (or a 12-month period) by a student enrolled full-time.
Participation rate:
The total participation rate is the percentage of the population aged 15 years and over who were enrolled in provider-based tertiary education at any time during the year. Rates are only calculated for domestic students. Rates for 2023 will be made available when all national and ethnic population estimates are available for the calculations.
Rounding:
Data, including totals, has been rounded to the nearest 5 to protect the privacy of individuals, so the sum of individual counts may not add to the total. Differences in numbers are calculated on rounded numbers, while percentage changes are calculated from the unrounded counts.
Te Pūkenga:
The New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology (NZIST) was established in 2020 as part of the reforms of vocational education. NZIST brought together the previous 16 Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics (ITPs) into one organisation. More information can be found on the website for Te Pūkenga.
Statistical Tables
Provider-based enrolments Updated: April 2024
Statistics relating to students enrolled in tertiary education providers by a range of demographic and other characteristics.
- Provider-based enrolments [MS Excel 1.6mB]
Provider-based equivalent full-time students Updated: April 2024
Statistics relating to student enrolment in tertiary education providers in terms of equivalent full-time student units.
- Provider-based equivalent full-time students (EFTS) [MS Excel 1.3mB]
Participation rates Updated: August 2023
Statistics relating to the percentage of the New Zealand population enrolled in tertiary education.
- Participation rates [MS Excel 2.9mB]
- Age-standardised participation rates [MS Excel 2.9mB]
- Methodology for participation rates [PDF 149kB]
Provider-based enrolments: field of study
of the courses studied at tertiary education providers Updated: June 2023
Statistics relating to the field of study of each of the courses a student is enrolled in at tertiary education providers by various student and study characteristics. For example you might use this data to know how many students are studying at least one course in Information Technology.
Provider-based equivalent full-time students: field of
study of the courses studied at tertiary education providers Updated: June 2023
Statistics relating to the number of equivalent full-time students (EFTS) at tertiary education providers by field of study and by various student and study characteristics. This data is collated at the course level. For example you might use this data to know the number of EFTS enrolled in Information technology courses.
- Provider-based equivalent full-time students: Field of Study [MS Excel 973kB]
Provider-based enrolments: predominant field
of study of students at tertiary education providers Updated: June 2023
Statistics relating to the predominant field(s) of study of students enrolled at tertiary education providers. This data looks at all the courses studied within a qualification to determine a student's predominant field(s) of study. For example, you might use this data to know how many students are specialising in Information technology.
- Provider-based enrolments: Predominant field of study [MS Excel 1mB]
Participation in industry training Updated: June 2023
Statistics relating to trainees enrolled in workplace-based learning, including industry training and apprenticeships.
- Participation in industry training [MS Excel 394kB]
Rates of progression to further study after graduating Updated: June 2023
Statistics about students who undertake further study after completing a tertiary qualification. Data is presented for detailed and grouped qualification levels and types, and for narrow and broad fields of study. Data is available in spreadsheets as filtered lists, or as comma delimited text files for uploading into business intelligence and analytics tools.
Graduate Progression Rates: Broad levels[MS Excel Binary Worksheet 2.0mB]
Graduate Progression Rates: Broad levels Narrow FOS[MS Excel Binary Worksheet 16.9mB]
Graduate Progression Rates: Detailed levels [MS Excel Binary Worksheet 5.3mB]
Files for Business Intelligence and Analytics tools
- Data graduate progression rates: detailed levels [Zipped CSV File 2.1mB]
- Data graduate progression rates: broad levels FOS [Zipped CSV File 6.7mB]
Targeted training programmes Updated: June 2019
Statistics relating to students enrolled in Training Opportunities, Youth Training and Skill Enhancement programmes.
- Targeted training programmes [MS Excel 53kB]
Secondary-Tertiary Alignment Resource (STAR) Updated: October 2023
Statistics relating to school students participating in Secondary-Tertiary Alignment Resource (STAR) programmes.
- Secondary-Tertiary Alignment Resource (STAR) [MS Excel 46kB]
Adult and community education Updated: October 2023
Statistics relating to participation in non-formal learning, including Adult and Community Education.
- Adult and community education [MS Excel 40kB]
Languages Updated: July 2023
Statistics relating to participation in language courses.
- Language courses 2013 - 2022 [MS Excel 193kB]
- Courses in Te Reo Māori 2013 - 2022 [MS Excel 793kB]