Postgraduate Study - Hutt Valley High School

In New Zealand the main university qualification is National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA).

Hutt Valley High School offers NCEA and New Zealand Scholarship an elite New Zealand qualification designed to challenge even the most competent students in each subject.

Our NCEA qualifications are designed to be flexible. For example, in Maths we currently have a group of Year 13 extension students who are studying NCEA Level 3 papers and completing a Maths paper at the University of Canterbury via distance learning.

Meet Our Graduates Studying at University

NCEA has been used by international graduates from Hutt Valley High School for university entrance. Below are Trâm (Tracey) Le and Pin (Peter) Wu who studied with us in 2023 and are now studying at Victoria University in Wellington.

Last year, Trâm was awarded an International Excellence Scholarship of $20,000 from Victoria University. This scholarship is for high-achieving international high school students currently studying in New Zealand and continuing their study at Victoria University of Wellington.

Meet Trâm (Tracey) Le from Viet Nam

“Studying at high school helped me improve my English and prepared me for study at university. My favourite memory at high school is spending time with my international friends. We did a lot of fun activities together.”

“During high school, I realised that I really enjoyed mathematics, so I decided to study mathematics and data science. Victoria University of Wellington offers both subjects in the Bachelor of Science, which means I can study both as a double major.”

“In my spare time, I have a part-time job and I also volunteer. These opportunities help me make new friends, improve my English, and also learn about the Māori culture. Wellington is a great city for students. It’s a safe and liveable city and offers a high quality of life for everyone who lives here.

It is also a food lover’s paradise, with lots of restaurants and cafés.”

Trâm (Tracey) – Student, Bachelor of Science in Mathematics & Data Science

Meet Pin (Peter) Wu from China

“I was lucky that Hutt Valley High School was the closest high school to my uncle’s house. The teachers were great, and my classmates were nice and welcoming. I felt immediately comfortable at Hutt Valley High School, and it was more relaxed than it is back home. I was also grateful for the opportunity to learn Japanese. Compared to a high school in China, there were more opportunities to learn a foreign language other than English.”

“My time at Hutt Valley High School also helped me to practise my English speaking and essay writing skills and helped to prepare me for university. At university, I am majoring in Intercultural Communication, pursuing a Bachelor of Communication with a minor in Japanese. Learning about media and other cultures has always interested me. One topic that is particularly engaging is globalisation, especially because I am from China. Wellington is a lovely city for students. The views are wonderful, and the local people are kind and inclusive.“

“I think the lifestyle is more relaxed than at home. Outside my studies, I have a part-time job in a Chinese takeaway shop. I also play badminton with my friends and am part of the Chinese Students’ Association.”

Pin (Peter) – Student, Bachelor of Communication

Victoria University of Wellington

New Zealand has eight world class universities – University of Auckland, Auckland University of Technology, Waikato University, Massey University, Victoria University of Wellington, Canterbury University, Lincoln University and Otago University

The team at Victoria University of Wellington have compiled a helpful brochure for students and families focused on achieving their future goals with Hutt Valley High School and Victoria University of Wellington.

International student brochure