We will work out your Preferential Score for you as part of the admission process. However, if you want to work your own score out before submitting your application, you can use the information on this page.
In general, you'll be given preference to be admitted to the qualification you apply for if you:
- are between 16 and 20 years old
- have a University Entrance qualification, such as NCEA Level 3
- score equal to or above the Preferential Entry Score – the score varies depending on the type of University Entrance you have
- meet all other entry requirements for your specific qualification.
We may also give preference to students from under-represented groups.
To fill remaining places, we will give you a rank score based on your academic results. If you're 20 years or over (an adult student) we will calculate your rank score based on your academic and employment history.
Calculating your Preferential Entry Score
NCEA
The Preferential Entry Score from NCEA, for most undergraduate qualifications, is 140 points. This is also called your rank score.
Your rank score will be calculated from your best 80 credits at NCEA Level 3 or higher over a maximum of five approved subjects. Of your 80 credits (or above, if you have more than 80), you should count the credits with the highest level of achievement.
You'll be awarded:
- four points for credits achieved with Excellence
- three points for Merit
- two points for Achieved.
Both achievement standards and unit standards in approved subjects will be counted. If you achieve fewer than 80 credits, your score will be based on whatever credits you have gained.
To calculate your score:
- all Level 3 approved subjects can be counted, including any you achieve in Year 12
- you can use a maximum of 24 credits per subject
- credits from required subjects do not need to be among the 80 credits you use for ranking purposes.
See examples of how to calculate a rank score for NCEA in these tables.
English (22 credits) – Achievement
| Results | Level of achievement | Calculation | Rank score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Excellence | 6 x 4 points | 24 |
| 8 | Merit | 8 x 3 points | 24 |
| 4 | Achieved | 4 x 2 points | 8 |
| 4 | Achieved | 4 x 2 points | 8 |
Total rank score = 56 not counted in 80 best credits
History (24 credits) – Achievement
| Results | Level of achievement | Calculation | Rank score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | Excellence | 8 x 4 points | 32 |
| 8 | Merit | 8 x 3 points | 24 |
| 8 | Achieved | 8 x 2 points | 16 |
Media Studies (16 credits) – Achievement
| Results | Level of achievement | Calculation | Rank score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | Achieved | 16 x 2 points | 32 |
Total rank score = 32
Social Studies (14 credits) – Achievement
| Results | Level of achievement | Calculation | Rank score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | Achieved | 14 x 2 points | 28 |
Total rank score = 28
Statistics and Modelling (12 credits) – Achievement and unit
| Results | Level of achievement | Calculation | Rank score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | Merit | 8 x 3 points | 24 |
| 4 | Achieved (unit) | 4 x 2 points | 8 |
Total rank score = 72 not counted in 80 best credits
Total rank score from NCEA results
Rank score calculation from totals = 56 + 72 + 32 + 28 + 24 = 212
Cambridge International Examinations
The Preferential Entry Score from Cambridge International Examinations (CIE), for most undergraduate qualifications, is 140 points.
The CIE rank score is calculated using the UCAS Tariff for the best six subject units at AS or A level:
- one AS level is one subject unit
- one A level is two subject units.
You can't include more than two subject units from any one syllabus group.
Your rank score will be calculated by:
- a maximum of six subject units from your last two years of study – at AS, A2 or A level – from subjects on the approved list
- using the UCAS Tariff to calculate points for these subjects based on grades achieved, on the basis of the table below.
| Level | A+ | A | B | C | D | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | 140 | 120 | 100 | 80 | 60 | 40 |
| AS | n/a | 60 | 50 | 40 | 30 | 20 |
If you have passed more than six subject units, the subjects with the best level of achievement will be used to calculate the rank score.
If you achieve fewer than six subject units, the score will be based on those you have achieved.
See an example of how to calculate a rank score for CIE in this table.
| Subject | Level | Subject units | Grade | Rank Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English | A | 2 | C | 80 |
| Mathematics | A | 2 | D | 60 |
| Accounting | AS | 1 | B | 50 |
| Economics | AS | 1 | B | 50 |
| Geography | AS | 1 | B | Not counted in best 6 subject units |
Total rank score = 80 + 60 + 50 + 50 = 240
International Baccalaureate
The Preferential Entry Score from the International Baccalaureate (IB), for most undergraduate qualifications, is 26 points.
You will be given a rank score equivalent to your IB score. For example, if you achieve an IB score of 31 points, you will be given a rank score of 31.
Past qualifications
If you are an adult student (aged 20 and over) you will be given a rank score of 120 points if you achieved a University Entrance qualification.
See the University Entrance qualifications we recognise
Your rank score is calculated using your results from up to five subjects following the table below. Your best five results will be used for the calculation with grades of D or above included.
| Grade | A | B | C | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Score (points) | 56 | 42 | 28 | 14 |
See an example of how to calculate a rank score for IB in this table.
| Subject | Grade | Rank Score |
|---|---|---|
| English | C | 28 |
| Mathematics | C | 28 |
| Accounting | B | 42 |
| History | B | 42 |
| Biology | A | 56 |
| Geography | D | Not counted in best 5 subjects |
Total rank score = 28 + 28 + 42 + 42 + 56 = 196