Philippines qualifications exempt from assessment

At a glance

Applicants claiming points for a Philippine qualification under the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) may not need an International Qualification Assessment (IQA) from NZQA if their qualification and awarding institution appear on the manual’s predefined lists [P-philippines]. The exemption applies only when five conditions are met (listed in the Definition), and specific exceptions require NZQA assessment (see Interpretation & edge cases).

Definition

The Philippines exemptions are codified in the Immigration Operational Manual. To be exempt, a qualification must satisfy all of the following conditions [P-philippines]:

1. The qualification is listed in the Academic Qualifications Table.
2. The awarding institution is listed in the Awarding Institutions Table.
3. The qualification abbreviation (e.g., BA, BS) matches the abbreviation shown for that institution in the table.
4. The qualification was awarded within the year range(s) shown in the Awarding Institutions Table.
5. The qualification is not excluded by the notes under the Academic Qualifications Table (e.g., degrees in Teaching, Education, or Engineering that require NZQA assessment).

If the applicant believes the qualification is higher than the level stated, they may apply for an IQA [P-philippines].

The Academic Qualifications Table from P-philippines [P-philippines]:

Qualification	Abbreviation*	Level in NZQF terms	Points under SMC
Bachelor of Arts (a speciality may be stated) — Except the degrees listed below	BA	7	50
Bachelor of Arts (Teaching or Education)	Requires assessment by NZQA	–	–
Bachelor of Laws	LLB	7	50
Bachelor of Science (a speciality may be stated) — Except the degrees listed below	BS	7	50
Bachelor of Science in Engineering (a speciality may be stated)	Requires assessment by NZQA	–	–
Bachelor of Science (Teaching or Education)	Requires assessment by NZQA	–	–
Doctor of Dental Medicine	DDM	7	50
Doctor of Medicine (Doktor sa Medisina)	MD	7	50
Doctor of Optometry	DO	7	50
Master of Arts (a speciality may be stated) — Except the degrees listed below	MA	8	50
Master of Arts (Teaching or Education)	Requires assessment by NZQA	–	–
Master of Science (a speciality may be stated) — Except the degrees listed below	MS	8	50
Master of Science (Teaching or Education)	Requires assessment by NZQA	–	–

* Abbreviations are for the purposes of this list only [P-philippines].

The Awarding Institutions Table (effective 27/08/2018) [P-philippines]:

Institution	Previous names and dates of change	Qualifications awarded (year range)
Adamson University, Manila		BA, LLB, BS, MA, MS: 2010
Adventist University of the Philippines, Silang, Cavite		BA, BS, DDM, MS: 2003; MA: 2014
Angeles University Foundation (Angeles University 1996–2004), Angeles City, Pampanga		BA, MD: 1996; BS: 2001; MS: 2009
Ateneo de Davao University, Davao City, Davao del Sur		BA, LLB: 1982; BS: 2001; MA, MS: 2001
Ateneo de Manila University / Athenaei Manilani Curatores, Quezon City, Metro Manila		BA: 1982; BS: 1997; MA, MS: 2001
Ateneo de Naga University, Naga City, Camarines Sur		BA, BS, MA: 2001; MS: 2008
Ateneo de Zamboanga, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur		BA, BS, MA, MS: 2001; MD: 2004
Baliuag University, Baliuag, Bulacan		BA, BS: 2001; MS: 2015
Cebu Doctor’s University, Cebu City, Cebu		BA, BS, DDM, MD, MA: 2010
Central Luzon State University, Science City of Munoz, Nueva Ecija		BS, MS: 2007
Central Philippine University, Iloilo City, Iloilo		BA: 1985; LLB: 1982–2009; BS, MA, MS: 2001
Centro Escolar University - Manila, Manila		BA: 1991; BS, MA, MS: 2001; DDM, DO: 1988
De La Salle University - Dasmariñas, Dasmariñas, Cavite		BA, BS, MA, MS: 2003
De La Salle University - Manila, Manila		BA: 1985; BS: 2000; MA, MS: 2001
Far Eastern University, Nicanor Reyes Street, Manila		BA, LLB, BS, MA: 2012
Holy Angel University, Angeles City, Pampanga		BA, BS, MS: 2003
Holy Name University, Tagbilaran City, Bohol		BA, LLB, BS: 2002; MA: 2010
Jose Rizal University, Shaw Blvd., Mandaluyong City		BA, BS: 2009
Liceo de Cagayan University, Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental		BA, LLB, BS: 2009
Lyceum of the Philippines University, Manila		BA, BS, MA: 2009
Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation, Lucena City, Quezon		BA: 1996; LLB: 1997; BS: 2001; MS: 2005
Notre Dame of Marbel University, Koronadal City, South Cotabato		BA: 1992; BS, MS: 2001
Philippine Christian University, Manila		BA, BS: 1982; LLB: 2001
Saint Louis University, Baguio City, Benguet		BA, BS, MA, MS: 2001; LLB, MD: 1982
Saint Mary’s University, Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya		BA, BS: 1994; LLB, MA, MS: 2001
Silliman University, Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental		BA: 1982; LLB: 1982–2010; BS, MA, MS: 2001
St. Paul University Dumaguete, Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental		BA, BS, MA, MS: 2004
St. Paul University Philippines (St. Paul University, 1997–2004), Tuguegarao, Cagayan		BA: 1997; BS, MD, MA: 2001; MS: 2007
The Philippine Women's University, Manila		BA, BS, MA, MS: 2003
Trinity University of Asia, Quezon City		BA, BS: 2009
University of Baguio, Baguio City, Benguet		BA, BS, DDM: 2001; DO: 2001–2010
University of Batangas, Batangas City, Batangas		BA, BS, MS: 2010
University of La Salette, Santiago City, Isabela		BA, BS: 1998; MS: 2001–2008
University of Luzon, Dagupan City, Pangasinan		BA, BS: 2003; MS: 2012
University of Mindanao, Davao City, Davao del Sur		BA, BS: 2009; LLB: 1999
University of Negros Occidental - Recoletos, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental		BA, LLB: 1995; BS: 2001
University of Perpetual Help System, Laguna, Biñan, Laguna		BA, LLB, BS, DDM: 2012
University of San Carlos, Cebu City, Cebu		BA, BS, MA, MS: 2001; LLB: 1982
University of San Jose-Recoletos, Cebu City, Cebu		BA: 1997; LLB, BS: 1984; MA: 2001
University of Santo Tomas, Sampaloc, Manila		BA: 1998; LLB, MD: 1982; BS: 2001; MA, MS: 2000
University of St. La Salle, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental		BA: 1988; LLB: 1997–2010; BS: 2001; MD: 2007
University of Saint Louis, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan		BA, BS: 2002
University of the Cordilleras, Baguio City, Benguet		BA: 2003; LLB, BS, MS: 2010
University of the East / Pamantasan ng Silangan, Manila		BA: 1998; LLB: 1998–2013; BS: 2001; DDM: 1999; MS: 2001
University of the Immaculate Conception, Davao City, Davao del Sur		BA: 1992; BS: 2001; MS: 2001–2008
University of the Philippines / Unibersidad ng Pilipinas - Baguio, Baguio City, Benguet		BA, BS: 2003
University of the Philippines / Unibersidad ng Pilipinas - Diliman, Diliman, Quezon City		BA, BS, MA, MS: 1985; LLB: 1985–2007
University of the Philippines / Unibersidad ng Pilipinas - Los Baños, Laguna		BA, BS, MA, MS: 1982
University of the Philippines / Unibersidad ng Pilipinas - Manila, Manila		BA, BS, DDM, MD, MS: 1982
University of the Philippines / Unibersidad ng Pilipinas - Mindanao, Davao City, Davao del Sur		BA, BS: 1995
University of the Visayas, Cebu City, Cebu		BA, LLB, BS, DDM, MD, MS: 2010
Wesleyan University - Philippines, Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija		BA: 1997; BS: 2003
Xavier University / Pamantasan ng Xavier - Ateneo de Cagayan, Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental		BA: 1982; LLB: 1989; MD: 1992; BS, MA, MS: 2001

Effective 27/08/2018 [P-philippines].

Application in decisions

Immigration officers use these tables to determine whether a Philippine qualification can be accepted without an NZQA IQA [P-philippines]. If an applicant holds a qualification that matches the name, abbreviation, institution, and year range exactly as listed, and it is not excluded by the notes, 50 points are awarded for a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or professional doctorate (Level 7 or 8). The qualification remains ineligible for the exemption if it is a Teaching, Education, or Engineering specialisation, an honorary degree, a qualification awarded after 2017, or one involving cross-credited study or study outside the Philippines — these must be referred to NZQA [P-philippines].

Interpretation & edge cases

• Abbreviations are for list purposes only: The abbreviations in the qualifications table do not override the actual credential. If the applicant believes their qualification is at a higher level, they should seek an IQA [P-philippines].
• Original language certificates: Award certificates must be provided in their original language. Some universities issue certificates in Latin or Filipino; in those cases, a translated copy from the university must also be supplied [P-philippines].
• Mandatory NZQA assessment: The following must be referred to NZQA for an IQA [P-philippines]:
  • All honorary degrees;
  • Any listed qualification where study was completed at an institution outside the Philippines, including overseas campuses of a listed institution;
  • Any listed qualification containing cross-credited courses or papers;
  • All qualifications awarded after 2017.
• Excluded specialisations: Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Teaching or Education, and Bachelor of Science in Engineering, require NZQA assessment regardless of the institution [P-philippines].
• Year ranges: The award date must fall within the range specified. For qualifications with multiple ranges (e.g., LLB at Silliman University from 1982 to 2010), the qualification must have been awarded during that period [P-philippines].

Citations

• P-philippines — Philippines