China qualifications exempt from assessment

At a glance

Applicants holding a Chinese bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree from a listed institution may have that qualification treated as exempt from NZQA assessment for Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) points, provided the qualification was awarded from or within the year shown in the awarding institutions table and all conditions in the People's Republic of China list are met. [P-people-s-republic-of-china]

Exemption means the immigration officer can accept the qualification at face value without an International Qualification Assessment (IQA) from NZQA. [P-people-s-republic-of-china]

Definition

The exemption applies to qualifications that appear in the Academic Qualifications Table and were awarded by an institution in the Awarding Institutions Table, with the qualification abbreviation (B, M, or D) and the year of award matching the table entries. [P-people-s-republic-of-china]

Each exempt qualification is assigned a New Zealand Qualifications Framework (NZQCF) level and SMC points:

• Bachelor degree (B): Level 7, 50 points
• Master degree (M): Level 9, 70 points (excluding MBA and Executive MBA)
• Doctoral degree (D): Level 10, 70 points [P-people-s-republic-of-china]

Master of Business Administration (MBA), Executive MBA, and all honorary degrees are not exempt and require NZQA assessment. [P-people-s-republic-of-china]

Application in decisions

An immigration officer verifies the following before accepting a qualification as exempt: [P-people-s-republic-of-china]

1. Qualification listed: the qualification and its abbreviation (B, M, D) appear in the Academic Qualifications Table.
2. Institution listed: the awarding institution is in the Awarding Institutions Table.
3. Year within range: the qualification was awarded from or within the year shown in the right-hand column of the Awarding Institutions Table.
4. Not excluded: the qualification is not excluded by the notes under the Academic Qualifications Table.

In addition to the above, the officer must confirm that documentary requirements are satisfied (see Interpretation & edge cases). [P-people-s-republic-of-china]

Awarding Institutions Table

Institution	Bachelor, Master, Doctoral exempt from
Anhui University / 安徽大学, Anhui Province / 安徽省	2000
Beihang University / 北京航空航天大学 (Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics 1988–2002), Beijing Municipality / 北京市	1988
Beijing Foreign Studies University / 北京外国语大学 (Beijing Foreign Language Institute 1985–1994), Beijing Municipality / 北京市	1985
Beijing Forestry University / 北京林业大学, Beijing Municipality / 北京市	1990
Beijing Institute of Technology / 北京理工大学, Beijing Municipality / 北京市	1988
Beijing Jiaotong University / 北京交通大学 (Northern Jiaotong University 1990–2003), Beijing Municipality / 北京市	1990
Beijing Language and Culture University / 北京语言大学, Beijing Municipality / 北京市	2005
Beijing Normal University / 北京师范大学, Beijing Municipality / 北京市	1990
Beijing University of Chemical Technology / 北京化工大学, Beijing Municipality / 北京市	1994
Beijing University of Chinese Medicine / 北京中医药大学, Beijing Municipality / 北京市	1993
Beijing University of Post and Telecommunications / 北京邮电大学, Beijing Municipality / 北京市	1993
Beijing University of Technology / 北京工业大学, Beijing Municipality / 北京市	2000
Central China Normal University / 华中师范大学 (Huazhong Normal University 1995–2011), Hubei Province / 湖北省	1995
Central South University / 中南大学, Hunan Province / 湖南省	2000
Central University of Finance and Economics / 中央财经大学, Beijing Municipality / 北京市	2000
Chang'an University / 长安大学, Shaanxi Province / 陕西省	2000
China Agricultural University / 中国农业大学, Beijing Municipality / 北京市	1995
China Pharmaceutical University / 中国药科大学, Jiangsu Province / 江苏省	2000
China University of Geosciences, Beijing / 中国地质大学 (北京), Beijing Municipality / 北京市	2005
China University of Geosciences, Wuhan / 中国地质大学 (武汉) (China University of Geosciences 1988–2005), Hubei Province / 湖北省	1988
China University of Mining and Technology / 中国矿业大学, Jiangsu Province / 江苏省	1988
China University of Petroleum, Beijing / 中国石油大学 (Petroleum University, Beijing 1993–2005), Beijing Municipality / 北京市	1993
China University of Political Science and Law / 中国政法大学, Beijing Municipality / 北京市	1987
Chongqing University / 重庆大学, Chongqing Municipality / 重庆市	1985
Communication University of China / 中国传媒大学, Beijing Municipality / 北京市	2004
Dalian Maritime University / 大连海事大学, Liaoning Province / 辽宁省	1994
Dalian University of Technology / 大连理工大学, Liaoning Province / 辽宁省	1990
Donghua University / 东华大学 (China Textile University 1994–1999), Shanghai Municipality / 上海市	1994
East China Normal University / 华东师范大学, Shanghai Municipality / 上海市	1985
East China University of Science and Technology / 华东理工大学 (East China University of Chemical Technology 1985–1993), Shanghai Municipality / 上海市	1985
Fudan University / 复旦大学, Shanghai Municipality / 上海市	1985
Fuzhou University / 福州大学, Fujian Province / 福建省	2003
Guangxi University / 广西大学, Guangxi Autonomous Region / 广西壮族自治区	2005
Harbin Engineering University / 哈尔滨工程大学, Heilongjiang Province / 黑龙江省	1994
Harbin Institute of Technology / 哈尔滨工业大学, Heilongjiang Province / 黑龙江省	1985
Hebei University of Technology / 河北工业大学, Hebei Province / 河北省	2005
Hefei University of Technology / 合肥工业大学, Anhui Province / 安徽省	1992
Hohai University / 河海大学, Jiangsu Province / 江苏省	1988
Huazhong Agricultural University / 华中农业大学, Hubei Province / 湖北省	1992
Huazhong University of Science and Technology / 华中理工大学, Hubei Province / 湖北省	1988
Hunan Normal University / 湖南师范大学, Hunan Province / 湖南省	2005
Hunan University / 湖南大学, Hunan Province / 湖南省	1992
Inner Mongolia University / 内蒙古大学, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region / 内蒙古自治区	1995
Jilin University / 吉林大学, Jilin Province / 吉林省	1985
Jinan University / 暨南大学, Guangdong Province / 广东省	1990
Lanzhou University / 兰州大学, Gansu Province / 甘肃省	1985
Liaoning University / 辽宁大学, Liaoning Province / 辽宁省	1992
Minzu University of China (Central University for Nationalities 1993–2008) / 中央民族大学, Beijing Municipality / 北京市	1993
Nanchang University / 南昌大学, Jiangxi Province / 江西省	2005
Nanjing Agricultural University / 南京农业大学, Jiangsu Province / 江苏省	1988
Nanjing Normal University / 南京师范大学, Jiangsu Province / 江苏省	1992
Nanjing University / 南京大学, Jiangsu Province / 江苏省	1985
Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics / 南京航空航天大学, Jiangsu Province / 江苏省	1993
Nanjing University of Science and Technology / 南京理工大学, Jiangsu Province / 江苏省	1993
Nankai University / 南开大学, Tianjin Municipality / 天津市	1985
North China Electric Power University / 华北电力大学, Beijing Municipality / 北京市	1995
Northeast Agricultural University / 东北农业大学, Heilongjiang Province / 黑龙江省	1994
Northeast Forestry University / 东北林业大学, Heilongjiang Province / 黑龙江省	1994
Northeast Normal University / 东北师范大学, Jilin Province / 吉林省	1992
Northeastern University / 东北大学 (Northeastern Institute of Technology 1985–1993), Liaoning Province / 辽宁省	1985
Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University / 西北农林科技大学, Shaanxi Province / 陕西省	2000
Northwest University / 西北大学, Shaanxi Province / 陕西省	1994
Northwestern Polytechnical University / 西北工业大学, Shaanxi Province / 陕西省	1985
Ocean University of China / 中国海洋大学 (Ocean University of Qingdao 1995–2002), Shandong Province / 山东省	1995
Peking University / 北京大学, Beijing Municipality / 北京市	1985
Renmin University of China / 中国人民大学, Beijing Municipality / 北京市	1986
Shaanxi Normal University / 陕西师范大学, Shaanxi Province / 陕西省	2000
Shandong University / 山东大学, Shandong Province / 山东省	1985
Shanghai International Studies University / 上海外国语大学, Shanghai Municipality / 上海市	1995
Shanghai Jiao Tong University / 上海交通大学, Shanghai Municipality / 上海市	1988
Shanghai Second Medical University / 上海第二医科大学, Shanghai Municipality / 上海市	1992–2005
Shanghai University / 上海大学, Shanghai Municipality / 上海市	1994
Shanghai University of Finance and Economics / 上海财经大学, Shanghai Municipality / 上海市	1992
Sichuan Agricultural University / 四川农业大学, Sichuan Province / 四川省	1994
Sichuan University / 四川大学, Sichuan Province / 四川省	1999
Soochow University / 苏州大学, Jiangsu Province / 江苏省	1992
South China Normal University / 华南师范大学, Guangdong Province / 广东省	2000
South China University of Technology / 华南理工大学, Guangdong Province / 广东省	1988
Southeast University / 东南大学, Jiangsu Province / 江苏省	1988
Southwest Jiaotong University / 西南交通大学, Sichuan Province / 四川省	1990
Southwest University / 西南大学, Chongqing Municipality / 重庆市	2005
Southwestern University of Finance and Economics / 西南财经大学, Sichuan Province / 四川省	1994
Sun Yat-Sen University (Zhongshan University 1990–2001) / 中山大学, Guangdong Province / 广东省	1990
Taiyuan University of Technology / 太原理工大学, Shanxi Province / 山西省	2000
Tianjin Medical University / 天津医科大学, Tianjin Municipality / 天津市	1994
Tianjin University / 天津大学, Tianjin Municipality / 天津市	1990
Tongji University / 同济大学, Shanghai Municipality / 上海市	1990
Tsinghua University / 清华大学, Beijing Municipality / 北京市	1985
University of Electronic Science and Technology of China / 电子科技大学, Sichuan Province / 四川省	1992
University of International Business and Economics / 对外经济贸易大学, Beijing Municipality / 北京市	1995
University of Science and Technology Beijing / 北京科技大学, Beijing Municipality / 北京市	1988
University of Science and Technology of China / 中国科学技术大学, Anhui Province / 安徽省	1985
Wuhan University / 武汉大学, Hubei Province / 湖北省	1987
Wuhan University of Technology / 武汉工业大学, Hubei Province / 湖北省	1990
Xiamen University / 厦门大学, Fujian Province / 福建省	1990
Xi'an Jiaotong University / 西安交通大学, Shaanxi Province / 陕西省	1985
Xidian University / 西安电子科技大学, Shaanxi Province / 陕西省	1995
Yanbian University / 延边大学, Jilin Province / 吉林省	2000
Yunnan University / 云南大学, Yunnan Province / 云南省	1997
Zhejiang University / 浙江大学, Zhejiang Province / 浙江省	1998
Zhengzhou University / 郑州大学, Henan Province / 河南省	2000
Zhongnan University of Economics and Law / 中南财经政法大学, Hubei Province / 湖北省	2000

Interpretation & edge cases

Documentary requirements

Award certificates must be provided in the original language. All degrees must be endorsed with “Awarded according to the Regulations Concerning Academic Degrees in the People's Republic of China” (中华人民共和国学位条例). [P-people-s-republic-of-china]

• Between 1985 and 1992: the degree certificate and graduation certificate were combined in a single “Graduation Certificate” booklet, which must state both “approved for graduation” (准予毕业) and “awarded an academic degree” (授予学位). [P-people-s-republic-of-china]
• From 1993: the degree certificate and graduation certificate are separate; both must be provided. A graduation certificate alone requires NZQA referral. [P-people-s-republic-of-china]
• Bachelor degrees 1993–2007: the bachelor degree certificate should show “Regular higher education” (普通高等教育). If not, the graduation certificate must show evidence that the degree is Regular higher education (普通高等学校). [P-people-s-republic-of-china]
• From January 2008: “Regular higher education” (普通高等教育) must appear at the bottom of all bachelor degree certificates. The 16‑digit certificate number identifies degree type (6th digit) and the year awarded (7th–10th digits). [P-people-s-republic-of-china]
• From 2016: universities may issue their own award certificates; wording can vary. If there is no evidence the program was “Regular higher education”, an NZQA assessment is required. [P-people-s-republic-of-china]

General exclusions — automatic referral to NZQA

The following must be referred to NZQA for an IQA and cannot rely on the exemption: [P-people-s-republic-of-china]

• Honorary degrees
• A listed qualification where only a graduation certificate is provided
• A listed qualification that is not Regular higher education
• A listed qualification where the certificate number is preceded by a “T” (alternate route) or “Z” (professional degree)
• A listed qualification where study was completed at any institution outside China, including overseas campuses of a listed awarding institution
• A listed qualification containing cross‑credited courses or papers
• All qualifications awarded after 2017

Additional qualification-specific requirements

• Master degree: evidence of a bachelor degree at Level 7 is also required. [P-people-s-republic-of-china]
• Doctoral degree: evidence of a bachelor degree at Level 7 and a master degree at Level 9 must also be provided. [P-people-s-republic-of-china]

Year of award

If the qualification was awarded before the year shown in the table for that institution, the exemption does not apply. The effective date of this list is 19 February 2018. [P-people-s-republic-of-china]

Previous list (before 19 February 2018)

Applicants who hold a Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctoral degree from one of the listed Chinese institutions may have that qualification treated as exempt from assessment for purposes of Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) points. Exemption means no International Qualification Assessment (IQA) from NZQA is required, provided all conditions in the list are met. [C-china]

The exemption applies only to qualifications awarded from 2004 onward at institutions appearing in the INZ "China" list, and only when the qualification was obtained through the normal full-time, regular higher-education pathway. [C-china]

Definition

"Exempt from assessment" means a qualification that the immigration officer can accept at face value without requiring an NZQA IQA for SMC points, as long as every requirement in the China list is satisfied. If any condition is not met, the qualification must be assessed by NZQA. [C-china]

The list covers three qualification levels (Bachelor's, Master's, Doctoral) and assigns each:

• a New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF) type and level, and
• the number of SMC points (3 for Bachelor's, 5 for Master's, 6 for Doctoral). [C-china]

Application in decisions

An immigration officer must verify the following four conditions before treating a Chinese qualification as exempt. [C-china]

1. Institution and qualification listed — both the awarding institution and the qualification type appear in the INZ list, with the year of award from or within the "Effective from" year (always 2004 in the current list). [C-china]

2. Awarded in-country — the qualification must not have been completed outside China, including at any overseas campus of a listed institution. Programmes undertaken wholly or partly abroad are excluded. [C-china]

3. No exclusion under the notes — a qualification that falls into a category described in the notes (e.g. short duration, non‑regular education pathway, excluded degree type) cannot rely on the exemption. [C-china]

4. Documentary evidence — the applicant must provide the original-language degree certificate (学位证书) and graduation certificate (毕业证书), together with official English translations. The graduation certificate must show that the applicant passed the oral defence of a graduation thesis/dissertation (毕业论文答辩通过) for Master's and Doctoral degrees, and for Bachelor's degrees must contain the wording 'regular higher education' (普通高等教育/普通高等学校). If only a graduation certificate is supplied (no degree certificate), the qualification must be referred to NZQA. [C-china]

Interpretation & edge cases

Bachelor's degree

• The exemption applies only to bachelor's degrees of four or five years of full-time study. A bachelor's degree studied for fewer than four years full-time must be evaluated by NZQA. [C-china]
• The qualification must have been obtained through the regular higher education pathway (普通高等教育). The graduation certificate must state this; variations in wording are acceptable as long as the concept of 'regular higher education' is evident. [C-china]
• Bachelor's degrees obtained through adult higher education (成人高等教育) or self‑taught examinations (高等教育自学考试) are excluded and require an IQA. [C-china]
• Secondary bachelor's degrees (第二学士学位) are excluded — these are two‑year programmes completed after a first bachelor's degree of four or more years and are not covered by the exemption. [C-china]

Master's degree

• The master's degree must be a programme of at least two years full-time study following a bachelor's degree, and must include a research thesis/dissertation (硕士毕业论文). Shorter master's degrees (fewer than two years) need an NZQA assessment. [C-china]
• The graduation certificate must contain the phrase "passed the oral defence of graduation thesis/dissertation" (毕业论文答辩通过). Both the degree certificate and graduation certificate (with official translations) are required. [C-china]
• MBA and Executive MBA degrees (工商管理硕士) are excluded from the list. [C-china]
• Integrated master's degrees (本硕连读), which typically involve six or more years of combined bachelor's and master's study, are excluded and must be assessed. [C-china]

Doctoral degree

• The doctoral programme must be at least three years full-time after a master's degree and include a research thesis/dissertation (博士毕业论文). Any doctoral degree studied for fewer than three years full-time requires an IQA. [C-china]
• The graduation certificate must state "passed the oral defence of graduation thesis/dissertation" (毕业论文答辩通过). Both certificates plus translations are required. [C-china]
• Doctor of Business Administration (工商管理博士) is excluded from the list. [C-china]
• Integrated doctoral degrees (硕博连读), which combine master's and doctoral studies in a single five‑year (or more) full-time programme, are excluded and must be assessed by NZQA. [C-china]

General edge cases

• Overseas campuses or delivery: any part of the qualification completed outside China, including at an overseas campus of a listed institution, disqualifies the exemption. The course must have been undertaken entirely in China. [C-china]
• Year of award: if the qualification was awarded before the year shown in the "Effective from" column (2004 for all current entries), the exemption does not apply. [C-china]
• Translation discrepancies: while official English translations are required, the Chinese characters on the original documents are authoritative; if the Chinese wording does not match the required terms (e.g. 'regular higher education' or 'passed the oral defence'), the exemption cannot be used. [C-china]

Citations

• C-china — China

Citations (current list)

• P-people-s-republic-of-china — People's Republic of China
• C-china — China