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“At uni, I started taking interest papers as well as my major, just in case I ended up liking them more. I changed my major in my third year. It’s totally normal for people to question if what they’re doing at uni is right for them and to change during their first year – nothing is set in stone. Go with your gut and choose subjects that you find interesting.”

- Amy

Where you can study

Tertiary education covers any education, apprenticeships or industry training that you do after school. No option is "better" than the others, and there are different things to consider, such as your passions and interests, your whānau, and what job or experiences you might like later on.

Different tertiary education options will have different entry requirements. Find out what NCEA credits you need for different options on the Careers NZ website.

Studying te ao Māori

If you’re considering a career within te ao Māori, you can look into courses for te reo Māori, tikanga, toi Māori and more. Many different courses are offered at wānanga, polytechnics, universities and wānanga ā-iwi, ranging from toi Māori to Māori business. Today, the Māori economy is going through a period of strong growth and there are job opportunities in many different industries throughout the country.

Video transcript available for School Leavers' Myth Number 4 Open Close
Lively, upbeat music plays throughout.

On camera: We see the narrator standing in a second-hand store surrounded by kitchen equipment. The colours are not very vibrant. The Narrator speaks in a funny voice and is looking away from the camera.

Narrator: A University degree is the only way to get a job.

On camera: The camera shakes, the colour becomes more vibrant, the narrator looks at the camera and returns to their own voice. They pick up an egg-beater and point it at the camera.

Narrator: Woah, big call! You seem so sure, not really a good start to your study of critical thinking.

On camera: The narrator is now walking through the second-hand store past other people who are looking at the goods. They pick up and put things down as they walk.

Narrator: Look, I respect your belief but I think I’ve got options. Like the world is my oyster, or kina, or pāua. I’m thinking I can go to go uni, polytech, whare wānanga, or do a trade…

On camera: The narrator stops walking and stands in the book section of the store.

Narrator: …and as long as I give a hundy to everything that I do I know my dream job will find me!

Text on screen: Get pathways and peace of mind with the School Leavers’ Toolkit. school-leavers-toolkit.education.govt.nz, along with the logos for Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga (Ministry of Education) and the School Leavers’ Toolkit.
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