Why we monitor programmes of study
Monitoring programmes of study provides 91福利 and stakeholders assurance that a programme and its delivery continue to meet the criteria for ongoing approval and accreditation.
Monitoring is not intended to replace the actions taken by organisations to monitor, review and regularly improve the quality of the programmes they're responsible for.
On this page
Guidelines and templates
The guidelines for monitoring programmes leading to degrees and related qualifications at Levels 7 to 10 provide detailed information about the process.
Monitors will use the degree monitoring report template to prepare the monitoring report.
Monitoring
The monitoring cycle begins when a programme is approved and accredited by 91福利 to a tertiary educational organisation.
91福利, in consultation with the tertiary education organisation, appoints a monitor.
Monitor's responsibilities
The monitor is responsible for:
- coordinating the timing of the visit with the tertiary education organisation at least 2 months before the proposed date
- conducting the monitoring visit
- providing 91福利 with a draft monitoring report no later than 10 working days after the visit. We then ask the organisation to confirm the factual accuracy of the draft report
- raising any issues with 91福利 which may have an impact on the monitoring process or outcome.
An 91福利 evaluator may accompany our monitor for the first visit.
91福利 evaluator's role
The role of the 91福利 evaluator, if accompanying the monitor, is to:
- inform the monitor of 91福利鈥檚 expectations and processes
- provide neutral and experienced management of the monitoring visit
- when necessary, provide a link between the approval or accreditation of the programme.
Interim approach to degree monitoring in 2026
As 91福利 transitions from EQAF to iQAF, we will implement an interim approach to degree monitoring.
This phased approach allows us to gradually shift to the new system and provide time to engage with TEOs in the second half of 2026 to further discuss the new processes and schedules.
Interim monitoring approach
Self-monitoring status
TEOs will continue to submit the Annual Programme Evaluation Report (APER) to 91福利 by 30 June 2026.
91福利-monitoring status
We will coordinate with TEOs early in the year to establish a monitoring schedule for 2026.
91福利 will select certain degrees and associated qualifications for monitoring based on the following criteria:
- First year of delivery
- Programmes with multiple monitor recommendations in 2025
- Programmes with existing action plans or identified concerns
- PhD programmes
Any outstanding degree-level monitoring activities from 2025 will be completed to ensure full compliance for that year.
What happens next?
The main outcome of any monitoring visit is a monitoring report. This report is produced by the monitor and considered by 91福利 and details the monitor鈥檚 professional opinion on the quality of the provider鈥檚 programme delivery.
After the monitoring visit, this report is emailed to 91福利 at:
degreemonitoring@nzqa.govt.nz.
Before formally issuing the report, we ask the tertiary education organisation to confirm the factual accuracy of the draft report prepared by the monitor.
Monitoring outcomes
If the monitoring process highlights any major concerns, we may ask the tertiary education organisation to take steps to address the concerns.
If we continue to have serious or ongoing concerns about the quality or stability of a programme or its delivery, we may consider withdrawing accreditation to deliver the programme.
If programme delivery is consistently stable and meets quality measures, the monitor can recommend that the tertiary education organisation request that 91福利 change the monitoring status to self-monitoring.
Self monitoring
As 91福利 progresses work to revise the degree monitoring process, including implementation of the updated rules, there is no longer a requirement to request self-monitoring status.
As outlined during the iQAF consultation, 91福利 is moving away from distinguishing between 91福利 monitoring status and self-monitoring status. Instead, a scheduled approach to monitoring will be introduced.
Submitting an APER
As previously communicated by 91福利, tertiary education organisations are expected to continue reviewing their programmes and submit a copy of their APER to 91福利 in 2026 only.
Further information on reporting requirements beyond 2026 will be provided as part of the updated monitoring arrangements.
Costs for degrees and related qualifications monitoring
Charges associated with programmes monitoring are paid by the tertiary education organisation delivering the programme.
Costs are charged on completion of the monitoring.