Approval Deadlines for New or Changed Programmes

Assessment Portfolios

Courses which use an “Assessment Portfolio” or similar are required to have the breakdown of the portfolio/assessments approved by the Academic Approvals Committee (AAC) prior to course delivery.

• Download and complete the Application form for Approval of Assessment Details

AND

• Download the Assessment Details Sheet from the Programme Library:
  • navigate to your programme folder.
  • Locate the Data Sheet (The Assessment Details sheet is a tab in this spreadsheet)

Follow the instructions in the application form for submission to aac@unitec.ac.nz.

Reach out to your schools Senior Quality Administrator (SQA) if you need support.

Approval of Assessment Portfolios occurs at standard AAC hui and must be submitted in accordance with the timeframes below.

Approval of Assessment Portfolios do NOT require Approval in Principle.

Type 1, Type 2 and New Programme applications

Applications are considered by the Academic Approvals Committee  at its regular scheduled hui.

All applications require:

• Approval in Principle (AiP) to undertake the proposed change
  • For Type 1 changes: AiP is granted via email by the Director, Schools and Performance
  • For Type 2 changes: AiP is granted via a formal application to the DCE Academic
  • New programmes: AiP is granted via a formal application to the DCE Academic

Guidance on the approach required is available from: Simon Tries, Director, Te Korowai Kahurangi (stries@unitec.ac.nz)

• A completed Consolidated Application form, supported by relevant evidence (e.g., consultation log)

Programme documentation:

• Programme Document (with tracked changes if Type 1 or Type 2 change)
• Course Descriptors (if separate from above)
• Programme Regulations (if separate from above)
• Data Sheet (also referred to as PID or NCD sheets)
• Transition plan (for programme changes)

• Any other relevant documentation (MoU, etc.)Approval by the PAQC (or delegate) prior to submission (not required for new programmes)

Applications are only considered when submitted to aac@unitec.ac.nz

Applications, once confirmed as complete, will be added to the next available AAC agenda. Applicants will be informed of which AAC hui their application will be considered at.

All New and Type 2 applications

Schools must confirm which specific AAC hui their application will be submitted to. Applications will only be accepted where the committee has sufficient time available to consider the application. The AAC hui date should be booked as soon as possible after the initial programme development planning hui.

Where an application has progressed following relevant approval, the Academic Approvals Committee will evaluate it against relevant internal and external criteria prior to submission for external approval by the WDC (Workforce Development Council), NZQA (New Zealand Qualifications Authority) and TEC (Tertiary Education Commission).

The application to WDC will be forwarded (by TKK) to the relevant WDC upon Academic Committee approval. WDC endorsement is estimated at 20 working days.

Applications are only considered when  submitted to aac@unitec.ac.nz and confirmed as complete.

Following AAC endorsement, Academic Committee provides final approval of all New and Type 2 developments.

2025 application deadlines for 2025/2026 Delivery (all application types)

The NZQA deadline for degree programmes for 2026 delivery is expected to be 1 July 2025

The NZQA deadline for Level 1-6 programmes for 2026 delivery is expected to be 4 October

Unitec Semester 1, 2025 begins: 24 February 2025

Unitec Semester 2, 2025 begins: 21 July 2025