It's official - we're getting smarter

We are smarter than ever, according to a report that shows at least half of all New Zealanders now hold a tertiary qualification.

And not only are more people holding a tertiary qualification but the level at which they are studying has also increased.

That is the finding of the latest Profile and Trends report, an annual Ministry of Education survey of the tertiary sector, which was released yesterday.

Education Secretary Karen Sewell said the report showed that young tertiary students are studying at a more advanced level, with three out of four doing a level 4 certificate qualification or higher. This is a 4.8 per cent increase on 2008.

Tertiary qualifications start at level 1 certificates and progress all the way through to a doctorate which is level 10.

At a Bachelor's level - a level 7 qualification - enrolments increased last year by 5.6 per cent, mainly because of a population bulge from young people born between 1989 and 1993 who are moving from school and into tertiary education.

Enrolments for honours degrees and postgrad studies increased by 14 per cent, masters studies by 6.8 per cent and doctoral level by 10 per cent.

Ms Sewell said the overall result was that half of all New Zealanders aged over 15 now hold a tertiary qualification.

"Fifty per cent of New Zealanders now hold a tertiary qualification, compared with 44 per cent a decade ago, and 17 per cent have a bachelors or a higher qualification, compared with 9.9 per cent in 1999."

The report also found that the number of international students was on the rise for the first time in four years.

Of the half a million students who were enrolled in tertiary study last year, slightly more than 43,000 were international students.

Total enrolments were up slightly, following a three-year downward trend.

Ms Sewell said that number of international students was expected to increase by about 8 per cent this year with more enrolments in bachelors degrees and doctoral studies.

"Increasing the number of New Zealanders with higher-level qualifications, and having more first-year international enrolments are positive for our economy and our productivity," she said.

Ms Sewell said the total "government operating expenditure on tertiary education in 2009 was $4.1 billion, an investment which was vital for New Zealand's sustained economic and social development".

"The New Zealand workforce is becoming more qualified and the priorities set for the tertiary education system for 2010 to 2012 will continue this trend."

TERTIARY EDUCATION 2009

512,000 students enrolled in tertiary study.

43,500 were international students.

50 per cent of adults over 15 hold tertiary qualification.

3 out 4 tertiary students studying at level 4 certificate or higher.

Qualification Levels

1-4 Certificates.

5-6 Diplomas.

7 Bachelors Degrees, Graduate Diplomas, Graduate Certificates.

8 Postgrad Diplomas & Certificates, Bachelors Degrees with Honours.

9 Masters Degrees.

10 Doctorates