Does a New Zealand master's give six SMC points? Degree combinations and 30 weeks of study
A New Zealand master's is not automatically a six-point SMC qualification. Under SR 3.25.15 effective 24 August 2026, the relevant Level 9 New Zealand master's plus bachelor's, or combined qualification, has a six-point provision. Claiming those master's points also requires at least 30 weeks of full-time study in New Zealand as part of the master's. A separate New Zealand master's row awards five points.
Common listed type or combination | Points direction |
Level 10 doctoral degree | Six, with recognition and evidence requirements |
Level 9 New Zealand master's plus bachelor's or corresponding combined degree | Six, including the 30-week condition |
Level 9 New Zealand master's | The corresponding five-point provision |
Level 9 overseas master's plus bachelor's or corresponding combined degree | Five, with recognition evidence |
Level 7 New Zealand bachelor's | Five |
Level 7 overseas bachelor's | Four, with IQA or applicable exemption |
Read the complete combination, not just the highest level
Other Level 8 honours, postgraduate diploma and certificate combinations have their own New Zealand-versus-overseas and accompanying-degree rules. Similar levels do not justify selecting a more favourable row. An IQA without a confirmed listed qualification type has separate level-based provisions, rather than an assumed master's classification. Use the full official table and the actual evidence.
Thirty weeks cannot be inferred from a course advertisement
For the six-point New Zealand master's provision, the study must be full-time in New Zealand as part of that master's. Exam preparation counts, while holidays, repeated failed components and time studying another qualification whose credits were transferred are excluded. A brochure describing a one-year course does not itself prove every qualifying week.
Keep real enrolment, transcripts, study-location and institution evidence. Identify overseas, transferred-credit and part-time elements truthfully. The final awarding university does not retrospectively turn all earlier study into New Zealand full-time study. Obtain an appropriate institutional explanation where needed; this article does not approve a particular course for migration.
The accompanying bachelor's needs evidence
Where required, supply the bachelor's certificate and transcript. Combined qualifications without a separate bachelor's certificate have an applicable transcript-evidence arrangement. Establish the actual case rather than declaring every missing standalone certificate fatal, or treating a CV entry as sufficient proof.
Overseas recognition needs the relevant IQA or complete exemption basis. Reputation, rankings and private accreditation do not replace it. Planned study, course completion with documents outstanding and an evidenced qualification are different stages. Do not claim a future degree as already held in an EOI.
Qualification points do not remove the employment assessment
Use one skill category—qualification, income or New Zealand registration—plus qualifying New Zealand experience if needed. Current experience points are one for a year, two for 18 months and three for two years, with their own look-back and wage requirements. Overseas service does not simply supply these points, and the three skill categories cannot all be stacked.
Even six points still require eligible New Zealand work or an offer and the other conditions. In particular, SR 3.25.25 requires a year of qualifying New Zealand experience within the prior two years where a six-point skill claim is paired with contracts for services. It is therefore unsafe to describe every six-point case as needing no local experience. Assess the real contract and role.
Before an educational commitment, consider existing awards, planned study, location, recognition, work and family resources together. Points are one part of a substantial education and financial decision. This article recommends no institution and guarantees no resident outcome. Invitations before 24 August 2026 also have transition rules; the new table cannot automatically be used for an earlier invitation.
Official sources and verification date
18 October 2026
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