In this section

Study at Wintec

Glossary

Sometimes the words and jargon relating to studying can be a bit overwhelming, and you may be unfamiliar with a lot of them. For this reason, we have put together a glossary of education terms so you can follow up on things you might not entirely understand.

A

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a belief in, and commitment to, the values of honesty, trust, fairness, respect, and courage in relation to learning, teaching, rangahau, research, and assessment.

Advanced Standing

Award of a set of pre-approved prior learning credits to allow entry to a programme with exemptions for identified courses.

Aegrotat

Successful outcome of an Assessment Concession process.

Ākonga

A (current, past, and future) domestic tertiary learner, international tertiary learner, or industry trainee or apprentice. A person who is involved in learning and/or assessment.

Alumni
A term used to describe those people who have graduated from an institute. After a student graduates from Wintec, they are Wintec alumni (follow this group on LinkedIn and remain connected to the institute).

Appeal

A formal application to a higher authority for a decision to be reversed.

Assessment standard

Unit standards and achievements standards listed on the Directory of Assessment Standards.

Assessor

A person who evaluates the assessment evidence presented by ākonga.

Award

Award means a certificate, diploma, degree, or other qualification that is listed on the NZQCF; or a certificate or other document granted in recognition of ākonga achievement and completion of a micro-credential or other package of learning.

B

Bachelor's degree
A level 7 qualification with the purpose of providing individuals with a systematic and coherent introduction to bodies of knowledge of a recognised major subject (or subjects in the case of a double degree or double major), as well as problem-solving and associated basic techniques of self-directed work and learning.

C

Campus
The physical location where study is taught.

Certificate
A qualification that typically takes between six months to a year to complete, if studying full-time. They may also offer a step into a higher level of study. They cover a range of levels from 1-6 on the NZQF.

Certificate of Proficiency (COP)

Not an award, but a mechanism which enables ākonga who do not intend to complete an approved programme to take individual modules from that programme or programmes.

Co-requisite

Where two modules must be typically studied at the same time as one another.

Competence

The ability to apply particular knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values to the standard of performance required in specified contexts.

Complaint

An expression of dissatisfaction where the ākonga seeks some form of redress or change in a situation; where the ākonga considers that they have been directly or adversely impacted, which requires a formal process of resolution.

Components

Parts of a programme or micro-credential (or "short course"), which together make up a coherent arrangement of learning or training. Components are usually courses but may sometimes be called papers, units, modules, and skill or assessment standards.

Concern

A matter where it is likely that resolution can be obtained by direct, informal consultation with the people concerned. A situation where the ākonga considers appropriate standards have not been met but the impact on them has not been great.

Conditional offer

Where an offer has been made; however, the student may still need to meet specific requirements for the offer to be valid, like gaining certain marks, or completing an additional short-course or training first.

Conferred (award)

A qualification is formally awarded to an ākonga.

Confirmed (award)

A committee confirms that all programme requirements have been successfully completed and the ākonga is eligible for award of the qualification.

Credit

One credit represents a notional 10 hours of learning, practice, and assessment time with respect to the outcomes and contexts of a course or standard. One full-time year of study (1 EFTS) equates to 120 credits.

Credit Recognition and Transfer (CRT)

A process where credit for outcomes already achieved by an ākonga through formal study is recognised as credit for comparable outcomes in another qualification. Encompasses both Credit Transfer and Cross Credit.

Credit Transfer (CT)

Credit for previous formal learning passed at Wintec or at another educational institution.

Cross Credit (CC)

Credit at course or standard level for a course or standard awarded towards another programme at Wintec or another educational institution.

D

Degree
The qualification awarded to a student once they have successfully finished their Level 7 study.

Delegated authority

Kaimahi with the right or delegation to make decisions on specific matters.

Delivery

The various aspects of a provided learning experience, including the content and context of the programme, resources, kaimahi, teaching, and learning strategies and assessment activities.

Design Factory
Design Factory is a global network that brings together students, teachers, industry, and communities to teach them problem-solving and co-creation.

Diploma
This qualification usually requires one or two years of study. They cover a range of levels from 5-7 on the NZQF.

Discretionary Entrance
A case-by-case consideration of students who don’t have the University Entrance qualification to get into polytechs or universities, but who may have the right background or experience to be able to enter.

Distance/off-campus study
Some courses at Wintec are taught online. This is known as distance, off-campus, online, or remote learning, as you complete most of your study from home. You may still be required to attend sessions on-site at the Wintec campuses where outlined by the programme manager.

Domestic ākonga

A domestic ākonga is someone who is either a) a New Zealand citizen, b) the holder of a residence class visa, or c) required by the Minister or Gazette notice to be treated as if they are not an international student.

E

Education Code of Practice

The Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021.

EFTS

Equivalent full-time student (EFTS) is a measure of the size or workload associated with a course, programme, or qualification. One EFTS unit is defined as the ākonga workload that would normally be carried out in a single academic year (12-month period) by ākonga enrolled full-time and generally equates to 120 credits.

Entry Criteria
What you need to have studied and passed to get into a course. If you do not meet the entry criteria, it is good to talk to Wintec staff at the Student Enrolment and Information Centre to discuss what options are available. Contact them at info@wintec.ac.nz.

F

Formal Award

A Qualification or Micro-credential achieved on successful completion of a programme approved by NZQA.

Future You
A Wintec online tool to help students understand their areas of interest, and nationwide study options based on these. Try it out here.

G

Graduate Diploma
Typically, a one-year-long qualification that allows a graduate with a degree to study at degree-level in a subject area different to their degree qualification. For example, a media arts graduate may wish to consider a Graduate Diploma in Management to increase their knowledge-base and skill-set.

Graduation Certificate

A document that shows a qualification has been awarded to an individual ākonga. Also known as 'parchment'.

H

Honours
The term ‘honours degree’ refers to a variant of the undergraduate bachelor's degree containing a larger volume of material or a higher standard of study.

I

International ākonga
An international ākonga means an international student as defined in the Education and Training Act 2020 (section 10).

Iwi
Extended kinship group or tribe or people. Often refers to a large group of people descended from a common ancestor and associated with a distinct territory.

J

K

Kaiako

Teacher or facilitator of learning.

Kaimahi

Staff member that includes kaiako, ākonga support, and allied services.

Kaupapa

The purpose and goals of an organisation.

Kaupapa Māori

Initiatives, elements, or ideas that reflect a Māori world view.

Komiti Akoranga

Wintec Academic Board established by Wintec Council in accordance with clause 18(2) of Schedule 11 of the Education and Training Act 2020.

L

Lectures and tutorial
A lecture is a more formal presentation led by the student’s lecturer. Tutorials are smaller classes where you talk with other students and a tutor or your lecturer about the content, assignments, and anything else to do with the module you are studying.

Legacy

Used to identify a Wintec programme or system or process developed prior to 2023.

Levels
Any of the ten levels on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework (NZQF), which can range from Level 1 to Level 10.

M

Māori and Pasifika Trades Training (MPTT)
A government funding and support model with the intent of upskilling Māori and Pasifika learners in specific courses such as horticulture, automotive engineering, construction, dairy processing, electrical engineering, hair design, mechanical engineering, plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying, restaurant and barista services and culinary. This means many of the courses are free, and you receive extended support to help you through your studies.

Master’s degree
A Level 9 qualification on the NZQA. A master’s degree is a very high level of study that can be pursued once students have completed a bachelor’s degree, and sometimes following a postgraduate diploma. It qualifies a person to apply an advanced body of knowledge in a range of contexts for research.

Mātauranga

Knowledge.

Mātauranga māori

Māori knowledge in its widest and broadest terms and includes all aspects of Māori culture.

Micro-Credential
Micro-credentials are short certifications in specialised topics, often completed while people are in the workforce.

Module
A course that usually lasts for one semester. A module covers just one subject and is assessed independently of other modules. Other tertiary institutes may call this a paper, and at school, it may be known as a subject.

Moodle
The Wintec student portal used to house course content, timetables, forum discussions, assignments, and results.

N

New Zealand Record of Achievement

An individual ākonga transcript of unit standards and achievement standards credited and national qualifications completed, provided by NZQA from a national database.

Notional Learning Hours

Notional learning hours comprise all planned learning activities leading toward the achievement of programme or qualification learning outcomes. Ten notional learning hours equals one credit.

NSI

National Student Index. The system maintained by the Ministry of Education that contains registration details for all ākonga known to the Ministry. The NSI assigns a lifetime identification number (NSN, National Student Number) to each ākonga.

NZQA

New Zealand Qualifications Authority.

NZQCF

New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework.

O

Orientation
A fun event full of activities for new students to get familiar with Wintec. Students can find out information about services on campus, resources available to them, and external information from businesses such as local gyms, banks, and other providers who may offer student benefits.

Outcome

Refer to learning outcome.

P

Parchment

A document that shows a qualification has been awarded to an individual ākonga. Also known as a Graduation Certificate.

Pastoral care
The care of students’ well-being in all facets of their lives. Also referred to as holistic care.

Pathway
A pathway shows the different ways a student can enter a certain level of study or a specific course. Pathways can show them what the options are for further study on completion of the initial course; for example, there are many pathways of postgraduate study for those who have completed the Bachelor of Nursing.

Placement
A period of supervised work, where the student will have the opportunity to experience working in a specific role in a real-life situation.

Polytech/Institutes of Technology
An institute of technology delivers courses from certificate-level through to master’s degrees. Traditionally known for providing technical training, polytechs now offer a broad range of training for professional industries also.

Postgraduate Diploma
Studies typically undertaken after students have completed an undergraduate bachelor’s degree or, in some cases, based on relevant post-secondary qualifications or work experience. The diploma is a continuation of study in the same area that the degree qualification was received.

Pōwhiri
All new students, staff and whānau (family) are warmly invited to attend the official welcome to Wintec at either our marae, Te Kōpū Mānia o Kirikiriroa or Rotokauri Campus. The pōwhiri follows customary Māori protocols and involves speeches of welcome, singing, and kai (food).

Prerequisite
Where it is necessary as a prior condition for something else to happen. Usually, a course you have to do to gain subject understanding before you can do another course at a higher level

Professional Programme
A study that is designed to meet the needs of people who are already working and may need upskilling or want to extend their knowledge in particular areas with short-course content.

Programme (course)
The qualification/course a student is enrolled in, eg Bachelor of Design, Certificate in Computing.

Prospectus
A publication that includes information about every course available at Wintec, generally updated annually. You can find these here.

Q

QMS

Quality Management System.

Qualification
A certificate, diploma, or degree awarded following the successful completion of a programme of study.

R

Rangahau

Kaupapa Māori research that challenges the 'ordinary' or notion of normal that has been constructed by the dominant culture, and seeks to identify and uphold Māori views, solutions, and ways of knowing. It is about empowering Māori people, their voice, processes, and knowledge.

Recognising Prior Knowledge and Skills/Recognition of Prior Knowledge and Skills

Wintec overarching term for assessing and recognising prior knowledge, skills, and learning to award credit towards a qualification, course, or standard. The credit may be from previously credited or non-credited learning. Recognising prior knowledge, skills, and learning and awarding credit is undertaken by evaluating ākonga skills and knowledge in relation to the graduate profile or other learning outcomes of a programme, component of learning, or assessment standard.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

A process of assessing and awarding credit at qualification, course, or standard level for learning which is current and relevant, regardless of where and how that learning has occurred, eg, through self-directed study, workplace learning, life experience, hobbies, marae-based learning, within community wānanga or participation in rangahau projects.

S

Scholarships
Scholarships can help contribute towards the costs of studying. They may recognise academic excellence or potential or be available for other reasons such as financial hardship. The list of Wintec scholarships and information on whether you qualify and how to apply can be found here.

Secondary Tertiary Aligned Resource Courses (STAR Courses)
If you are a secondary school student and are considering your future study options, the STAR courses allow you to experience a snapshot of what a course involves. Typically, these are a day long.

Semester
A period of about 15 weeks, which includes about 12 teaching weeks and about three weeks for study and or exams. At Wintec, the year generally has two main semesters.

Stakeholders

Individuals, groups, or organisations with an interest (or 'stake') in the outcome of a qualification.

Strand
Some courses offer different areas of specialisation, which is called a strand (some tertiary institutes might call these majors).

Student Learning Services
A support service at Wintec that can help students with in-class assistance, group study sessions, and networking. Advisors can also provide one-to-one support for priority learners.

Studylink
The division of Work and Income NZ that manages student loans and allowances for students during their studies.

Summative Assessment

Assessment activities that contribute to ākonga final results for a course. Summative assessment provides students with a specific measure of their achievement in relation to course learning outcomes. Successful completion of a summative assessment demonstrates that students have met the requirements for specific learning outcomes, which may lead to progression and/or completion within the programme.

Summer School
A course of lectures held during school and Wintec summer holidays, taken as part of an academic course or as an independent course of study for professional or personal purposes.

T

TEC

Tertiary Education Commission.

Tikanga-ā-Ākonga

Wintec Academic Regulations.

Timetable
A timetable is your programme of lectures and tutorials. They can check their timetable here.

Transfer of Credit
Transfer of credit (TOC) is the process of assessing and awarding credit towards a programme based on prior formal and informal learning.

Transcript

A formal record of enrolment and/or achievement issued by an education or training provider.

U

Unconditional offer
The student has a guaranteed place in a course. However, there may be a few things they still need to provide a university or polytech with.

Undergraduate
An undergraduate is a person/student studying towards a Level 7 degree (that is, they haven’t yet graduated), and an undergraduate degree is another name for their path of study.

Unit standard

A nationally registered, coherent set of learning outcomes and associated evidence requirements, together with technical and management information that supports delivery and assessment. All unit standards are registered on the Directory of Assessment Standards, assigned a level and a credit value, and may contribute to the award of a qualification.

V

Vocational Pathways
A tool designed by the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) to segment different pathways of study based on student interests.

W

Waikato Trades Academy (WTA)
If you are a current secondary school student, you may be able to attend the Waikato Trades Academy (WTA). It provides an opportunity to experience what it is like to study trades at Wintec while still attending school.

Withdrawal Period

The lesser of one month (30 days) from the start date or 10 per cent of the duration of a programme, or a course within the programme.

Work-Integrated Learning (WIL)

An umbrella term that describes a range of approaches that facilitate learning by connecting or integrating experiences across educational and workplace contexts in which feedback from clients and others from industry and community is integral to the experience.

X

Y

Z

Zoom
An IT programme used to conduct online meetings, lectures, and tutorials. For some programmes at Wintec, attending Zoom sessions is a compulsory part of completing your course requirements.