Some form of higher education, beyond that of the post-primary school, is an essential part of the training for any professional career; and it may be argued that a general education, as represented by a degree in arts, is a necessary foundation. A degree in arts is, however, not in itself a prerequisite for any career, though it is recognised as a qualification for promotion in many. In the so-called learned professions, an appropriate university degree is one of the necessary qualifications for admission to the profession, and the same condition applies to many other occupations that require a trained mind and technical skill. The kinds of training offered by the universities in New Zealand for various careers are set out below. (Since this section was written, the number of autonomous universities has increased from four to six, viz., University of Auckland, University of Waikato, Massey University of Manawatu, Victoria University of Wellington, University of Canterbury, and University of Otago.)
Professional agriculture or practical farming.
To become a registered architect one must gain membership of the New Zealand Institute of Architects, qualifying by one or other of three methods of examination:
Professional examinations conducted by the Examinations Board of the University Grants Committee, with two years' internal study at the University of Auckland.
Diploma in Architecture of the University of Auckland.
The degree of B.Arch.
At present (1965) the University of Auckland is the only one offering a course for a degree in architecture. It includes an intermediate examination in physics and two general subjects, and first, second, third, and fourth year professional examinations.
The Diploma in Architecture may be awarded to candidates who, having satisfied certain specified conditions, have been admitted to and passed the third and fourth year professional examinations.
In the major technical colleges in New Zealand, instruction is given to the level of the examinations of the Institutes in London and the qualification A.M.I.C.E. or A.M.I.Mech.E. For admission to the Institute of Electrical Engineers, however, a candidate must take classes in a university department for one year, though, after taking the first and second parts of the London examinations and after practical work and “interview”, he may be admitted to the N.Z.I.E.
Entry to the ranks of tradesmen or craftsmen is through apprenticeship after at least two years of post-primary education. By the terms of his apprenticeship, the youth is required to attend technical classes for three years, and his employer is required to release him for the purpose for one half-day a week or its equivalent in longer periods. The apprentice may sit examinations (instruction for which is provided in approved technical schools) for a Certificate in Engineering issued by the Technicians' Certification Authority set up by Act of Parliament (1960). The standard of the certificate is somewhere between Stage I and Stage II of a university degree course; and the University of Canterbury gives exemption from the Intermediate and the First Professional Examinations of the course for B.E. degree to students who have obtained the certificate with “outstanding merit” and are otherwise considered suitable.
The Universities of Canterbury and of Auckland provide courses and examine for the degree of Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.) — civil, electrical, and mechanical. The course of study in each case is of four years. The course for the degree of Master of Engineering (M.E.) extends for a further year. The University of Canterbury also provides instruction for its degree of B.E. (chemical), while the University of Otago provides for its degree of B.E. (mining) and B.E. (metallurgical). Otago also provides for an Associateship of the Otago School of Mines (A.O.S.M.), an old-established qualification.
Admission to the practice of accountancy is governed by the New Zealand Society of Accountants Act 1958. To qualify for admission as a member of the society, a person is required to satisfy certain prerequisites, and thereafter to pass the prescribed professional examinations in accountancy, for which each university provides instruction, while the examinations are conducted by the Examinations Board set up by the University Grants Committee.
Each university also provides for the degrees Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com.) and Master of Commerce (M.Com.).
Admission to practise either as barrister or solicitor is governed by the Law Practitioners Amendment Act 1961, which established a Council of Legal Education comprising two Judges, four representatives of the Law Society, and the deans of the faculty of law in the four universities. The council has power to prescribe the courses of study and other qualifications required for admission as barristers and as solicitors of the Supreme Court. Each of the four universities provides the required courses of study and conducts the examinations.
A candidate for admission as a barrister must be matriculated, must have kept terms, and must have passed the examinations prescribed for the degree of Bachelor of Laws. A candidate for admission as a solicitor must be matriculated, must have kept terms, and must have passed examinations in subjects that include English, an optional subject as for the degree of B.A., the legal system, and the 13 subjects pertaining to the practice of law.
There were at one time schools of forestry in the universities both at Auckland and at Christchurch; these have been closed for many years. The Forest Service itself conducts some forms of instruction or in-service training, and there is a Forest Research Institute at Rotorua; but it relies mainly on sending selected undergraduates overseas for training in degree courses.
There is a well established Medical School in the University of Otago, in which courses are provided leading to the following degrees and diplomas: Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, Master of Surgery, Bachelor of Medical Science, Master of Medical Science, Doctor of Medicine; and the Diplomas of Public Health, of Diagnostic Radiology, of Microbiology, and of Obstetrics.
In the University of Auckland is a Post-graduate School of Obstetrics and Gynaecology providing courses for the diploma in that subject.
In the University of Otago there is a modern well equipped School of Dentistry, in which courses are provided leading to the degrees of Bachelor, Master, and Doctor of Dental Surgery.
Training in the art and practice of teaching is provided by the Education Department in the several teacher training colleges managed by education boards. The universities have no direct concern with these, but each university has an organised faculty of education and each provides a course for a university Diploma in Education.
A candidate for a Diploma in Education must be a graduate or the holder of a diploma or other qualification approved for the purpose, and must pass in prescribed professional subjects, carry out an original investigation or special study on an approved topic, and have been engaged for at least two years at full-time work in the practice of teaching or in educational work of a related character.
The University of Otago in a special school provides a course, normally of two years' duration, for its Diploma of Physical Education. A condition for admission to the course is a pass in School Certificate or some higher qualification, and to qualify for the Diploma a candidate must pass in subjects comprising educational theory and practice and some elementary science, and attend practical classes in gymnastics, games, etc.
The Universities of Auckland and of Canterbury offer courses for a Diploma in Fine Arts for which the preliminary examination comprises drawing, design painting from still life, and either roman lettering or modelling.
The New Zealand School of Pharmacy in the Central Technical College at Petone (which is not a university institution) provides a two-year course for students with the preliminary qualification of University Entrance, and issues a certificate which, with satisfactory practical experience, qualifies for the practice of pharmaceutical chemistry.
The University of Otago provides a course for a degree, Bachelor of Pharmacy. A candidate must be matriculated and keep terms, passing an intermediate examination (which is the same as for the medical course), and first, second, and third professional examinations. The degree qualifies for more responsible posts in the profession.
The University of Otago provides a course for a Diploma in Land Surveying. A candidate must have the University Entrance or equivalent qualification, keep terms for three years, and pass an intermediate examination in mathematics, physics, and geology (which can be taken in any university in New Zealand), and thereafter first and second professional examinations.
A School of Veterinary Science was established (1962) in Massey University of Manawatu which provides a course for the degree of Bachelor of Veterinary Science. A candidate for the degree must be matriculated, keep terms, pass an intermediate examination in basic sciences, and thereafter pass the required professional examinations.
All the universities provide courses leading to a Diploma in Music and to the degree of Bachelor of Music. The University of Auckland also provides for an Executant Diploma in Music.
The Victoria University of Wellington offers a course, normally of two years' duration, leading to a diploma. A candidate must be a university graduate or otherwise satisfy the advisory committee that he is able to undertake the course. There are two sections: a preliminary section comprising political science, comparative political institutions, social and economic history of New Zealand, public economics I, and one of three options; and a final section comprising public administration, public administration in New Zealand, administrative law, and public economics II.
The Victoria University of Wellington offers a course, normally of two years' duration, leading to a diploma. A candidate for admission to the course must be over the age of 21, must be a graduate, or have had practical experience in social welfare, and must satisfy the head of the school that he is likely to benefit from training. There are 10 subjects in the examination, which is in two parts, and for some of them credits may be obtained for passes in equivalent subjects in degree courses. In addition, a student must satisfy requirements in active participation in social research, in visiting social welfare agencies, and in practical supervised field work.
The University of Auckland has a department of town planning and provides a course for a diploma. There are six subjects in the course, but credits may be obtained for passes in equivalent degree subjects. A thesis is required and a certificate of instruction in drawing office and field work.
The following changes have occurred since the above article was written:
The University of Auckland may also grant exemption from the Intermediate and First Professional Examinations of the course for B.E. degree to certain students.
The degrees of B.E. (mining) and B.E. (metallurgical) are replaced by the degree of B.Sc. (mineral technology). The Associateship of Otago School of Mines has been discontinued.
The Massey University of Manawatu and the University of Waikato do not provide courses of study for the degrees of B.Com. and M.Com.
Massey University of Manawatu and the University of Waikato do not provide courses of study in law.
The University of Otago also provides courses for a diploma in dental public health.
The Victoria University of Wellington now provides a course of study for the degree of B.Ed.
The courses for the preliminary examination for a diploma in fine arts at the Universities of Auckland and Canterbury now comprise English for University Entrance and a portfolio of work completed through the year.
The University of Otago now provides a course of study for the degree of M.Pharm.
All universities, except Massey and Waikato, now provide courses for the degree of master of music.
by Leonard John Wild, C.B.E., M.A., B.SC.(HON.), D.SC., formerly Pro-Chancellor of the University of New Zealand, Otaki.