Auckland (The NZ Today)
Current students enrolled in ICL Graduate Business School’s Master of Management programmes have been told their studies can continue as normal, despite NZQA ordering the Auckland provider to stop taking new students into the affected master’s courses.
ICL informed students that the New Zealand Qualifications Authority issued a compliance notice on 21 October, requiring it to pause new enrolments in the Master of Management across all majors and the Master of Management by Thesis.
For students already studying in those programmes, ICL says the position remains unchanged.
“Current ICL students are not affected by the compliance notice,” the school told students, adding that they should continue with their studies unless individually advised otherwise.
ICL also confirmed current students can remain enrolled or be re-enrolled where required to complete their courses.
That distinction is particularly important for international students concerned about their qualification and future immigration options.
The compliance notice does not cancel existing enrolments or stop current students from completing their master’s programmes.
Under current Immigration New Zealand rules, a student who successfully completes an eligible Level 9 master’s qualification in New Zealand after at least 30 weeks of full-time study may qualify for a Post-Study Work Visa of up to three years, provided all other immigration requirements are met.
INZ requires applicants to successfully complete the qualification recorded for their study and provide evidence such as the qualification itself, an academic transcript or a letter from the education provider confirming completion.
There has been no announcement from Immigration New Zealand that current ICL students have lost eligibility for Post-Study Work Visas because of the compliance notice.
However, visa applications are assessed individually, and NZQA previously told The NZ Today that specific questions about immigration consequences should be directed to Immigration New Zealand.
The restriction currently applies to new enrolments.
While the compliance notice remains in force, ICL says it cannot issue new offers or commence new enrolments in the affected master’s programmes. Other programmes offered by ICL are continuing to enrol students as usual.
The regulatory action follows an NZQA investigation into ICL Graduate Business School, previously confirmed directly to The NZ Today.
The investigation emerged after ICL informed students that concerns had been identified involving a small group admitted through a particular education agent, whose agreement with the institution had subsequently been terminated.
ICL said further assessment had raised concerns about whether those students could continue to meet the requirements of master’s-level study.
After The NZ Today sought clarification, NZQA Deputy Chief Executive, Quality Assurance, Emily Fabling confirmed the regulator was investigating the school.
“NZQA is undertaking an investigation into ICL Graduate Business School,” Fabling said.
NZQA declined to provide details while the investigation was underway, saying this was necessary to protect its fairness and integrity.
Fabling also stressed that tertiary providers remain responsible for students recruited through education agents.
“Providers are also responsible for managing and monitoring education agents acting on their behalf. Using an agent does not remove the provider’s responsibilities,” she told The NZ Today.
ICL says it remains accredited with NZQA and will continue delivering the affected programmes to current students.
The institution says it is working with NZQA to address the concerns and hopes the restriction on new enrolments can be lifted.
ICL expects NZQA to publish a summary of the compliance notice on its website on 27 October.
Meanwhile, for current students, the immediate position is therefore that their enrolments remain active, their courses continue, and the compliance notice is directed at new enrolments rather than stopping existing students from completing their degrees.
Current immigration rules also continue to provide a Post-Study Work Visa pathway for eligible Level 9 master’s graduates, although each visa application remains subject to Immigration New Zealand’s normal requirements.
Source: ICL Graduate Business School student communication; exclusive NZQA response to The NZ Today
