Plagiarism and incomprehensible English in student work at an Auckland tertiary institute led to the shut down of four of its courses, the New Zealand Qualifications Authority says.
Students at the International College of Auckland will have to restart their course at Aspire 2. Photo: 123rf
Dr Grant Klinkum, the deputy chief executive of quality assurance, said it is offering to move about 80 international students in management and business programmes at the International College of Auckland to Aspire 2, another tertiary provider.
NZQA found "significant issues" with the college's assessment and moderation in its business courses, he said.
"Assessment tools and marking were often not at the right level, there was evidence of plagiarism... and students' written English was frequently poor or incomprehensible," he said.
Dr Klinkum said all the students taking the Level 5 National Diploma in Business would have to restart the course when they moved to Aspire 2.
If students in the three other courses could show understanding of the course material, they would be granted credit towards some aspects of the new course, he said.
But Dr Klinkum said most students were partway through their studies, with some nearly finished.
He said the Authority was working with the college and Aspire 2 to ensure a smooth transition for the students.
"NZQA, ICA and the new provider have ensured students are fully informed and are working together to provide a transition package that allows these students to continue their studies with a full package of learning and support," he said.
The International College of Auckland has been monitored by the Qualifications Authority since June this year but problems were only confirmed last month.
In the past year, the Qualifications Authority has cancelled the registration of five tertiary institutes, four of which enrolled international students.
It has also transferred students from tertiary institutes or managed closures at five other tertiary providers.