Postgraduate study takes place in a highly supportive, vibrant environment where you will be taught by academics who are recognised both nationally and internationally as leading scholars and researchers in their fields. With support and mentoring, our postgraduate students achieve in all levels of their study and in their research.
The Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCertEd) gives you the opportunity to improve your professional practice and examine critically significant issues in education. It comprises two courses (60 points) and can be completed part-time up to two years, making it an ideal option if you are looking for specific courses for professional development. The certificate can be a pathway to the Postgraduate Diploma in Education and the Master of Education.
Please note this qualification is not a pathway to teacher registration, if you wish to study to become a registered teacher check out our Initial Teacher Education qualifications.
The Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDipEd) is designed to give you the opportunity to improve your professional practice and examine critically significant issues in education. It generally consists of four courses totalling 120 points. This is a good way to expand your knowledge with a combination of courses (unendorsed pathway) or start to specialise in the field of interest that excites you (endorsed pathway).
The endorsements are:
Each endorsement has different compulsory and optional courses. Find out more about the endorsement pathways.
Many PGDipEd students choose to complete additional courses to be awarded the Master of Education. Some PGDipEd courses are exclusively available by distance learning .
Please note this qualification is not a pathway to teacher registration, if you wish to study to become a registered teacher check out our Initial Teacher Education qualifications.
The Master of Education (MEd) degree is designed to give you the opportunity to improve your professional practice, examine critically significant issues in education or undertake research in your fields of interest. This is an ideal qualification for those who have already undertaken some postgraduate study to achieve research-informed teaching and leadership in their educational setting. It can be started in February, July or November.
You can expand your knowledge with a combination of courses (unendorsed pathway) or start to specialise in the field of interest that excites you (endorsed pathway). Find out more about the endorsement pathways.
See our Master of Education page for more information.
Please note this qualification is not a pathway to teacher registration, if you wish to study to become a registered teacher check out our Initial Teacher Education qualifications.
The courses in the Postgraduate Certificate in Tertiary Teaching (PGCertTertTchg) look beyond the focus of a specific department or knowledge area and consider academic practices from various disciplines. Throughout this programme, a process of shared inquiry and collaborative learning is used to explore your teaching practices and understanding of learning.
The PGCertTertTchg is designed to enable you to: apply knowledge of research to teaching and learning; develop and justify a repertoire of teaching approaches and assessment practices; and evaluate and advance tyour teaching practices.
The Postgraduate Diploma in Hōaka Pounamu | Māori Bilingual and Immersion Teaching and Learning (PGDipHP) aims to develop high-quality graduates who will promote leadership and raise knowledge of te reo Māori in bilingual, immersion, and mainstream settings. This qualification is ideal for early childhood, primary and secondary teachers who want to upskill their te reo Māori and teaching skills. You will complete four courses (totalling 120 points) and can start in February or July. All courses are taught through the medium of re reo Māori.
Be a part of language revitalisation for Aotearoa and help immerse mātauranga and te reo Māori into everyday learning.
UC's Master of Hōaka Pounamu | Māori Bilingual and Immersion Teaching and Learning (MHP) is an ideal programme for teachers, leaders, and education researchers to raise the knowledge of te reo Māori in bilingual, immersion, and mainstream settings. The courses are designed to extend your knowledge on the use of te reo Māori in the classroom. Your study will comprise four compulsory courses plus two electives (totalling 180 points), and can commence in February or July.
The Postgraduate Certificate in Youth and Community Leadership (PGCertYACL) aims to help you develop your own personal leadership identity, gain key action skills, and learn about improving issues faced by youth and community organisations. Your study includes collaborative learning, practical applications, and virtual site visits from local iwi and charitable organisations.
The PGCertYACL comprises two compulsory courses that are offered by distance making it easy for part-time study from any location.
Upon completion, you have the option to move into our Postgraduate Diploma Youth and Community Leadership programme.
The Postgraduate Diploma in Youth and Community Leadership (PGDipYACL) is one of the only postgraduate programmes of its kind in Aotearoa that creates responsive leaders to youth, community, and global needs.
For recent graduates, it can develop your leadership skills on top of your previous studies. For current leaders, it can support you to develop key management and entrepreneurial skills to take back into your communities and organisations. You will have the opportunity to reflect on and engage with youth and/or community work and leadership in local and global contexts.
The PGDIpYACL can be started in February or July. You can study full-time for one year, or part-time for up to two years. Depending on your course selection you can complete your postgraduate diploma completely by distance at your own location, or have a blend of distance and on-campus study.
The Diploma comprises two compulsory courses and a selection of optional courses. You can customise your programme by selecting courses that match your career aspirations.
The Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (PGCertTESOL) is an ideal fast-track qualification for those who may have come to the career of English language education through an indirect route and wish to undertake professional development or for graduates interested in entering the TESOL profession. It is also an ideal pathway to further postgraduate study in this discipline.
The Master of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (MTESOL) is a one-year professional qualification aimed at producing skilful English language educators for a wide variety of educational settings in the 21st century, from early childhood through to tertiary level. With its future focus, this master's programme will give students the skills, knowledge and capabilities to be adaptable in the face of future English language developments, as well as technological and pedagogical advances.
This programme is ideal for:
This programme is available to study by distance, with teaching and learning conducted online.
Keen to study further? Check out what taught and research postgraduate options are available, what scholarships are on offer, and get inspired by what UC is doing and the impact we're having on the world. You can access support, including research student guidance from the UC Graduate School.
Keen to study further? Check out what taught and research postgraduate options are available, what scholarships are on offer, and get inspired by what UC is doing and the impact we're having on the world. You can access support, including research student guidance from the UC Graduate School.
Te Kura Tāura | UC Graduate School is a space where our graduate research students can access wraparound support at every stage of their journey, from initial enquiry through to graduation.
Te Kura Tāura | UC Graduate School is a space where our graduate research students can access wraparound support at every stage of their journey, from initial enquiry through to graduation.
Looking for a professional development course?
EDEM659 Advancing Pasifika Educational Success This course involves the critique and analysis of Pasifika educational pedagogy, practices and policy formation, and includes the perspectives of Pasifika learners, parents, teachers, communities and academics. Watch this EDEM659 video:
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