You will introduce tamariki to the world of learning, and start them on their road to reading, writing and mathematics. It’s a very rewarding and satisfying career in which you can make a real difference in the lives of our tamariki.
As a primary teacher, you will engage tamariki in future-focused learning through a range of curriculum areas and through a commitment to bicultural practices in Aotearoa New Zealand. You will support tamariki to develop their skills and knowledge and prepare them for a changing world.
Primary teacher education students:
If that sounds like you, read on to find out more about taking these programmes at UC.
You'll learn about the theory, practice and management of teaching, including the place and role of education, the characteristics of learners and the teaching-learning process. You'll also learn about the curriculum taught in schools today to prepare you for the profession of teaching. This includes English, Māori language, mathematics, science, technology education, social studies, art, music, drama and dance, health and physical education and learning languages.
You will spend time working in a classroom where you can trial and refine your planning, teaching and management skills. By the end of your studies at UC you will have learnt and practised all the teaching skills required of teachers in New Zealand primary, intermediate, middle and area schools.
There are four qualification pathways for Primary Teaching at UC:
Successful completion of any of these pathways lead to eligibility to apply for NZTC registration. However, there are differences in the duration, focus and qualification awarded. Specifically, the Ako:BTchLn is a three-year undergraduate programme whilst the GradDipTchLn, PGDipTchgLn and the MTchgLn are one-year programmes for those with a Bachelor degree. Below is a quick overview of the differences between our programmes.
| AKO:BTCHLN | GRADDIPTCHLN | PGDIPTCHGLN | MTCHGLN | |
Programme dates | 12 Feb - 8 Nov 2024 (distance students) 15 Feb - 8 Nov 2024 (campus students) | 29 Jan – 8 Nov 2024 (distance students) 29 Jan- 8 Nov 2024 (campus students) | 29 Jan – 8 Nov 2024 (distance students) 29 Jan - 8 Nov 2024 (campus students) | 29 Jan 2024 – 19 Jan 2025 (distance students) 29 Jan 2024 - 19 Jan 2025 (campus students) |
| Points | 360 | 150 | 150 | 180 |
| Level of qualification | Graduate (NZQA L7) | Graduate (NZQA L7) | Post-graduate (NZQA L8) | Post-graduate (NZQA L9) |
| Student Allowance Eligibility* | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Student Loan Eligibility* | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
*Source - https://www.studylink.govt.nz/
** Source - https://education.govt.nz/
All Initial Teacher Education programmes have one intake each, starting in January or February.
Applications for teacher education programmes will close on 1 December each year for domestic applicants (31 October each year for international applicants). While we process applications as they are received, many of our programmes have a limited capacity for places and applications may close earlier if this capacity has been reached.
Our teacher education programmes have specialised application processes. Please read the Guide to applying section and complete the steps, before applying through myUC.
The Ako: Bachelor of Teaching and Learning is open to any student with University Entrance. However, English and Mathematics are recommended.
If you are 20 years of age or over, recent tertiary study is desirable. For example, you may want to consider the Certificate in University Preparation (CUP) before applying.
If you already have a Bachelor degree you can apply for the one-year Graduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning (Early Childhood), Graduate Diploma Teaching and Learning(Primary Education), Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning (Primary Education). If you already have a Bachelor degree with a B+ average in your major 300 level courses you can apply for the one-year Master of Teaching and Learning (Primary Education) .
Selection for entry is not automatic and is based on:
English Language Competency requirements for Initial Teacher Education programmes
To gain entry into an Initial Teacher Education programme you must meet certain standards of English or te reo Māori language competency as required by the Teaching Council of New Zealand.
Information on the current English Language Competency requirements can be found at https://teachingcouncil.nz/getting-certificated/for-overseas-trained-teachers/language-competency-requirements/
Note: we will accept and progress your application even if you haven’t yet met the English Language Competency requirements at the time you submit your application. If your application is successful any offer will be conditional on meeting English Language Competency requirements. A full offer will not be provided until this requirement has been met.
Graduates of our Primary Teacher Education programmes will be eligible for provisional registration. This enables you to apply for teaching positions in New Zealand. Please contact the relevant authorities for international requirements.
Our graduates have gained positions in primary, intermediate, middle and area schools in New Zealand and overseas. Some have also gained positions in secondary schools, government departments, recruitment and human resource management, universities, as well as in private academies and agencies.
For more information about the skills you will learn and the jobs and activities our graduates do visit the UC Careers Hub What can I do with a degree in Primary Teacher Education?
The Ako: Bachelor of Teaching and Learning Mātauranga Māori endorsement prepares you for a teaching career in different primary settings. The degree takes 3 years of full-time study, or can be studied part-time for up to 6 years. This pathway prioritises te reo Māori me ōna tikanga, and is founded on mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge), Māori philosophies, and values.
The Mātauranga Māori Initial Teacher Education pathway will equip you to work in whare kōhungahunga (early childhood) and/or kura tuatahi (primary) settings working at level 2 (51–80% te reo Māori immersion) or higher. A graduate of the Mātauranga Māori programme has the ability to work in bilingual English medium educational settings, where knowledge of te reo Māori me ōna tikanga, bicultural practice, and culturally empowering pedagogies are valued as a means to support child development.
For more information kōrero with a Student Advisor
The Ako: Bachelor of Teaching and Learning (Primary) is a professional qualification that prepares you for a rewarding career as a primary school teacher. This pathway is available on campus in Ōtautahi Christchurch by or distance study*. The degree takes 3 years of full-time study, or can be studied part-time for up to 6 years.
If you would like to study our initial teacher education qualifications by distance you will need to reside in Aotearoa New Zealand. You will need to attend intensives in Ōtautahi Christchurch, one of which is a an on-site intensive at the beginning of the programme, undertake a community engagement course, as well as attend professional practice placements in schools in Aotearoa New Zealand. If you are enrolled at the Whakatū Nelson regional campus and the Rotorua ITE Hapori, you will instead complete a blended model of online and face-to face courses.
The Graduate Diploma Teaching and Learning consists of 150 points of coursework and includes 80 days of professional practice in schools.
The programme can be studied full-time in one year, either on-campus or by distance study. Distance students are required to attend an On-site Intensive (OSI) in Ōtautahi Christchurch at the beginning of the programme.
The Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning (Primary Education) combines research-informed knowledge and critical inquiry with practice-based experiences in schools to prepare you for a career in teaching.
The programme can be studied full-time in one year either on-campus or by distance study. Distance students are required to attend an On-site Intensive (OSI) in Ōtautahi Christchurch at the beginning of the programme.
The Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning (Primary Education) is a pathway to the Master of Teaching and Learning (MTchgLn). By completing the PGDipTchgLn plus an additional 30-point course, students can achieve the MTchgLn.
The Master of Teaching and Learning (Primary Education) will equip participants with enhanced research-based knowledge and inquiry skills, experiences of contemporary educational theory and professional practice so they can become teachers with the expertise essential to schools in the 21st century.
