The Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDipEd) generally consists of four courses totalling 120 points. Each specialist endorsement has different compulsory and optional courses.
Many students of the Postgraduate Diploma in Education make the choice to go on to complete the Master of Education (coursework or thesis).
The Master of Education (MEd) 180 point pathway can be completed either by coursework or a combination of coursework and thesis. Each specialist endorsement has different compulsory and optional courses.
The Master of Education 180 point endorsed pathway gives you the option to choose from the following specialist endorsements. Each of these endorsements has compulsory and optional course requirements. NOTE: you must complete compulsory course EDME401 and select a minimum of 60 points from Level 9 courses within your 180 points.
The Digital Education Futures endorsement provides educators and training or support staff with opportunities to develop their knowledge, understanding and professional practice, examine critical issues and build confidence and capability for leadership in this area.
Technology has prompted dramatic transformation and disruption of traditional educational approaches. The pervasive adoption of digital technologies, in all aspects of life, has stimulated educators to develop a deeper understanding of the implications and opportunities that digital technologies provide to enhance learning and teaching. This change has prompted the need for leaders who are able to harness digital change to support effective engagement and understanding of the influence of digital technology in education.
All e-Learning courses are exclusively available by distance learning options.
The MEd (Digital Education Futures) consists of 180 points and can be completed by coursework or a combination of courses and thesis. Those completing by coursework should select 90 points from the Schedule below and 90 points from the Master of Education Schedule A. Those completing by thesis should select 60 points from the Schedule below, 30 points from Schedule C (research methods) and a 90 point thesis (EDEM 690) in the area of e-Learning and Digital Technologies. Please note that students completing by coursework must include at least 45 points from the Master of Education Schedule B (level 9 courses). Students are strongly advised to check their planned course of study with a student advisor prior to enrolment. Download the full list of courses from MEd Academic Regulations.
The courses for this endorsement include:
Our programme provides educators and training or support staff with opportunities to develop their knowledge, understanding and professional practice, examine critical issues and build confidence and capability for leadership to transform educational organisations to thrive in this digital society.
In particular, the programme is designed around two strands:
Digital Education and Leadership: For all educators and support staff wanting to better understand the role of digital technology in education and how to better engage with technology for teaching and learning. Recommended structure:
Digital Technologies Education: For primary and secondary teachers interested in integrating the DT Progress Outcomes into their classes. to explore the introduction of programming and computational thinking into their classes. Recommended structure:
Students interested in this endorsement may also be interested in events and research of Te Puna Rangahau i-Ako | Digital Education Futures Lab.
The Early Years Endorsement places children (conception to 8 years old) at the centre of learning. We are committed to exploring and advancing possibilities for conceptualizing and advancing innovative teaching across the earliest years of becoming and beyond. If you are looking to expand your understanding of educational possibilities for ‘unknowable’ futures facing our youngest learners, and/or want to learn how to undertake research in and for the field, the following courses will be of interest to you! All these courses include campus and distance options.
Master of Education Early Years endorsement programme of study via coursework:
Master of Education Early Years endorsement programme of study via thesis* pathway:
*Note – students wanting to complete the MEd via coursework and thesis pathway are required to find a supervisor and have an agreed topic before you are approved into the thesis – otherwise you will complete your qualification through coursework only.
There is a separate application process to enrol in the thesis. The application to enrol in a thesis can form be found in the forms section on - Education student advice and forms | University of Canterbury
The Master of Education (MEd) and Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDipEd) endorsed in Inclusive and Special Education are designed for teachers and other interested education professionals who wish to develop their knowledge and skills in relation to inclusion and diversity in education.
Developed by leading educators at the University of Canterbury, the programmes are designed to provide students with the theory, knowledge, and skills to develop their professional knowledge and practice and to enable them to critically examine significant issues related to inclusive and special education and diversity, and, for those enrolled in the MEd programme, undertake research in this field.
The courses and coursework specific to this endorsement cover a range of subjects including philosophy, history and theory in inclusive education, teaching strategies, assessment techniques, and curriculum adaptation and culturally inclusive pedagogy with a particular focus on supporting Māori students and those from a range of cultural backgrounds. Critical and current issues related to inclusive and special education more broadly are also examined.
The courses for this endorsement include:
Required course:
Other course options:
Students are strongly advised to check their planned course of study with a student advisor prior to enrolment. Download the full list of courses from MEd Academic Regulations.
The Leadership endorsement is designed for those already holding leadership positions and positions of responsibility, as well as those who are planning for future promotions in organisations concerned with education and training. The programme is specifically designed to strengthen existing expertise in educational leadership and also to broaden skills and knowledge. The courses provide theory, research and skills to deepen professional practice, critically examine significant issues in educational leadership and management and undertake practitioner or action research in the workplace context.
All Leadership courses are exclusively available by Distance Learning Options.
Students are strongly advised to check their planned course of study with a student advisor prior to enrolment. Download the full list of courses from MEd Academic Regulations.
The Literacy endorsement critically examines literacy underachievement through a combination of theory and practice. Studies focus on issues in supporting young learners who are at risk, students with dyslexia, as well as examining a wider range of explanations of literacy difficulties. Building on the substantial base of the compulsory course, students are offered an opportunity to explore in depth the complexity of issues in light of current thinking.
Most Literacy courses are exclusively available by Distance Learning options.
Required course:
Other courses:
Students are strongly advised to check their planned course of study with a student advisor prior to enrolment. Download the full list of courses from MEd Academic Regulations.
The Teaching and Learning Languages endorsement serves the professional development needs of a variety of teachers engaged in languages teaching, including:
The Postgraduate Diploma in Education (Teaching and Learning Languages) consists of four courses: EDME431, EDME632, one restricted optional course (EDME415 or EDME433) and one optional course from the MEd Schedule A, totalling 120 points.
The Master of Education (Teaching and Learning Languages) via coursework consists of six courses: EDME431, EDME632, one restricted optional course (EDME415 or EDME433) and three optional courses from the MEd Schedule A including at least one Schedule B course, totalling 180 points. Please note that students completing by coursework must include at least two courses from the Master of Education Schedule B (level 9 courses). Students are strongly advised to check their planned course of study with a student advisor prior to enrolment.
The Master of Education (Teaching and Learning Languages) via thesis consists of 180 points. Students should select EDME431 and EDME632, 30 points from Schedule C (research methods) and a 90 point thesis (EDEM 690) in the area of Teaching and Learning Languages.
The courses for this endorsement include:
Required courses:
Other courses:
Teaching and Learning Languages courses are available by Distance Learning Options.
Students are strongly advised to check their planned course of study with a student advisor prior to enrolment. Download the full list of courses from MEd Academic Regulations.
Our Tertiary Teaching endorsement is grounded in the concepts of ako and whanaungatanga. Our program aims to engage participants within a supportive community of practice to better understand academic practices central to the role of teaching and learning in order to support the success of diverse students in our 21st century Aotearoa tertiary education context.
Planning your Tertiary Teaching endorsement
There are two study pathways for this endorsement. Each pathway has compulsory and recommended courses.
Courses are offered through a range of delivery methods with block courses, evening classes, on campus and/or distance available. Please refer to individual course webpages for further details regarding course content, dates, workshops and other attendance requirements.
Students are strongly advised to check their planned course of study with a student advisor prior to enrolment. Download the full list of courses from MEd Academic Regulations.
Please note that not all courses are offered every year.
These qualifications are not pathways to teacher registration. If you wish to study to become a registered teacher check out our Initial Teacher Education qualifications.
You can find more information about postgraduate study on the Postgraduates webpage and in the Postgraduate Prospectus.
