Share your excitement and enthusiasm
As a Secondary teacher you teach one or more subjects that you are passionate about, you inspire your students, encouraging them and giving them the skills and enthusiasm they need to make a positive difference in the world.
Is Secondary Teacher Education for me?
Secondary teacher education students:
- Are interested in working with young adults (Years 7–13; ages 11–18)
- Are passionate about the subjects they teach
- Are organised and well prepared
- Promote their students' social, emotional, intellectual and physical development
- Enjoy cultivating a love of learning in others
If that sounds like you, read on to find out more about taking these programmes at UC.
What will I learn 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 spend significant time working in classrooms where you can practice and refine your planning, teaching and management skills. By the end of your studies at UC you will have learnt and developed all the professional teaching knowledge and skills required to be a teacher in New Zealand intermediate, middle, area and secondary schools.
Pathways to becoming a Secondary teacher
UC offers three one-year intensive qualifications that lead to registration with the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand.
Graduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning (endorsed in Secondary)
If you already have a Level 7 Bachelor degree or equivalent with study to 300 level from a NZ secondary school curriculum list, you can apply to enrol in this one year qualification. Secondary students complete the programme fulltime on campus.
- Alternative entry pathway: UC offers an alternative entry pathway into the Graduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning (endorsed in Secondary) for those with knowledge and experience in te reo Māori, or technology, but do not hold a level 7 Bachelor or equivalent qualification. Learn more about the Alternative Entry Pathway
Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning (endorsed in Secondary)
If you already have a Level 7 Bachelor degree of equivalent, with a B average or better at 300 level study, and study to 300 level from a NZ secondary school curriculum list, you can apply to enrol in this one year qualification. Secondary students complete the programme fulltime on campus.
Master of Teaching and Learning (endorsed in Secondary)
If you already have a Level 7 Bachelor degree or equivalent, with a B average or better, or a Master’s degree with a B- average or better, and study to 300 level from a NZ secondary school curriculum list, you can apply to enrol in this one year qualification. This programme includes an additional 30 point course that is completed at the end of the year over summer. Secondary students complete the programme fulltime on campus.
Which pathway is for me?
Each qualification consists of a combination of courses that builds on your knowledge of contemporary education, critical inquiry and professional practice.
- Watch this graduate and postgraduate teacher education programmes video (Youtube)
Successful completion of either of these pathways lead to eligibility to apply for Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand registration. However, there are differences in the duration, focus and qualification awarded. Below is a quick overview of these differences.
| GRADDIPTCHG | PGDIPTCHLN | MTCHGLN | |
| Level of qualification | Graduate (NZQA level 7) | Postgraduate (NZQA level 8) | Postgraduate (NZQA Level 9) |
| Points | 150 | 150 | 180 |
| Course dates | On Campus 29 Jan 2024 – 10 Nov 2024 | On Campus 29 Jan 2024 – 10 Nov 2024 | On Campus 29 Jan 2024 – 19 Jan 2025 |
| Student Loan Eligibility* | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Student Allowance Eligibility* | Yes | No | No |
*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 are open anytime and 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.
Important information
To enrol in the Secondary Education programmes, students need to be studying on campus in a fulltime capacity.
Due to the intensive nature of these programmes, it is recommended that paid work and any other commitments are managed outside of normal business hours Monday to Friday.
There are two professional practice placements that consist of 16 weeks of teaching practice in secondary school settings. Students must be able to travel to and from their placements at their own expense. Professional practice placements are to be completed in a fulltime capacity. There are no lectures timetabled while completing professional placements.
To meet nationwide teacher shortages in Te Reo Māori and Technology, there are some provisions made to Alternate Entry Pathway students enrolling in this programme of study, who may be eligible to enrol in this programme via distance and or part time.
Before applying, it’s important to consider the commitment you are making to a professional education programme. To be successful, you will need to devote a significant amount of time each week to study and preparation, as well as demonstrate a commitment to professionalism in all areas.
- Find out more about Studying Teacher Education commitments
For our secondary programmes you must have a Bachelor’s degree which includes study to 300 level in a New Zealand school curriculum subject (your major) as well as an additional teaching subject. For example, with a degree in Biology including courses in Maths to 200 level, you can Major in Science with Biology and take Maths for your additional teaching subject.
- Find out what subjects you can specialise in.
- Watch this Secondary Teacher Education additional subjects video (Youtube)
Selection for entry is not automatic and is based on:
- Academic ability
- Involvement, interest and experience in dealing with children
- Commitment to Te Reo and Tikanga Māori
- Communication skills – you need to be able to communicate your ideas clearly, confidently and coherently, and to listen and respond to others appropriately
- A police check and an interview
IELTS requirements for Initial Teacher Education programmes
All students for whom English is an additional language must provide evident of their English language ability.
English language requirements for our teaching qualifications are set by the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand and are higher than the standard University requirements. Find out more (add link to teaching council site) - Language competency requirements :: Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand
Graduates of this programme will be eligible for provisional registration as a teacher. This enables you to apply for teaching positions in New Zealand and many countries overseas. Please contact the relevant authorities for international requirements.
Teaching gives you entry into careers beyond the classroom; it is an excellent background for a wide range of jobs including careers in the public sector, business and industry training. Other jobs include special education teacher, private tutor, education advisor, education publisher, secondary school Dean, Deputy Principal and Principal. Some of these jobs may require further study at postgraduate level.
- For more information visit the UC Careers Hub.
