Face-to-face Graduate Diploma in Teaching FAQ

Watch our Graduate Diploma in Teaching video below to get a feel for what to expect from the programme:

Can I teach overseas with a Graduate Diploma in Teaching?

Yes, our Graduate Diploma in Teaching qualifications are recognised internationally. For more information, please see: teaching overseas

Are there any scholarships available?

There are several scholarships available for our Faculty of Education and Social Work programmes. For further information, please see Scholarships and awards

What other career opportunities are available with a teaching degree?

While many of our graduates go on to teach in a range of settings in New Zealand and overseas, our teaching programmes also equip you with a range of transferable skills that can be applied in many professions. For more information about jobs related to these programmes, please see the below:|
-Graduate Diploma in Teaching (ECE)
-Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Primary)
-Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Secondary)

When does the programme commence?

The Graduate Diploma in Teaching programmes generally commence in January each year. Specific start dates can be found on the programme pages in the above question.

Does this programme lead to New Zealand teacher registration?

Yes, these programmes lead to New Zealand teacher registration.

Do I need to complete a school visit?

Yes, a school visit is highly recommended. For more information, please see school visit

Can I change from ECE to Primary/Secondary and vice versa?

No, once the programme has started you cannot make changes.

What are the entry requirements?

The entry requirements are the same across both the face-to-face and online versions of each Graduate Diploma in Teaching programme.

Please note the Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Secondary) has different entry requirements to the (ECE) and (Primary) specialisations.

For further detailed entry requirements, please refer to the relevant programme pages.

Can I swap from the face-to-face to online programme or vice versa?

No, you cannot swap between the online and face-to-face study option once your enrolment has been completed.

Do I need to complete a NZ police check?

All applicants to the Graduate Diploma in Teaching programme are required to complete a NZ police vetting check. This is mandated by both the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand and the University of Auckland. For more information, please see: Children’s Act 2014

What is the annual salary for teachers?

More information on teacher salaries can be found below:
-TeachNZ – Teacher Salaries
-Ministry of Education – Teacher Pay
-ECE Teacher (Careers NZ)
-Primary Teacher (Careers NZ)
-Secondary Teacher (Careers NZ)

What are the fees?

The fees for these programmes can be found on the programme pages.

How long will it take to complete this qualification?

The duration of this programme is one year full-time, usually commencing in January and ending in November each year. Part time varies.

Can I study part-time?
Yes, the Graduate Diplomas in Teaching ECE, Primary and Secondary are all available to study part-time.

Do you offer a mid-year intake?

Yes, but only the Graduate Diploma in Teaching (ECE) and the Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Primary). Both programme generally commence in mid-July.

Who can study this programme?

These programmes are available to anyone with a completed bachelors degree. For more information about the entry requirements, please see the programme pages.

What is practicum?
More information on the practicum requirement can be found here: Practicum

What subjects can I specialise in under the Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Secondary)?
A full list of the specialist teaching subjects can be found here.

Do you need a specific Bachelors degree to be admitted to the Graduate Diploma in Teaching?

No, you do not need to have completed a specific Bachelors degree for ECE and Primary.

For Secondary you must hold a bachelors degree in an area related to the New Zealand secondary curriculum. Your entry qualification will need to include a minimum of two courses at 300 or 400 level in a subject area taught across years 9 to 13 in the secondary school curriculum. For more information, please see: eligibility to teach subjects

What year levels can I teach after completing a Graduate Diploma in Teaching?

Each Graduate Diploma in Teaching programme only qualifies you to teach the corresponding years below:

-ECE: Preschool (around ages 0-5)

-Primary: Years 1-8 (around ages 5-12)

-Secondary: Years 9-13 ( around ages 12-18)

What is the difference between a Bachelor of Education (Teaching) and a Graduate Diploma in Teaching?

If you wish to teach multiple years/levels (e.g. ECE and Primary), you will need to complete multiple Graduate Diploma in Teaching degrees (e.g. ECE and Primary).

What is the difference between a Bachelor of Education (Teaching) and a Graduate Diploma in Teaching?

The Bachelor of Education (Teaching) is a three-year degree for those who do not hold a degree. This degree will qualify you to teach years 1-8 (around ages 5-12).

The Graduate Diploma in Teaching is a one-year degree for those who already hold a bachelors degree and wishing to become registered teachers. Depending on which Graduate Diploma in Teaching degree you complete, you can qualify to teach either preschool, years 1-8 or years 9-13.

More information can be found below:
-Graduate Diploma in Teaching (ECE)
-Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Primary)
-Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Secondary)

Do I need to undertake the Literacy and Numeracy tests?

Yes, this is a core requirement of the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand for all applicants. More information can be found here: literacy and numeracy test requirement

Whose references can I provide for my programme application?
You are welcome to ask anyone who is not a close friend or relative to complete a referee report for you. This may include the following:

-Teacher/lecturer/professor/tutor
-Religious leader/pastor
-Employer/manager
-Colleague
-Coach

Two referee reports are required for your application. Please note these must be directly emailed to us by your referees and not by the applicant.

Why does the Graduate Diploma in Teaching have earlier start/end dates?

Our Graduate Diploma in Teaching degrees are intensive programmes which are equivalent to 1.25 years of full-time study. These are run across an extended academic year to be able to condense all the learning required for teacher registration and to enable students to graduate within a year. The New Zealand school calendar is also taken into consideration to ensure our schedule and practicum placements align. Our schedule also provides students with ample time after the completion of the programme to apply for positions for the following year.

Tips for the selection interview?

Please see here for interview tips and information.

Do I need to provide an overseas police report?

If you have lived in another country for more than 12 continuous months within the last 10 years (since turning 16 years old), you will be required to provide us with an overseas police clearance report as this is a core requirement of the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand. An overseas police clearance report will be required for each country that applies to you.

If you have only lived in another country for more than 12 continuous months before you turned 16 years old, you will not need to provide an overseas police clearance report.

If you are currently overseas, you must ensure that the overseas police clearance report has an issue date no earlier than three months prior to your departure date from that country.

More information can be found here: Teaching Council – Overseas Police Clearance requirement

What is the time required to commit to studying the Graduate Diploma in Teaching each week?

Our Graduate Diploma in Teaching degrees are intensive full-time programmes which are equivalent to completing 1.25 years of full-time study over a 12 month period. Students are expected to commit approximately 40 hours per week towards their studies which is made up of lectures, tutorials/workshops, assignments and further independent study. It is for this reason that we do not recommend students work while studying this programme. Further information can be found here: Faculty of Education and Social Work – programme workload

How easy is it to get a teaching job?
At present there is a shortage of teachers throughout New Zealand which will make it relatively easy for you to secure a job once you have completed our programme. We also have strong relationships with our partnerships schools who are always keen to hire our graduates. 97% of our graduates do go on to find employment in the field after completing our programme.
More information on the demand for teachers can be found below.

ECE Teachers (Careers NZ)
Primary Teachers (Careers NZ)
Secondary Teachers (Careers NZ)

You can also find a list of all teaching vacancies available throughout New Zealand in the Education Gazette. This will provide you with more information about the current market.

Why are we required to specialise in at least two subject areas for the Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Secondary)?

Employers prefer you to train in at least two subject areas for your specialist subject degree so you can teach more than one subject.

Is there a possibility of cross-crediting into the Graduate Diploma in Teaching programmes?

No, this is not possible as this is prohibited by the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand. More information can be found here: cross-credit

What is the English language requirement for this programme?
All applicants are required to meet the University of Auckland English language requirement as well as the English Language requirement of the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand to be admitted to this programme.

If I have completed a degree overseas, am I eligible to study the Graduate Diploma in Teaching?
Yes, with most overseas degrees you are eligible to study the Graduate Diploma in Teaching subject to a qualification assessment by the University.

What is the difference between the Graduate Diploma in Teaching and the Postgraduate Diploma in Education?

Our Graduate Diploma in Teaching programmes are for those who already hold any degree and wish to become a registered teacher.

Our Postgraduate Diploma in Education is for those already with a degree in education and wishing to upskill. This does not lead to teacher registration.

What is the difference between the Graduate Diploma in Teaching and the Graduate Diploma in Education?

Our Graduate Diploma in Teaching programmes are for those who already hold any degree and wish to become a registered teacher.

Our Graduate Diploma in Education is an exit qualification only for those who do not successfully complete the requirements of the Graduate Diploma in Teaching. This does not lead to teacher registration.

What is DELNA?

To find out more, please see DELNA.

This is a 0 point core course and no fees apply. If you have completed DELNA at UoA before, you will not need to do it again.

What is EDUCM 199?

It is an introductory Te Reo Māori course which provides opportunities to learn correct pronunciation and some basic classroom language and is completed over semesters one and two. The Teaching Council requires all teachers to practise and develop the use of Te Reo and tikanga Māori in order to meet the standards for the teaching profession and to fulfil the Code of Professional Responsibility.

This is a 0 point core course and no fees apply. It is also a core requirement for all Graduate Diploma in Teaching students.

Does the fees-free policy apply to the Graduate Diploma in Teaching?

No, the fees-free policy only applies to those who have not completed tertiary study before. To be admitted to the Graduate Diploma in Teaching, you need to have completed a bachelors degree.