Online Graduate Diploma in Teaching FAQ

Is the Online Graduate Diploma in Teaching available for each of the specialisations?

Yes, you will be able to study online for the Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Early Childhood), (Primary) or (Secondary).

Please note that the Online Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Secondary) is only available in Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Social Sciences, Mathematics and Statistics, History, English and Te reo Māori me ōna tikanga subjects.

When does the programme commence? 

The Online Graduate Diploma in Teaching programmes generally commence in January each year. The start dates are the same for the online and face-to-face programmes and can be found below:

-Graduate Diploma in Teaching (ECE)
-Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Primary)
-Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Secondary)

Starting from 2023, we will be offering a mid-year intake for the Online Graduate Diploma in Teaching (ECE) and (Primary) which will commence in July (please note this is only available to domestic students).

What are the entry requirements?  

The entry requirements are the same across both the online and face-to-face versions of each Graduate Diploma in Teaching programme. Note that the Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Secondary) has different entry requirements to the (ECE) and (Primary) specialisations. 

Visit the programme pages for detailed entry requirements (ECE), (Primary) and Secondary.

What equipment will I need?

You must have reliable Internet broadband connection and access to a PC or laptop to participate in the programme. Tablets or other mobile devices won't be suitable for online academic study.

Can I swap from the online to the face-to-face study option if I don’t enjoy being online all the time? 

No, you cannot swap between the online and face-to-face study option once your enrolment has been completed. As an online student you need to ensure you have access to a good internet connection and you can commit to the requirements of self-directed learning. 

Where can I do my teaching practicum if I am an online student? 

Our practicum team will work with you to find a suitable placement, as close to where you live as possible, in Auckland or Northland. For more information, please see: Practicum FAQs

Can I be an online student and live outside Auckland? 

Yes, we can now accept applications from students across New Zealand. 

I want to do the Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Secondary) online. What subjects can I teach? 

The Online Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Secondary) is available in 2024 for the following subjects: Visual Arts, Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Social Sciences, Mathematics and Statistics, History, English and Te reo Māori me ōna tikanga.

Can I come onto the university campus and use the facilities like the library? 

Yes, as an enrolled student you are welcome to use the campus facilities.

Can I drop into lectures on campus? 

No, if you are an enrolled online student you cannot attend face-to-face classes, seminars or workshops on campus.  

When are online classes scheduled? 

There is no schedule of online classes. Study materials which will include a range of videos, reading and interactive content are made available online in a timely manner that aligns with the pace of the course. You can engage with the range of course materials provided to you at a time that suits you.   

Can I do as much or as little as I want each week?

The Online Graduate Diploma in Teaching study option is generally aligned to the face-to-face delivery and will be arranged so that you will have to complete certain tasks within a set time period. This will help you manage your study workload and help you succeed in the programme. 

Why do I need a police check? 

All applicants to the Graduate Diploma in Teaching programme require a NZ police vetting check. This is mandated by both the New Zealand Teaching Council and the University of Auckland.

Will the qualification I receive at the end be different because I studied online and not face-to-face? 

No, the qualification is the same. The course content and the practicum requirements will ensure that you meet all the requirements to start your registration with the New Zealand Teaching Council.

Is the fee the same for the online and face-to-face programme?

The fees for the Online Graduate Diploma in Teaching are the same whether you choose to study online or face-to-face. For more information, please see: (ECE), (Primary) and (Secondary).

How long will it take to study online? 

The duration is one full year of study, commencing early in the calendar year. 

Do you offer a mid-year intake?

Yes, we do offer a mid-year intake for the Online Graduate Diploma in Teaching (ECE) and (Primary) which is available to domestic students only. Unfortunately, the Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Secondary) does not offer a mid-year intake and is only available for a semester one start each year.

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.

What tips can I get for the programme selection interview?

Please see here for interview tips and information.

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.

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

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 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.

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)

What is practicum?

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

What support services are available?

We offer a wide range of support services and encourage all students to utilize these during your studies. For more information, please see: Support services

What is considered an international and domestic student?

Please see: Definition of International and Domestic students

Can I be an online student and live overseas?

No, this programme cannot be done online from overseas. You must be based in New Zealand to study this programme and be able to complete all practicum placements at eligible schools.

This is a core requirement of the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand and exceptions cannot be made at all.

How long does the NZ police vetting process take?

The police check/vetting process usually takes 3-6 weeks for the NZ Police to complete and may take up to 8 weeks during their peak processing periods. Therefore, we encourage you to please submit these documents to us as soon as you have submitted an application for admission to avoid delays.

What should I do to avoid delays with my application?

The best way to avoid delays is to please submit all supporting documents requested by our Admissions Office as soon as possible. This will allow us to complete a full assessment of your application/documents to determine your eligibility for the programme and provide you with a decision as soon as possible. Once you have submitted an online application, we will be in touch shortly after by email to advise you of the supporting documents required or conditions you will need to meet.

Can I still get a student loan?

Find out your eligibility for a student loan or allowance here.

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)

Can I study part-time?
Yes. The Graduate Diplomas in ECE, Primary and Secondary are all able to be studied part-time.