Teaching and education study options

Teaching is a rewarding career where you can make a real difference in your students' worlds. No matter whether you’d like to teach toddlers, teenagers or anything in between, we’ve got a degree for you.

All of our teaching degrees involve hands-on time teaching in schools. This is called practicum and allows you to gradually take on control of a real classroom environment under the guide and support of a dedicated Associate Teacher. Our Bachelor of Education students spend a total of 24 weeks in schools across the three year degree, equivalent to other main teaching providers. Each block of practicum is undertaken at a different school which allows you to form a range of professional connections.

• Find out more about practicum and what it involves in our FAQ here

Alternatively, if you're not interested in teaching, but want to make a difference in the world of education you can major in Education through a Bachelor of Arts degree or study our new Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies degree.

Our Education and Teaching programmes are offered across three campuses – Epsom, Tai Tonga and Tai Tokerau, so you can study where is most convenient for you.

Important – Intakes for the Bachelor of Education (Teaching) Primary in Semester 2 2023 are only available at the Epsom campus.

I want to become a teacher and I don't hold a bachelors degree

• Our Bachelor of Education (Teaching) is a three year degree offering two specialisations – Primary or Huarahi Māori. Each specialisation has the same overall structure – comprising 360 points of coursework and a 22-week (approx) practicum element where you will spend time observing and teaching in a range of settings.

*Please note: The 2023 Semester Two intake is only available for students enrolling in the Primary specialisation at Epsom Campus.

Bachelor of Education (Teaching) - Primary Specialisation
This three year degree will enable you to apply for provisional teacher certification and prepare you to enter the classroom. You’ll be assessed through individual and group assignments, examinations and practical experience in schools. During the programme, you’ll spend 24 weeks observing and teaching in classes in a range of primary school settings. This is an opportunity for you to observe a variety of teaching approaches, develop your own teaching skills and discuss relevant issues with practising professionals – all with the support of a dedicated associate teacher.

Bachelor of Education (Teaching) - Huarahi Māori Specialisation
If you are proficient in te reo Māori, the Huarahi Māori specialisation will equip you to work as a primary teacher in Māori-medium schools (including Kura Kaupapa Māori, Kura ā iwi, immersion and bilingual schools and classrooms), as well as English-medium primary and intermediate schools. You’ll develop practical skills by observing and teaching in Māori medium, bilingual and mainstream classrooms during noho ā kura (practicum) for 20 weeks over the course of your study. You will be in high demand as there is a national shortage of te reo Māori teachers in bilingual settings. The qualification will allow you to be a leader in the Māori world, with knowledge across a range of areas. Upon graduation, you will be eligible for provisional teaching certification.

Bachelor of Education (TESOL)

Pass on your passion for the English language to speakers of other languages with this specialisation.You will gain a useful foundation in subjects that inform TESOL education, such as psychology, philosophy, sociology and history. Practical experience is integral to this programme and you'll gain up-to-the-minute knowledge and skills in learning, teaching and assessment. 

I want to become a teacher and I already hold a bachelors degree

Our Graduate Diploma in Teaching can be offered online or face-to-face. It’s perfect for those who already hold a bachelors degree in any other discipline and are interested in making a career pivot into teaching. In just one year, we’ll help you become ready to apply for registration as a teacher in New Zealand. Completing a Graduate Diploma in Teaching allows you to start on a higher step on the salary scale than graduates of a Bachelor of Education.

Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Early Childhood Education)

A one-year course allowing you to gain both theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience in a range of Early Childhood centres, supported by fully registered teachers. As of Semester One 2023, this programme will be offered both part-time and full-time.

Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Primary)

A highly practical experience where you’ll spend time in schools getting hands-on experience in the realities of classroom teaching. (Years 1-8)

Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Secondary)

Use your existing subject knowledge from a previous degree. Gain professional experience in secondary schools where you’ll observe and work alongside secondary teachers in two different secondary schools for up to 18 weeks throughout the year.

You could be eligible for our Teacher Education in Schools Scholarship. Find out more.

I want to study education (not teaching)

Are you interested in Education as a subject or early childhood development but aren’t interested in teaching? These programmes are for you!

Undergraduate level

Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies 
This degree encompasses a broad study of early childhood education and social contexts relevant for students from birth to eight years of age. Practical placements each year in early childhood and other educational settings will allow you to explore areas of interest and refine and develop relevant professional skills. This is an excellent foundation degree which will prepare you for a career in a range of educational settings and in policy and leadership roles in New Zealand and overseas.

Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Education
If you would like to gain a broad understanding of Education, how people learn and educational psychology, but are not sure you want to be a teacher, then you can choose a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Education.

Postgraduate level

If you have previous study at a tertiary level and would like to further your existing knowledge, or gain knowledge in a new area, these study options could be for you.

Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Education
The BA (Hons) is a one year full-time (or two years part-time) standalone postgraduate degree. It may be taken after a completed BA and is awarded as a separate qualification. The programme comprises taught coursework and a supervised research component. It is delivered in evening lectures and on-campus block courses at our Epsom Campus. Some courses are also available at other campuses, online or via study guide.

Postgraduate Diploma in Arts - PGDipArts
The PGDipArts is an alternative to the Bachelor of Arts (Honours). You can choose from a wide range of Arts subjects and may be able to include a dissertation. This programme might be for you if you want to undertake advanced study without writing a dissertation, if honours degrees aren’t recognised in your country, or if you would like to study part-time over a longer period.

Master of Arts in Education
The MA in Education lets you pursue in-depth research in an educational area of your choice and work closely with university staff who are specialists in their field. Research is carried out under the guidance of one or more supervisors. Available as a 120-point (one year full time, two years part time) or 180-point (one and a half years full-time, up to six years part-time) degree, you can choose from advanced-level courses and research topics in a wide range of education areas.

Doctor of Education (EdD Programme)
The EdD is a professional doctorate designed with working professionals in mind. It is designed to be taken part-time to prepare the next generation of practitioner experts and leaders in education and focuses on the development of new knowledge and scholarship in educational practice. The EdD is a unique, cohort-based doctoral programme where students work with cohort lecturers for the first two years and then with their own research supervisors, who have knowledge and expertise in their area of study and a range of research methods. A Doctor of Education degree has the same status as a PhD.

Doctor of Philosophy
When you join us for your doctoral study in Education, you will be able to help improve the educational and social wellbeing of communities. Our research harnesses the vast potential that diversity brings to address education and social justice issues – nationally, regionally and globally. Faculty researchers explore educational and social science research from a wide range of perspectives, many of which are aligned to the central theme of superdiversity. We welcome research proposals on a wide range of topics, some of which contribute to projects being undertaken in our research centres/units and schools.

• Our Education and Teaching degrees are offered across three campuses – Epsom, Tai Tokerau and Tai Tonga – allowing you to choose the campus that works best for you. Throughout your study you’ll be supported by highly experienced teachers and mentors and will leave university as a strong, capable graduate ready to excel in a constantly evolving industry.