Undergraduate study in Early Childhood Education

Play a key role in ensuring that the vital years of children’s lives are a time of fun, learning and healthy development. Working in the early childhood sector, you will help young children from birth to five years with their learning, identity and exploration of the world around them.

Our Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies is a three-year specialisation. This degree encompasses a broad study of early childhood education and social contexts, with a range of hands-on courses covering te ao Māori perspectives, diversity and inclusion, human development, educational psychology, child development and professional communication and practice.

This is an excellent foundation degree. It will prepare you for a career in a range of educational settings and in policy and leadership roles in New Zealand and overseas. If you decide to pursue a teaching career in New Zealand, you can gain registration by adding a one-year Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Early Childhood Education) or Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Primary).

Our Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies (BECSt) consists of face-to-face, online and practice-based teaching and learning. To complete a BECSt degree, you must pass courses totaling at least 360 points. At least 330 of these points must be from the listed BECSt schedule and 30 points from courses offered in either the General Education open schedule and/or the General Education faculty schedule approved for this degree. 
General Education courses on offer.

You’ll be assessed through assignments, examinations and practical work experience in early childhood centres and organisations.

Practical experience, or practicum, is critical to understanding what it’s really like to work in this sector. You will spend a total of 24 weeks over three years in a range of educational settings, allowing you to gain a range of practical experience and form professional connections.

Our graduates are in high demand throughout the country. Many go on to teach in a range of kindergartens, early childhood centres and teacher-led home-based care agencies in New Zealand and overseas. This degree also equips you with a range of transferable skills that can be applied in many professions.

Other postgraduate programmes include

• Master of Education
• Master of Education Practice
• Master of Educational Leadership
• Postgraduate Certificate in Education
• Postgraduate Diploma in Education
• Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Leadership
• Postgraduate Diploma in Language Teaching

Each year we award scholarships and prizes to thousands of students. Find out more by visiting Scholarships and awards.

In addition, you will be eligible to apply for TeachNZ scholarships.

For general student enquiries, please contact the Student Hubs.

To discuss your study options with a student adviser, email studentinfo@auckland.ac.nz
or make an appointment.