Duration
Full-time: 1 year
Part-time: Varies
Next start date
2020 Semester One – 20 January
2021 Semester One – 20 January
Available locations
Epsom
Points
160
Programme type
Postgraduate

Programme overview

This one-year graduate diploma is designed for those who already hold a bachelors degree and want to embark on a fulfilling career as a teacher, or to work in education.

With a strong emphasis on the importance of gaining practical experience in schools, you will learn alongside experienced teachers in your practicum in order to be equipped to deal with a variety of learning styles.

You will come away with the latest teaching techniques and theory and will be eligible to apply for provisional certification as a practising primary or intermediate teacher, teaching children from Year 1 to Year 8 (typically aged 5 to 13 years old).

Programme structure

This is an intensive programme equivalent to 1.3 years of full-time study completed within a 12-month period and combines theory and practice.

For detailed course information, read here.

Sample programme structure

Semester 1 90 points

  • Code:
    EDCURRIC 604
    Name:
    Health and Physical Education
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    10 pts
  • Code:
    EDCURRIC 610
    Name:
    Science Education
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    10 pts
  • Code:
    EDCURRIC 621
    Name:
    Arts, Language and Literacies Education 1
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    EDCURRIC 628
    Name:
    Mathematics, Statistics and Technology Education 1
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    EDPRAC 607A
    Name:
    Professional Practice in Context
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    EDPROFST 601
    Name:
    Te Ao Māori
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    10 pts
  • Code:
    EDPROFST 608A
    Name:
    Learning and Teaching in NZ
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    15 pts

Semester 2 70 points

  • Code:
    EDCURRIC 611
    Name:
    Social Studies Education
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    10 pts
  • Code:
    EDCURRIC 622
    Name:
    Arts, Language and Literacies Education 2
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    EDCURRIC 629
    Name:
    Mathematics, Statistics and Technology Education 2
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    EDPRAC 607B
    Name:
    Professional Practice in Context
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    EDPROFST 608B
    Name:
    Learning and Teaching in NZ
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    15 pts

2020 entry requirements

My highest qualification is from:

Programme requirements

Minimum programme requirements

Minimum requirements listed here are the likely grades required and do not guarantee entry. We assess each application individually and applicants may require a higher grade to be offered a place.

  • Study option
    Taught 160 points
    Grade required
    GPA Grade Point Average 2.4

    Bachelors degree

Calculate your Grade Point Average (GPA)

Further programme requirements

Taught 160 points

You must have completed a bachelors degree in any discipline with a GPA of 2.4. Entrance is subject to satisfactory police check/s, safety checks, interview and referees’ reports. You will be required to sit literacy and numeracy tests.

You will also need to provide evidence of meeting the Teaching Council Matatū Aotearoa English Language Competency requirements by IELTS or an approved alternative. Further information on approved alternatives can be found here. 

Programme requirements

Minimum programme requirements

Minimum requirements listed here are the likely grades required and do not guarantee entry. We assess each application individually and applicants may require a higher grade to be offered a place.

  • Study option
    Taught 160 points
    Grade required
    GPE Grade Point Equivalent 2.4

    An undergraduate degree

  • Qualification
    IELTS Academic International English Language Testing System
    Score required
    7.0

    No bands less than 7.0

    See alternative English language requirements

Calculate your Grade Point Equivalent (GPE)

Further programme requirements

Taught 160 points

You must have completed an undergraduate degree at a recognised university (or similar institution) in any discipline with a GPE of 2.4. Entrance is subject to satisfactory police check/s, safety checks, interview and referees’ reports. You will be required to sit literacy and numeracy tests.

You will also need to provide evidence of meeting the Teaching Council Matatū Aotearoa English Language requirements by IELTS or an approved alternative. Further information on approved alternatives can be found here. 

How much does a Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Primary) cost per year?

2019 fees

Domestic students
NZ$10,259.20*
International students
NZ$33,400*

Fees are set in advance of each calendar year and will be updated on this website. Fees are inclusive of 15% GST, but do not include the Student Services Fee, course books, travel and health insurance, or living costs. Amounts shown are indicative only. In addition to the tuition fees, there is a Student Services Fee of $7.06 per point, estimated at $1,129.60 for full-time study (160 points). Fees will be confirmed upon completion of enrolment into courses.

*Please note: amounts shown are indicative and estimates only.

See course fees for each faculty

Find out about financial support information

Scholarships and awards

Find out about the scholarships you may be eligible for.

Student loans and allowances

Are you a New Zealand citizen or resident? You could be eligible for a student loan or allowance.

Cost of living

Get an idea of how much accommodation and general living in Auckland will cost.

Key dates

Please note: We will consider late applications if places are still available. International students should start the application process as early as possible to allow sufficient time to apply for a visa.

Application closing dates

Semester One 2019
1 November 2018

Start dates

Here are the start dates for the programme.

Other important dates

The Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Primary) programme condenses 1.3 years of study into one year. Key dates for 2019 are:

21 January – 1 February

Block delivery

4 – 19 February

Practicum Block 1

20 February – 1 March

Block delivery

4 March – 5 April

Lectures plus Tuesday and Wednesday in school

8 – 12 April

Block delivery

15 – 27 April

Mid-semester break

29 April – 24 May

Lectures plus Tuesday and Wednesday in school

27 May – 28 June

Practicum Block 1 continued

1 – 19 July

Semester break

22 July – 23 August

Lectures

26 – 30 August

Block delivery

2 – 27 September

Lectures

30 September – 11 October

Mid-semester break

14 October – 15 November

Practicum Block 2

18 November – 22 November

Post-practicum portfolio

22 November

Semester/ Year end

Where could this programme take you?

While many graduates go on to teach in primary schools in New Zealand or overseas, the programme will also provide you with a range of transferable skills that can be applied to a range of careers. By already holding a bachelors degree you will be eligible to start on a higher step of the salary scale in services covered by the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) teaching collective agreement for primary school teachers.

Jobs related to this programme

  • Curriculum developer
  • Hospital play specialist
  • Human resource adviser
  • Learning designer
  • Policy adviser for the Ministry of Education
  • Primary school teacher
  • Researcher

Further study options

See all study options
Fredrick Simpson

Teaching requires you to go beyond your comfort zone, but is one of the most rewarding professions, says graduate Fredrick Simpson.

Find out Fredrick's inspiration

Student career planning service

Once you become a student at the University, you can get help with planning and developing your career from Career Development and Employability Services.

Key Information for Students

Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions.

button for easy access to information about this qualification button for easy access to information about this qualification

Experience the University

Students relaxing

Discover the wide range of personal support services available to you.

Explore
Student adviser

Register for our free info session on Tuesday 21 May to get all the answers you need to start your study in July 2019.

Find out more and register

Do you need help?

AskAuckland

Your online help and support centre. Search our frequently asked questions.

Can’t find the answer in AskAuckland?

Our student support team is here to help. Use our online contact form.

Need to speak to someone?

You can phone us directly.

Auckland
923 5025
Outside Auckland
0800 61 62 63
International
+64 9 373 7513