Duration
Full-time: 1 year
Part-time: Varies
Next start date
2024 Semester Two – 15 July
2025 Semester One – 3 March
Available locations
City
Points
120
Programme type
Postgraduate

Programme overview

This programme offers further study in education and professional practice and can qualify graduates for an advanced salary status. It will enable you to explore and investigate applied areas of education such as learning and teaching, Māori education, literacy education, mentoring, research and evaluation. You can choose to study the general diplom, the Literacy Education specialisation or the Inclusive Education specialisation.

Study the Inclusive Education specialisation

One in four people in Aotearoa has a disability. This diversity is now represented in local early childhood settings and schools and teachers are expected to have the conceptual, culturally responsive and applied knowledge base needed to teach in inclusive environments.

In this specialisation, you’ll develop advanced knowledge and capabilities in inclusive practices to support diverse learners in educational settings. You’ll also extend your research skills through an inquiry-based approach and gain the skills and knowledge needed to take leading roles in effective planning, coordination and management of projects and in professional learning.

Find out more about the Inclusive Education specialisation.

Study the Early Childhood specialisation

Early childhood is a growth area – and one where highly qualified people are souight to progress a range of early childhood services, be they early childhood centres or related services for tamariki and their whanau. The complexities of these services require people with knowledge of and capability in complex and diverse contexts.

In this specialisation, you’ll develop advanced knowledge and capability in a range of fields, including psychology, leadership, child development, pedagogy, and contemporary global understandings of childhood. You’ll also progress your inquiry and research skills with the opportunity to complete a thesis if you choose this pathway.

Find out more about the Early Childhood specialisation.

Programme structure

Requirement:

either

  • 120 points from a range of courses in Education, Education Curriculum Studies, Education Curriculum Secondary Diploma, Education Practice, Education Professional, Education Professional Studies, Education Professional Studies Māori, Education Special, or Education Māori - Special Study (EDUCM 739)

or

  • at least 75 points from a range of courses in Education, Education Curriculum Studies, Education Curriculum Secondary Diploma, Education Practice, Education Professional, Education Professional Studies, Education Professional Studies Māori, Education Special, or Education Māori - Special Study (EDUCM 739)

  • up to 45 points from 700-level courses in another subject. The approval of all Heads of Departments is required.

or

Literacy Education specialisation

  • 120 points from:
    • Research Methodologies (EDUCSW 700)
    • Māori and Indigenous Research (EDUC 787)
    • Challenges of Literacy Difficulties (EDPROFST 702)
    • Leading Literacy Inquiries (EDPROFST 703)
    • Literacy Theory and Practice (EDPROFST 705)
    • Language Analysis for Teachers (EDPROFST 706)
    • Children's Literature in Education(EDPROFST 707)
    • Media Literacy in Educational Contexts (EDPROFST 708)
    • Teacher Leadership for Learning Equity (EDCURRIC 722)
  • Prerequisite: Prior approval from the Dean of Faculty of Education and Social Work

or

Reading Recovery specialisation (next offered in 2024)

  • 120 points: Reading Recovery: Individual Inquiry (EDCURRIC 709), Reading Recovery: Design, Implementation and Research (EDCURRIC 712), Challenges of Literacy Difficulties (EDPROFST 702), Issues in Literacy Teaching and Learning (EDPROFST 705)
  • Prerequisite: Prior approval from the Dean of Faculty of Education and Social Work

Note 1: A student wishing to enrol in a thesis or research portfolio for the Master of Education following the award of this postgraduate diploma should note that passing of 30 points of approved research methodology courses will be required.

Note 2: A student wishing to enrol in the Master of Educational Leadership is advised to include Educational Leadership (EDPROFST 738) in the postgraduate diploma.

You'll also need to meet other requirements, including time limits and total points limits. See Postgraduate enrolment.

For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.

Subjects available in this programme

For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.

2024 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 120 points
    Grade required
    GPA Grade Point Average 3.0

    Bachelors degree in education

Further programme requirements

Taught 120 points

You must have completed one of the following with a GPA of 3.0:

  • a Bachelors degree in education
  • a Bachelor of Education (Teaching) 
  • an Advanced Diploma in Teaching and at least three years' teaching experience
  • a Graduate Diploma in Education or Graduate Diploma in Teaching 
  • any Bachelors degree plus Postgraduate Certificate in Education (provided that the postgraduate certificate has not been awarded) 

Or, you can gain entry if you have at least three years of relevant, practical, professional or scholarly experience as approved by the Programme Leader. 

If you are applying for the Reading Recovery Specialisation* you must have completed a Bachelor of Education (Teaching) degree and have at least three years’ relevant employment experience (such as a successful junior class teaching experience).

*Offered in 2018, the Reading Recovery specialisation is a restricted-entry programme; please contact the faculty for advice on entry requirements and how you can apply.

Note: If you already hold a Master of Arts in Education (or substantially similar qualification), you may not be admitted to this programme.

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 120 points
    Grade required
    GPE Grade Point Equivalent 3.0

    An undergraduate degree in education

  • Qualification
    IELTS Academic International English Language Testing System
    Score required
    6.5

Further programme requirements

Taught 120 points

You must have completed one of the following at a recognised university (or similar institution) with a GPE of 3.0:

  • an undergraduate degree in education
  • a Bachelor of Education (Teaching)
  • an advanced diploma in teaching and at least three years' teaching experience
  • a Graduate Diploma in Education or Graduate Diploma in Teaching
  • any Bachelors degree plus Postgraduate Certificate in Education (provided that the postgraduate certificate has not been awarded) 

Or, you can gain entry if you have at least three years of relevant, practical, professional or scholarly experience as approved by the Programme Leader. 

If you are applying for the Reading Recovery Specialisation* you must have completed an undergraduate degree in education (teaching) and have at least three years’ relevant employment experience (such as a successful junior class teaching experience).

*Offered in 2018, the Reading Recovery specialisation is a restricted-entry programme; please contact the faculty for advice on entry requirements and how you can apply.

Note: If you already hold a masters degree in education, you may not be admitted to this programme.

For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.

How much does a Postgraduate Diploma in Education cost per year?

2024 fees

Domestic students
NZ$8,522.40*
International students
NZ$39,995*

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 $8.88 per point, estimated at $1,065.60 for full-time study (120 points). Fees will be confirmed upon completion of enrolment into courses.

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

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.

For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.

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

Summer School 2024
1 December 2023
Semester One 2024
8 December 2023
Semester Two 2024
4 July 2024

Start dates

Here are the start dates for the programme.

Other important dates

See important dates for the academic year, including orientation, enrolment, study breaks, exams, and graduation.

For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.

View our study pathways guide to help you decide whether this programme is right for you.

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Find out more.

For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.

Where could this programme take you?

This programme offers further study in education and professional practice and can qualify graduates for an advanced salary status. Graduates who meet the criteria can also go on to study at masters level.

Jobs related to this programme

  • Early childhood education teacher
  • Education sector leaders
  • Human resources practitioner
  • Literacy teacher
  • Private teacher/tutor
  • Reading recovery tutor
  • Trainer in organisations
  • Communities of Learning (CoLs) leader
Lynette Demegilio: Postgraduate diploma in education graduate

The Postgraduate Diploma in Education allowed Lynette Demegilio to enhance her ECE practice and explore her interest in literacy teaching.

Read Lynette's story

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