Education and Social Work

Your destination: Degree-level study at UoA

Education explores learning and teaching at all stages of people's lives. It includes the history, sociology, philosophy, politics and psychology of education and teacher training.

Studying Education as a teaching qualification equips you with the knowledge and skills to be an excellent educator. We cover a wide range of topics, including philosophy and ethics, the New Zealand curriculum, teaching specific subjects, and assessment. We look at how people learn, how to work with whānau and communities, and how to engage children in meaningful learning. We also focus on the history and philosophy of education in New Zealand, te reo and tikanga Māori, and the importance of the Treaty of Waitangi.

Perhaps you wish to pursue a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Education. BA courses cover theory and research across a wide variety of areas, ranging from child and adolescent development to treaty politics in education. If you then decide you want to enter teaching as a profession, you can add on a one-year teaching qualification. Our graduates are in high demand. We are New Zealand’s top ranked university for Education and have a very strong international reputation.

We also offer a degree programme in Social Work and Social Justice.

Begin your journey into Education and Social Work by way of the TFC:

Semester One

TFCEDUC 14F An Introduction to the New Zealand Education System

We introduce students to the education system of New Zealand. We illustrate the historical development of the New Zealand education system, and address issues such as changes to governance and curriculum and ethnic diversity in New Zealand schools.

Assessments

  • Coursework: 60%
  • In-class Test: 40%

Timetable

  • Lectures: two one-hour lectures per week
  • Tutorials: two one-hour tutorials per week

Semester Two

TFCEDUC 13F Child Development and Learning

This course explains key psychological theories and systems of child development relating to languages, literacies and learning. This builds a basis for in-depth learning about frameworks for literacy teaching in childhood, the impact of multiculturalism on classrooms and the future of education in schools. 

Assessments

  • Coursework: 60%
  • In-class Test: 40%

Timetable

  • Lectures: two one-hour lectures per week
  • Tutorials: two one-hour tutorials per week