Be part of their learning journey
You will introduce tamariki to the world of learning, and start them on their road to reading, writing and mathematics. Its a very rewarding and satisfying career in which you can make a real difference in the lives of our tamariki.
As a primary teacher, you will engage泭tamariki泭in future-focused learning through a range of curriculum areas and through a commitment to bicultural practices in Aotearoa New泭Zealand. You will support泭tamariki泭to develop their skills and knowledge and prepare them for a changing泭world.
Primary teacher education students:
- Are interested in working with泭tamariki泭and their communities
- Want to teach all school subjects
- Are organised and well prepared
- Are nurturing and enjoy cultivating a love of learning in others
If this sounds like you, read on to find out more about studying these programmes at UC.
You'll learn about the theory, practice and management of teaching, including the place and role of education, the characteristics of learners and the teaching-learning process. You'll also learn about the curriculum taught in schools today to prepare you for the profession of teaching. This includes English, Mori language, mathematics, science, technology education, social studies, art, music, drama and dance, health and physical education and learning languages.
You will spend time working in a classroom where you can trial and refine your planning, teaching and management skills. By the end of your studies at UC you will have learnt and practised all the teaching skills required of teachers in New 厙ぴ勛圖primary, intermediate, middle and area schools.
Distance students are required to attend On-site Intensives (OSI) in tautahi Christchurch.
UC offers five qualifications for anyone wishing to become a Primary school teacher:
Successful completion of any of these pathways lead to eligibility to apply for Teaching Council of Aotearoa New 厙ぴ勛圖registration. However, there are differences in the duration, focus and qualification awarded.泭
Which pathway is for me?
啦堯梗泭Ako:BTchLn泭is a three-year undergraduate programme.
Already have a degree? You can choose from one of our one year programmes泭GradDipTchLn,泭PGDipTchgLn泭and the泭MTchgLn.
Ako: Bachelor of Teaching and Learning (Primary)
啦堯梗泭Ako: Bachelor of Teaching and Learning (Primary)泭is a professional qualification that prepares you for a rewarding career as a primary school teacher.The degree takes three years of full-time study, or can be studied part-time for up to six years.泭This pathway泭is available on campus in tautahi Christchurch by泭or泭. If you would like to study our initial teacher education (ITE) qualifications by distance泭you will need to reside in Aotearoa New Zealand.
You will need to: attend on-site intensives (OSI) in tautahi Christchurch, one of which is an OSI at the beginning of the programme; undertake a community engagement course; and undertake professional practice placements in schools in Aotearoa New Zealand. If you are enrolled at the Whakat贖 Nelson Campus, you will complete a blended model of online and face-to face courses.
Ako: Bachelor of Teaching and Learning (Mtauranga Mori)
啦堯梗泭Ako: Bachelor of Teaching and Learning泭Mtauranga Mori泭endorsement prepares you for a teaching career in different泭primary泭settings.泭The degree takes three years of full-time study, or can be studied part-time for up to six years.泭This pathway泭prioritises te reo Mori me na tikanga, and is founded on mtauranga Mori (Mori knowledge), Mori philosophies, and values.
啦堯梗泭Mtauranga Mori泭Initial Teacher Education pathway will equip you to work in whare khungahunga (early childhood) and/or kura tuatahi (primary) settings working at level 2 (5180% te reo Mori immersion) or higher. A graduate of the Mtauranga Mori programme has the ability to work in bilingual English medium educational settings, where knowledge of te reo Mori me na tikanga, bicultural practice, and culturally empowering pedagogies are valued as a means to support child development.
- He ako -rorohiko, -kanohi kitea hoki te momo ako, n reira, ka taea te ako mai tawhiti. Heoi an me matua tae -tinana m tahi whanga o ia tau, he noho marae ki te hau kinga o Ki Tahu ia tau.
This is a mixed method style of delivery with content being available online, therefore there is the ability to learn from anywhere. Kanohi ki te kanohi (face to face) delivery will also be included in the programme through scheduled block wnanga each year and one noho marae each year.
For more information krero with a泭Student Advisor
Graduate Diploma in Teaching泭 and Learning (Primary Education)
If you already have a Level 7 bachelor's degree or equivalent you can enrol in the one-year泭Graduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning (Primary Education)泭(GradDipTchLn). This programme can be undertaken full-time in one year, on campus in Christchurch and full-time or part-time or full-time by泭distance study. Distance students are required to attend an On-site Intensive (OSI) in tautahi Christchurch at the beginning of the programme. This option is suited to those looking for a well-respected pathway into teaching, including 80 days of professional practice in schools and research-based coursework.
Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning
If you already have泭a Level 7 bachelor's degree or equivalent泭with a B average at泭300-level you can enrol in the泭Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning (PGDipTchgLn).泭This pathway combines research-informed knowledge and critical inquiry with practice-based experiences in schools to prepare you for a career in teaching.泭
The programme can be studied full-time in one year either on-campus or by泭distance study泭(Primary Education only). Distance students are required to attend an On-site Intensive (OSI) in tautahi Christchurch at the beginning of the programme.
The PGDipTchgLn is a pathway to the泭Master of Teaching and Learning (MTchgLn). To transfer from the PGDipTchgLn to the MTchgLn, you must achieve a B average or better in the PGDipTchgLn.泭By completing the PGDipTchgLn plus an additional 30-point course, students can achieve the MTchgLn.
Master of Teaching and Learning
If you already have泭a Level 7 bachelor's degree or equivalent泭with a B average at泭300-level you can enrol in the one-year泭Master of Teaching and Learning (MTchgLn).泭The MTchgLn泭will equip you with enhanced research-based knowledge and inquiry skills, experiences of contemporary educational theory and professional practice so you can become a teacher with the expertise essential to schools in the 21st century.泭
As a strong foundation in mathematics is crucial to every primary school students education success, the Teaching Council now requires all applicants for Primary (English medium only) teaching qualifications 泭to demonstrate competence in mathematics in a specified assessment. The Teaching Council believes that by strengthening mathematics/numeracy entry requirements for primary ITE qualifications, we can contribute to lifting the mathematics capability of primary teachers and support student achievement.
The Teaching Council advise that the numeracy assessment to be used is the Literacy and Numeracy for Adults Assessment Tool (LNAAT) that was developed by the Tertiary Education Commission. Applicants are expected to achieve a score of over 690 in this assessment (which is predictive of success at NCEA Level 2). LNAAT is a free-to-use online assessment.
The FAQ document link below, includes a table that outlines how the assessment will be phased in from 2025 for domestic applicants. Any domestic applicant in a one year Primary English medium qualification will need to complete the assessment prior to entry to the programme for the 2026 intake and beyond. In 2026 those in a three year programme will need to complete the assessment prior to starting the second year, but from 2027 onwards, all applicants in the Primary English medium will need to complete the assessment prior to entry.
Note泭 for 2026 International applicants for one year primary teaching programmes do not need to complete the LNAAT prior to entry to the programme, but will complete the assessment in the first few weeks of the programme. This is to allow international applicants sufficient time to secure a visa to start their study.
If you have any questions please krero with our泭Student Advice Team.泭
For further information about the LNAAT, please see the FAQ document below泭 and links to websites with some practice assessment support.
All Initial Teacher Education programmes have one intake each, starting in January or February.泭
Applications for teacher education programmes will close on 1 December each year for domestic applicants (31 October each year for international applicants). While we process applications as they are received, many of our programmes have a limited capacity for places and applications may close earlier if this capacity has been reached.
Our teacher education programmes have specialised application processes.泭Please read the泭Guide to applying泭section and complete the steps, before applying through泭myUC.泭
Before applying, its important to consider the commitment you are making to a professional education programme. To be successful, you will need to devote a significant amount of time each week to study and preparation, as well as demonstrate a commitment to professionalism in all areas.泭
- Find out more about泭Studying Teacher Education commitments
Please note there is a new mathematics entry requirement find out more here.泭
The Ako: Bachelor of Teaching and Learning is open to any student with University Entrance.
If you are 20 years of age or over, recent tertiary study is desirable. For example, you may want to consider the泭Certificate in University Preparation (CUP)泭before applying.
If you already have a bachelor's degree you can apply for the one-year泭Graduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning (Early Childhood),泭泭Graduate Diploma Teaching and Learning泭(Primary Education),泭Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning (Primary Education). If you already have a bachelor's degree with a B+ average in your major 300 level courses you can apply for the one-year泭Master of Teaching and Learning (Primary Education)泭.
Selection for entry is not automatic and is based on:
- Academic ability
- Involvement and interest in working with children
- Community involvement
- Communication skills you need to be able to communicate your ideas clearly, confidently and coherently, and to listen and respond to others appropriately
- A police check and an interview
See our application requirements teacher education and guide to applying pages for further application information.泭
English Language Competency泭requirements for Initial Teacher Education programmes
To gain entry into an Initial Teacher Education programme you must meet certain standards of English or te reo Mori language competency as required by the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand.
Information on the current English Language Competency requirements can be found at泭
Note: we will accept and progress your application even if you havent yet met the English Language Competency requirements at the time you submit your application.泭 If your application is successful any offer will be conditional on meeting English Language Competency requirements. A full offer will not be provided until this requirement has been met.
Graduates of our Primary Teacher Education programmes will be eligible to apply for provisional registration. This enables you to apply for teaching positions in New Zealand. Please contact the relevant authorities for international requirements.
Our graduates have gained positions in primary, intermediate, middle and area schools in New 厙ぴ勛圖and overseas. Some have also gained positions in secondary schools, government departments, recruitment and human resource management, universities, as well as in private academies and agencies.
For more information about the skills you will learn and the jobs and activities our graduates do visit the UC Careers Hub泭What can I do with a degree in Primary Teacher Education?
