Primary Teacher Education

Qualifications

BTchLn(Primary), GradDipTchLn(Primary), BTchLn(Hons)

Introduction

Primary teaching allows you to use your energy, commitment and creativity in an intensely rewarding and satisfying career, which can make a real difference in people’s lives. The UC College of Education has a national and international reputation for producing high-quality graduates. A significant factor in this is the emphasis placed on students completing courses in all school curriculum areas.

We draw on over 130 years of experience in teacher education and can offer a variety of options for students wishing to enter the creative and rewarding profession of primary teaching.

Entry requirements

Places are limited and a separate Application for Programme Entry (APE) to the College of Education is required.

Selection for entry is based on academic ability, involvement and interest in working with children and physical activity, community involvement, communication skills and other personal qualities.

BTchLn(Primary) applicants under 20 must have University Entrance. In addition students will need to have a minimum of 12 credits in NCEA Level 2 English and 14 credits in mathematics at Level 1 or above or equivalent. Applicants over 20 must provide evidence of recent, successful tertiary study that preferably includes some of the following: literacy (a high priority is placed on this), numeracy, science, Māori or information and communication technology.

For GradDipTchLn(Primary) applicants a degree is required (overseas degrees will need to be assessed as equivalent to a New Zealand degree by the University).

The selection process includes a police check and may include an interview.

International students for whom English is an additional language must provide evidence of their English language ability as follows:

• IELTS (Academic) 7.0, with no individual score below 7.0; or
• At least two years of successful study in a New Zealand secondary school, with at least eight Level 2 NCEA credits in English (four reading and four writing).

As places are limited we strongly recommend that you apply for programme entry as early as possible (applications open in June). Applications are due four weeks prior to the commencement of the programme or when places are filled (whichever comes first).

Apply for programme entry

Download an Application for Programme Entry (PDF, 321KB) or phone the Contact Centre on 0800 VARSITY (827 748). This includes the Application to Enrol. If your application is approved you will receive an offer of place letter.

Programme structure

There are four basic components of primary qualifications at UC.

Education courses address areas such as the aims and purposes of education, child development, teaching and learning, classroom management, assessment, the New Zealand education system, and socio-political and cultural contexts.

Professional Studies courses introduce students to the observation, communication, interaction, management, planning, diagnostic and practical teaching skills required of teachers in New Zealand schools. The courses encompass the knowledge and skills required to implement a range of teaching and learning methods, knowledge of legal and community expectations of teachers and an individualised component which is responsive to each student's professional needs.

Professional Practice is the time spent working in a classroom. It provides a supportive context in which students can trial and refine their planning, teaching and management skills. Professional Practice initiates students into the complexities of the teacher's role within the classroom, the school and the wider community.

There is one block of Professional Practice in schools in Year 1 of the BTchLn and two blocks each year in years 2 and 3. Part-time students have one block each year and usually take five years to complete the degree. During Professional Practice students will spend approximately eight hours a day working alongside an experienced teacher.

Curriculum Studies includes all curriculum subjects that a primary teacher is expected to teach. These include English, mātauraka Māori, mathematics, science, information and communication technology (ICT), technology education, social studies, art, music, drama and dance, health and physical education.

Graduate option

The Graduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning (Primary) is a 15-month full-time qualification for university graduates with a degree. It can be undertaken full-time on campus in Christchurch or by distance (FLO). Students who successfully complete the programme will be eligible for provisional registration as a teacher.

The GradDipTchLn(Primary) academic year starts in mid-February and continues until mid-November, recommences in mid-January and concludes in mid-April.

Further study

The Bachelor of Teaching and Learning with Honours (BTchLn(Hons)) is a one-year, full-time postgraduate qualification for Bachelor of Teaching and Learning (or equivalent) graduates with a B grade average in their 200 and 300-level courses. Available on campus in Christchurch, the BTchLn(Hons) provides students with the opportunity to focus on educational issues or curriculum areas in which they have special interests. Other options include a Graduate Diploma or Master of Education degree, and PhD study.

Career opportunities

Graduates have gained positions in primary, intermediate, middle and area schools in New Zealand and overseas.

For further career information, please go to www.canterbury.ac.nz/careers

Contact

College of Education
Telephone: +64 3 343 9606
Email: education@canterbury.ac.nz