Distance and regional study
Our distance study programmes make university study possible for students who cannot access a local campus. Students can study the programmes listed below part-time or full-time while they work, care for family, or pursue other interests.
Many distance students want to update their professional knowledge or advance their career with postgraduate study. Whatever your motivation, we can provide a great learning experience and to help you attain your goals.
Your space, your time
If you would like to study our intial teacher education qualifications by distance you will need to reside in Aotearoa New Zealand. You will typically need to attend on-site intensives in Ōtautahi Christchurch, one of which is an on-site intensive at the beginning of the programme, undertake a community engagement course, as well as attend professional practice placements in schools in Aotearoa New Zealand. If you are enrolled at the Whakatū Nelson and Rotorua ITE Hapori campuses, you will complete a blended model of online and face-to face courses.
Programmes you can study via distance
Our Early Childhood qualifications can be studied via distance.
Your commitment
Full-time students will need to be able to commit to:
- About 40 hours a week of independent study.
- Attendance at two On-site Intensives a year (in Christchurch). All distance Early Childhood students attend a two-week On-site Intensive in February of their first year of study. All other OSIs will be up to one week away.
- Attendance at two professional practices in Early Childhood Centres each year.
Our Primary teacher education programmes can be studied by distance.
Your commitment
Full-time students will need to be able to commit to:
- 35-40 hours a week of independent study (part-time students 17-20 hours a week, depending on courses taken).
- Attendance at two On-site Intensives each year in Christchurch or Rotorua (if you are enrolled in the regional programme). Part-time students also attend On-site Intensives. All distance primary students attend a two-week On-site Intensive in the February of their first year of study. All other OSIs will be up to one week away.
- Attendance at two professional practices in schools each year.
Further information
Our Mātauranga Māori programme can be studied by distance.
- He ako ā-rorohiko, ā-kanohi kitea hoki te momo ako, nā reira, ka taea te ako mai tawhiti. Heoi anō me matua tae ā-tinana mō ētahi wāhanga o ia tau, he noho marae ki te hau kāinga o Kāi 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 wānanga each year and one noho marae each year.
- Ko ngā wheako mahi ngaio, arā ngā kōhi 'Mana Ako', kei rō whare kōhungahunga me ngā kura tuatahi Māori he wāhanga matua kia mārama pū ki ngā āhuatanga o te taiao ako me ngā mahi o te kaiako.
Professional Practice Exploration experiences may occur in whare kōhungahunga (early childhood centres), bilingual primary, and kura kaupapa Māori settings throughout your degree.
Further information
A number of postgraduate and professional development qualifications are also offered by distance. For more information see Postgraduate and Professional Development Programmes.
Requirements and advice for distance students
Regional locations
The Christchurch campus is in Ilam and offers teacher education courses at all levels. We offer our Ako: Bachelor of Teaching and Learning (Primary) in Nelson and Rotorua.
