Graduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning
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150
Overview
Graduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning
Introduction
Teaching is a career for people who are energetic, creative, enjoy working with people, and are committed to making a positive difference for children and young people.
The Graduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning gives you the opportunity to gain knowledge of teaching, learners, and curriculum; engage in professional practice in schools; and become part of the teaching profession in Aotearoa New Zealand.
You will be able to hone skills such as communication, critical thinking, planning and design for learning, and develop bicultural competence so that you go on to become an attentive and adaptable educator who meets the needs and aspirations of all learners.
Graduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning
What will my study involve?
- Future-focused learning in curriculum areas and a commitment to bicultural practices in Aotearoa.
- Multiple placements in schools and communities where you will be able to engage with children and young people.
- Flexibility to study on campus in Ōtautahi Christchurch, or by distance (Primary Education only).
Graduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning
Entry requirements
An Aotearoa New Zealand bachelor's degree (or other qualifications of an equivalent standard) is required to apply for the GradDipTchgLn.
Applicants with knowledge and current work experience in the areas of technology and/or te reo Māori may be eligible to apply for the Secondary Education endorsement without a bachelor's degree through the Alternate Entry Pathway. There is a specific application process to assess eligibility.
Others entering the Secondary Education endorsement will need a body of knowledge from their previous studies in a subject relevant to the secondary school curriculum eg, te reo Māori, English, mathematics, chemistry, history, etc.
Those wanting to enrol in the Primary endorsement will need to demonstrate their mathematics capability. Find out more about the proposed mathematics entry requirement for primary ITE programmes.
Selection for entry is based on:
- academic ability, involvement and interest in working with children and young people, community involvement, communication skills, and other dispositional and personal qualities as outlined in the Guide to Applying
- a police check, referees' reports, and an interview
- short online literacy and numeracy assessments.
If English is your additional language, you are also required to meet the requirements set out by Matatū Aotearoa | Teaching Council of New Zealand.
For the full entry requirements, see the Regulations for the Graduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning or use the admission requirements checker.
How to apply
Applications are open throughout the year and close 1 December for domestic students or 31 October for international students.
Applications for the Alternate Entry Pathway into technology and/or te reo Māori secondary teaching close 31 October.
For more details on entry requirements and the teacher education application process, see the Guide to Applying.
Graduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning
How do I plan my diploma?
The GradDipTchgLn consists of 150 points of coursework and includes 80 days of professional practice in schools.
Primary endorsement
The Primary endorsement pathway can be studied full-time in one year on campus or via distance. We also offer a part-time option over two years for distance students only. Distance students complete the same courses, coursework, and assessments as on-campus students.
Distance students are required to attend an On-site Intensive (OSI) in Ōtautahi Christchurch at the beginning of the programme. OSIs are a compulsory part of the distance programme and provide an opportunity to meet and work with course lecturers and other students. You will need continual access to a computer with suitable broadband internet to complete this qualification.
Secondary endorsement
The Secondary endorsement pathway can be studied full-time in one year. This is completed on campus, with the exception of selected students who are completing the alternative entry pathway in Technology and/or Te Reo Māori.
You are required to list at least one teaching subject in your online application. Confirmation of teaching subjects will be determined as part of the selection process and confirmed at the point of offer.
Alternative Entry Pathway in Technology and/or Te Reo Māori
Select students with suitable experience in Technology and/or Te Reo Māori can apply to study via distance or on campus. See more about this Alternate Entry Pathway.
For full requirements, see the Regulations for the Graduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning.
Graduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning
Subjects and courses
Compulsory Courses
All students for the GradDipTchgLn complete the following:
- TEPI313 Professional Learning and Inquiry 1
- TEPI314 Professional Learning and Inquiry 2
- TEPI315 Understanding Every Learner: Intercultural and Inclusive Education
- TEPI316 Tō tātou reo, ā tātou tikanga
- TEPP313 Teaching Professional Practice 1
- TEPP314 Teaching Professional Practice 2
Primary Education endorsement
Students in the Primary endorsement also complete the following:
- TECP323 Literacy and Mathematics for Primary School Teaching
- TECP324 Curriculum 2: Teaching and learning in, through and about Health and Physical Education and the Arts
- TECP325 Curriculum 3: Exploring Science and Technology through Collaborative Design
- TECP326 Curriculum 4: Learning Languages and Social Sciences in Diverse School and Community Settings
Secondary Education endorsement
Students in the Secondary endorsement also complete the following:
- TECS333 Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment 1: Teaching subject for junior secondary
- TECS334 Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment 2: Teaching subject for senior secondary
- TECS335 Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment 3: Contemporary developments in secondary education
Those under the Alternate Entry Pathway will take these courses instead of the above.
Secondary Education — specialist teaching subjects
For our secondary teacher qualifications, you will need to choose a teaching subject and have an academic background in this subject. Your teaching subject is chosen from those taught at junior and senior secondary levels.
You will focus on your specialist teaching subject (which you will preferably have studied to 300-level). It is also a good idea to pick up an additional teaching subject, for which you have a background of study to 100 or 200-level (depending on the subject).
We offer the following specialist teaching subjects:
- Biology with Science
- Classical Studies with Social Studies
- Chemistry with Science
- Commerce with Business Studies
- English
- Geography with Social Studies
- Health with HPE
- History with Social Studies
- International Languages
- Mathematics
- Music
- Outdoor and Environmental Education with HPE
- Performing Arts
- Physical Education with HPE
- Physics with Science
- Te Reo Māori
- Technology
- Visual Arts
Secondary Education — additional subjects
For our secondary teacher qualifications, you will also need to choose an additional teaching subject, for which you have a background of study to 100 or 200-level (depending on the subject).
Additional teaching subjects are usually junior subjects (years 7—10), these include:
- Business Studies
- English
- HPE (Health and PE)
- International Languages
- Mathematics
- Music
- Performing Arts
- Science
- Social Studies
- Te Reo Māori
- Technology
- Visual Arts
Additional senior social sciences subject are only available where junior Social Studies is already part of your specialist teaching subject:
- Geography Yrs 11—13
- History Yrs 11—13
- Classical Studies Yrs 11—13
Additional senior Health, OE, and PE subjects are only available where junior HPE is already part of your specialist teaching subject:
- Health Yrs 11—13
- Outdoor and Environmental Education Yrs 11—13
- Physical Education Yrs 11—13
Additional senior sciences subjects are only available where junior Science is already part of your specialist teaching subject:
- Biology Yrs 11—13
- Chemistry Yrs 11—13
- Physics Yrs 11—13
To specialise in any of the above teaching subjects, you will need to take one of:
- TECS336 Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment 4: Additional teaching subject for junior secondary
- TECS337 Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment 5: Additional teaching subject for senior secondary
If you do not have the background for one of these additional teaching subjects, you can take one course from these options, or an approved course elsewhere at UC.
If you are in the Alternate Entry Pathway and do not have an additional teaching subject, you will instead take TECS347.
Domestic students
2024 tuition fee estimate: $8,435 (150 points)
2025 tuition fee estimate: $8,942 (150 points)
International students
2024 Special Programme Fee: $31,500 (150 points)
2025 Special Programme Fee: $33,000 (150 points)
2026 Special Programme Fee: $34,625 (150 points)
Graduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning
Further study
You may choose to go onto postgraduate studies which further examine the role of teaching in children's lives and the ways and methods in which they learn, or critically analyse educational policies and systems of practice.
Graduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning
Career ready
- You will gain transferable skills like management, communication, responsibility, and organisation.
- Graduates have gained positions throughout all levels of schooling in Aotearoa.
- Meet Matatū Aotearoa | Teaching Council of New Zealand graduating teachers’ standards requirements and are eligible to apply for registration as a teacher in Aotearoa.
Useful information:
- Read what other UC postgraduate students have gone on to achieve in their studies and careers in our student stories.
- Te Rōpū Rapuara | UC Careers can help you to achieve the career you want, connect with employers, or find a job.
- For research into career destinations by qualification, visit Te Pōkai Tara | Universities New Zealand website.
- Find out more about what can you do with a degree from UC.
- Come along to an upcoming information event for prospective postgraduate students.
Example degree structure diagram
Each block represents a 15-point course. However, some courses may be 30 points or more.
This diagram is an example only – other combinations are possible. For specific course requirements, see the Regulations for the Graduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning.
