Ako: Bachelor of Teaching and Learning
BTchLn
Duration
3 years full-time
Entry times
February
Scholarships
Pathways
Pathways include:
- Master of Education
- Doctor of Education
Download Brochure
Duration
3 years full-time
Entry times
February
Scholarships
Pathways
Pathways include:
- Master of Education
- Doctor of Education
Download Brochure
Overview
If you are inspired by the world around you and wish to make a positive difference in the lives of young people, then a career in teaching or education could be for you.
Teaching is a very rewarding and satisfying career in which you can make a real difference in children's lives and introduce them to the world of learning.
Ako: Bachelor of Teaching and Learning prepares you for a professional teaching career in whare kōhungahunga (early childhood) or kura tuatahi (primary) settings, with a choice of three endorsements:
- You will take Te Tiriti o Waitangi and te ao Māori courses in each endorsement, so you can incorporate bicultural knowledge and competence into teaching practices.
- Professional placements in schools, kura, and early childhood centres throughout the degree.
- Learn from lecturers who use the latest research in their teaching.
- Flexible study options — choose to study on campus in Ōtautahi Christchurch, or by distance, full-time or part-time.
You will need University Entrance (or equivalent) to enrol.
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 information and the selection process for our UC teacher education programmes, please see the Guide to Applying.
Selection process
The BTchLn has one intake each February. Selection for entry is based on:
- Involvement and interest in working with children, community involvement, and other personal qualities as outlined in the Guide to Applying
- a police check, referees' reports, and an interview
- a short literacy and numeracy test
- communication skills.
Those wanting to enrol in the Mātauranga Māori endorsement will also need to hui with the Endorsement Coordinator to determine the right starting point for you based on your level of te reo Māori.
How to apply
Applications are open throughout the year and close 1 December for domestic students, or 31 October for international students, to begin studies in February.
For more details on entry requirements and the teacher education application process, see the Guide to Applying.
Ako: Bachelor of Teaching and Learning – example degree structure
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Zero-points, zero-fees courses
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Compulsory courses
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Endorsement courses
Each small 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 Ako: Bachelor of Teaching and Learning.
Ako: Bachelor of Teaching and Learning is made up of a total 360 points:
- 75 points of compulsory teaching practice courses (plus one 0-point introductory course)
- 270 points of endorsement courses, which include te reo Māori courses each year
- 15-point Te Tiriti o Waitangi course.
You will complete your degree endorsed in either Early Childhood, Primary, or Mātauranga Māori.
Courses integrate online resources such as discussion forums, recorded lectures, and video tutorials. You will attend professional practice placements in schools, kura, or early childhood centres for up to ten weeks per year.
If you would like to study by distance you will typically need to attend up to two on-site intensives in Ōtautahi Christchurch, one of which is a two-week on-site intensive at the beginning of the programme. If you are enrolled at the Whakatū Nelson campus or are a member of the Rotorua ITE Hapori, you will instead complete a blended model of online and face-to face courses.
The degree takes 3 years of full-time study, or can be studied part-time for up to 6 years.
The BTchLn degree includes compulsory courses to introduce you to Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles and teaching placements, and a choice from three endorsements to focus your studies toward a particular career pathway as a kaiako (teacher).
See ‘How do I plan my degree?’ above for an example degree structure diagram.
Compulsory courses
Year 1
- AKOT100 Navigating Study at Tertiary Level - Being a Successful Learner (0-point course)
- AKOT101 Ngā Tāngata o Aotearoa: Te Mana o Te Tiriti o Waitangi
- AKOA161 Mana Ako: Practice Exploration 1
Year 2
Year 3
Endorsements
Postgraduate qualifications
- Postgraduate Certificate in Education
- Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
- Postgraduate Diploma in Education
- Master of Computer-Assisted Language Learning
- Master of Education
- Master of Education (Thesis)
- Master of Specialist Teaching
- Master of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
- Doctor of Education
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Meet the requirements to apply for provisional teacher registration with Matatū Aotearoa | Teaching Council of New Zealand.
- This degree was developed in partnership with iwi and educators to prepare new teachers to be creative and innovative leaders in the profession.
- You will gain skills such as management, collaboration, resilience, and problem-solving.
- Graduates have gone on to teaching and managing positions in early childhood centres, kura, primary, intermediate, middle, Māori medium, and area schools in Aotearoa New Zealand, and more.
Find out more about what you can do with a degree from UC.
See Tuition Fee Structure for more information
Contact us
See more information about our Initial Teacher Education programmes.
For the full degree requirements, see the Regulations for Ako: Bachelor of Teaching and Learning.
For study planning help, contact a Student Advisor.
For more information on facilities, resources, and staff, see Te Kaupeka Ako | Faculty of Education.
For more general information, email info@canterbury.ac.nz or freephone 0800 VARSITY (827 748).