Master of Teaching and Learning

Specific entry requirements

Applicants for the MTchgLn programme need to demonstrate that they have:

• qualified for a degree in a disciplinary field appropriate to teaching and learning in Aotearoa New Zealand, and have either a bachelor’s degree, or a bachelor’s degree with honours, or a master's degree; or
• been admitted ad eundem statum.

In addition applicants:

• are normally expected to have achieved a minimum of a B+ grade average in the 300-level courses in their major subject, and
• need to demonstrate academic literacy and digital literacy/ICT competence at a standard sufficient to independently engage with postgraduate study and professional work contexts.

For the Secondary endorsement, the entry qualification shall include courses to 300 or 400-level in a teaching subject appropriate to the secondary school curriculum.

Applicants to the Primary endorsement must demonstrate sufficient numeracy and scientific literacy to support curriculum development and learning in primary contexts.

Candidates who completed their entry qualification overseas, and who intend to become registered teachers in Aotearoa, are advised that the Education Council of Aotearoa New Zealand will require an assessment of their qualification by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA).

For the full entry requirements see the Regulations for the Master of Teaching and Learning.

For information on gaining admission to UC teacher education programmes please see the Guide to Applying.

Students for whom English is a second language are also required to meet the IELTS requirements for teacher education.

Selection process

The MTchgLn has one intake each January. Selection for entry is based on:

• academic ability, involvement and interest in working with children, community involvement, communication skills, 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.

How to apply

Applications open on 1 August and close four weeks prior to the start of the programme or when places are filled.

For more details on entry requirements and the teacher education application process see the Guide to Applying.

Learning on placement

Students will work in two different local partnership settings and schools that serve significant numbers of priority learners.

The first semester placement will be completed in a local early childhood setting, primary, or secondary school context, and consist of 1–2 days per week across the semester, as well as a three-week intensive experience where candidates will take leadership responsibility for teaching.

In the second semester students move to another local partnership school and complete a more intensive practice-based learning experience. This will include the 1–2 days per week, and seven weeks of increased responsibility for leading teaching and learning in a classroom.

Successful graduates meet the requirements for provisional teacher registration with the Education Council of Aotearoa New Zealand (EDUCANZ).

Teaching graduates are employed in teaching and management positions in a range of early childhood settings, primary, intermediate, middle and area schools, and secondary schools in Aotearoa New Zealand. Internationally recognised, many MTchgLn graduates also find work abroad.

Teaching skills of management, communication, coordination, responsibility, and organisation are prized by many professions such as management, policy and advocacy, publishing, politics, and business.

Useful information:

• Read what other UC postgraduate students have gone on to achieve in their studies and careers in our student and graduate profiles.
• Our Careers, Internships & Employment team can help you to achieve the career you want, connect with employers or find a job.
• For research into career destinations by qualification, visit the Universities New Zealand website.
• Find out more about what you can do with a degree from UC.
• Come along to an upcoming information event for prospective postgraduate students.