Master of Teaching and Learning
MTchgLn
Overview
The Master of Teaching and Learning (MTchgLn) is an initial teacher education (ITE) qualification. It is an exciting option for graduates seeking to become primary or secondary teachers and who wish to distinguish themselves with a postgraduate qualification.
This professional Master’s will equip participants with enhanced research-based knowledge and inquiry skills, experiences of contemporary educational theory, and professional practice so they can become teachers with the expertise essential to schools in the 21st century. It is also an ideal pathway for those who have a particular interest in and commitment to supporting learning for diverse learners in mainstream schools, including Māori and Pasifika children and youth, learners for whom English is a second language, and those who experience special learning needs.
Students in the MTchgLn complete the requirements for the Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning (PGDipTchgLn) and an additional 30-point teaching research course. The degree is endorsed in either Primary Education or Secondary Education, and both are internationally recognised professional qualifications. Students will meet Matatū Aotearoa | Teaching Council of New Zealand teaching standards, and will be able to apply for registration and certification with the teaching council as a school teacher.
The programme benefits from the 135-year tradition of quality teacher education and educational research conducted in Te Rāngai Ako me te Hauora | College of Education, Health and Human Development. UC is ranked in the top 200 universities in the world for Education and Training (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2020).
Applicants for the MTchgLn programme need a degree in a disciplinary field appropriate to teaching and learning in Aotearoa New Zealand, with either:
- a bachelor’s degree or a bachelor’s degree with honours with a B+ Grade Point Average or better
- a master's degree
- approval from the Dean of Education and Health Sciences of successful prior academic performance that demonstrates an ability for postgraduate-level study
You will also need to have English language ability and demonstrate literacy and numeracy competence that meets the requirements set out by Matatū Aotearoa | Teaching Council of New Zealand, and meet the requirements stipulated in the Children’s Act 2014.
For the Secondary endorsement, students will need a body of knowledge from their previous studies in a subject relevant to the Aotearoa New Zealand secondary school curriculum eg, English, physics, geography, etc.
Students who completed their entry qualification overseas, and who intend to become registered teachers in Aotearoa, are advised that Matatū Aotearoa 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.
Selection process
The MTchgLn has one intake each January. Selection for entry is based on:
- academic ability, involvement and interest in working with children and youth, 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
As places are limited we strongly recommend that you apply for programme entry as early as possible. Applications are open any time, and close mid-December before the start of the programme in late January, or when places are filled (whichever comes first).
For more details on entry requirements and the teacher education application process see the Guide to Applying.
The MTchgLn delivery model is designed as a school-university community of practice. It is undertaken within a digitally enriched learning environment that reflects and supports modern learning pedagogies that are necessary for current and future professional practice in education.
The MTchgLn is an intensive, professional preparation programme comprised of 180 points, over one calendar year (January–December). It involves:
- Part I: 150 points of coursework based on courses in the Postgraduate Diploma of Teaching and Learning schedule for your Primary or Secondary Education endorsement
- Part II: 30 points of core courses taken as a single cohort of MTchgLn students
Part I must be completed with a B Grade Point Average or better before moving onto Part II.
The period of enrolment for a full-time student is 1 year. Part-time enrolment is not permitted for this degree.
Learning on placement
Students will have professional practice experiences in two different schools.
The first semester placement will be completed in a local primary or secondary school context, and consist of one week of school observation early in the semester, followed by a seven week practice intensive.
In the second semester, students complete a seven-week practice intensive at a different school. They also have an opportunity to experience one week in another school context.
The MTchgLn is made up of two parts that comprise a total of 180 points, involving core coursework and courses towards an endorsement.
Part I must be completed with a B Grade Point Average or better before moving onto Part II.
Part I
Students complete 150 points from the following course lists depending on their chosen endorsement. These courses are from the Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning schedule.
Compulsory courses (both Primary and Secondary Education endorsements)
- TEPI 413 Professional Learning and Inquiry 1
- TEPI 415 Understanding Every Learner: Intercultural and Inclusive Education
- TEPI 416 Tō tātou reo, ā tātou tikanga
- TEPI 614 Professional Learning and Inquiry 2
- TEPP 413 Teaching Professional Practice 1
- TEPP 414 Teaching Professional Practice 2
Primary Education endorsement
- TECP 423 Literacy and Mathematics for Primary School Teaching
- TECP 424 Curriculum 2: Teaching and Learning in, through and about Health and Physical Education and the Arts
- TECP 425 Curriculum 3: Exploring Science and Technology through Collaborative Design
- TECP 426 Curriculum 4: Learning Languages and Social Sciences in Diverse School and Community Settings
Secondary Education endorsement
- TECS 433 Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment 1: Teaching subject for junior secondary
- TECS 434 Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment 2: Teaching subject for senior secondary
- TECS 435 Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment 3: Contemporary Developments in Secondary Education
Secondary students will also need to meet requirements for one of the following teaching subjects:
- English
- Mathematics
- Science (Physics, Biology, or Chemistry)
- Social Studies (History, Geography, Economics, or Classical studies)
- Te Reo Māori
- The Arts (Music, Drama, Art)
- Technology (Digital Technology, Food Technology, Materials Technology)
- Learning Languages (French, German, Chinese, Japanese)
- Health and Physical Education (Health, P.E, Outdoor Education)
To specialise in these teaching subjects, you will need to take one of:
- TECS 436 Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment 4: Additional teaching subject for junior secondary
- TECS 437 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 a course from the Primary Education endorsement schedule above, or an approved course elsewhere at UC.
Because the MTchgLn is an initial teacher education programme, these postgraduate programmes are the most relevant further study for a graduate:
- Postgraduate Certificate in Education
- Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
- Postgraduate Diploma in Education (with endorsement options in e-Learning and Digital Technologies in Education, Hōaka Pounamu: Te Reo Māori Bilingual and Immersion Teaching, Inclusive and Special Education, Leadership, Literacy, and Teaching and Learning Languages)
- Master of Education (with endorsement options in e-Learning and Digital Technologies in Education, Curriculum and Pedagogy, Hōaka Pounamu: Te Reo Māori Bilingual and Immersion Teaching, Inclusive and Special Education, Leadership, Literacy, and Teaching and Learning Languages)
- Master of Specialist Teaching
- Master of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
- Doctor of Education
- Doctor of Philosophy
Successful graduates meet the requirements for provisional teacher registration with Matatū Aotearoa | Teaching Council of New Zealand.
Teaching graduates are employed in teaching and management positions in a range of 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, organisation, and leadership 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.
- 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 you can do with a degree from UC.
- Come along to an upcoming information event for prospective postgraduate students.
See Tuition Fee Structure for more information
Year | Points | Info | Fees (NZD) |
2020 | 180 | Banded Fee - total tuition fee dependent on course selection | $11,303 |
2021 | 180 | Banded Fee - total tuition fee dependent on course selection | $11,427 |
Year | Points | Info | Fees (NZD) |
2020 | 180 | Special (Set) Programme Fee | $46,050 |
2021 | 180 | Special (Set) Programme Fee | $39,000 |
Contact us
See more information about our Initial Teacher Education programmes.
For full requirements, see the Regulations for the Master of Teaching and Learning.
For study planning help, contact our Student Advisor team.
For more information on facilities, resources, and staff, see Te Rāngai Ako me te Hauora | College of Education, Health and Human Development.
For more general information, email info@canterbury.ac.nz or freephone 0800 VARSITY (827 748).