Master of Teaching and Learning
- Degree Structure - Start In
- January
180
Overview
Master of Teaching and Learning
Introduction
The Master of Teaching and Learning 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 you with enhanced research-based knowledge and inquiry skills, experiences of contemporary educational theory, and professional practice so you can become a teacher 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.
The degree is endorsed in either Primary Education or Secondary Education, and both are internationally recognised professional qualifications. You 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.
Master of Teaching and Learning
What will my study involve?
- Chance to teach children and youth, and make a significant impact in their learning and development.
- Learn in a digitally enriched learning environment that reflects and supports modern learning pedagogies.
- Enhance your previous knowledge and incorporate it in an educational context.
- One-year programme including two professional placements with primary or secondary schools.
Master of Teaching and Learning
Entry requirements
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 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, you will need a body of knowledge from your previous studies in a subject relevant to the Aotearoa New Zealand secondary school curriculum eg, English, physics, geography, etc.
For the Primary endorsement, you will need to demonstrate your mathematics capability. Find out more about the proposed mathematics entry requirement for primary ITE programmes.
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 on 31 October for international applicants and 1 December for domestic applicants 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.
Master of Teaching and Learning
How do I plan my degree?
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 for your Primary or Secondary Education endorsement
- Part II: 30 points of compulsory courses taken by all 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.
For full requirements, see the Regulations for the Master of Teaching and Learning.
Learning on placement
You 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, you will complete a seven-week practice intensive at a different school. You also have an opportunity to experience one week in another school context.
Note:
Students enrolled in the MTchLn can exit with a Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning (PGDipTchLn) and not complete Part II of the MTchLn - this still leads to teacher registration. For anyone who does not successfully complete the placements, they cannot complete the MTchLn or PGDipTchLn, however may be eligible to exit with the Postgraduate Diploma in Education and Learning (which is not eligible for teacher registration).
Master of Teaching and Learning
Subjects and courses
The MTchgLn is made up of two parts that comprise a total of 180 points, involving compulsory 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
You will complete 150 points from the following course lists depending on your chosen endorsement. These courses are from the Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning schedule.
Compulsory courses (both Primary and Secondary Education endorsements)
- TEPI413 Professional Learning and Inquiry 1
- TEPI415 Understanding Every Learner: Intercultural and Inclusive Education
- TEPI416 Tō tātou reo, ā tātou tikanga
- TEPI614 Professional Learning and Inquiry 2
- TEPP413 Teaching Professional Practice 1
- TEPP414 Teaching Professional Practice 2
Primary Education endorsement
- TECP423 Literacy and Mathematics for Primary School Teaching
- TECP424 Curriculum 2: Teaching and Learning in, through and about Health and Physical Education and the Arts
- TECP425 Curriculum 3: Exploring Science and Technology through Collaborative Design
- TECP426 Curriculum 4: Learning Languages and Social Sciences in Diverse School and Community Settings
Secondary Education endorsement
- TECS433 Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment 1: Teaching subject for junior secondary
- TECS434 Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment 2: Teaching subject for senior secondary
- TECS435 Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment 3: Contemporary Developments in Secondary Education
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:
- TECS436 Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment 4: Additional teaching subject for junior secondary
- TECS437 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.
Part II
All MTchgLn students complete the following:
Domestic students
2024 tuition fee estimate: $12,276 (180 points)
2025 tuition fee estimate: $13,013 (180 points)
International students
2024 Special Programme Fee: $46,350 (180 points)
2025 Special Programme Fee: $48,600 (180 points)
2026 Special Programme Fee: $51,000 (180 points)
Master of Teaching and Learning
Further study
Because the MTchgLn is an initial teacher education programme, these postgraduate programmes are the most relevant further study:
- 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, Inclusive and Special Education, Leadership, Literacy, and Teaching and Learning Languages)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Hōaka Pounamu | Māori Bilingual and Immersion Teaching and Learning
- Master of Education (with endorsement options in e-Learning and Digital Technologies in Education, Curriculum and Pedagogy, Inclusive and Special Education, Leadership, Literacy, and Teaching and Learning Languages)
- Master of Education (Thesis)
- Master of Hōaka Pounamu | Māori Bilingual and Immersion Teaching and Learning
- Master of Specialist Teaching
- Master of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
- Doctor of Education
- Doctor of Philosophy
Master of Teaching and Learning
Career ready
- This Master’s programme is internationally recognised which can lead to overseas teaching opportunities.
- Gain transferrable skills such as management, communication, coordination, organisation, and leadership.
- Become a teacher with skills that are essential to schools in the 21st century including research-based knowledge and inquiry skills, experiences of contemporary education theory, and professional practice.
- Acquire expertise in teaching and learning for diverse learners in mainstream schools, Māori and Pasifika children and youth, English as second language learners, and special learning needs.
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 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 the Master of Teaching and Learning.
