Master of Teaching and Learning

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, with either:
  1. a bachelor’s degree or a bachelor’s degree with honours with a B Grade Point Average or better
  2. a master's degree with a B- Grade Point Average or better
  3. approval from the Dean of Education and Health Sciences of successful prior academic performance that demonstrates an ability for postgraduate-level study
• academic literacy and digital literacy/ICT competence at a standard sufficient to independently engage with postgraduate study and professional work contexts
• English language ability that meets the requirements set out by Matatū Aotearoa | Teaching Council of New Zealand

For the Primary endorsement, students will need sufficient numeracy and scientific literacy to support curriculum development and learning in primary contexts.

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. Otherwise, their MTchgLn programme will include study approved by the Dean of Education and Health Sciences equivalent to 300-level in a teaching subject.

Students who completed their entry qualification overseas, and who intend to become registered teachers in Aotearoa, are advised that Matatū Aotearoa | Teaching Council of 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.

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

As places are limited we strongly recommend that you apply for programme entry as early as possible. Applications are open anytime, and close four weeks 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.

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 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.

Part I

Students complete the following course lists depending on their chosen endorsement.

Part I must be completed with a B Grade Point Average or better before moving onto Part II.

Primary

• TECP 423 Literacy and Mathematics for Primary School Teaching
• TECP 424 Teaching and Learning in, through and about Health and Physical Education and the Arts
• TECP 425 Exploring Science and Technology through Collaborative Design
• TECP 426 Learning Languages and Social Sciences in Diverse School and Community Settings

Secondary

• 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, either through prior degree study, or through an additional programme of study in their MTchgLn that is approved by the Dean of Education and Health Sciences:

• English
• Mathematics
• Science (Physics, Biology, or Chemistry)
• Social Studies (History, Geography, or Classics)
• Te Reo Māori
• Music

Part II

All MTchgLn students complete the following:

• TEPI 615 Research for Teaching

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, 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.
• 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.