Master of Teaching and Learning

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, 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.

Vaccines required

The government has announced new vaccination requirements for the health and education sectors. This qualification requires students to undertake placements in the community, including in schools/kura, early childhood centres, or health/medical facilities.

For this qualification, you will be required to be vaccinated in line with the NZ Government regulations, and supply evidence of your vaccination status.

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.

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.

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)

• 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 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:

• 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:

• TEPI615 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, 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.