Start your teaching career
Become a primary school teacher and help Aotearoa New Zealand’s tamariki and rangatahi learn, develop, and grow.
This Master’s degree gives you the essential knowledge and practical skills for your teaching career. You’ll study on campus, gain practical teaching experience in a classroom each week, and expand your experience with two full-time block placements in a host school.
By taking this degree, you’re making a professional commitment to the teaching profession, to your future students, and to their whānau. You’ll graduate ready to teach in New Zealand’s primary schools and be qualified to register as a teacher with the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand.
Preparing for a teaching qualification
To become a primary school teacher, you first need to complete a Bachelor’s degree, before completing either the MTchLrn(Primary) or the Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Primary).
When planning your Bachelor’s degree, choose subjects that reflect your teaching goals—whether that’s a topic you’d like to specialise in, or areas relevant to learning and child development. Courses in Māori or Pasifika cultures are also valuable, as is speaking te reo Māori.
Our School of Education has more information about planning your undergraduate degree.
Who can study for the MTchLrn(Primary)
The MTchLrn(Primary) is a good choice if you want to become a teacher and learn ‘on the job’ with a year in school. You’ll need to commit to full-time study on campus.
You can apply if you have a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent, with an average of B or better.
You need to be competent in English and mathematics to enrol
You need English and mathematics skills to enrol in initial teacher education (ITE) programmes in New Zealand. In practice, this means that before entry to the degree:
- if English isn’t your first language or if you’re applying from overseas, you’ll need to provide evidence as outlined by the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand
- you need to achieve a score of at least 690 on the Literacy and Numeracy for Adults Assessment Tool (LNAAT)—equivalent to New Zealand's NCEA Level 2 in mathematics.
All students must do the LNAAT test even if they already have NCEA Level 2 mathematics.
These are requirements from the New Zealand Teaching Council.
What you’ll learn
The MTchLrn(Primary) mixes coursework with practical teaching experience in the classroom. This classroom experience will likely be in two host schools in the Wellington region.
The MTchLrn(Primary) course content is based on the New Zealand Curriculum. You will learn the principles and theories of teaching and learning to support learners of all backgrounds and abilities.
Part 1
In the first half of the programme, you’ll learn:
- models and frameworks to help you understand and adapt to different learning contexts
- language-learning strategies to help you develop your skills in te reo Māori
- how to create and present learning and teaching plans to develop your understanding of design for learning
- how to establish and maintain environments that promote and encourage students to learn
- technological and other challenges facing the teaching profession
- professional digital competence related to your teaching practice.
Part 2
In the second half, you’ll:
- analyse education in the context of the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand’s Code and Standards—the expectations for the teaching profession
- use practical teaching experience to develop your independence, adaptive expertise, and ability to cope with complex learning and teaching situations
- research a challenge facing the teaching profession, with a focus on Pacific learners, and how the subject contributes to dealing with social and environmental issues
- continue to focus on design for learning, deepening your understanding of assessment practices.
How you’ll study
The Master of Teaching and Learning (Primary) is an 11-month full-time programme that mixes study with significant practical experience in the classroom. You cannot study for this degree part-time.
The study experience
Each week, you’ll spend 40 to 50 hours on study and your placement. We teach courses over three trimesters between February and late November or early December.
Most of your classes are taught on campus. You’ll need to attend these classes in person—this programme is not available for online study. You’ll also have to attend campus in person for the Ngā Mihi (welcome and orientation) and Wānanga (celebration) periods.
All students will be supported by a professional learning community and an academic mentor.
International study experience
If you’re an international student, your in-classroom study experience is organised differently. Because of New Zealand’s visa requirements for international students, the University and your host schools have to organise mentoring after you arrive. This means your in-classroom time takes place in designated ‘blocks’, rather than in a continuous period throughout the year.
Although your classroom experience is structured differently, you’re not missing out—you will gain equivalent work-experience benefits as our domestic students. See the next section for details.
Learn in the classroom
As well as studying on campus, you’ll spend part of each week in the classroom. This experience develops your skills and helps you see how theory and practice are interlinked in your development as a teacher.
You’ll gain your classroom experience mainly in your host school, where you spend the equivalent of three to four days a week with a mentor teacher in a classroom. You also spend six weeks in another school to gain experience in a different context. Across the year, some of your school experience involves full-time blocks of teaching.
The Education Professional Practice and Partnerships Office arranges these placements for you.
Learn in the classroom
You’ll gain practical experience with three professional practice placements that develop your skills and demonstrate how theory and practice interconnect in your development as a teacher.
These placements are delivered in three compulsory full-time blocks:
- a one-week block in early March
- a seven-week block in early May
- eight weeks starting in mid-August.
The Education Professional Practice and Partnerships Office arranges these placements for you.
Two pathways to primary teaching
We offer two pathways into primary school teaching in Aotearoa New Zealand: the Master of Teaching and Learning (Primary) and the Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Primary).
Both include the same essential coursework and in-classroom experience, so either can qualify you to teach.
The Master’s must be studied full time on campus. It goes deeper into theory, combining school-based training with research-informed practice.
The Diploma, meanwhile, is more flexible and can be studied part time and partly online.
Qualification support and advice
We can help you match your interests and career goals with the right course of study.
If you’re a new student, talk to a Future Student Adviser through our enquiry form.
If you’re already studying with us, talk to Tītoko—Student Success.
For the research portion of your study, you’ll need a supervisor to help guide your research. Your programme coordinator will work with you to find the right person.
Get accepted into this programme
Entry requirements for domestic students
- Requirements for students who completed university in:
If you live in New Zealand and are a citizen or permanent resident of New Zealand or Australia, you're considered a domestic student.
Some citizens of the Cook Islands, Niue, and Tokelau may automatically hold New Zealand citizenship.
Diplomatic residents living in New Zealand are also regarded as domestic students.
To be accepted into this qualification, you need:
1. Before enrolment, a candidate for the MTchLrn(Primary) degree shall have:
(a) completed a Bachelor’s degree at an academic level appropriate for postgraduate study, or an appropriate postgraduate qualification;
(b) a suitable academic foundation and intellectual ability for teaching all subjects in the curriculum for primary schools;
(c) demonstrated the qualities necessary for a satisfactory teacher; and
(d) been accepted by the Associate Dean (Teacher Education) as a candidate for this degree.
Additional requirements for teacher education qualifications
Applications for teacher education qualifications include additional requirements. You'll need to meet these to be accepted into the MTchLrn(Primary).
Qualification requirements
Excerpt from the regulations for the MTchLrn(Primary)
2. The course of study for the Master of Teaching and Learning (Primary) shall comprise all the courses in the schedule.
3. A candidate shall normally be enrolled for one year and shall complete the requirements of the Master of Teaching and Learning (Primary) within two years of first enrolling for it. The associate dean may extend this maximum period in special circumstances. A candidate who wishes to take a leave of absence from the programme requires the approval of the associate dean.
4. The associate dean may cancel the enrolment of a candidate whose progress is unsatisfactory.
5. No aegrotat passes may be credited to this degree.
Future careers
This degree prepares you to register as a teacher and apply for a provisional practising certificate with the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand. From there, you can apply for positions in New Zealand schools, including Kura Kaupapa Māori.
Employment prospects are strong—primary teachers are in demand, particularly in rural schools, and teachers who speak te reo Māori are highly valued.
MTchLrn(Primary) graduates may also start on a higher salary than those with other teaching qualifications.
More career information
Find out more about careers in teaching.
The government careers website, Tahatū, offers more information about jobs, salaries, and current opportunities.
Scholarships
You may be able to get a scholarship to help fund your studies.
We have postgraduate and doctoral scholarships available, as well as specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas. If nothing fits right now, something may suit you later.
We encourage you to apply. It’s a straightforward process, and it could make a real difference.
Scholarships for Education
-
This scholarship has been established by a gift from Autism New Zealand to further its mission to empower the autistic and wider autism communities. The scholarship is designed to support Education and Educational Psychology Master’s by thesis students to undertake research evaluating early support for Autistic children.
-
This scholarship is open to any undergraduate or postgraduate student who is currently enrolled full-time in a degree majoring in Education. The scholarship will be awarded on the basis of academic merit, but where more than one top applicant consideration will be given to applicants experiencing financial hardship.
Scholarships for international students
We are currently offering a NZ$10,000 VUW Postgraduate International Scholarship to all eligible international students enrolling in a Master’s degree or Postgraduate Diploma programme.
Your scholarship will be processed automatically when your programme application is accepted, and the amount will be deducted from your tuition fees.
Other scholarships
We also have postgraduate and doctoral scholarships available, as well as specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas. If nothing fits right now, something may suit you later.
We encourage you to apply. It’s a straightforward process, and it could make a real difference.
Scholarships for Education
-
This scholarship has been established by a gift from Autism New Zealand to further its mission to empower the autistic and wider autism communities. The scholarship is designed to support Education and Educational Psychology Master’s by thesis students to undertake research evaluating early support for Autistic children.
-
This scholarship is open to any undergraduate or postgraduate student who is currently enrolled full-time in a degree majoring in Education. The scholarship will be awarded on the basis of academic merit, but where more than one top applicant consideration will be given to applicants experiencing financial hardship.
Join our postgraduate community
The Postgraduate Students’ Association provides a voice for you on campus and information on studying at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
Postgraduate Students’ Association
MAI ki Pōneke
MAI ki Pōneke are part of an international network of Māori and Indigenous postgraduate students. They provide advice, support, and information to Indigenous postgraduate students of all levels, as well as those thinking about enrolling.
Why Wellington
The University’s local education networks place you with excellent schools and connect you to a strong professional community.
As the capital, Wellington also puts you close to national education agencies and policy organisations, giving you direct insight into educational leadership and policy in action.
Thanks to the city’s compact size, your placements, campus, and professional connections are all within easy reach—and that same network often leads to employment once you graduate.
Study for a PhD
If you do well in your Master’s degree and show an aptitude for advanced research, you’ll be able to apply to do a PhD. You’ll carry out original and sustained research under supervision from world-class academics in the School of Education.
PhD candidates are supported by the Faculty of Graduate Research.
Get help to manage your finances
We can help you:
- budget your money
- manage your student loan or allowance
- work out your accommodation payment schedule.
If you’re facing financial difficulties, we can help you apply for the Hardship Fund.
You may be eligible for government or community support, too.
Apply for a New Zealand study visa
You’ll need to apply for a study visa if you plan to study with us as an international student.
You should apply for your visa after you’ve received your Offer of Place, and before you come to New Zealand.