Not available to international students
This qualification may not be suitable for international students because:
- it’s only offered part time
- it’s delivered online or by distance
- the content is focused on the New Zealand context.
If you have questions or would like to explore other options, contact the International Office.
Take your tertiary teaching further
The Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education Learning and Teaching (PGDipHELT) extends the 60-point PGCertHELT to 120 points. It gives you more scope to deepen your practice and enhance the learning experience in your courses.
Study flexibly, in modules that connect to the teaching work you already do, so you can take part without significantly adding to your workload.
You’ll engage with key higher education theories and use reflective practice to improve learning, teaching, and curriculum design.
Who can study for this qualification
You can study for the PGDipHELT if you have a Bachelor’s degree with Honours or an equivalent qualification. PhD candidates and people from outside the University are also welcome, and PhD candidates may be able to use relevant coursework as credit toward the PhD.
Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington covers course fees for permanent staff who are New Zealand citizens or permanent residents. You’ll still need to pay the student levy.
What you’ll learn
The PGDipHELT builds on the Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education Learning and Teaching by going deeper into the theory and practice of learning and teaching.
You’ll complete nine core courses that include:
- theories of teaching
- how students learn
- giving and receiving feedback
- what it means to teach in Aotearoa New Zealand.
You’ll critically examine educational research methodologies and practices. You may undertake an independent research investigation of a learning or teaching question.
You'll also study elective courses worth 15 points. This can be made up of three five-point courses, which may cover:
- developing a teaching philosophy
- Mātauranga Māori in teaching
- assessment design in the AI era
- effective communication for teaching.
How you’ll study
Study is part time only, so you’ll be able to take courses at your own pace. You can take one course per trimester over four to five years.
Courses are offered in various formats, including:
- in-person active learning spread over six weeks
- intensive block courses with all sessions in one week
- online-only self-directed learning.
All the courses are graded on a pass/fail basis.
If you are interested in cohort-based experiences, contact the Centre for Academic Development (CAD). We can arrange customised course offerings for groups of eight or more—ideal for teams who are developing new programmes or courses, or who want to learn together.
Email CAD: CAD-contact@vuw.ac.nz
Delivered by the Centre for Academic Development
Te Kōtuinga Mātauranga—Centre for Academic Development supports our University community to pursue learning and teaching excellence.
Entry requirements
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. (a) Before enrolment, a candidate for the PGDipHELT shall have:
(i) completed a Bachelor’s degree with Honours or equivalent; and
(ii) been accepted by the director of the Centre for Academic Development as capable of completing the proposed course of study.
(b) Requirement (a)(i) may be waived by the Director, the Associate Dean (Students) of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences for a candidate who has had extensive professional or scholarly experience of an appropriate kind.
Qualification requirements
Excerpt from the requirements for the PGDipHELT
2. Except as provided in section 4, the course of study for the PGDipHELT shall consist of courses worth 120 points, including HELT 530–535, Portfolios for Professional Practice (HELT 539), HELT 540, HELT 541; and 15 further points from the PGCertHELT and PGDipHELT Schedule.
3. (a) A candidate for the PGDipHELT shall normally be enrolled for at least four trimesters and shall complete the diploma within eight years of first enrolling in the PGCertHELT or PGDipHELT.
(b) The director of the Centre for Academic Development, or the Associate Dean (students) of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences may extend the maximum periods in (a) in special cases.
(c) A candidate who has been awarded a PGCertHELT is required to abandon that qualification upon being awarded a PGDipHELT.
Future careers
You'll gain skills in learning, teaching, and curriculum design, which are useful in education roles here at the University and beyond.
More career information
The government careers website, Tahatū, offers more information about jobs, salaries, and current opportunities.
Contact us
Kathryn Sutherland
Professor
Stephen Marshall
Director