Change young lives as a primary school teacher
Change a child’s life—become a teacher with one of our graduate and postgraduate teaching qualifications. You’ll learn to be a confident, effective teacher in the classroom.
You’ll learn to create positive educational experiences for young people, and then put that knowledge into practice with teaching placements in Aotearoa New Zealand classrooms.
In a single year of full-time study, you’ll graduate ready to register as a New Zealand teacher. Start helping children develop the knowledge, skills, and qualities they need for success in their lives.
Choose your study path
The University offers two ways to qualify as a primary school teacher in New Zealand—the Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Primary) and the Master of Teaching and Learning (Primary).
You can complete either qualification in a single academic year, although the Master’s involves more contact hours and time in the classroom.
Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Primary)—GDipTchg(Primary)
This is a good choice if you’re already working and want to qualify as a primary school teacher. Studying full time, you’ll complete six courses over 10 months, including 17 weeks in the classroom. If you study part time, you can complete the Diploma in around two years.
To enrol in the Diploma, you need an undergraduate degree in any subject.
Master of Teaching and Learning (Primary)—MTchLrn(Primary)
Choose the MTchLrn(Primary) if you want to qualify as a teacher with a strong theoretical foundation, backed by real classroom experience. Studying full time, you’ll complete six courses over 11 months, including 35 weeks in the classroom.
To enrol in the Master’s, you need an undergraduate degree in any subject with a grade point average of 6.5 or above.
You need to be competent in English and mathematics to enrol
You need to have skills in English and mathematics to enrol in initial teacher education (ITE) programmes in New Zealand. In practice this means:
- 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
- before entry to the degree, 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.
This requirement is in line with the New Zealand Teaching Council’s requirements for mathematics and numeracy.
Study Education as an academic subject
If your interest in education lies outside the classroom, you can also study Education as an academic subject. You can major in Education in a Bachelor of Arts, or you can explore this subject at postgraduate level.
You’ll discover the relationships between education, culture, and society, and examine how these have changed over time. This field explores how we educate our young people, and how to make judgements about education.
Education graduates have many opportunities beyond the classroom. You could become:
- an adviser or researcher in curriculum development
- a learning and development specialist
- an educational psychologist (if you study Educational Psychology).
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.
Study options
Find out how you can study primary school teaching at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
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.
Future careers
With a postgraduate teaching qualification from the University, New Zealand's teaching landscape is open to you.
While overall demand varies by year, there’s consistent need for teachers in rural areas, Māori-medium schools, and schools with specific language or cultural needs. Teachers who speak te reo Māori are especially in demand.
Most New Zealand teachers work in state or state-integrated schools. Private schools also hire, but they sometimes have different hiring processes. A primary teaching qualification can lead to a career as a registered teacher in schools, Kura Kaupapa Māori, or alternative education providers.
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.
Philippa and Morvyn Williams Scholarship
The Philippa and Morvyn Williams Scholarship is available to female postgraduate students of Māori descent.
The Philippa and Morvyn Williams Scholarship
TeachNZ Scholarships
TeachNZ has scholarships to help you become a teacher.
Other scholarships
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
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The Takis Koutsos Memorial Scholarship was established by the friends and family of Takis Koutsos. Mr Koutsos was a post-WW II child immigrant to New Zealand from Greece who had a lifelong interest in Greek archaeology and history and was a close friend of VUW Emeritus Professor John Psathas, who worked as a stormwater engineer in Napier. The scholarship honours...
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The fund, which was established at the time of the renovation of the C3 lecture theatre, is to assist a second-year student from any faculty in their studies at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington
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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
-
The Takis Koutsos Memorial Scholarship was established by the friends and family of Takis Koutsos. Mr Koutsos was a post-WW II child immigrant to New Zealand from Greece who had a lifelong interest in Greek archaeology and history and was a close friend of VUW Emeritus Professor John Psathas, who worked as a stormwater engineer in Napier. The scholarship honours...
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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.
The NZQA may need to assess your previous qualification
If your previous academic qualification is from a country other than Aotearoa, the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) may need to assess it after you complete your teaching qualification to help decide your salary.
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.