Become a secondary school teacher
Change a young person’s life—become a teacher with one of our secondary-school teaching qualifications.
You’ll develop a strong understanding of the theory behind positive educational experiences for young people. You’ll then put that learning to use with placements in Aotearoa New Zealand classrooms, so you gain practical experience in planning and delivering lessons.
Once you graduate, you can formally register as a teacher in Aotearoa. You’ll be ready to start helping rangatahi (young people) develop the knowledge, skills, and qualities they need for success in their lives.
Choose your study path
We offer two ways to qualify as a secondary school teacher in Aotearoa: the Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Secondary), and the Master of Teaching and Learning (Secondary).
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 (Secondary)—GDipTchg(Secondary)
This is a good choice if you’re already working and want to qualify as a secondary school teacher. Studying full time, you’ll complete six courses over 10 months, including 16 weeks in the classroom. If you study part time, you can take up to two years to complete the Diploma.
To enrol in the Diploma, you need an undergraduate degree in any subject.
Master of Teaching and Learning (Secondary)—MTchLrn(Secondary)
Choose the MTchLrn(Secondary) 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.
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 secondary 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 teaching qualification from the University, your employment prospects are good. Aotearoa has a shortage of secondary teachers, especially in rural areas, in schools with special language or cultural needs, or Māori‑medium schools. Teachers who speak te reo Māori are in high demand.
Most teachers in Aotearoa are employed in state or state‑integrated schools. There are also private schools, but their hiring dynamics might be different. A secondary teacher 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.
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.
Philippa and Morvyn Williams Scholarship
The Philippa and Morvyn Williams Scholarship is available to female postgraduate students of Māori descent.
TeachNZ Scholarships
TeachNZ Scholarships are available to support you on your journey to become a great teacher.
Scholarships for teachers
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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.
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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 teachers
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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.
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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.
Prepare for your teaching career
To complete a formal teaching qualification—and become a confident, effective teacher—you need to be self-aware, intellectually curious, and passionate about learning. You also need cultural awareness, integrity, leadership, and the ability to work well with others.
You can build some of these qualities before you start your teaching qualification, or alongside it as you study, through work and experience such as:
- working directly with children and young people—as a teacher aide, in childcare or a school holiday programme, or through community or youth work
- building practical experience and leadership skills—through internships, part-time work, or volunteering, as well as leadership programmes like Wellington Plus or the Wellington International Leadership Programme (WILP).
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.