Learn how education affects society
Explore education from early childhood development to youth issues, and from the history of education to politics today. Discover how we learn, and make connections between education, culture, and society.
Our courses analyse the way we educate our young people in Aotearoa New Zealand. You’ll gain the knowledge and skills to understand our education system and to work within it.
Once you graduate, you’ll have the knowledge and skills that lead to exciting, important work in a variety of public and private sector organisations.
Choose your study path
You can study Education as a major within your Bachelor of Arts (BA).
Through the degree, you will explore the science and politics of Education by learning:
- education theory, practice, and policy issues, and how inequalities shape young people's experience of education
- how people and groups work for fairer educational systems
- the philosophies and politics behind New Zealand's education system, including Māori education and Pacific education.
The BA offers a range of ways to structure your study and combine it with other subjects. For example, you can round out your degree with other courses helpful to careers in education, like:
- Indigenous Education, Māori Studies, Sāmoan Studies, or Pacific Education (Pacific Studies)
- Educational Psychology and Psychology
- Social Policy and Politics
- History
- Sociology
- Cultural Anthropology.
There’s more information on the Bachelor of Arts page—see the summary card below.
If you want to be a teacher
A BA with a major in Education is great preparation for future training as a teacher, but it is not a teacher training qualification. You need at least one more year of study to qualify to teach in New Zealand.
To become an early childhood teacher
There are two ways you can become an early childhood teacher with us:
- complete the 3-year Bachelor of Education (Teaching) Early Childhood
- complete an undergraduate degree (in any subject) and then gain the Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Early Childhood Education).
Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Early Childhood Education)
To become a primary- or secondary-school teacher
To train as a teacher, you need an undergraduate degree, and then to complete one of the following 1-year qualifications:
- Master of Teaching and Learning (Primary)
- Master of Teaching and Learning (Secondary)
- Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Secondary)
- Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Primary)
More information on becoming a teacher
TeachNZ has resources about training to become a teacher, the benefits, and how to find a job.
Becoming a teacher in New Zealand—TeachNZ
Here are some of our resources on preparing for a teaching career.
Degree 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.
If you’re already studying with us, talk to Tītoko—Student Success.
Study options
Find out how you can study Education at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
Future careers
A BA in Education leads to many careers based on the subjects you include in your degree.
Your studies in Education will give you knowledge and skills that are valuable for teaching, and for a wide range of jobs in the public and private sectors.
For example, your ability to analyse education problems and make strategic judgements leads naturally to work with New Zealand education agencies in shaping education policy.
More career information
Find out more about careers in education.
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 first-year and school-leaver 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.
TeachNZ scholarships
TeachNZ has hundreds of scholarships for those studying to become teachers.
Scholarships for Education
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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$15,000 VUW Undergraduate International Scholarship to all eligible international students enrolling in a Bachelor’s degree.
Your scholarship will be processed automatically when your programme application is accepted, and the amount will be deducted from your tuition fees.
TeachNZ scholarships
TeachNZ has hundreds of scholarships for those studying to become teachers.
Become a teacher scholarships—TeachNZ
Other scholarships
We also offer 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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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.
Postgraduate study
If you do well in your Bachelor of Arts (Education), think about continuing your studies at the postgraduate level.
A postgraduate qualification in Education deepens your knowledge of the education field in New Zealand and positions you for senior roles in a range of policy, research, and advocacy careers.
If you're interested in independent research, you could apply to become a PhD candidate.
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.
Wellington Global Exchange
If you're a current student at Victoria University of Wellington, you can complete part of your degree overseas. Choose from our 140 partner universities worldwide.
Study Abroad and Exchange Programme
If you're an overseas student, you can spend a trimester or a year at Victoria University of Wellington. You'll earn credits at your home university while you study here.