Teacher Education Degree Programs in New Zealand

State-of-the-art facilities and world-class faculty will provide you with an impressive and enjoyable learning environment at universities in New Zealand. You can study any type of education-related programs at these instutions, which will in turn give you insight into how the education systems function in other countries.

If you have recently completed or will soon be completing your undergraduate degree in an area other than teaching/education, you can gain a teacher qualification through one of three options:

Bachelor of Education (graduate entry) - 1.5-2 years

Graduate Diploma of Education - 1 year (equivalent to a teacher certificate program)

Masters of Teaching - 1.5 years

Primary and Secondary Teaching Programs are Available.

We recommend you aim to select the education degree program and university that fits best for you. First decide if you want to do Primary or Secondary teaching and then consider the type of university and location you would like to be in. This will help you narrow your options and begin researching the specific programs from a more defined list.

GlobaLinks Learning Abroad assists students with degree abroad opportunities at more than 35 universities in Australia, New Zealand and the U.K. Our expertise has developed from our well-established relationships with our partner universities and more than 20 years of sending students abroad. These top-ranked universities have appointed us to provide you with information on living and studying at their university, and we can easily refer you to the applications and details you need in order to apply to the universities of your choice. Enrollment is ultimately determined by each institution.

We are here to provide you with a list of bundled services, including help with your housing, travel and living abroad. We will be working with you from the time you begin your search for a program until you depart for your degree abroad.

Apply in 3 easy steps

Create a MyLearn Account

Search for degrees using our Degree Finder and download the university prospectuses to view the university profiles.

Complete and submit your application online and we will assist you through the pre-departure process.

Send all application materials to:

GlobaLinks Learning Abroad

Attn: Full Degree Dept.
12050 N. Pecos Street,

Suite 320
Westminster, CO 80234

Quick Links:

Primary Teacher Education Programs

Secondary Teacher Education Programs

Frequently Asked Questions

Teacher Registration and Transferability

Education and Teaching Degree Options in Australia

TEACHER EDUCATION DEGREE PROGRAMS - PRIMARY

University	Program	Duration	Intake	Apply Now
Massey University	Graduate Diploma of Teaching	1 year	Jan/July
University of Auckland	Graduate Diploma of Education	1 year	February
University of Canterbury	Graduate Diploma of Teaching & Learning	1.25 years	Feb/July
University of Otago	Graduate Diploma in Teaching	1 year	February
Victoria University of Wellington	Graduate Diploma in Teaching	1 year	January

TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAMS - SECONDARY AND TEACHABLE SUBJECT AREAS OFFERED

University	Program	Secondary Intake	Duration	Teachables	Apply Now
AUT University	Graduate Diploma of Education	Feb/July	1 year
Massey University	Graduate Diploma of Teaching	February	1 year	Social Studies, English, Music, Visual Arts, Health/Physical Education, Math, Science, Technology.
University of Auckland	Graduate Diploma of Teaching	February	1 year	The Arts (Art, Art History, Music, Drama), Social Sciences (Accounting, Economics, History, Geography, Social Studies), English/Languages, Math, Science (Biology, Physics, Chemistry), Physical Education/Health, and Technology.
University of Canterbury	Graduate Diploma of Teaching and Learning	Feb/July	1 year	Art, Computing Studies/ICT, Economics and ICT, Economics and Social Studies, English, Health Education, Maori Language, Math, Music, Outdoor/Environmental Education, PE, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, History, Geography, Classics
University of Otago	Graduate Diploma of Teaching	Feb/July	1 year
Victoria University of Wellington	Graduate Diploma in Teaching	February	1 year	Maths and Sciences (only those fields that are lacking in NZ and with the expectation that the student would stay in NZ)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What types of Teacher Education programs are available?
If you have not yet completed a bachelor's degree, you should apply for the Bachelor of Education, which is usually four years. If you already have a bachelor's degree (in an area other than education), you can choose from the following programs:

Graduate Diploma of Education – 1 year
Bachelor of Education–Graduate Entry – 1.5 to 2 years
Master of Teaching – 1.5 - 2 years

All programs are available for primary or secondary teaching. Not all programs are available at all universities.

What is the difference between a one and a two year program?
The difference is due to different regulations required to become teachers in each state of New Zealand, just as there are different requirements in the provinces of Canada or in the States of the U.S. The different program lengths reflect each state’s requirements for their teachers. We recommend you consider the program that best fits with your Provincial Teacher Registration or State Teacher Registration requirements for ease of transfer back to Canada or the U.S.

Do the programs include a teacher practicum?
Yes, all of the Teacher Education programs include lengthy practicum experience ranging from 40 to 100 days depending on the program and may also provide the opportunity for practicums in other countries, including South Africa, Fiji, China, and Malaysia.

Can I stay in New Zealand and teach after I complete my program?
Yes, you will be qualified to teach in the state or country in which you have completed your program.

Will the program transfer back to Canada or the U.S.?
A teaching qualification from New Zealand will allow you to register as a teacher in Canada or the U.S. To learn more about the registration process, we recommend you contact your Provincial College of Teachers or the Education Board in your state. Canadians, click HERE for links to information about the transferability of programs.

How much does a Teacher Education program cost?
Tuition costs range from CAD/USD 13,000 – 22,000, depending on your choice of program. We recommend you allow an additional CAD/USD 15,000 to cover living costs.

What is the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) Assessment and how will that affect my application?
With the exception of University of Auckland and University of Canterbury, for any student considering a teacher education program at a New Zealand university, the NZQA assesses your undergraduate degree to ensure it is of the same standard as a degree in New Zealand. In most cases the assessment can be completed at any time during your teacher education program.