Why Study "Bachelor of Education"

The Bachelor of Education (BEd) at the University of Waikato is a 480-point, four-year degree administered by Te Kura Toi Tangata | School of Education. It is important for international students to note that this qualification is not a professional teaching qualification and does not by itself lead to teacher registration in New Zealand. The University currently indicates that the programme is restricted to students who qualify for specified credit/exemption pathways, and there was no new intake into the programme in 2026.

• Level of study: Bachelor's Degree
• Qualification: Bachelor of Education (BEd)
• Study area: Education
• School: Te Kura Toi Tangata | School of Education
• Duration: 4 years full-time
• Total points: 480 points
• Standard start dates listed on the qualification page: March and July
• Main location historically/currently associated with the BEd: Hamilton
• Current programme status is particularly important: the 2026 regulations state that there is no new intake and enrolment is limited to candidates eligible for specified exemptions/credit.

Key Benefits

The BEd provides a broad academic and professional-education foundation, allowing students to explore education, learning, teaching, curriculum, development and educational contexts. However, international students should distinguish this degree from the University’s Bachelor of Teaching, which is the programme specifically designed as a professional teaching qualification.

• 480-point undergraduate qualification providing substantial study in Education.
• Study within the University of Waikato's School of Education.
• Opportunity to study education-related subjects covering learning, teaching, curriculum and educational contexts.
• Education study at Waikato benefits from the University's internationally recognised education research environment.
• Waikato is ranked among the top 250 universities worldwide for Education in the QS World University Rankings.
• The BEd can be relevant for students interested in education-related academic, support, policy, development or non-registration career pathways.
• Students whose goal is to become a registered teacher should consider the Bachelor of Teaching rather than the BEd.

Program Structure

The Bachelor of Education requires 480 points and normally takes four years to complete. University regulations require students to complete an approved programme of study and the Professional Education major. At least 300 points must be above 100 level and at least 105 points must be above 200 level.

• Total: 480 points
• Normal duration: 4 years
• Study levels: 100, 200 and 300 level
• Minimum points above 100 level: 300
• Minimum points above 200 level: 105
• Major: Professional Education
• The detailed programme is governed by the School/Division of Education's approved programme requirements.
• The field of the degree includes education-related papers such as:
  • Education
  • Education and Society
  • Educational Studies
  • Digital Learning
  • M?ori Education
  • Human Development
  • Curriculum and education-related studies
  • Teaching and professional experience papers where applicable
• The University's regulations also identify approved technology-related papers that can contribute to particular education pathways.

Discipline / Specialisation

The BEd regulations identify Professional Education as the major and historically provide programme pathways including Early Childhood, Primary, Qualified Teachers and Secondary. However, the current regulations also state that the BEd is restricted to candidates eligible for specified exemptions/previous-study credit, so these pathways should not be interpreted as currently available new-entry specialisations.

• Professional Education – core major.
• Historical/approved programme areas include:
  • Early Childhood
  • Primary
  • Qualified Teachers
  • Secondary
• The qualification's field incorporates a wide range of Education and related papers.
• For students seeking an initial professional teaching qualification, the University currently promotes the Bachelor of Teaching, available in Early Childhood and Primary pathways, rather than the BEd.

Programme Highlights

The programme is positioned within Waikato's School of Education, which combines education teaching, research and professional learning. The University's current Education and Teaching offerings emphasise connections with schools, educational research and professional practice.

• University of Waikato Education is ranked among the world's top 250 in the QS subject rankings.
• Four-year, 480-point academic degree.
• Strong focus on education theory, learning, teaching and educational contexts.
• Access to education-related research and academic expertise.
• Hamilton is the principal location associated with the BEd.
• The qualification should not be confused with the Bachelor of Teaching.
• The current programme status makes this qualification unsuitable as a normal new-entry option unless the applicant meets the specific exemption/credit requirements.

Career Outcomes

Because the BEd is not a teacher-registration qualification, graduates should not assume that completing it alone qualifies them to work as a registered school teacher in New Zealand. Potential career directions can include education-related roles outside direct registered teaching, particularly where employers value knowledge of education, learning and educational systems.

Possible career areas may include:

• Education programme support
• Education administration
• Learning and development
• Educational support services
• Community education
• Education policy and programme support
• Curriculum or learning support roles
• Education research assistance
• Training and development
• Further postgraduate study in Education or related fields

Students who specifically want to become registered teachers should consider the Bachelor of Teaching or an appropriate graduate/postgraduate teaching qualification instead.

Visa Requirements (International Students)

• A valid student visa must name the University of Waikato as the place of study.
• Students must normally maintain full-time enrolment and meet attendance and academic-progress requirements.
• Immigration New Zealand currently specifies NZD $20,000 per year as the living-cost funds requirement for tertiary students paying for themselves.
• Students must demonstrate ability to pay tuition fees or have an appropriate scholarship/financial support.
• Appropriate medical and travel insurance is compulsory.
• Waikato automatically enrols eligible international students in Studentsafe unless an approved alternative insurance policy is supplied.
• The University states that insurance must cover the relevant period of the student's student visa.
• Students should apply for the appropriate New Zealand student visa before travelling and allow sufficient processing time.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

• Current published qualification information still lists:
  • 480 points
  • 4 years
  • March and July start dates
• However, the regulations take precedence for admission status and specify restricted enrolment/no new 2026 intake.
• Applicants with previous relevant qualifications may be eligible for exemptions/credit of up to 240 points under the regulations, subject to University approval.
• General undergraduate international admission requires meeting both academic and English-language requirements; the University assesses international qualifications according to the applicant's country/region.
• General undergraduate English requirements include IELTS Academic 6.0 overall with no band below 5.5, or accepted alternatives such as TOEFL iBT 80 with writing 21, PTE Academic 50 with no communicative skill below 42, or Duolingo English Test 105 with no band below 95. Some programmes can have additional requirements.
• The University currently offers the Vice-Chancellor's International Excellence Scholarship of up to NZD $15,000 for eligible new international undergraduate and postgraduate students, including Education.
• Fees: The University calculates international tuition on a paper-by-paper basis, and its published international fee tables are indicative. A current specific BEd international tuition amount is not published in the University's current international fee table, so a definitive annual BEd fee should not be quoted for a new applicant while the programme has restricted/no-new-intake status.
• Additional costs for international students can include the Student Services Levy and compulsory medical/travel insurance.