Why Study/Key Benefits

• The programme combines research-informed education theory, critical inquiry and practical teaching experience.
• It is designed for graduates who want to qualify as primary or secondary school teachers.
• Students complete 80 days of professional practice in schools.
• The programme develops skills in:
  • Teaching and learning
  • Curriculum planning
  • Classroom practice
  • Communication
  • Critical thinking
  • Planning and design for learning
  • Intercultural and inclusive education
  • Culturally responsive teaching
  • Professional inquiry
• Students develop bicultural competence relevant to teaching in Aotearoa New Zealand.
• Both Primary and Secondary Education endorsements are internationally recognised professional qualifications.
• Successful graduates meet the relevant Teaching Council standards and are eligible to apply for teacher registration and certification in New Zealand. 

Programme Structure and Subjects/Topics

The programme has two main endorsement options: Primary Education and Secondary Education.

Common compulsory courses for all PGDipTchgLn students:

• TEPI413 – Professional Learning and Inquiry 1
• TEPI415 – Understanding Every Learner: Intercultural and Inclusive Education
• TEPI416 – T? t?tou reo, ? t?tou tikanga
• TEPI614 – Professional Learning and Inquiry 2
• TEPP413 – Teaching Professional Practice 1
• TEPP414 – Teaching Professional Practice 2.

Primary Education endorsement:

• TECP423 – Literacy and Mathematics for Primary School Teaching
• TECP424 – Curriculum 2: Teaching and Learning in, through and about Health and Physical Education and the Arts
• TECP425 – Curriculum 3: Exploring Science and Technology through Collaborative Design
• TECP426 – Curriculum 4: Learning Languages and Social Sciences in Diverse School and Community Settings.

Secondary Education endorsement:

• TECS433 – Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment 1: Teaching subject for junior secondary
• TECS434 – Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment 2: Teaching subject for senior secondary
• TECS435 – Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment 3: Contemporary Developments in Secondary Education.

Disciplines/Specialisations

Students choose either:

• Primary Education
• Secondary Education

For Secondary Education, UC currently lists the following specialist teaching subjects:

• Biology with Science
• Classical Studies with Social Studies
• Chemistry with Science
• Commerce with Business Studies
• English
• Geography with Social Studies
• Health with HPE
• History with Social Studies
• International Languages
• Mathematics
• Music
• Outdoor and Environmental Education with HPE
• Performing Arts
• Physical Education with HPE
• Physics with Science
• Te Reo Maori
• Technology
• Visual Arts.

Programme Highlights

• 150-point postgraduate professional teaching qualification.
• One-year full-time pathway.
• Primary and Secondary Education endorsements.
• 80 days of school-based professional practice.
• Research-informed and practice-based learning.
• Development of culturally responsive teaching capability.
• Strong focus on intercultural and inclusive education.
• Preparation against the Teaching Council's professional standards.
• Eligibility to apply for New Zealand teacher registration and certification after successful completion.
• Primary Education can be studied by distance, subject to the compulsory Christchurch On-site Intensive and professional-practice requirements.
• Secondary Education is primarily campus-based.
• Clear pathway to the Master of Teaching and Learning.

Career Outcomes

The principal career outcome is school teaching.

Graduates can be eligible to apply for registration and certification with the Teaching Council as:

• Primary school teachers
• Secondary school teachers

Other transferable career areas can include:

• Public sector
• Human services
• Publishing
• Education policy
• Advocacy
• Youth work
• Social work
• Training and education services

• Training and education services.

For Secondary Education, UC specifically identifies career possibilities in secondary teaching, public sector, human services and industry training.

Further study:

• Master of Teaching and Learning
• Master of Education
• Master of Education (Thesis)
• Master of Arts (Thesis) in Education.

The PGDipTchgLn can provide a pathway to the Master of Teaching and Learning. UC states that students who complete the diploma with the required performance can progress to the Master's, with an additional 30-point course completing the Master's qualification.

Latest Updates/Special Requirements

• The current 2026 regulations came into force on 1 January 2026.
• The programme was first offered in 2021.
• The current UC programme page lists the programme at 150 points with a February start.
• International applications close on 31 October.
• Places are limited and UC recommends applying early.
• A police check, interview, referees and literacy/numeracy assessments form part of the selection process.
• Professional practice in schools is compulsory.
• International students need to satisfy the Teaching Council's English-language competency rules rather than relying only on UC's ordinary postgraduate English requirement.
• Primary distance students must attend the Christchurch On-site Intensive.
• Professional placement requirements mean that students should plan carefully for their physical location and visa conditions.
• UC's teacher-education information is current as of 2026 and its 2027 prospectus is now available.

International Student Visa Requirements

For an international student undertaking the programme in New Zealand, the relevant visa is generally the Fee Paying Student Visa.

Immigration New Zealand currently requires:

• An offer of place from an approved education provider.
• Evidence of sufficient tuition funding or an applicable scholarship.
• Evidence of sufficient living funds or an acceptable sponsor.
• Acceptable medical and travel insurance.
• Meeting health and character requirements.
• Genuine intention to study.
• Evidence that the student can leave New Zealand at the end of the stay.