Why Study / Key Benefits

• The qualification is specifically designed for people already involved in tertiary teaching, including university/polytechnic tutors, workshop leaders and trainers.
• It focuses on evidence-informed teaching practice rather than training students to become school teachers.
• Students examine current research on teaching and learning and learn to develop, justify and evaluate teaching approaches.
• Assessment is connected to the student's own teaching practice, allowing participants to apply what they learn directly to their professional environment.
• Key areas include learning frameworks, assessment and constructive alignment, course/learning design, teaching practice and scholarly approaches to evaluating teaching.
• UC describes the qualification as supporting academic career development, including preparation towards teaching awards and promotion.
• The programme also aims to create a community of practice in which tertiary educators share experiences and approaches to teaching.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The qualification consists of four compulsory 15-point courses:

1. HEDN411 – Teaching and Learning in Aotearoa
   • Explores tertiary teaching within the Aotearoa New Zealand context.
   • Includes consideration of teaching approaches and their relationship to educational and disciplinary contexts.
2. HEDN412 – Learning Environments
   • Focuses on the environments in which tertiary learning occurs.
   • Supports reflection on how learning environments can influence student engagement and learning.
3. HEDN413 – Teaching in Practice
   • Focuses on applying teaching principles to actual tertiary teaching practice.
   • Allows students to critically examine and develop their own teaching approaches.
4. HEDN414 – Course Design and Development
   • Focuses on course and learning design.
   • Includes consideration of how teaching, learning activities and assessment can be constructively aligned.

Disciplines / Specialisations

There are no separately listed majors, minors or formal endorsements for the PGCertTertTchg.

The qualification is focused on:

• Tertiary teaching
• Higher-education pedagogy
• Learning and teaching
• Assessment practice
• Learning environments
• Course design and development
• Teaching scholarship
• Reflective professional practice
• Teaching in the Aotearoa New Zealand tertiary context

Programme Highlights

• Professionally focused rather than research-thesis based.
• Designed specifically for practising tertiary educators.
• Suitable for people teaching across different academic disciplines.
• Strong emphasis on reflective teaching practice.
• Learning and assessment approaches are connected to the student's own professional practice.
• Covers both teaching methodology and course/learning design.
• Develops a scholarly approach to evaluating teaching.
• Distance-learning delivery is identified for all four courses in the 2026 regulations.
• Provides a possible progression route into the Postgraduate Diploma in Education or Master of Education endorsed in Tertiary Teaching, subject to approval.

Career Outcomes

The qualification is primarily a professional-development qualification for people already working in tertiary education.

Potential career benefits include:

• University or polytechnic teaching
• Tertiary tutoring
• Academic teaching development
• Course and curriculum development
• Assessment design
• Learning design
• Academic professional development
• Teaching leadership
• Educational leadership and academic progression
• Evidence for teaching-award applications
• Preparation for academic promotion

International Student Visa Requirements

For an international student who is actually admitted to an eligible UC programme in New Zealand, the relevant visa is generally the Fee Paying Student Visa.

Current Immigration New Zealand requirements include:

• An offer of place from an approved education provider.
• Evidence that tuition fees can be paid, or evidence of an applicable scholarship.
• Evidence of sufficient funds for living costs or an acceptable sponsor.
• Acceptable medical/travel insurance as required.
• Genuine intention to study and comply with visa requirements.
• Evidence of plans for leaving New Zealand at the end of the stay, where required.
• Current visa cost: from NZD 850.
• Maximum stay: up to 4 years.
• Immigration New Zealand currently states that 80% of applications are processed within 8 weeks.
• International students are strongly encouraged to apply around 3 months before intended travel.