Why Study / Key Benefits

• The Graduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning is a one-year initial teacher education qualification for graduates who want to enter the teaching profession.
• It develops knowledge and practical skills in teaching, learners, curriculum, assessment, classroom practice and professional inquiry.
• Students undertake professional practice placements in schools, giving them substantial real-world classroom experience.
• UC's programme incorporates bicultural competence, te reo Maori and tikanga Maori, and culturally responsive approaches to teaching in Aotearoa New Zealand.
• Students develop communication, critical-thinking, planning, organisation and learning-design skills.
• The programme can lead to eligibility to apply for provisional teacher registration in New Zealand, subject to meeting Teaching Council requirements.
• UC states that its teacher education programmes are designed around the theory, practice and management of teaching and include 16 weeks of professional practice in schools.
• UC's postgraduate teacher-education information states that teachers are currently in high demand in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The qualification consists of 150 points of coursework and 80 days of professional practice.

Common compulsory courses for all GradDipTchgLn students include:

• TEPI313 – Professional Learning and Inquiry 1
• TEPI314 – Professional Learning and Inquiry 2
• TEPI315 – Understanding Every Learner: Intercultural and Inclusive Education
• TEPI316 – Te tatou reo, tatou tikanga
• TEPP313 – Teaching Professional Practice 1
• TEPP314 – Teaching Professional Practice 2

Primary Education students additionally study:

• TECP323 – Literacy and Mathematics for Primary School Teaching
• TECP324 – Curriculum 2: Teaching and Learning in, through and about Health and Physical Education and the Arts
• TECP325 – Curriculum 3: Exploring Science and Technology through Collaborative Design
• TECP326 – Curriculum 4: Learning Languages and Social Sciences in Diverse School and Community Settings

Secondary Education students additionally study:

• TECS333 – Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment 1: Teaching Subject for Junior Secondary
• TECS334 – Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment 2: Teaching Subject for Senior Secondary
• TECS335 – Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment 3: Contemporary Developments in Secondary Education

Disciplines / Specialisations

UC offers three main endorsement areas within its one-year graduate teaching pathways:

• Early Childhood
• Primary
• Secondary

For the Graduate Diploma covered by the supplied programme page, the detailed current structure specifically provides Primary and Secondary endorsement pathways.

Secondary specialist teaching subjects currently include:

• 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

Additional secondary teaching subjects include:

• Business Studies
• English
• HPE
• International Languages
• Mathematics
• Music
• Performing Arts
• Science
• Social Studies
• Te Reo Maori
• Technology
• Visual Arts

Programme Highlights

• 150-point graduate teaching qualification
• One-year full-time pathway
• Primary and Secondary teaching pathways
• Primary option available by distance
• 80 days of professional practice
• Extensive school-based teaching experience
• Curriculum-specific teaching preparation
• Intercultural and inclusive education
• Te reo Maori and tikanga Maori learning
• Professional learning and inquiry
• Literacy and numeracy development
• Preparation aligned with Teaching Council graduating teacher standards
• Eligibility to apply for provisional teacher registration after satisfying the relevant requirements.

Career Outcomes

The main outcome is preparation for a professional teaching career.

UC states that graduates have gained positions across levels of schooling in Aotearoa New Zealand and that graduates can be eligible to apply for teacher registration.

Potential teaching destinations include:

• Primary schools
• Intermediate schools
• Secondary schools
• Area schools
• International schools, subject to the requirements of the relevant country.

Teaching graduates also develop transferable skills applicable to:

• Education administration
• Policy and advocacy
• Youth work
• Community engagement
• Educational publishing
• Management
• Business
• Human resources and related roles.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

• UC's current 2026 information confirms that international applications close on 31 October.
• There is no mid-year intake.
• Places can be limited, so early application is strongly recommended.
• The programme has a specialised application and selection process rather than ordinary automatic admission.
• Applicants need to complete online literacy and numeracy assessments.
• Shortlisted applicants attend an interview.
• Two forms of identity evidence are required.
• A Children's Act 2014 safety check, including a police background check and face-to-face identity verification, is required.
• International applicants should be prepared to provide official English translations of documents that are not in English.
• Professional placements are compulsory and students must be fully enrolled before attending placements.
• Placement travel and accommodation costs are the student's responsibility where applicable.
• For Primary English-medium teacher education, UC has introduced literacy/numeracy assessment requirements; the arrangements for international students can differ by intake.
• The Teaching Council's English-language competency framework was updated in January 2026, including changes concerning evidence from Pacific-region study.

International Student Visa Requirements

An international student normally needs a New Zealand Fee Paying Student Visa to study this programme.

Immigration New Zealand currently states that the Fee Paying Student Visa:

• costs from NZD $850
• can be granted for up to 4 years
• requires an offer of place from an approved education provider
• requires evidence of tuition-fee payment or ability to pay
• requires evidence of sufficient living funds
• requires acceptable medical and travel insurance
• requires evidence of onward travel or sufficient funds to purchase onward travel
• requires the applicant to meet health, character and genuine-intention requirements.