Why Study / Key Benefits

The Primary endorsement of Massey University’s Graduate Diploma of Learning and Teaching is a one-year initial teacher education qualification for graduates who want to become primary or intermediate school teachers in Aotearoa New Zealand. It combines academic learning with extensive supervised professional practice and is designed around contemporary, research-informed teaching, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, culturally responsive practice and the diverse needs of learners, whanau and communities.

Key benefits for international students include:

• Qualification specifically focused on primary and intermediate school teaching.
• 80 days of professional experience in education settings.
• Practical learning alongside coursework, mentors and associate teachers.
• Development of curriculum, pedagogy, assessment and classroom-teaching skills.
• Teaching practice grounded in Aotearoa New Zealand's curriculum and educational context.
• Te Tiriti o Waitangi and tangata whenuatanga are integrated into the curriculum.
• Opportunity to undertake study by distance while remaining in New Zealand, or at Auckland or Manawat?.
• On completion, graduates are eligible to apply for teacher registration and provisional certification with the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand, subject to meeting the Council's requirements.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The 150-credit qualification consists of 30 credits of core courses plus 120 credits in the Primary endorsement.

Core courses – 30 credits

263400 Learning and Teaching 1 – 15 credits

This forms part of the core learning and teaching component of the qualification.

263401 Learning and Teaching 2 – 15 credits

This completes the core learning and teaching component.

The two core courses total 30 credits.

Primary endorsement – 120 credits

278410 Professional Practice 1 (Primary) – 30 credits

Introduces professional practice in New Zealand primary-school settings through observation, teaching, critical self-reflection and evaluation of practice.

278411 Professional Practice 2 (Primary) – 30 credits

Develops professional practice further through observation, teaching, critical self-reflection and evaluation. It requires Professional Practice 1 as a prerequisite.

278412 Curriculum and Pedagogy A (Primary) – 30 credits

Introduces the theory and practice of curriculum, pedagogy and assessment in primary-school settings in Aotearoa New Zealand, guided by commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and tangata whenuatanga.

278413 Curriculum and Pedagogy B (Primary) – 30 credits

Develops the theory and practice of curriculum, pedagogy and assessment further in primary-school settings, again incorporating Te Tiriti o Waitangi and tangata whenuatanga.

Professional practice

The programme includes a minimum of 80 days of professional experience. The current structure normally includes:

• Professional Practice 1: two four-week practicum blocks in one education setting
• Professional Practice 2: seven weeks in a second education setting plus one week of focused placement.

Disciplines / Specialisations

The requested programme is the Primary endorsement of the Graduate Diploma of Learning and Teaching.

Massey's Graduate Diploma of Learning and Teaching has three available endorsements:

• Primary
• Secondary
• Early Childhood Education

Programme Highlights

• Level 7 graduate qualification.
• 150 credits.
• One year full-time.
• One annual January intake.
• Primary endorsement.
• Auckland, Manawata or distance study options.
• Distance students must remain in New Zealand.
• 80 days of professional experience.
• Compulsory five-day contact wananga.
• Additional online contact workshops.
• Strong integration of theory and classroom practice.
• Focus on contemporary, research-informed teaching.
• Te Tiriti o Waitangi and tangata whenuatanga are embedded in the programme.
• Support from experienced teachers, practitioners and mentors.
• Approved Initial Teacher Education programme leading toward teacher registration.

Career Outcomes

The principal career outcome is primary/intermediate school teaching in New Zealand.

After successfully completing the Graduate Diploma of Learning and Teaching (Primary), Massey states that graduates are eligible to apply for teacher registration and provisional certification with the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand. Once provisionally certificated, graduates can teach in New Zealand primary and intermediate schools.

Potential employment settings include:

• Primary schools
• Intermediate schools
• Other education settings where the relevant teaching qualification and registration requirements are met.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

The current programme has several important 2026–2027 requirements and updates:

• 2027 international applications close on 2 October 2026.
• 2027 study begins on 25 January 2027.
• There is only one intake each year.
• The programme is selected entry.
• International applicants need a bachelor's degree of at least 360 credits or equivalent.
• IELTS is 7.0 in every band, or an approved equivalent/exemption.
• Literacy and mathematics competency must be demonstrated.
• Primary applicants must achieve at least 690 in the LNAAT mathematics assessment where this assessment route is used.
• Police vetting and safety checks are required.
• Overseas police reports are required for countries where the applicant has lived for more than 12 months in the previous 10 years.
• Two referees are required.
• A 500-word supporting statement is required.
• An interview/selection w?nanga may be required.
• No credit can be granted towards the Primary Graduate Diploma because of the specialised nature of the qualification.

International Student Visa Requirements

This is an on-campus/distance-in-New-Zealand teacher education qualification for international students. Even where the student selects the distance option, Massey requires the student to be physically present in New Zealand for the duration of the qualification because the programme includes New Zealand-based professional practice and compulsory contact activities.

Consequently, an international student normally needs an appropriate New Zealand student visa to undertake this programme in New Zealand.

The Fee Paying Student Visa requires, among other things:

• An offer of place from an approved education provider.
• Evidence of sufficient funds to pay tuition fees or an acceptable scholarship arrangement.
• Evidence of sufficient living funds or an acceptable sponsor.
• Acceptable insurance.
• Meeting applicable health, character and genuine-intention requirements.
• Attendance and satisfactory academic progress during study.