Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching

Please note: Applications for 2024 Alternative Entry Pathway are now closed and any applications received will be eligible for the 2025 programme.

The Alternative Entry Pathway offers the opportunity for people with a background in Trades/Technology, or with high levels of fluency in Te Reo Māori or Pacific language(s), to become a teacher/Kaiako in Early Childhood, Primary or Secondary education.

We can recognise your experience in the Trades or your high levels of Te Reo Māori or Pacific language fluency and your interest in teaching. This expertise may enable you to apply for alternative entry into the Graduate Diploma in Teaching (GradDipTchg).

Applicants interested in alternative entry pathways, please complete this online eligibility form. We will contact you about the next steps before submitting an application for the GradDipTchg.

Criteria for Entry into Alternative Pathways

You will need to demonstrate that you meet the following criteria for entry;

Technology:

• A relevant Trades qualification at Level 5, 6 or 7 on the NZQF or an equivalent qualification;
• A minimum of five years of relevant work experience in the last eight years in a trade (eg. chef, patternmaker, builder, mechanic, cabinetmaker, illustrator) relevant to teaching technology education subjects.

Te Reo Māori:

• A minimum of three years recent work (paid or voluntary) experience where the use of a high level of Te Reo Māori has been a significant aspect of the mahi; and
• Achieved Whakamātauria Tō Reo Māori Level 4 (National Māori Language Proficiency Examinations); or
• Completed all primary schooling and at least three years secondary schooling in Te Reo Māori; or
• Completed five years of secondary schooling in the medium of Te Reo Māori, or
• Other evidence of a high standard of Te Reo Māori competency will be considered on an individual basis.

Pacific Language(s):

• A minimum of three years recent work (paid or voluntary) experience where the use of a high level of either Tongan, Samoan, Cook Island Māori or another Pacific language has been a significant aspect of the work; and
• Achieved Level 4 certificate in either Tongan, Samoan, Cook Island Māori language; or
• Completed all primary schooling and at least three years secondary schooling in the medium of Tongan, Samoan, Cook Island Māori language, or
• Other evidence of a high standard of Tongan, Samoa, Cook Island Māori language will be considered on an individual basis.

Applicants approved into an alternative pathway will be required to enrol in and successfully complete one undergraduate paper prior to full enrolment in the Graduate Diploma in Teaching.

For more information on these pathways, and available undergraduate papers, please get in touch with us at: teach@waikato.ac.nz

The Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching is available in Tauranga, subject to sufficient numbers.

Interested in continuing your postgraduate study in education?

The Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching is an entry qualification into the Master of Teaching and Learning. The Master of Teaching and Learning adds one 30-point research paper to the Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching, and is a Level 9 qualification, putting you at a higher salary step.

• Entry requirements: Satisfied the requirements of a bachelors degree with at least a B grade average across the 300 level papers.
• Location: Hamilton, Tauranga, Online (subject to numbers)
• Start date: January (H Trimester)

Prepare yourself for a career in secondary schools working with young people aged 13-18 years old. You'll learn how to teach your curriculum areas and develop skills in teaching and learning. This programme consists of nine papers (150 points) at 500 level. These include Professional Experience papers.

Your previous tertiary study

Candidates for the secondary endorsement must have sufficient depth and breadth of relevant subject or curriculum knowledge at Levels 5-7. When you apply for the programme you will need to submit your degree transcript(s). The programme leader/coordinator will discuss and advise the appropriate programme once you reach the interview stage.

Learning/Subject Areas

Learning Areas:

1. English
2. The Arts
3. Health and Physical Education
4. Learning and Languages
5. Mathematics and Statistics
6. Science
7. Social Sciences
8. Technology

Subject Areas:

1. English
2. The Arts (Dance, Drama, Music, Visual Arts)
3. Health and Physical Education
4. Learning Languages
5. Mathematics and Statistics
6. Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics)
7. Social Sciences (Business Studies, Economics, Geography, History)
8. Technology (includes areas of computational thinking, designing and developing digital outcomes, designing and developing processed outcomes, designing and developing material outcomes, and design and visual communications – all taught together)

• Entry requirements: Satisfied the requirements of a bachelors degree with at least a B grade average across the 300 level papers.
• Location: Hamilton, Tauranga, Online (subject to numbers)
• Start date: January (H Trimester)

Prepare yourself for a career in primary, intermediate and middle schools or kura, working with children from five to 13 years old. You'll gain a solid foundation in all aspects of the New Zealand curriculum, classroom management, the teaching and learning process and educational policies and practices.