The Graduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning (Early Childhood) is for university graduates who wish to become an early childhood teacher, educating children in their vital early years of life, from 0-6 years of age.
Students study the Diploma either on campus or via distance. Distance students study their programme off campus, and attend three on-campus intensives.
Students who successfully complete the Diploma will meet Matatū Aotearoa | Teaching Council of New Zealand graduating teachers standards requirements and may be eligible for provisional registration with the Council as a teacher in Aotearoa New Zealand.
UC’s College of Education, Health and Human Development | Te Rāngai Ako me te Hauora has a national and international reputation for producing high-quality teacher graduates based on a 135-year tradition. UC is ranked in the top 200 universities in the world for Education and Training (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2020).
Entry requirements
Students wishing to enrol in the GradDipTchLn(EC) must have a relevant bachelor’s degree or higher (or be entitled to enrol for the Diploma with other qualifications of an equivalent standard), and approval from the Dean of Education and Health Sciences, on the recommendation of a Selection Committee.
Selection for entry is not automatic and is based on academic ability, involvement and interest in working with children and young people, community involvement, communication skills, and other personal qualities.
The selection process includes a police check and may include an interview.
Students for whom English is an additional language are also required to meet the requirements set out by Matatū Aotearoa | Teaching Council of New Zealand.
For the full entry requirements see the Regulations for the Graduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning (Early Childhood) or use the admission requirements checker.
How to apply
As places are limited we strongly recommend that you apply for programme entry as early as possible. Applications are open anytime, and close four weeks before the start of the programme in late January, or when places are filled (whichever comes first).
Download the Application for Programme Entry from the College of Education, Health and Human Development | Te Rāngai Ako me te Hauora website.
Subjects and courses
The GradDipTchLn(EC) is made up of the following compulsory courses:
- TEPI 361 Becoming a Professional Teacher
- TEPI 362 Being a Professional Teacher
- TEPP 361 Professional Practice 1
- TEPP 362 Professional Practice 2
- TECE 358 Curriculum Design
- TECE 359 Te Reo me ngā Tikanga Māori
- TECE 361 Holistic Development, Learning and Culture
- TECE 362 Curriculum for Infants and Toddlers
- TECE 364 Pedagogy of Play
- TECE 365 The Intentional Teacher
Tuition Fees
See Tuition Fee Structure for more information
Domestic
| YEAR | POINTS | INFO | FEES (NZD) |
| 2020 | 150 | Banded Fee – total tuition fee dependent on course selection | $7,766 |
International
| YEAR | POINTS | INFO | FEES (NZD) |
| 2020 | 150 | Special (Set) Programme Fee | $30,000 |
| 2021 | 150 | Special (Set) Programme Fee | $32,500 |
Career Opportunities
Successful completion of this Graduate Diploma meets Matatū Aotearoa | Teaching Council of New Zealand graduating teachers’ standards requirements. Upon successful completion, graduates may apply to the Teaching Council for provisional registration which enables them to apply for teaching positions in Aotearoa.
This programme is designed to meet the requirements of Aotearoa settings. Applicants should contact the relevant authorities for international requirements.
Contact us
For full requirements see the Regulations for the Graduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning (Early Childhood).
For course advice contact the College of Education, Health and Human Development:
College of Education, Health and Human Development | Te Rāngai Ako me te Hauora
University of Canterbury | Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha
Private Bag 4800
Christchurch 8140
New Zealand
Phone +64 3 369 3333
Email [email protected]