View the entry requirements for programmes in the Wellington Faculty of Education.
University and programme entry to teacher education qualifications
Applicants to undergraduate qualifications must satisfy the requirements of entry to Victoria University of Wellington. For information about admission requirements please see Admission to Victoria University of Wellington.
You will also need to:
- fulfill qualification-specific requirements
- apply by the due date.
Places in these programmes are limited and offers will be made on the basis of academic merit, performance at assessment exercise, satisfactory referee checks and police clearance. Preference in the Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Secondary) may be given to those who intend to teach subjects in high demand.
Suitable dispositions for acceptance into teacher education programmes include self-awareness, intellectual curiosity, passion for learning, appreciation of cultural difference, integrity, and aptitude for working with others.
Enrolling online
All applicants must complete an online application. The online enrolment system will guide you through the enrolment process. It is important that you follow the steps and fully complete the form, including the additional information forms. You should also remember to forward all the requested documentation at the time of your application.
If you are applying for entry to the Graduate Diploma of Teaching (ECE, Primary or Secondary) you will also be asked to supply verified copies of the following additional information:
- Proof of New Zealand citizenship or permanent residency e.g., birth certificate or passport.
- Official Academic Transcript showing the courses that you have completed and grades received in your undergraduate degree, if it was not awarded by Victoria University of Wellington.
- Proof of degree completion.
- Degrees from overseas will need to be assessed by New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) for New Zealand equivalence. Contact the Student Administration Office for further details.
- If English is not your first language, you will need to supply the results from a recent IELTS examination. You must achieve an overall mark of at least seven in all categories of the test for academic work.
Additional requirements for teacher education qualifications
All applicants are assessed by the Wellington Faculty of Education for suitability to the teaching profession. This involves meeting set criteria, having supportive referees, making declarations about any criminal convictions or health and disability issues and successfully taking part in a selection meeting.
Student Recruitment and Orientation can help you if you have any questions about university entrance to your chosen programme of study.
Referees
You need to supply the names and contact details of two referees. They should be people who know you well but are not a family member, partner or friend. If possible, one of your referees should be a recent employer or teacher.
Examples of suitable referees are:
- Someone who is familiar with your interactions with groups of children.
- A teacher, lecturer or mentor.
- The principal at your school.
- Your church minister.
- Your employer.
- A member of a committee on which you have served.
- An organiser of a charity for which you have worked for.
- An organiser of an event in which you have taken part.
They will be contacted by phone or email.
Personal declarations
Health and disability: in order to identify anything that may place children in your care at risk or inhibit your performance as a student teacher, you need to declare any medical, psychological or learning difficulty, or disability that could limit your participation in a teacher education programme.Criminal convictions: if you have been convicted of any offence against the law you must give details of the offence at the time of your application.
These personal declarations are part of the application process. Your enrolment may be reviewed if it is found that false declarations have been made.
Selection meeting
Before you are accepted into any teacher education qualification, you are required to take part successfully in a selection meeting. Two of our academic staff will participate in each interview discussion to assess your oral communication and listening skills, how you interact with others and your views about teaching and education. Assessing that you have suitable levels of literacy and numeracy skills before you begin a teacher education programme is a requirement of the Education Council. These assessments are an important part of the selection process. You are strongly encouraged to prepare for these assessments, which reflect the literacy and numeracy standards required for University Entrance.
When you attend the assessment exercise you will be asked to complete a form giving the University permission to obtain a police check. This is required for all students who will spend time in schools or early childhood centres as part of their study.
If you are applying for the Master of Teaching and Learning (Secondary) and have been shortlisted, you must be available to attend a selection interview on Monday 2 December 2019.
If you are applying for the Master of Teaching (Primary) and have been shortlisted, you must be able to attend a selection interview on Thursday 28 November 2019.
If you are applying for the Graduate Diploma of Teaching (either ECE, Primary or Secondary) you must be able to attend an assessment exercise before 10 January 2020.All assessments will be held in Wellington.
English language competency
Courses at Victoria University of Wellington are normally taught in English and essays and reports are the main kind of written work for assessment and exams.
Admission to teacher education programmes requires a minimum IELTS test score of 7.0 in each of the four categories assessed. If English is an additional language you should undertake an IELTS test and submit the test results with your application. For more information, contact the English Language Institute at the University.
Qualification assessment
If you have a degree qualification from an overseas university, you will need to have it assessed and approved by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) for acceptance into a teacher education programme. For further information about assessment of overseas qualifications, visit www.nzqa.govt.nz
How to find out more
If you need information about programmes and entrance criteria:
Student Recruitment and Orientation
Phone: 0800 04 04 04
Email: [email protected]
If you need information about enrolment or how your application is progressing:
Enrolment Office, Central Student Administration
Phone: +64 4 463 5250 or 0800 04 04 04 and select option 1
Email: [email protected]
If you need information about your assessment exercise or Wellington Faculty of Education qualifications:
Student and Academic Services Office
Wellington Faculty of Education
Phone: +64 4 463 9500
Email: [email protected]