Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Early Childhood Education)

Enter a profession where the demand for teachers is high in New Zealand and overseas. Gain an internationally-recognised degree from the Our programme will equip you with the knowledge and skills to support young children in their learning and development from birth to the age of five. You will gain hands-on experience working in a range of early childhood settings where building responsive and inclusive relationships is key. You will undertake three practicum placements adding up to a total of 17 weeks in a range of early childhood centres, supported by experienced teachers and university supervisors. The diploma is shaped by a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, relational pedagogies, and Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Content includes learning about Te Ao Maori and basic te reo Maori. You will learn alongside a diverse range of students and be taught basic proficiency in te reo Maori. The programme will prepare you to become an effective early childhood teacher and support you as you prepare for your transition into the teaching profession. By the end of the programme, you will be familiar with the New Zealand early childhood curriculum and a range of appropriate pedagogy for teaching within the context of Aotearoa New Zealand. You will be eligible to apply for provisional certification as a practising early childhood teacher with the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand. Students on international visas must study the programme full time and face-to-face. The next intake for face-to-face study starts Jan 20, 2025. For domestic students, there is the flexibility of being able to choose to study face-to-face or online, full-time or part-time. Domestic students enrolling for the Online Programme can apply for Semester 2 entry in July 2024. If you choose to study face-to-face, you will attend classes at set times on the City Campus. If you choose the online option, you will study the same courses but engage with content online at times that suit you. Note, you cannot swap between the face-to-face and online options. For more information on the online option, including practicum requirements, visit the . Graduate Diploma in Teaching students are eligible for the external TeachNZ Scholarships. . Before you begin your teaching journey, there are a few key steps you need to complete, so we recommend applying early. Read about the process on our . Still got questions? Email our Postgraduate Taught Recruitment Specialist at pgt@auckland.ac.nz.

This is a 150 point initial teacher education programme that combines theory and practice. The programme can either be completed in one intensive year that is the equivalent to 1.25 years of full-time study or part-time over 2 years.

Professional experience

Professional experience (also known as practicum) is a large component of this programme. You will work alongside experienced teachers in a range of early childhood centres and organisations during practicum placements.

2024
Semester One intake:

• Practicum One (Centre A): 5 February - 1 March (4 weeks)
• Practicum Two (Centre B): 27 May - 5 July (6 weeks)
• Practicum Three (Centre C): 14 October - 29 November (7 weeks)
  
  

Semester Two intake:

• EDPRAC 613 Part One: 5 August - 30 August (4 weeks)
• EDPRAC 613 Part Two: 29 October - 6 December (6 weeks)
• EDPRAC 614: 19 May to 4 July 2025 ( 7 weeks)

2025
Semester One intake:

• Practicum One (Centre A): 3 February - 28 February (4 weeks)
• Practicum Two (Centre B): 19 May - 27 June (6 weeks)
• Practicum Three (Centre C): 13 October - 28 November (7 weeks)