Programme overview
Enter a profession where the demand for teachers is high in New Zealand and overseas. Gain an internationally-recognised degree from the only New Zealand University to rank in the top 50 in the world for Education as a subject.
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. You can read practicum FAQs here.
The diploma is shaped by a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, relational pedagogies, and Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Content includes learning about Te Āo Māori and basic te reo Māori. You will learn alongside a diverse range of students and be taught basic proficiency in te reo Māori.
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 Te Whāriki 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 Online Graduate Diploma Teaching page.
Graduate Diploma in Teaching students are eligible for the external TeachNZ Scholarships. Find out more and apply.
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 Info for applicants page.
Still got questions? Email our Postgraduate Taught Recruitment Specialist at pgt@auckland.ac.nz.
Programme structure
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)
You'll also need to meet other requirements, including time limits and total points limits. See Postgraduate enrolment.
Sample programme structure
Full-time 1 Year
1 Year 150 points
-
- Code:
- EDPROFST 605
- Name:
- The Early Years Teacher
- Type:
- Compulsory core course
- Points:
- 15 pts
-
- Code:
- EDPROFST 607
- Name:
- The Relational Worlds of Children
- Type:
- Compulsory core course
- Points:
- 15 pts
-
- Code:
- EDCURRIC 601
- Name:
- Creative Arts - Early Years
- Type:
- Compulsory core course
- Points:
- 15 pts
-
- Code:
- EDCURRIC 623
- Name:
- Investigation and Exploration
- Type:
- Compulsory core course
- Points:
- 15 pts
-
- Code:
- EDPRAC 613
- Name:
- Professional Practice 1: Early Childhood Education
- Type:
- Compulsory core course
- Points:
- 15 pts
-
- Code:
- EDPRAC 614
- Name:
- Professional Practice 2: Early Childhood Education
- Type:
- Compulsory core course
- Points:
- 15 pts
-
- Code:
- EDCURRIC 624
- Name:
- Curriculum and Pedagogy
- Type:
- Compulsory core course
- Points:
- 15 pts
-
- Code:
- EDCURRIC 600
- Name:
- Literacies, Languages and Cultures
- Type:
- Compulsory core course
- Points:
- 15 pts
-
- Code:
- EDUC 603
- Name:
- Education after Society
- Type:
- Compulsory core course
- Points:
- 15 pts
-
- Code:
- EDPROFM 600
- Name:
- Te Ao Māori
- Type:
- Compulsory core course
- Points:
- 15 pts
-
- Code:
- EDUCM 199
- Name:
- Te Reo Māori
- Type:
- Compulsory core course
- Points:
- 0 pts
-
- Code:
- EDUCSW 199
- Name:
- English Language Competency
- Type:
- Compulsory core course
- Points:
- 0 pts
Part-time 2 Years
Year 1 75 points
-
- Code:
- EDPROFST 605
- Name:
- The Early Years Teacher
- Type:
- Compulsory core course
- Points:
- 15 pts
-
- Code:
- EDPRAC 613
- Name:
- Professional Practice 1: Early Childhood Education
- Type:
- Compulsory core course
- Points:
- 15 pts
-
- Code:
- EDCURRIC 601
- Name:
- Creative Arts in the Early Years
- Type:
- Compulsory core course
- Points:
- 15 pts
-
- Code:
- EDUCM199
- Name:
- Te Reo Māori
- Type:
- Compulsory core course
- Points:
- 0 pts
-
- Code:
- EDCURRIC 600
- Name:
- Languages, Literacies, Cultures
- Type:
- Compulsory core course
- Points:
- 15 pts
-
- Code:
- EDUC 603
- Name:
- Education After Society
- Type:
- Compulsory core course
- Points:
- 15 pts
-
- Code:
- EDUCM199
- Name:
- Te Reo Māori
- Type:
- Compulsory core course
- Points:
- 0 pts
Year 2 75 points
-
- Code:
- EDPROFST 607
- Name:
- Relational Worlds of Children
- Type:
- Compulsory core course
- Points:
- 15 pts
-
- Code:
- EDCURRIC 623
- Name:
- Investigation and Exploration
- Type:
- Compulsory core course
- Points:
- 15 pts
-
- Code:
- EDPROFM600
- Name:
- Te Ao Māori
- Type:
- Compulsory core course
- Points:
- 7.5 pts
-
- Code:
- EDCURRIC 624
- Name:
- Curriculum and Pedagogy
- Type:
- Compulsory core course
- Points:
- 15 pts
-
- Code:
- EDPRAC 614
- Name:
- Professional Practice 2: Early Childhood Education
- Type:
- Compulsory core course
- Points:
- 15 pts
-
- Code:
- EDPROFM600
- Name:
- Te Ao Māori
- Type:
- Compulsory core course
- Points:
- 7.5 pts
2024 entry requirements
My highest qualification is from:
Programme requirements
Minimum programme requirements
Minimum requirements listed here are the likely grades required and do not guarantee entry. We assess each application individually and applicants may require a higher grade to be offered a place.
-
Study optionTaught 150 pointsGrade requiredGPA Grade Point Average 2.4
Bachelors degree
Further programme requirements
Taught 150 points
You must have completed a bachelors degree or higher in any discipline with a GPA of 2.4.
Entrance is subject to satisfactory police check/s, safety checks, interview and referees’ reports. You will be required to sit literacy and numeracy tests.
You will also need to provide evidence of meeting the Teaching Council Matatū Aotearoa English Language Competency requirements by IELTS or an approved alternative. Further information on approved alternatives can be found on the Teaching Council website.
Programme requirements
Minimum programme requirements
Minimum requirements listed here are the likely grades required and do not guarantee entry. We assess each application individually and applicants may require a higher grade to be offered a place.
-
Study optionTaught 150 pointsGrade requiredGPE Grade Point Equivalent 2.4
An undergraduate degree
-
QualificationIELTS Academic International English Language Testing SystemScore required7.0
No bands less than 7.0.
Further programme requirements
Taught 150 points
You must have completed an undergraduate degree at a recognised university (or similar institution) in any discipline with a GPE of 2.4.
Entrance is subject to satisfactory police check/s, safety checks, interview and referees’ reports. You will be required to sit literacy and numeracy tests.
You will also need to provide evidence of meeting the Teaching Council Matatū Aotearoa English Language requirements by IELTS or an approved alternative. Further information on approved alternatives can be found on the Teaching Council website.
How much does a Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Early Childhood Education) cost per year?
2025 fees
- Domestic students
- NZ$9,036*
- International students
- NZ$38,662*
Fees are set in advance of each calendar year and will be updated on this website. Fees are inclusive of 15% GST, but do not include the Student Services Fee, course books, travel and health insurance, or living costs. Amounts shown are indicative only. In addition to the tuition fees, there is a Student Services Fee of $8.88 per point, estimated at $1,332.00 for full-time study (150 points). Fees will be confirmed upon completion of enrolment into courses.
*Please note: amounts shown are indicative and estimates only.
Find out about financial support information
Scholarships and awards
Find out about the scholarships you may be eligible for.
Student loans and allowances
Are you a New Zealand citizen or resident? You could be eligible for a student loan or allowance.
Cost of living
Get an idea of how much accommodation and general living in Auckland will cost.
Key dates
Application closing dates
- Semester One 2025
- 20 December 2024
Start dates
Here are the start dates for the programme.
Semester One | Starts – 20 January |
---|---|
Ends – 30 June | |
Semester Two | Starts – 21 July |
Ends – 17 November |
Other important dates
The Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Early Childhood Education) programme condenses 1.25 years of study into one year.
This programme starts in January, earlier than standard university semester dates.
Where could this programme take you?
While many graduates go on to teach in early childhood settings in New Zealand or overseas, the programme will also provide you with transferable skills that can be applied to a range of careers. By already holding a bachelors degree you will be eligible to start on a higher step of the salary scale in services covered by the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) teaching collective agreement for early childhood teachers.
Jobs related to this programme
- ECE teacher
- Hospital play specialist
- Policy adviser for the Ministry of Education
- Learning designer
- Researcher
- Education consultant
- Curriculum developer
Charity always wanted to be a teacher, so after completing her Bachelor of Commerce degree, she decided to make a career change.
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