Duration
Full-time: 3 years
Next start date
2026 Semester One – 2 March
2026 Semester Two – 20 July
Available locations
City
Points
360
Programme type
Undergraduate

Programme overview

This degree encompasses a broad study of early childhood education and social contexts relevant for students from birth to eight years of age.

We offer a range of hands-on courses covering te ao Māori perspectives, diversity and inclusion, human development, educational psychology, child development and professional communication and practice. Through these, you will develop expert understanding of the complex and vital early years of children’s lives.

Practical placements each year in early childhood and other educational settings will allow you to explore areas of interest as you refine and develop relevant professional skills. You will spend a total of 24 weeks over three years in a range of educational settings. This will allow you to gain varied practical experience and form professional connections.

This is an excellent foundation degree. It will prepare you for a career in a range of educational settings and in policy and leadership roles in New Zealand and overseas.

View and download our BECSt brochure here.

If you decide to pursue a teaching career in New Zealand, you can gain registration by adding a one-year Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Early Childhood Education) or Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Primary). Learn more about becoming a teacher here.

Programme structure

Our Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies is a three-year programme consisting of face-to-face, online and practice-based teaching and learning.

To complete a BECSt degree, you must pass courses totalling at least 360 points. At least 330 of these points must be from the listed BECSt schedule.

A further 30 points must be from courses offered in either the General Education open schedule or the General Education faculty schedule approved for this degree. We recommend you choose WTRAED 100 Waipapa Taumata Rau: Introduction to Te Pūtahi Mātauranga, Arts and Education as one of your General Education courses.

For all required courses and information about elective courses on offer, please visit our programme and enrolment Information.

Most students need to take one General Education course.

Students should also be aware of the University’s Academic English Language Requirement.

For detailed information about a specific programme, including its courses and regulations, visit the Curriculum Catalogue. For the general university requirements for admission, enrolment and fees, visit the University Calendar.

Subjects available in this programme

  • Early Childhood Studies
For detailed information about a specific programme, including its courses and regulations, visit the Curriculum Catalogue. For the general university requirements for admission, enrolment and fees, visit the University Calendar.

2025 entry requirements

My highest qualification is from:

Secondary school qualifications

If you're joining us from secondary school, here's what you need to enter the programme.

You are guaranteed entry to this programme if you meet these requirements.

  1. First, you must meet the University Entrance (UE) standard.
  2. You must also meet the rank score for this programme. Not sure about your rank score? Use our rank score calculator.
  3. You may need to have studied certain subjects or achieved credits in particular subjects.
  4. Some programmes have additional requirements, such as an interview, portfolio or references.

Guaranteed rank score, subject and other requirements

If your rank score is slightly lower than the guaranteed score, we encourage you to still apply. We will consider your application if places are available. If you don’t meet the requirements, you may be able to apply under our Undergraduate Targeted Admission Schemes.

  • Qualification
    NCEA National Certificate of Educational Achievement
    Score required
    150
  • Qualification
    CIE Cambridge International Examinations
    Score required
    150
  • Qualification
    IB International Baccalaureate
    Score required
    26

Read more about entry requirements for New Zealand secondary school applicants.

Further requirements

You will be required to consent to disclosure of criminal convictions as part of the application process.
Note: While a record of criminal convictions will not prevent attainment of your qualification, it may limit your options with regards to available practical learning opportunities.

Tertiary qualifications

If you've studied at a tertiary institution, here's what you need to enter the programme.

You can transfer from another tertiary institution, or another University of Auckland qualification, if you meet these requirements.

Minimum grade requirements

These are the likely grades required, but they do not guarantee entry. Applicants may require higher grades to gain entry to this programme.

Further requirements

You will be required to consent to disclosure of criminal convictions as part of the application process.
Note: While a record of criminal convictions will not prevent attainment of your qualification, it may limit your options with regards to available practical learning opportunities.

See information about prior tertiary study requirements

Other pathways to study

You could be eligible for another programme, or check out these alternative pathways:

My highest qualification is from this country or region:

Secondary school qualifications

If you're joining us from secondary school, here's what you need to enter the programme.

You need to have one of the following:

  • International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum total score of 24.
  • General Certificate of Education (GCE) Advanced Level. You must have completed a minimum of three A-Level subjects. 
  • Cambridge International Examinations (CIE). You must have completed a minimum of three A-level subjects.

GCE ‘A’ Level requirements apply to ‘A’ Level qualifications examined by bodies such as AQA, OCR, Edexcel, WJEC, CCEA and Pearson Education Limited taken outside of New Zealand.

Guaranteed grade, subject and other requirements

These are the grades required for guaranteed entry to this programme. If your grades are slightly lower, we encourage you to still apply. We will consider your application if places are available.

  • Qualification
    IB International Baccalaureate Diploma
    Score required
    26
    Qualification
    IELTS Academic International English Language Testing System
    Score required
    6.0

    No bands less than 5.5

    See alternative English language requirements

  • Qualification
    CIE Cambridge International Examinations
    Score required
    CCC
    Qualification
    IELTS Academic International English Language Testing System
    Score required
    6.0

    No bands less than 5.5

    See alternative English language requirements

  • Qualification
    GCE A Level General Certificate of Education (GCE) Advanced Level
    Score required
    CCC
    Qualification
    IELTS Academic International English Language Testing System
    Score required
    6.0

    No bands less than 5.5

    See alternative English language requirements

Further requirements

You will be required to consent to disclosure of criminal convictions as part of the application process.
Note: While a record of criminal convictions will not prevent attainment of your qualification, it may limit your options with regards to available practical learning opportunities.

Tertiary qualifications

If you've studied at a tertiary institution, here's what you need to enter the programme.

You can transfer from another tertiary institution if you meet these requirements.

You need to have the following:

One year successful bachelor-degree level study at a recognised university (or similar institution) overseas. 

See information about prior tertiary study requirements

Minimum grade requirements

These are the likely grades required, but they do not guarantee entry. Applicants may require higher grades to gain entry to this programme.

Further requirements

You will be required to consent to disclosure of criminal convictions as part of the application process.
Note: While a record of criminal convictions will not prevent attainment of your qualification, it may limit your options with regards to available practical learning opportunities.

Other pathways to study

You could be eligible for another programme, or check out these alternative pathways:

For detailed information about a specific programme, including its courses and regulations, visit the Curriculum Catalogue. For the general university requirements for admission, enrolment and fees, visit the University Calendar.

How much does a Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies cost per year?

2026 fees

Domestic students
NZ$7,616.40*
International students
NZ$38,568*

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 $9.24 per point, estimated at $1,108.80 for full-time study (120 points). Fees will be confirmed upon completion of enrolment into courses.

*Please note: amounts shown are indicative and estimates only.

See course fees for each faculty

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.

For detailed information about a specific programme, including its courses and regulations, visit the Curriculum Catalogue. For the general university requirements for admission, enrolment and fees, visit the University Calendar.

Key dates

Please note: We will consider late applications if places are still available. International students should start the application process as early as possible to allow sufficient time to apply for a visa.

Application closing dates

Semester One 2026
31 January 2026
Semester Two 2026
8 June 2026

Start dates

Here are the start dates for the programme.

Other important dates

See important dates for the academic year, including orientation, enrolment, study breaks, exams, and graduation.

How to apply

Applying for an undergraduate programme? Check out our step-by-step guide.

For detailed information about a specific programme, including its courses and regulations, visit the Curriculum Catalogue. For the general university requirements for admission, enrolment and fees, visit the University Calendar.

Where could this programme take you?

A BECSt signifies workplace knowledge and skills applicable in varied domestic and global contexts. Through placements you will encounter practices relevant to education, health, and community work. A BECSt will not qualify you for teacher registration but it provides a pathway into a graduate teaching qualification or postgraduate research.

Further study options

See all study options

Student career planning service

Once you become a student at the University, you can get help with planning and developing your career from Career Development and Employability Services.

Early Childhood Studies is a growing and evolving field, largely due to the increasing recognition of how critical the early years of a child’s life are for long-term wellbeing and development. Our programme in Early Childhood Studies develops knowledge, skills and dispositions relevant to employment in a wide range of early-years contexts and organisations.

The Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies is a scholarly, child-centred and innovative programme, incorporating theory and practical placements across the three years. It enables graduates to appreciate and understand theories, concepts and practices related to the field of early childhood studies.

The practical experiences (practice-based learning and service learning) in early childhood context settings will prepare graduates to work in a range of early childhood-based services and organisations both domestically and abroad. Students will encounter a range of practices during placements relevant to the early childhood years including education, health, and community-based contexts. This wide exposure will enhance graduates’ ability to enter the workforce in many different settings across a range of roles.

Graduates of the BECSt programme will understand the interdisciplinary nature of early childhood contexts and able to critically analyse and respond to issues relevant to a range of organisations and communities. They will be culturally responsive, critical, reflective, and committed to social justice.

This programme provides a strong disciplinary pathway into a graduate teaching qualification or postgraduate research in the field of early childhood studies.

Please note: this qualification will not allow graduates to qualify for teacher registration.

Key Information for Students

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923 5025
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0800 61 62 63
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+64 9 373 7513