Teacher Education Refresh (TER) is for teachers who need to regain their Practising Certificate as required by The Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand.
TER is made up of two training schemes, which have two courses each:
Qualification Update
New learners
This programme is closed to new learners. For information on education programmes available at Open Polytechnic, visit here
Update for re-enrolling learners
Learners who were already enrolled in the Teacher Education Refresh programme at Open Polytechnic, can continue to re-enrol and complete their qualification.
To be awarded this qualification, you must successfully complete all four courses that make up the programme. These courses are found on our website as follows:
Teacher Education Refresh programme
OP7701 Teaching as a Profession
- Course 1: EDU701 Teaching in Aotearoa New Zealand
- Course 2: EDU702 Creating a Culture for Learning
P7702 Teaching Practice
- Course 3: EDU703 Effective Design for Learning
- Course 4: EDU704 Teaching Practicum
*You must study courses as listed in the order above. You cannot undertake your practicum in EDU704 Teaching Practicum until you have successfully completed the previous 3 courses.
Completing your Teacher Education Refresh programme of study in 2026
Please note, Open Polytechnic has a teach out plan in place.
Current learners will need to apply to enrol in their remaining courses no later than the dates shown in the table below:
| Course | EDU702 Creating a Culture for Learning | EDU703 Effective Design for Learning | EDU704 Teaching Practicum |
| Last date to submit your enrolment application | 2 June 2026 | 8 September 2026 | 6 October 2026 |
| Course start date | 15 June 2026 | 21 September 2026 | 19 October 2026 |
Practicum placement
To complete EDU704 Teaching Practicum you will need to negotiate your own practicum placement.
Need help?
If you think you will not be able to complete your courses within the time you have left, need help with a study plan or need additional support to help you complete your studies by the cut-off date, our Student Advisors can help.
Please contact us by free phone 0508 650 200 weekdays between 8am – 5pm, or email us for any assistance.
Who is TER for
TER is aimed at early childhood, primary and secondary teachers who:
- Have graduated from an Initial Teacher Education programme but have not achieved a full practicing certificate within a six-year period;
- Are returning to the workforce after a lengthy period; OR
- Have trained overseas.
Completing TER (OP7701 and OP7702) will allow you to be provisionally certified for an additional six years. The Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand expects that you will meet the Standards | Ngā Tikanga Matatika (opens in new tab) for the Teaching Profession in this time.
If you are employed in the primary or secondary sector your principal can apply for an extension to teach for you provided you have done the following:
- enrolled in TER and provided this information to the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand
- lodged an EC80 application with the Council and paid $220.80, and the Council has obtained a clear police check.
Please note that the Council is unable to issue an extension to teach early childhood education teachers.
How to enrol
- Click on the relevant training scheme (Start with OP7701 Teaching as a Profession if you are a new learner)
- Read the Overview, Entry Requirements and Fees information
- On the ‘Choose courses and apply’ tab select a course. Note – you can only enrol in one course at a time.
- Click ‘Apply now’ to choose your start date and complete the enrolment application form.
Employment and study pathways
When you complete the two TER training schemes you will have the skills and knowledge needed to apply for your provisional teacher registration for ECE, primary or secondary teaching through the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand.
Once you are are provisionally registered you can re-enter the classroom and apply for teaching positions in New Zealand.
You may be also able to go on to graduate and post-graduate studies in a range of subject areas including education.
Fee free offer
The Ministry of Education is currently paying fees for learners enrolling for the first time in the two TER training schemes when required by the Teaching Council. For more information see the 'Fee free offer' tab in the training scheme pages
Get in touch
If you have any questions queries about TER please email our team at customerservices@openpolytechnic.ac.nz