Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Early Childhood Education)

Entry requirements

Applicants must have an undergraduate degree.

Applicants who do not hold a Level 7 degree qualification may be considered for entry if they have successfully completed

• an early childhood education qualification at Levels 5, 6 or 7 on the NZQF, or a recognised equivalent qualification, and
• are able to demonstrate the equivalence of a minimum of 3 years fulltime relevant work experience in the early childhood education sector within the last 10 years.

Ākonga who have completed a Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education) are not eligible for enrolment in this programme.

Workforce restrictions for children's workforce

If you have a criminal conviction and want to study towards a qualification that will lead to a job in the state funded sector (including teaching or providing youth services) working directly with children, you need to check whether your conviction could prevent you from working in some roles in your chosen field.

The Children's Act 2014 sets out clear guidelines that prevents state sector agencies and government-funded service providers from hiring people with convictions for specified offences to work with children.

Read the list of specified offences

This information has been supplied by the Children's Action Plan Directorate and the Tertiary Education Commission.

English Language Requirements

All applicants must demonstrate an acceptable level of English language competency prior to acceptance to the programme. Evidence of this will be provided by:

• New Zealand University Entrance;
• Or the current New Zealand Teaching Council Initial Teacher Education requirements.

For applicants with English as an Additional Language, English language fluency may be demonstrated by

• an IELTS Academic score of 7, with no band score lower than 7, achieved in a single test within the two years preceding enrolment; or
• an equivalent score on a test of English language proficiency, as set out in the current Teaching Council Initial Teacher Education Requirements, achieved in a single test within the two years preceding enrolment.

Note that exemptions may apply to the above as per current Teaching Council Initial Teacher Education Requirements.

International students and domestic students living overseas

This programme is not open to:

• International students living overseas or in New Zealand
• Domestic students living overseas 

Computer and internet requirements

This programme is delivered online. To complete this programme you will need access to a laptop or desktop computer, reliable broadband internet connection and a data plan able to support online learning such as streaming of videos (including YouTube), downloading content, and writing and submitting online assessments. If you are unsure if your current computer or internet access allows you to complete your online learning with us, please contact us before applying to enrol.

Learn more about our online learning and study tools.