Bachelor of Teaching
Inspire the next generation, transform learning and foster imagination by becoming a teacher. A qualification in teaching from the University of Waikato will set you up to become a skilled and reflective teacher. We produce qualified teachers who are in high demand both in New Zealand and around the world.
Teachers are influential community members, making a difference to young people and their learning, knowledge and skill acquisition. They play a major role in helping their students develop their independence and success in their lives.
As a graduate of this programme, you will be among the best-prepared teaching graduates and highly regarded by education employers, within NZ and overseas. You'll have the understanding, skills and academic requirements to be a primary or secondary teacher. You'll be eligible to apply for a provisional practising certificate, and after two years of full-time teaching be granted a full practising certificate with the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand.
At the University of Waikato:
We consistently place in the top 250 for education in the international QS subject rankings, which assesses more than 800 universities across the world.
Our staff are dedicated to inspiring the next generation of teachers and improving classroom practice and conducting research inquiry of their own in their specialist areas.
We have:
- 50+ years of teacher education
- a wide variety of programmes
- a small student to staff ratio
- school experience from the first day of your degree, right through until your final year
- Strong partnerships with schools and work in schools designed to meet the needs of both the schools and curriculum requirements
- high-quality staff and teaching
- flexibility to find a study pathway that suits your lifestyle - whether that's on campus in Hamilton or Tauranga or online (our online study option involves being on campus in Hamilton for two one-week blocks per year)
- access to the latest research via Institutes attached to the school
- exchange programmes with the National Institute of Education, Singapore and VIA University College, Denmark
Key information
| Years: | 3 |
|---|---|
| Points: | 360 |
| BTchg Study Locations: | Hamilton, Tauranga, Online Papers offered differ by location. The Catalogue of Papers has full location info. |
| Start Dates: | February (A Trimester) |
| Estimated Fees* (Domestic): |
$6,591 per year
See if you're eligible for fees-free study in your first year |
| Estimated Fees* (International): | $29,680 per year |
| Entry Requirements: | Undergraduate International |
| Area of Study: | |
| *Tuition fees shown are indicative only and may change. There are additional fees and charges related to enrolment please see the Table of Fees and Charges for more information. You will be sent an enrolment agreement which will confirm your fees. | |
Degree Planner
Degree planner — Bachelor of Teaching (BTchg) overview
Year 1
100 level
Stream
One of
TEACH100 or TEACH111
Elective
Year 2
200 level
Stream
200 level
Stream
200 level
Stream
200 level
Stream
200 level
Stream
Elective
Year 3
300 level
Stream
300 level
Stream
300 level
Stream
300 level
Stream
300 level
Stream (30 points)
Elective
- Stream
- Compulsory
- Elective
Teaching papers
100 level
Depending on the chosen stream, students must include either:
This information is provisional and subject to change.
Degree planner — BTchg in Early Childhood Stream
Prepare yourself for a career working in a variety of childhood settings with children from birth up to six years old. Gain theoretical and practical experience as you learn about all the aspects of Te Whariki – the Early Childhood curriculum.
We offer an integrated programme with seven major themes: bicultural development; cultural diversity; equity and social justice; inclusion; parents and whanau; transition to school; and infants and toddlers.
- Location: Online *
- Start date: February
You'll be eligible to apply for a provisional practising certificate, and after two years of full time teaching be granted a full practising certificate with the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand.
* There will be compulsory block weeks on Hamilton campus.
Year 1
Elective
Year 2
Elective
Year 3
Early Childhood Transitions *subject to approval
Elective
- Stream
- Compulsory
- Elective
Degree planner — BTchg Primary Stream
Prepare yourself for a career in primary, composite, intermediate and middle schools or kura, working with children from five to 13 years old.
You'll gain a solid foundation in all aspects of the New Zealand curriculum. You'll also learn about professional and ethical practices, child development, issues that face teachers and learners with special needs, teaching children from diverse backgrounds, classroom management, environmental education for sustainability, and the wider contexts of school, community and national systems.
By studying with the University of Waikato you know you get practical hands-on experience at the "chalkface". The Bachelor of Teaching Primary includes a significant component of classroom practice under the guidance of mentor teachers. This includes weekly placements of one day per week plus a three-week block during year one, one day per week plus a four-week block during year two, and a ten-week block during year three.
- Location: Online (blended/distance), Hamilton, Tauranga
- Start date: February
You'll be eligible to apply for a provisional practising certificate, and after two years of full time teaching be granted a full practising certificate with the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand.
Year 1
Elective
Year 2
Elective
- Stream
- Compulsory
- Elective
Degree planner — Online (MMP)
BTchg - Primary MMP
If moving town to study is not an option for you, then consider our Online or Mixed Media Presentation (MMP) programmes. This programme is offered online with some on-campus attendance required. The MMP programme is available if you do not live in or near Hamilton or Tauranga and need to stay in the area in which you live. They are particularly suited to the mature learner.
This three-year BTchg (Primary) programme suits people living in regions where it would be difficult to attend the University of Waikato campus to complete tertiary studies. This programme includes the same core papers available to BTchg (Primary) on-campus students. Learning is conducted primarily online, with some face-to-face teaching. You will need to attend compulsory on-campus classes in Hamilton for up to one week in February and June.
You will work one full day each week in a base school in your local community throughout Years One and Two, where you will observe and participate in teaching practice. In addition to this you will also undertake block placements in these schools, and in your third year, at a third school.
For more information about our online or MMP study options for primary teachers, email [email protected]
Choose a major
Career opportunities
- Corporate Trainer
- Education Policy Analyst
- Learning Consultant
- Primary, Intermediate or Secondary School Teacher
- Recruitment Adviser
- Social Worker
- School Counsellor
- Educational Consultant
- Curriculum Developer
- Policy Advisor
Entry requirements
Please apply early as all applicants are subject to an interview and selection process.
Please apply early as all applicants are subject to an interview and selection process. Selection of applicants is based on academic background, communication skills, personal qualities, background experiences and referee support. As well as being selected as a suitable person to be a teacher, you will need to meet the admission requirements for the University.
Study in Tauranga
Primary stream is available in Tauranga. Please contact us for more information.
Scholarships and prizes
Selected scholarships for BTchg students.
TeachNZ scholarships
TeachNZ have a wide range of scholarships available throughout the year - learn more about these.
Bachelor of Teaching with Honours
Expand to read about the Bachelor of Teaching with Honours
The Bachelor of Teaching (Honours) is for high performing graduates of the BTchg and prepares a candidate for research and scholarship in the Master of Education. Honours degrees require completion of 120 points at 500 level (equivalent to four papers) and is one-year full time (or part-time equivalent). Entry to the BTchg(Hons) is by invitation only to final year students in the BTchg and it needs to be completed directly after the completion of the BTchg.
Graduate study options
Expand to read available graduate study options
Our other teaching qualifications include the Graduate Diploma in Teaching, Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching, Master of Teaching and Learning and a te reo Māori immersion Postgraduate Diploma in Education.
Graduate Diploma in Teaching
Already have a bachelor’s degree, ready to start a new career, or wanting to become a secondary teacher?* Become a qualified teacher in only one year with a Graduate Diploma in Teaching, and transform learning, foster imagination and inspire the next generation to lead change.
*To become a secondary teacher, first study an undergraduate degree and take papers in the subjects you wish to teach. Then complete a Graduate Diploma in Teaching, Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching or Master of Teaching and Learning.
The Graduate Diploma in Teaching is a Level 7 qualification.
Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching
Develop your knowledge of manaakitanga, manamotuhake, ngā whakapiringatanga, wānanga and ako, and kotahitanga. Challenge differences in society, amplify voices who are otherwise unheard and become a community partner and advocate.
The Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching is a Level 8 qualification, putting you at a higher salary step.
Master of Teaching and Learning
The Master of Teaching and Learning is an intensive one-year programme that will prepare you with specialist skills and enhanced knowledge of teaching in primary or secondary schools. Aimed at high achievers, this programme requires a higher entry criteria.
The Master of Teaching and Learning is a Level 9 qualification, putting you at a higher salary step.
Te Rōpū Tohu Paerua Mātauranga Māori PGDipEd (Te Rōpū Tohu Paerua)
Ka aro tēnei tohu ki ngā horopaki huhua o ngā kaiwhakaako o te akomanga rumaki, reo rua hoki. Ka kawe ngā akoranga o tēnei hōtaka mā te reo Māori. E whā ngā pepa (120 ngā piro) ā kei te kaupae tuarima tēnei Tohu Paerua Rumaki. Ka akohia tēnei hōtaka mā te rorohiko (NET) me ngā wānanga (HAM).
Postgraduate Diploma (Education) (Māori Medium Teaching)
This Postgraduate Diploma in Education specialisation suits teachers who want to adapt their classroom organisation and teaching styles to meet learners needs within kōhanga reo, kura kaupapa Māori, immersion Māori and bilingual schools and units. This programme is delivered through the medium of te reo Māori. The PGDipEd (Māori Medium Teaching) comprises the equivalent of four (120 points) 500 level papers. The papers are delivered online (NET) and face-to-face through block sessions (HAM). Find out more about the qualification regulations.
Practical experience
From year 1 of your degree you will be exposed to the classroom environment.
Exchange programme and study abroad
Te Kura Toi Tangata School of Education has international partnerships and exchange programmes with the National Institute of Education, Singapore and VIA University College, Denmark
Qualifications for teacher upgrades
Expand to read Qualifications for teacher upgrades
BTchg (Upgrade) (Early Childhood & Primary)
Upgrading a teaching diploma or equivalent qualification to a degree can enhance current teaching and learning practices and has salary benefits. This qualification is for qualified and registered early childhood and primary school teachers wanting to upgrade their current teaching qualification to a Bachelor of Teaching degree.
What qualifications can be upgraded?*
- New Zealand three-year teachers college diplomas awarded between 1968 and 1985
- New Zealand three-year diplomas of teaching awarded from 1986
- New Zealand Trained Teachers Certificates awarded before 1971
- NZFKU and Early Childhood Diplomas awarded by New Zealand teachers colleges before 1992
- Other qualifications recognised by the New Zealand Teachers Council as equivalent to a three-year diploma of teaching
*Please note: This is a guide only - please contact an adviser in the Academic and Student Administration Office for individual advice.
Receiving Credit
Qualified teachers normally receive credit totalling 240 points for their initial teaching qualification, leaving 120 points to complete the degree (this is usually made up of 30 points at 200 level and 90 points at 300 level). Additional credit may be given depending on any tertiary study that has been successfully completed since a teacher’s initial teacher education.
Contacts
Have a chat with one of our friendly advisers to help you plan your degree.
Student Centre
Phone: 0800 WAIKATO (0800 924 528) or 07 838 4176
Email: [email protected]
Have a chat with one of our friendly advisers to help you plan your degree.
Phone: +64 7 807 9275 Email: [email protected]
Enquire Now