Graduate Diploma in Teaching
Become a teacher in as little as one year with a Graduate Diploma in Teaching (GradDipTchg), and transform learning, foster imagination and inspire the next generation to lead change.
Applications are now closed for 2025, for Primary and Secondary teaching. We welcome your application to study with us in Trimester H (January) 2026.
Please note: Early Childhood Education applications are still open to study in Trimester B (July) 2025.
This is a teaching qualification and will lead to becoming a registered teacher.
Why study the Graduate Diploma in Teaching?
As a graduate of the Graduate Diploma in Teaching, you will be among the best-prepared teaching graduates and highly regarded by education employers, within Aotearoa New Zealand and overseas. With separate courses for Early Childhood, Primary and Secondary teaching, the GradDipTchg combines Professional Education papers with placements in schools or ECE centres.
You'll spend a total of 80 days in two different schools or ECE centres putting your new skills to practice.
We recognise previous experience working in the Trades/Technology sectors and high fluency levels in Te Reo Māori or Pacific language(s) and can offer selected candidates entry into the GradDipTchg via the Alternative Entry Pathway.
Degree information
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Plan your study -
Subjects Choose a subject
Browse available subjects and choose one for more information.
Browse GradDipTchg subjects Browse available subjects and choose one for more information
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Entry Requirements To be eligible to gain entry into this programme, candidates must hold a Bachelor's degree at Level 7 on the NZ Qualifications Framework or a recognised equivalent.
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 a literacy and numeracy assessment. As well as meeting the selection criteria, you will need to meet the admission requirement for The University of Waikato.
Applicants seeking to enter a secondary programme must have sufficient depth and breadth of a relevant subject or curriculum knowledge from levels 5 to 7, or higher, in their entry qualification that is relevant for teaching a particular secondary school subject. When you apply for the programme you will need to submit your degree transcript(s). The programme leader/coordinator will discuss and advise the appropriate programme once you reach the interview stage.
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Fees and scholarships Estimated fees
$8,978 per year
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Domestic tuition fees
Approximate annual tuition fees and costs for domestic students enrolled in one year of full-time study.
Domestic tuition costs -
Scholarships
Visit our Scholarship finder for more information about possible scholarships.
Scholarships Finder
Relevant as of 30 October 2024.
All amounts are in New Zealand Dollars (NZD). 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. View information about fees free study.
Estimated fees
$38,955 per year
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International tuition fees
Approximate annual tuition fees and costs for international students enrolled in one year of full-time study.
International tuition costs -
Scholarships
Visit our Scholarship finder for more information about possible scholarships.
Scholarships Finder
Relevant as of 30 October 2024.
All amounts are in New Zealand Dollars (NZD). 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.
-
Browse available subjects and choose one for more information
To be eligible to gain entry into this programme, candidates must hold a Bachelor's degree at Level 7 on the NZ Qualifications Framework or a recognised equivalent.
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 a literacy and numeracy assessment. As well as meeting the selection criteria, you will need to meet the admission requirement for The University of Waikato.
Applicants seeking to enter a secondary programme must have sufficient depth and breadth of a relevant subject or curriculum knowledge from levels 5 to 7, or higher, in their entry qualification that is relevant for teaching a particular secondary school subject. When you apply for the programme you will need to submit your degree transcript(s). The programme leader/coordinator will discuss and advise the appropriate programme once you reach the interview stage.
Estimated fees
$8,978 per year
-
Domestic tuition fees
Approximate annual tuition fees and costs for domestic students enrolled in one year of full-time study.
Domestic tuition costs -
Scholarships
Visit our Scholarship finder for more information about possible scholarships.
Scholarships Finder
Relevant as of 30 October 2024.
All amounts are in New Zealand Dollars (NZD). 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. View information about fees free study.
Estimated fees
$38,955 per year
-
International tuition fees
Approximate annual tuition fees and costs for international students enrolled in one year of full-time study.
International tuition costs -
Scholarships
Visit our Scholarship finder for more information about possible scholarships.
Scholarships Finder
Relevant as of 30 October 2024.
All amounts are in New Zealand Dollars (NZD). 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.
Entry Requirements
Students enrolling into one of our English-medium ITE programmes, specialising in Primary, will need to demonstrate competency in mathematics by completing the Literacy and Numeracy for Adults Assessment Tool (LNAAT) test. This testing will be phased in over the next two years and we have outlined below how this will be done:
2025 enrolments - Students will need to pass the LNAAT test prior to graduating.
2026 enrolments - Students in the Bachelor of Teaching in Primary will need to pass the LNAAT test before the end of their first year of study. Students in the postgraduate ITE programmes will need to pass the LNAAT test prior to entry into the programme.
2027 enrolments (and onwards) - Students will need to pass the LNAAT test prior to entry into their ITE programme.
If you have any queries, or would like further support, regarding this assessment please reach out to us - teach@waikato.ac.nz.
Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Secondary)
Your previous tertiary study
Your chosen curriculum area needs to align with your previous tertiary study. To teach a New Zealand curriculum subject at senior level (year 11-13), 300 level university papers are required. To teach junior levels (year 7-10), 100 and 200 level university papers are required. When you apply for the programme you will need to submit your degree transcript(s). The programme leader/coordinator will discuss and advise the appropriate programme once you reach the interview stage.
Learning/Subject Areas
Learning Areas:
- English
- The Arts
- Health and Physical Education
- Learning and Languages
- Mathematics and Statistics
- Science
- Social Sciences
- Technology
Subject Areas:
- English
- The Arts (Dance, Drama, Music, Visual Arts)
- Health and Physical Education
- Learning Languages
- Mathematics and Statistics
- Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics)
- Social Sciences (Business Studies, Economics, Geography, History)
- Technology (includes areas of computational thinking, designing and developing digital outcomes, designing and developing processed outcomes, designing and developing material outcomes, and design and visual communications – all taught together).
Career changers: Technology education (Secondary)
The University of Waikato provides a pathway into teaching for people in the trades who are looking for a career change. We have designed a new two-year pathway for those who do not meet the entry requirements for the Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Secondary). The pathway consists of two separate qualifications, including a Diploma in Education, and then a Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Secondary).
Before proceeding, applicants will first be interviewed to determine suitability for teaching. Entry to the Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Secondary) is only assured on successful completion of the Diploma in Education, and if the applicant meets the selection criteria for teaching.
The Diploma in Education consists of 120 points, including 75 points at 200 level or above, taken from the existing prescriptions for Adult Learning, Education, Education and Society, and/or Human Development. The Diploma will be endorsed in the field in which at least 75 points are gained.
Alternative entry pathway criteria
Technology:
- A relevant Trades qualification at Level 5, 6 or 7 on the NZQF or an equivalent qualification;
- A minimum of five years of relevant work experience in the last eight years in a trade (eg. chef, patternmaker, builder, mechanic, cabinetmaker, illustrator) relevant to teaching technology education subjects.
Te Reo Māori:
- A minimum of three years recent work (paid or voluntary) experience where the use of a high level of Te Reo Māori has been a significant aspect of the mahi; and
- Achieved Whakamātauria Tō Reo Māori Level 4 (National Māori Language Proficiency Examinations); or
- Completed all primary schooling and at least three years secondary schooling in Te Reo Māori; or
- Completed five years of secondary schooling in the medium of Te Reo Māori, or
- Other evidence of a high standard of Te Reo Māori competency will be considered on an individual basis.
Pacific Language(s):
- A minimum of three years recent work (paid or voluntary) experience where the use of a high level of either Tongan, Samoan, Cook Island Māori or another Pacific language has been a significant aspect of the work; and
- Achieved Level 4 certificate in either Tongan, Samoan, Cook Island Māori language; or
- Completed all primary schooling and at least three years secondary schooling in the medium of Tongan, Samoan, Cook Island Māori language, or
- Other evidence of a high standard of Tongan, Samoa, Cook Island Māori language will be considered on an individual basis.
Applicants approved for entry via this pathway will be required to enrol in, and successfully complete, one undergraduate paper before full enrolment into the Graduate Diploma in Teaching.
To enrol in the Graduate Diploma in Teaching via the Alternative Entry Pathway, please apply to study and we will be in touch to let you know the next steps.