Digital Education – Postgraduate Diploma in Education

Gain the critical insight and practical skills you need to thrive in the rapidly changing field of digital learning and teaching.

Where you can study

Distance and online

International students

International students are not New Zealand citizens or residents.

Definition of New Zealand citizens and residents

Open to international students studying online from outside New Zealand

Specialise in Digital Education for your Postgraduate Diploma in Education at Massey

Everyday life is being fundamentally changed by digital technologies. Education is part of this change, with learning no longer confined to a place or to traditional pathways of learning. In the Postgraduate Diploma in Education (Digital Education), you will learn to:

  • analyse and critique digital education theory and practice
  • develop your understanding of the complexities of digital learning and teaching
  • improve students' learning within a safe and inclusive learning environment.

Your qualification options

Please note that the Postgraduate Diploma in Education (Digital Education) does not qualify you to be a teacher in New Zealand. If you wish to become a teacher, see the Graduate Diploma of Learning and Teaching.

A Postgraduate Diploma in Education in Digital Education is a good fit if you:

  • are a teacher, lecturer, trainer, librarian, learning designer, learning developer, professional development consultant, manager or want to understand more about digital education
  • want the skills and knowledge to assess, develop, teach and critique the wide variety of existing and emerging digital learning
  • want the flexibility that online learning offers

Planning information

Completing an endorsement is not compulsory.

A Postgraduate Diploma in Education (Digital Education) requires 120 credits.

If you study full-time, you’ll take 120 credits per year or 60 credits per semester.

Official regulations

To understand what you need to study and must complete to graduate read the official rules and regulations for this qualification.

You should read these together with all other relevant Statutes and Regulations of the University including the General Regulations for Postgraduate Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas, and Postgraduate Certificates.

Returning students

For returning students, there may be changes to the majors and minors available and the courses you need to take. Go to the section called ‘Transitional Provisions’ in the Regulations to find out more.

In some cases the qualification or specialisation you enrolled in may no longer be taking new enrolments, so may not appear on these web pages. To find information on the regulations for these qualifications go to the Massey University Calendar.

Please contact us through the Get advice button on this page if you have any questions.

Courses you can enrol in

Course planning key

Prerequisites
Courses that need to be completed before moving onto a course at the next level. For example, a lot of 200-level courses have 100-level prerequisite courses.
Corequisites
Courses that must be completed at the same time as another course are known as corequisite courses.
Restrictions
Some courses are restricted against each other because their content is similar. This means you can only choose one of the offered courses to study and credit to your qualification.

Core courses for the Postgraduate Diploma in Education

As well as the specialisation courses listed below, this qualification has core courses that you will need to complete.

Postgraduate Diploma in Education core courses

Digital Education courses

Subject courses

Choose at least 60 credits from
Course code: 261760 Digital Education and Design for Learning 30 credits

This course critically explores ways of framing the design of digitally-enhanced learning situations through three components: the crafting of learning tasks, the digital and material tools and spaces for learning, and the social arrangements that organise learners and encourage cooperative activity. Students discuss selected approaches, techniques, and tools of relevance to those designing for other people’s learning in diverse contexts.

View full course details
Course code: 261765 Trends in Digital Education 30 credits

This course critically explores how learning and pedagogical practices co-evolve with technological innovations, drawing on contemporary learning theories and empirical research in diverse learning contexts. Central themes in this course include critical issues in digital education, teaching & learning in a networked society, and how new/emerging technologies influence processes of learning and transformation.

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Course code: 261766 Teaching and Digital Education 30 credits

This course explores the use of digital technologies in teaching and learning in diverse professional contexts. It critically examines how digital technologies can be used to support and enhance teaching, learning, and assessment. The course will scope a range of topics related to digital education, including theories, perspectives, principles and pedagogical approaches for diverse learners and learning situations.

View full course details

Entry requirements

Admission to Massey

All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.

Specific requirements

To enter the Postgraduate Diploma in Education (Digital Education) you will: 

  • have been awarded or qualified for the Bachelor of Education, or equivalent; or
  • have been awarded or qualified for any other bachelor’s degree or equivalent, and hold a professional qualification in teaching; or
  • have been awarded or qualified for any other bachelor’s degree or equivalent, and have professional experience relevant to the intended postgraduate subject.

You will need to provide copies of all official academic transcripts for studies taken at all universities other than Massey University.

Applications will be accepted if you do not have a teaching qualification, but you must provide a curriculum vitae showing relevant experience in digital education environments (eg in tertiary institutions, corporate trainers etc).

International students

There is one intake each year for study commencing in February.

English language requirements

To study this qualification you must meet Massey University's English language standards.

English language skills

If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, see our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses.

Fees and scholarships

Fees, student loans and free fees scheme

Your tuition fees may be different depending on the courses you choose. Your exact fees will show once you have chosen your courses.

There will also be some compulsory non-tuition fees and for some courses, there may also be charges for things such as study resources, software, trips and contact workshops.

Already know which courses you're going to choose?

You can view fees for the courses that make up your qualification on the course details pages.

Student loans (StudyLink) and Fees Free scheme

You may be eligible for a student loan to help towards paying your fees.

The New Zealand Government offers fees-free tertiary study for eligible domestic students. Find out more about the scheme and your eligibility on the Fees Free website. To use the site's eligibility checking tool, you will need your National Student Number.

Current and returning Massey students can find their National Student Number in the student portal.

Scholarship and award opportunities

Search our scholarships and awards

Fees disclaimer

This information is for estimation purposes only. Actual fees payable will be finalised on confirmation of enrolment. Unless otherwise stated, all fees shown are quoted in New Zealand dollars and include Goods and Services Tax, if any. Before relying on any information on these pages you should also read the University's Disclaimer Notice.

Careers and job opportunities

The skills and knowledge the Postgraduate Diploma in Education (Digital Education) provides will enable you to pursue or advance your career in the diverse and fast-moving field of digital education.

Digital education professionals are needed in a wide variety of areas including:

  • teaching
  • industry
  • government
  • learning and instructional design
  • defence forces
  • libraries
  • academic and professional development
  • health sector.

Accreditations and rankings

QS Ranking - Education

Massey is ranked in the world's top 250 universities for education in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings.

Learn more

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