Early Years – Postgraduate Diploma in Education

Develop your knowledge and skills to become a leader in early years education.

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 Early Years for your Postgraduate Diploma in Education at Massey

Postgraduate study in early years is of particular value for:

  • early childhood educators and early years teachers
  • facilitators of early childhood professional development
  • tertiary teachers in early childhood education/early years qualifications
  • other professionals involved in the education of young children from birth to eight.

This qualification builds upon prior knowledge and experience in early years educational settings. It supports you to further develop your own teaching practices through engagement with research, theory, and other professionals.

Why study with us?

Join us to take your learning to the next level and achieve your goals in education.

You will:

  • challenge and enhance your knowledge
  • enjoy extensive networking opportunities with other early years educators
  • focus on children from birth to eight, including the transition to school
  • have the opportunity to participate in and access current and relevant research in a supportive environment
  • choose from specialist and specific topics designed for your context and interests
  • benefit from Massey University’s extensive experience offering online, blended and distance qualifications

Your qualification options

Please note that the Postgraduate Diploma in Education (Early Years) 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 Early Years is a good fit if you:

  • want to engage with other teachers and professionals who want to keep learning
  • want to access current and relevant research and thinking in early years
  • want to build on your knowledge and enhance your professional skills.

Planning information

Completing an endorsement is not compulsory.

A Postgraduate Diploma in Education (Early Years) 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

Early Years courses

Endorsement courses

Choose at least 60 credits from
Course code: 265736 Informed Practice in Early Years Education 30 credits

This course offers a critical study of the notions of quality in learning settings from infancy through to early school years. Content focuses on how to engage with and interpret different forms of evidence, including research, to inform practice. Opportunity is provided for exploration of key issues and implications for pedagogical leadership.

View full course details
Course code: 265737 Young Children, Families, Whānau and Communities 30 credits

This course offers a critical study of theory, research and policy relating to young children, families, whānau and communities. Content includes exploration of key theoretical perspectives, longitudinal research, and national and international policy that influences the lives of children, families, and whānau. Implications for young children, their families and whānau in the context of education and community will be explored.

View full course details
Course code: 265738 Fostering Children’s Learning Through Play-based Pedagogy 30 credits

This course introduces students to teaching practices in education settings from infancy through to early school years. Content includes the significance of intentional teaching and play in early childhood education and school settings as well as play-based, social-emotional, place-based and inquiry-based pedagogies. Opportunity is provided to critically examine pedagogy focused on te tiriti based partnerships, localised curriculum and culturally responsive practice in Aotearoa New Zealand.

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 (Early Years) 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.

You may be required to provide evidence of sufficient background experience.

 If you hold any other bachelor’s degree or equivalent and have no professional qualification in teaching you will need to provide a copy of your curriculum vitae (CV) to support your application.

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

Whether you are enhancing your career or broadening your knowledge, the Postgraduate Diploma in Education (Early Years) can lead to numerous opportunities, both professionally and in voluntary positions in the community. Your skills and teaching knowledge will always be highly valued.

Where will the Postgraduate Diploma in Education (Early Years) take you?

Get involved and use your skills to directly benefit the children you teach. Postgraduate Diploma in Education (Early Years) graduates work in many educational areas such as:

  • early childhood centres - leadership and management
  • resource Teacher: Learning and Behaviour
  • ministry roles
  • facilitation roles
  • professional development and in-service teacher education
  • social work
  • educational psychology
  • early intervention specialists
  • deputy principals
  • curriculum or syndicate leaders in junior primary
  • initial teacher education provider
  • researcher.

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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