Secondary – Graduate Diploma of Learning and Teaching

Practice-based learning

Blended learning is a hallmark of this qualification. Course work is grounded in demonstration and application of teaching performance. Problem-solving approaches to learning are emphasised.

Distance learning option

If you choose the distance learning option, we require you to be in New Zealand for the duration of the programme. The programme and practicum placements within it are relevant to the New Zealand curriculum and hence must be done within New Zealand in accordance with Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand requirements. Also, as practical and theoretical courses are intertwined you cannot do the theory/pedagogy courses first and then return to do the practical courses at a later date.

Distance students are required to attend compulsory contact workshops.

Contact workshops

All students (full-time and part-time, distance and on-campus) are required to attend 1 week (5 days) of compulsory contact workshops/wānanga during February. This will include a noho marae experience. Part-time students will attend this workshop in their first year only. Wānanga for the Secondary endorsement are offered on the Manawatū campus ONLY. (This is to enable time to be spent with subject specialists). In addition there will be up to 5 days of compulsory online contact workshops during the year.

Professional practice

The 2 professional practice courses include a minimum of 80 days of professional experience in education settings. You will typically complete two 4-week blocks of practicum in 1 education setting (Professional Practice 1); a further 8 weeks of practicum in a second education setting, plus 1 week of ‘focused placement’ - targeted professional experience - to support individual professional growth (Professional Practice 2). If you are currently employed on a Limited Authority to Teach (LAT) you are able to complete up to 12 weeks of your practicum experience in the school in which you are employed..

Where possible students will undertake practica in their local area/community, however you may be required to travel up to 1 hour for practicum placements. Please note that depending on the availability of placements in particular subject specialisms, students in the secondary endorsement may be required to undertake practica outside of their local region.

Organising travel for practicum placements is your responsibility.

Start and end dates

This is an intensive qualification that runs across an extended academic year. Semester dates and breaks in this qualification do not always align with other Massey qualifications, or with school holidays. A Programme Calendar, providing details of each week throughout the year, will be made available to candidates at the time of the selections wānanga.

• Semester 1: Start 20 January 2025 – Ends 27 June 2025
• Semester 2: Start 14 July 2025 - Ends 22 November 2025

Semester break dates 2025

• Semester 1 Break
  • Study Week: 14-18 April
  • Mid-Semester break: 21-25 April
• Midyear Break (between semesters): 30 June - 11 July
• Semester 2 Break
  • Study Week: 22-26 September
  • Mid-Semester break: 29 September - 3 October

Contact workshop dates for 2025

Contact wānanga: 10-14 February. Campus-based; Manawatū campus ONLY.

Practicum dates 2025

Full-time students

• Practicum 1a: 28 April - 23 May
• Practicum 1b: 2-27 June
• Practicum 2: 28 July - 19 September

Part-time students Year 1

• Practicum 1a: 28 April - 23 May
• Practicum 1b: 25 August - 19 September

Part-time students Year 2

• Practicum 2: 28 July - 19 September  

If you are studying part-time here is your study plan

Part-time Year 1

263400 Learning and Teaching 1 (15 credits)
260410 Professional Practice 1 (Secondary) (30 credits)
260412 Curriculum and Pedagogy A (Secondary Maths, Science, Technology) OR 260413 Curriculum and Pedagogy A (Secondary English, Languages, Social Sciences) OR 260414 Curriculum and Pedagogy A (Secondary Arts, Physical Education & Health) (30 credits)

Part-time Year 2

263401 Learning and Teaching 2 (15 credits)
260411 Professional Practice 2 (Secondary) (30 credits)
260415 Curriculum and Pedagogy B (Secondary) (30 credits)

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 Undergraduate Degrees, Undergraduate Diplomas, Undergraduate Certificates, Graduate Diplomas and Graduate 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.

Core courses for the Graduate Diploma of Learning and Teaching

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

Graduate Diploma of Learning and Teaching core courses

Secondary courses

Admission to Massey

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

• Massey University entry requirements

Specific requirements

This is a selected entry qualification. This means there are a number of extra requirements you must meet. 

To enter the Graduate Diploma of Learning and Teaching you will have:

• been awarded or qualified for a bachelor's degree of at least 360 credits, or equivalent
• demonstrated competence in literacy and numeracy as set down by the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand and the Institute of Education
• achieved an Academic IELTS score of at least 7.0 with no band less than 7.0 or approved equivalent within the preceding 2 years, unless you hold New Zealand University Entrance Level 2 literacy credits or higher, or Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand recognised equivalent qualification(s) and/or schooling
• met the requirements for registration as set down by the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand, in terms of values, disposition and fitness to teach
• completed a body of study at New Zealand Qualifications Framework Levels 5 to 7 and/or higher in at least 1 subject – and typically 2 subjects – that are relevant for teaching a particular Secondary School subject (see below for details).

You will need to provide the following documents: 

• copies of all official academic transcripts for studies taken at all universities other than Massey University
• a copy of your current curriculum vitae
• a supporting statement
• A consent to disclosure of information for a New Zealand Police check.  Please provide 2 pieces of verified identification (1 of which must be photographic). See more details below about safety checks
• A copy of a police report from every overseas country you have lived in for more than 12 months in the last 10 years. Please do not supply originals as these will need to be supplied to the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand at a later date
• a health and disability declaration
• evidence of English language competency as outlined by the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand, which may include an Academic IELTS test or recognised equivalent - if English is not your first language (see requirements below)
• an NZQA International Qualifications Assessment - if you have an overseas qualification
• contact details of 2 referees - 1 character referee and 1 professional referee.
• Optional; an observation in an education setting relevant to the Secondary endorsement. We strongly recommended you include an observation report - especially if you have not been in a New Zealand school in the last 5 years: Please use this Observation Template (PDF)

If the selection committee feel you potentially meet the values, disposition and fitness to teach criteria, you may be invited to an interview. This is the second part of the selection process.

Application closing date

Applications close 9 December, for study the following year. 

All documentation needs to be provided prior to the closing date for applications.

There is only 1 intake at the start of each year, but applications are open throughout the year for future intakes.

Secondary teaching subjects

In the Secondary endorsement, you will develop teaching skills in a major subject that you can teach from years 9-11, and a second subject that you may teach at years 9 and 10 only.

Ordinarily, a suite of relevant university courses including at least 1 course (preferably more) at 300 level is required to teach a subject at years 11-13. Relevant university courses up to 200 level are required to teach at years 9 and 10. At the Selection Wānanga, we discuss and agree the choice of subject options with every student offered a place in the Secondary endorsement. Following the Wānanga, if you are offered a place, you are provided with details of the relevant courses into which you will enrol.

About referees

Referees need to be able to provide informed responses on your personal suitability for the qualification . A referee should be someone who has known you for 1 year or more in the capacity of employer, educator, work colleague or person of community standing, ie kaumatua, Minister or similar. Your referee should not be a friend, flatmate, relative or someone who has not known you for at least a year. The information your referee supplies is confidential to those involved in the selection process.

Curriculum vitae

Please provide a full CV including details for at least the last 5 years and include brief details on recent formal and/or informal experiences and/or involvement in the following areas: experience with children/young adults; proficiency in languages; community activities; school activities; sport, music, drama, art, travel, teaching/coaching and outdoor education. Please also include experiences in bi-cultural, multi-cultural and diverse contexts and settings.

Supporting statement

In your own words, write a 500-word personal statement that demonstrates your aspirations as a future kaiako (teacher). In your statement please consider the following elements:

• Your own educational experience and/or inspiration that has impacted on your decision to become a kaiako 
• Strengths and skills you will bring to education
• Challenges that you have identified for your own teaching journey
• Your personal aspirations for teaching and the tamariki of Aotearoa New Zealand
• Current understanding of priorities and challenges for education settings in Aotearoa NZ

Safety checks and disclosure of criminal convictions

You will be required to undergo a number of safety checks. This includes police vetting (including confirmation of identity) and further checks required under the Vulnerable Children Act 2014, Vulnerable Children Regulations 2015 and the Children’s Action Plan. You will be required to permit Massey University to ask the New Zealand Police to disclose any information held on the Police record system.

Health and disability declaration

Please indicate if you have any short or long-term disability (including learning disability), impairment, injury or physical/mental health condition. If you disclose any disability, health or personal information as part of your application, this will be discussed with you at interview and considered in accordance with Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand requirements. The information supplied is confidential to the University staff processing your application.

English language competency requirement

Evidence of English language competency, as outlined by the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand, is required for all applicants. In most cases, your academic background and schooling will provide this evidence.

If English, or Te Reo Māori, is not your first language, you may need to provide further evidence of competency. This may include provision of a verified copy of Academic IELTS test results, undertaken within the preceding 2 years, with a score of at least 7.0 or higher in all components; or the verified results of an approved equivalent English language qualification. Find out more on the TCANZ site:

• Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand

Qualifications from overseas

If you have qualifications obtained overseas you must get these assessed by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) to determine comparability with New Zealand qualifications. This NZQA International Qualifications Assessment must be provided at the time of applying for this qualification. NZQA Assessments older than 3 years at the time of applying may not be accepted. If this applies to you, please contact NZQA, Qualification Review Service requesting a review of the original assessment notes. They will inform you if you need to re-apply to NZQA. NZQA accreditation can take up to 35 working days.

• Information on applying to NZQA

About the selection process

The Graduate Diploma of Learning and Teaching at Massey University requires students to be selected into the qualification. Selection and the subsequent offer of a place is determined by the information submitted in the application process and the interview process.

The first part of the selection process involves assessment of application documents by academic staff within the Institute of Education.

If you meet the initial entry requirements, you will be invited to meet with a selection panel. This is the second part of the selection process. Conversations with the panel are held Zoom. You will be advised of the date and time of this meeting along with other important information. You are welcome to have whānau or support people present if you choose.

The selection process focuses on the following criteria as outlined in The Code of Professional Responsibility in Our Code Our Standards:

• Commitment to the Teaching Profession
• Commitment to Learners
• Commitment to Families and Whānau
• Commitment to Society

Before meeting with the selection panel you will be sent details of a number of preparatory tasks. These will include the submission of a short numeracy test, engagement with documents such as the New Zealand Curriculum, Te Whāriki, Our Code our Standards. You will also need to reflect on the observation you undertook in an education setting and be prepared to speak to it.

If the selection panel is satisfied that you demonstrate readiness to undertake the Graduate Diploma of Learning and Teaching and you meet the entry and admission criteria into the University you will be sent an Offer of Place.

Once you have accepted your Offer of Place you can apply for courses. When your application for enrolment in your courses is approved, you will receive an Offer of Enrolment notification that you will need to accept. The Offer of Enrolment will contain information about fees and may have conditions on it. Once you accept your Offer of Enrolment you will be enrolled and will receive a Confirmation of Enrolment notification if you have no outstanding conditions i.e. pending completion of your degree.

If you are not offered a place in the qualification, you may like to contact us through the Get advice button on this page to discuss other qualifications.

Prior learning, credit and exemptions

Unfortunately no credit can be granted towards the Graduate Diploma of Learning and Teaching (Secondary) due to the specialised nature of this qualification.

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, 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.

• Get an estimate of the tuition fees for your qualification
• View a list of non-tuition fees that may be payable

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.

• Course search

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, including how much could be covered and your eligibility on the Fees Free website.

• Student loans (StudyLink)
• Fees Free

Scholarship and award opportunities

• Te Huawhiti Career Changer Scholarships

On completion of the Graduate Diploma of Learning and Teaching (Secondary), you will be eligible to apply for certification with the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand as a provisionally certificated teacher.

As a provisionally certificated teacher, you’ll be qualified to teach in secondary schools throughout New Zealand.

New Zealand is a great place to study. Massey University’s reputation is supported by our international rankings, accreditations and associations. We are rated 5-star plus by the QS World University Rankings.

Massey University has small class sizes, and our lecturers and staff are friendly and approachable.

As an international student, there are entry requirements that will apply to you. We recommend that you apply at least 3 months before your anticipated start date so your application can be processed in time. There are additional steps you will need to take. These include obtaining a visa and travel bookings if your study is to be in New Zealand.

• Find out more about life as an international student at Massey, applying to Massey and getting help.
• Entry requirements for international students.