Master of Teaching and Learning (Primary)

Do you already hold a bachelor's degree and want to become a teacher? Postgraduate study in initial teacher education is new to New Zealand, and AUT is one of the places where you can study this one-year professional qualification to become a teacher.

You study the curriculum and education theory to be a successful primary or intermediate teacher. The programme includes a practicum of two days per week for 20 weeks and 12 full weeks as well as a research project. There's a focus on future-oriented education, and you'll be equipped to teach and prepare children to live in a future world.

You can apply for TeachNZ scholarships to support your studies.

TeachNZ website

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Start date: 2022

Minimum entry requirements

  • A bachelor’s degree with a B+ grade average or higher in level 7 courses, preferably including education courses

Applicants with overseas qualifications must have these assessed by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) as equivalent to a New Zealand level 7 bachelor's degree or above.

International student entry requirements

Other requirements

  • Personal declaration form (which includes permission for a police clearance)
  • Three confidential referee reports (one of your referees will be contacted by telephone and the others will be required to complete a written reference)
  • A school visit to one of our partnership schools is required prior to interview
  • Face to face interview
  • Candidates will demonstrate high levels of comprehension, fluency and accuracy in literacy and numeracy tests and ICT skills. During the interview process, candidates will be required to demonstrate group skills through a simulation exercise.
  • You also need to meet the Teaching Council requirements for conduct
  • A safety check will be completed to ensure you meet all the requirements as set out in section 31 of the Vulnerable Children Act 2014

English language requirements

All applicants must ensure they meet the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand requirements for English language competency prior to admission to the programme.

Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand website

(If you do not meet the criteria set, please contact the School of Education as there may be other options available).

No admission until English language criteria evidenced as achieved.

English language requirements for initial teacher education programmes [PDF, 136.2 KB]

Download application documents

Admission to an Initial Teacher Education programme can take approximately 6 weeks to complete due to delays in police clearance procedures and the return of referee reports, therefore we would strongly recommend you consider this timeframe when applying.

Useful websites

This is an intensive programme that involves two days each week (Monday and Tuesday) in a partnership school and two days (Thursday and Friday) at the university. On Wednesday there is a mix of university activities and visits to other school contexts.

The programme covers

  • Teacher identity and resilience
  • Human development
  • Learning theories
  • Knowledge
  • Working with Māori, Pasifika and students with special needs
  • Learning te Reo Māori and some basic Samoan language
  • The teaching as inquiry cycle
  • A research inquiry project focused on working with priority learners.

Courses you study

The course EDCR801 Ako: Teaching and Learning requires one overnight stay on a marae. If you are unable to complete this component, you won't be able to pass this course and subsequently won't meet the requirements for the qualification.

Teaching practicum

For 12 weeks student teachers will be on a sustained period of practicum in a partnership school (5 weeks in semester 1 and 7 weeks in semester 2) working with a professional learning mentor in the classroom.

Partner schools include

Graduates can apply for provisional registration with the Education Council of Aotearoa New Zealand and teach in a primary or intermediate classroom.

Holding a master's degree in teaching and learning will be an advantage in the current competitive employment market.

Graduates planning to continue with postgraduate study should note that this qualification doesn't automatically lead to doctoral study. You will be required to complete additional study in a research methodologies course at master's level.

Quick facts
Programme code:
AK1047
Level:
9
Points:
180
Duration:
1 year full-time
Campus:
North Campus
Starts:
17 Jan 2022
17 Jan 2022
Fees:
Domestic
$13,210 - $13,803
  • This represents the approximate tuition fee based on a full-time workload of 180 points in 2021. The exact tuition fee will depend on courses selected and may exceed this range.
  • Fees are subject to change year to year. If you are planning for beyond 2021, fees may vary from those stated.
  • There may also be other fees and charges you need to pay. Learn more about fees to study at AUT
International
$51,115
  • This represents the approximate tuition fee based on a full-time workload of 180 points in 2021. The exact tuition fee will depend on courses selected and may exceed this range.
  • Fees are subject to change year to year. If you are planning for beyond 2021, fees may vary from those stated.
  • There may also be other fees and charges you need to pay. Learn more about fees to study at AUT
  • International students' tuition fees reflect the full cost of tuition. Domestic students' tuition fees are less due to a proportion of the tuition fees being funded by the New Zealand Government.

Scholarships at AUT

Dale Mahlagwai
Kenzie Lynas
Kelly Watts
Kirstin Elphick
Dale Mahlagwai
Great graduatesDale MahlagwaiMaster of Teaching and LearningHe has always thought about a career in teaching, says Dale Mahlagwai who is completing a Master of Teaching and Learning and expects to graduate in December.He has always thought about a career in teaching, says Dale Mahlagwai who is currently completing a Master of Teaching and Learning. He initially studied a bachelor’s degree in physiology at another university, but as he progressed through this degree his desire to become a teacher grew stronger. The idea of gaining the qualifications to pursue a career in teaching through the Master of Teaching and Learning appealed to him.
Kenzie Lynas
Great graduatesKenzie LynasMaster of Teaching and Learning
Bachelor of DesignShe has always known she wanted to teach, says Kenzie Lynas who came to AUT to study a Bachelor of Design, followed by a Master of Teaching and Learning.She has always known she wanted to teach, says Kenzie Lynas who came to AUT to study a Bachelor of Design, and is now enrolled in a Master of Teaching and Learning. Having already completed her bachelor’s degree at AUT, Kenzie found it easy to choose where to do her postgraduate study. The growth she has experienced throughout the Master of Teaching and Learning was well beyond her expectations, Kenzie says.
Kelly Watts
Great graduatesKelly WattsMaster of Teaching and LearningShe appreciates that her studies focus on the future of the education system, says Kelly Watts who is currently completing a Master of Teaching and Learning.She appreciates that her studies focus on the future of the education system, says Kelly Watts who is currently completing a Master of Teaching and Learning, supported by a Teach New Zealand Kupe Scholarship. The noho marae experience at the start of the degree was one of the highlights of the year, Kelly says.
Kirstin Elphick
Great graduatesKirstin ElphickNew Entrant Teacher, Te MataurangaMaster of Teaching and Learning
Bachelor of ArtsShe has always been interested in education, says AUT alumna Kirstin Elphick who completed a Bachelor of Arts, followed by a Master of Teaching and Learning.She has always been interested in education, says Kirstin Elphick who completed a Bachelor of Arts in Education and Japanese Studies, followed by a Master of Teaching and Learning. Studying at a university where she wouldn’t feel like another number was a key reason she chose AUT, Kirstin says.
View all student profiles

The information on this page was correct at time of publication. For a comprehensive overview of AUT qualifications, please refer to the Academic Calendar.

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