Primary and Secondary Teaching

Please note: Information on this page relates to the 2013 academic year unless otherwise specified.

Overview

Teaching at primary and secondary levels is a rewarding career for a range of graduates. Teacher training gives the skills needed to excel in the classroom, and teachers with degrees in sciences, arts, and commerce can pass their specialised knowledge onto future generations.

Graduates of our programmes are qualified to teach in New Zealand primary and/or secondary schools depending on their programme of study, and are eligible for registration with the New Zealand Teachers Council. The combination of specialist subject knowledge and teaching skills is particularly attractive to employers, not only in schools but also in a wide range of other careers.

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Primary and Secondary Teacher Training Qualifications

There are two options to gaining a qualification to become a primary or secondary teacher:

• Undergraduate Conjoint Programmes
• Undergraduate Degree plus Graduate Diploma

Undergraduate Conjoint Programmes

This combines a Bachelor of Teaching with a Bachelor of Arts (BA/BTeach) or a Bachelor of Science (BSc/BTeach).

The BTeach component provides a sound understanding of classroom practice and specific training for your primary and secondary teaching. The BA or BSc gives specialised knowledge in your chosen major subject and second teaching subject.

This challenging programme produces teachers of the highest quality. Traditionally, students have chosen either primary or secondary teaching. Now conjoint graduates become qualified to teach from Years 1-13, enabling them to move between primary and secondary schools for greater flexibility and work opportunities.

In the first year of a conjoint teaching programme, students take courses for their BA or BSc. The following January, the BTeach starts with an introductory course that includes one week of classroom observation. At this point students decide if teaching is for them. If so, they continue in the conjoint programme. If not, they can simply continue their BA or BSc.

Graduates of a conjoint Teaching programme can pursue their study at Victoria to Honours, Master's and PhD level. They are qualified to teach in New Zealand primary and secondary schools, and are eligible for registration with the New Zealand Teachers' Council.

The combination of specialist subject knowledge and teaching skills is particularly attractive to employers, not only in schools but in a range of other areas including education policy, administration, and research.

For all information about these conjoint degrees and all admission and programme requirements please see the BA/BTeach and BSc/BTeach pages on the Faculty of Education website.

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Undergraduate Degree plus Graduate Diploma

If you have completed an undergraduate degree you can take a one-year diploma programme in either primary or secondary teaching. These can be completed online or on campus, are full time, and begin in January. For more information about the graduate diplomas, please visit the Graduate Diploma of Teaching page of the Faculty of Education website.

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Admission to Teacher Training

For entry into any teacher education qualification, you will need to be assessed and accepted by the Faculty of Education as suitable for the teaching profession.

This involves meeting set criteria, having supportive referees, making declarations about any criminal convictions or health and disability issues, being proficient in the English language and successfully taking part in an assessment exercise.

Go to Admission and Entrance for more information about entry to teacher education qualifications.

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Scholarships for Teacher Training

Teach NZ Scholarships and allowances may be available to those studying to become secondary teachers in particular subjects. For an up-to-date list of subjects that are eligible please visit www.teachnz.govt.nz or phone 0800 832 246. For information about scholarships offered by Victoria please visit the Scholarships webpage or contact the Scholarships Office.

Phone: +64 4 463 5113
Email: address

How To Find Out More

Contact the Student Recruitment, Admission and Orientation Office or the Faculty of Education for further information.