Bachelor of Teaching
Inspire, transform, and foster imagination as a teacher with a Bachelor of Teaching from the University of Waikato. Our programme graduates are skilled and reflective teachers, who are in high demand both in Aotearoa New Zealand and around the world.
This is a teaching qualification and will lead to becoming a registered teacher.
Why study the Bachelor of Teaching?
Teachers are influential community members, making a difference to young people and their learning, knowledge and skill acquisition. They play a major role in helping their students develop their independence and success in their lives.
You can study the Bachelor of Teaching in Early Childhood or Primary either full-time or part-time.
As a graduate of the Bachelor of Teaching degree, you will be among the best-prepared teaching graduates and highly regarded by education employers, within NZ and overseas. You'll have the understanding, skills and academic requirements to be an early childhood, primary or secondary teacher. You'll be eligible to apply for a provisional practising certificate, and after two years of full-time teaching be granted a full practising certificate with the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand.
One of the Top Schools for Education
We consistently place in the top 300 for education in the international QS subject rankings, which assesses more than 800 universities across the world.
Our staff are dedicated to inspiring the next generation of teachers and improving classroom practice and conducting research inquiry of their own in their specialist areas.
We have:
- 50+ years of teacher education
- a wide variety of programmes
- a small student to staff ratio
- school experience from the first day of your degree, right through until your final year
- Strong partnerships with schools and work in schools designed to meet both the needs of the schools and curriculum requirements
- high-quality staff and teaching
- flexibility to find a study pathway that suits your lifestyle - whether that's on campus in Hamilton or Tauranga or online (our online study option involves being on campus in Hamilton for two one-week blocks per year)
- access to the latest research via Institutes attached to the School of Education
- exchange programmes with the National Institute of Education, Singapore and VIA University College, Denmark
Career Opportunities
- Corporate Trainer
- Curriculum Developer
- Educational Consultant
- Education Policy Analyst
- Learning Consultant
- Primary, Intermediate or Secondary School Teacher
- Recruitment Adviser
- Social Worker
- School Counsellor
- Policy Advisor
Degree information
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Plan your study -
Subjects Choose a subject
Browse available subjects and choose one for more information.
Browse BTchg subjects Browse available subjects and choose one for more information
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Entry Requirements There are five ways you can gain admission to the University of Waikato.
- NCEA University Entrance
- Admission at entrance level
- Discretionary entrance
- University Entrance prior to 2015
- Special admission.
For full details visit Entry Requirements.
Please apply early as all applicants are subject to an interview and selection process, which includes a literacy and numeracy test, as well as a police clearance check. Selection of applicants is based on academic background, communication skills, personal qualities, background experiences and referee support. As well as being selected as a suitable person to be a teacher, you will need to meet the admission requirements for the University.
As an international student studying at undergraduate level, you are required to meet English language and academic entry requirements.
View Entry requirements for undergraduate international students.
Please apply early as all applicants are subject to an interview and selection process. Selection of applicants is based on academic background, communication skills, personal qualities, background experiences and referee support. As well as being selected as a suitable person to be a teacher, you will need to meet the admission requirements for the University.
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Fees and scholarships Estimated fees
$7,183 per year
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Domestic tuition fees
Approximate annual tuition fees and costs for domestic students enrolled in one year of full-time study.
Domestic tuition costs -
Scholarships
Visit our Scholarship finder for more information about possible scholarships.
Scholarships Finder
Relevant as of 30 October 2024.
All amounts are in New Zealand Dollars (NZD). Tuition fees shown are indicative only and may change. There are additional fees and charges related to enrolment. Please see the Table of Fees and Charges for more information. You will be sent an enrolment agreement which will confirm your fees. View information about fees free study.
Estimated fees
$31,164 per year
-
International tuition fees
Approximate annual tuition fees and costs for international students enrolled in one year of full-time study.
International tuition costs -
Scholarships
Visit our Scholarship finder for more information about possible scholarships.
Scholarships Finder
Relevant as of 30 October 2024.
All amounts are in New Zealand Dollars (NZD). Tuition fees shown are indicative only and may change. There are additional fees and charges related to enrolment. Please see the Table of Fees and Charges for more information. You will be sent an enrolment agreement which will confirm your fees.
-
Browse available subjects and choose one for more information
There are five ways you can gain admission to the University of Waikato.
- NCEA University Entrance
- Admission at entrance level
- Discretionary entrance
- University Entrance prior to 2015
- Special admission.
For full details visit Entry Requirements.
Please apply early as all applicants are subject to an interview and selection process, which includes a literacy and numeracy test, as well as a police clearance check. Selection of applicants is based on academic background, communication skills, personal qualities, background experiences and referee support. As well as being selected as a suitable person to be a teacher, you will need to meet the admission requirements for the University.
As an international student studying at undergraduate level, you are required to meet English language and academic entry requirements.
View Entry requirements for undergraduate international students.
Please apply early as all applicants are subject to an interview and selection process. Selection of applicants is based on academic background, communication skills, personal qualities, background experiences and referee support. As well as being selected as a suitable person to be a teacher, you will need to meet the admission requirements for the University.
Estimated fees
$7,183 per year
-
Domestic tuition fees
Approximate annual tuition fees and costs for domestic students enrolled in one year of full-time study.
Domestic tuition costs -
Scholarships
Visit our Scholarship finder for more information about possible scholarships.
Scholarships Finder
Relevant as of 30 October 2024.
All amounts are in New Zealand Dollars (NZD). Tuition fees shown are indicative only and may change. There are additional fees and charges related to enrolment. Please see the Table of Fees and Charges for more information. You will be sent an enrolment agreement which will confirm your fees. View information about fees free study.
Estimated fees
$31,164 per year
-
International tuition fees
Approximate annual tuition fees and costs for international students enrolled in one year of full-time study.
International tuition costs -
Scholarships
Visit our Scholarship finder for more information about possible scholarships.
Scholarships Finder
Relevant as of 30 October 2024.
All amounts are in New Zealand Dollars (NZD). Tuition fees shown are indicative only and may change. There are additional fees and charges related to enrolment. Please see the Table of Fees and Charges for more information. You will be sent an enrolment agreement which will confirm your fees.
Study the Bachelor of Teaching in Tauranga
The Primary stream is available in Tauranga. Speak to one of our administrators for more information.
Graduate study options
Our other teaching qualifications include the Graduate Diploma in Teaching, Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching and Master of Teaching and Learning.
*To become a secondary teacher, first study an undergraduate degree and take papers in the subjects you wish to teach. Then complete a Graduate Diploma in Teaching, Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching or Master of Teaching and Learning.
Practical experience
From year 1 of your Bachelor of Teaching degree you will be exposed to the classroom environment.
Exchange programme and study abroad
Te Kura Toi Tangata School of Education has international partnerships and exchange programmes with the National Institute of Education, Singapore and VIA University College, Denmark.
Qualifications for teacher upgrades
BTchg (Upgrade) (Early Childhood & Primary)
Upgrading a teaching diploma or equivalent qualification to a degree can enhance current teaching and learning practices and has salary benefits. This qualification is for qualified and registered early childhood and primary school teachers wanting to upgrade their current teaching qualification to a Bachelor of Teaching degree.
What qualifications can be upgraded?*
- New Zealand three-year teachers college diplomas awarded between 1968 and 1985
- New Zealand three-year diplomas of teaching awarded from 1986
- New Zealand Trained Teachers Certificates awarded before 1971
- NZFKU and Early Childhood Diplomas awarded by New Zealand teachers colleges before 1992
- Other qualifications recognised by the New Zealand Teachers Council as equivalent to a three-year diploma of teaching
*Please note: This is a guide only - please contact an adviser in the Academic and Student Administration Office for individual advice.
Receiving Credit
Qualified teachers normally receive credit totalling 240 points for their initial teaching qualification, leaving 120 points to complete the degree (this is usually made up of 30 points at 200 level and 90 points at 300 level). Additional credit may be given depending on any tertiary study that has been successfully completed since a teacher’s initial teacher education.
Entry Requirements
The Teaching Council is currently consulting on a proposal to introduce a requirement that student teachers enrolling in an initial teacher education (ITE) programme for primary teaching would have to demonstrate competence in mathematics, using either of the following measures:
Holding a minimum of 14 credits at Achieved, Merit or Excellence in the NCEA subjects 'Mathematics and Statistics' and/or 'Pāngarau' at NCEA Level 2 or above (or a recognised equivalent), or
Passing a mathematics assessment as specified by the Teaching Council
We are continuing to recruit students to begin study in 2025 based on the existing ITE entry requirements. The Teaching Council has advised us that they are comfortable for enrolment to continue as no decision has yet been made.
However, student teachers commencing study in 2025 should be aware that, if the Teaching Council were to approve the current proposal after consultation, should they not meet measure (1) above, they would be required to pass the mathematics assessment specified by the Teaching Council with at least the specified minimum score before they were able to graduate from the programme. (This reflects that the Teaching Council’s consultation proposes, as a transitional arrangement for 2025 and 2026, that measure (b) can be able to be met prior to graduation, rather than prior to entry to the programme.)
Note: this message reflects advice received from the Teaching Council.