Course details

Summary

If you are inspired by the world around you and wish to make a positive difference in the lives of young people, then a career in teaching or education could be for you.

The BTchLn(Primary) is a professional qualification that prepares you for a rewarding career as a primary school teacher. Courses are available to study in a number of ways including:

• full-time or part-time on campus in Christchurch
• full-time either in Nelson or Rotorua by a mix of face-to-face and distance study
• full-time or part-time by distance through the Flexible Learning Option (FLO).

Features of the Bachelor of Teaching and Learning (Primary) at UC

• A UC teaching qualification is recognised nationally and internationally as being of high quality
• Flexible study options as to how you study and where
• Strong peer support model and dedicated staff
• International study opportunities, for example in China, Japan and Rarotonga.

Qualification structure and duration

The Bachelor of Teaching and Learning (Primary) requires a total of 360 points:

• 60 points from Education courses
• 90 points from Professional Inquiry
• 60 points from Professional Practice
• 150 points from Curriculum Studies.

The optional course at 300-level allows students to specialise in an area of particular interest in their third year.

Further study

Graduate option

If you already hold a university degree UC offers two pathways to a new career as a primary school teacher:

• Graduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning Primary
• Master of Teaching and Learning
• Relevant postgraduate qualifications
• Bachelor of Teaching and Learning with Honours
• Postgraduate Certificate in Education
• Postgraduate Certificate in Specialist Teaching
• Postgraduate Diploma in Education (with endorsement options in e-Learning and Digital Technologies, Hoaka Pounamu: Te Reo Maori Bilingual and Immersion Teaching, Inclusive and Special Education, Leadership, Literacy and Teaching Languages)
• Postgraduate Diploma in Specialist Teaching
• Master of Computer-Assisted Language Learning
• Master of Education (also available as an endorsement in Inclusive and Special Education)
• Master of Specialist Teaching
• Doctor of Education
• Doctor of Philosophy

Career opportunities

Successful graduates meet the requirements for provisional teacher registration with the Education Council of Aotearoa New Zealand (EDUCANZ). Primary teaching graduates are employed in teaching and management positions in primary, intermediate, middle and area schools in New Zealand. Internationally recognised, many BTchLn(Primary) graduates also find work abroad.

Transferable skills gained during the degree apply to other workplaces and careers such as educational publishing, policy, advocacy, consultancy, social work and the police.

Entry criteria

Selection for entry is based on:

• your academic ability, involvement and interest in working with children, community involvement, communication skills and other personal qualities
• a police check, referees' reports and an interview
• a short literacy and numeracy test.

Students for whom English is an additional language must provide evidence of their English language ability as follows:

at least two years of successful study in a New Zealand secondary school, with at least ten Level 2 NCEA credits in Literacy (five reading and five writing) or equivalent.