Course details

Summary

Education is a multidisciplinary field of study with a focus on three core areas: learning, child and adolescent development and health, and social and cultural studies.

Students of Education gain a thorough understanding of human development across the whole lifespan and of teaching and learning processes. A breadth of study takes you from discussion on sociological perspectives and social justice issues in education to the exploration of inclusive education, adult learning, adolescent well-being and more.

The UC Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is a research-only degree carried out under expert supervision and using world-class facilities.

A PhD involves extensive, sustained and original research and study in your chosen subject, with the results being presented in a thesis that will contribute to intellectual knowledge of the field. It is a mark of intellectual ability, self-discipline and commitment. A PhD prepares you for a number of careers, including as an academic.

The minimum period of enrolment for a full-time candidate is two years and the maximum period four years; most PhD students take between three and three-and-a-half years.

Further Study

Students who have completed the Bachelor of Arts (BA) with an average of B or better in Education will be eligible to apply for a number of postgraduate programmes in Education at UC, from honours through to doctoral level.

For graduates interested in a teaching career, the university offers the following initial teacher education programmes: Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Teaching, Graduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning (Primary), Graduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning (Secondary), Master of Teaching and Learning.

Graduates may also be interested in the Master of Computer-Assisted Language Learning, the Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, and the Master of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages.

Career opportunities

Bachelor of Arts graduates with a major in Education have many and varied career opportunities available to them including work in government (particularly in policy), the education sector (public and private), commercial enterprises, social service agencies, health and rehabilitation, museums, counselling and voluntary organisations.

A major in Education can open the door to postgraduate study in research, Counselling, Health Sciences, Child and Family Psychology, and to Teacher Education programmes.

Entry criteria

Enrolment in a PhD requires completion of a research-focused honours or master's degree at first-class or second-class division 1 level (or equivalent qualifications). Applicants with qualifications from outside New Zealand must have been granted admission to the University.

Other English language requirements: TOEFL PBT with a minimum score of 575 and TWE with a minimum score of 4.5; CCEL EAP Level 2 with a minimum B+ grade; CAE or CPE score of 176 with a minimum of 169 in reading, writing, listening and speaking; Pearson Test of English (Academic) - PTE with an overall score of 64 and no PTE communicative skills score below 58.