Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies BECSt

University of Auckland

New Zealand, Auckland

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Home/New Zealand/Auckland /University of Auckland/Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies BECSt

University of Auckland

New Zealand , Auckland

Key Facts

Program Level

Bachelor

Study Type

Full Time

Delivery

On Campus

Credit point

360 Points

Campuses

City

Program Language

English

Start & Deadlines

Next Intake Deadlines2-Mar-2026

Apply to this program

Go to the official application for the university

Duration 3 year(s)

Tuition Fee

NZD 38,568 / year

Next Intake 2-Mar-2026

Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies BECSt

About

This degree encompasses a broad study of early childhood education and social contexts relevant for students from birth to eight years of age.

We offer a range of hands-on courses covering te ao Māori perspectives, diversity and inclusion, human development, educational psychology, child development and professional communication and practice. Through these you will develop expert understanding of the complex and vital early years of children’s lives.

Practical placements each year in early childhood and other educational settings will allow you to explore areas of interest and refine and develop relevant professional skills. You will spend a total of 24 weeks over three years in a range of educational settings, allowing you to gain a range of practical experience and form professional connections.

This is an excellent foundation degree. It will prepare you for a career in a range of educational settings and in policy and leadership roles in New Zealand and overseas.

View and download our BECSt brochure here.

If you decide to pursue a teaching career in New Zealand, you can gain registration by adding a one-year Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Early Childhood Education) or Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Primary). Learn more about becoming a teacher here.

Disciplines

Education and Social Work

Requirements

Entry Requirements

Secondary school qualifications

If you're joining us from secondary school, here's what you need to enter the programme.

You need to have one of the following:

International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum total score of 24.
General Certificate of Education (GCE) Advanced Level. You must have completed a minimum of three A-Level subjects.
Cambridge International Examinations (CIE). You must have completed a minimum of three A-level subjects.

GCE ‘A’ Level requirements apply to ‘A’ Level qualifications examined by bodies such as AQA, OCR, Edexcel, WJEC, CCEA and Pearson Education Limited taken outside of New Zealand.

Guaranteed grade, subject and other requirements

These are the grades required for guaranteed entry to this programme. If your grades are slightly lower, we encourage you to still apply. We will consider your application if places are available.

Qualification

IB International Baccalaureate Diploma

Score required

26

+

Qualification

IELTS Academic International English Language Testing System

Score required

6.0

No bands less than 5.5

See alternative English language requirements
Qualification

CIE Cambridge International Examinations

Score required

CCC

+

Qualification

IELTS Academic International English Language Testing System

Score required

6.0

No bands less than 5.5

See alternative English language requirements
Qualification

GCE A Level General Certificate of Education (GCE) Advanced Level

Score required

CCC

+

Qualification

IELTS Academic International English Language Testing System

Score required

6.0

No bands less than 5.5

See alternative English language requirements

Further requirements

You will be required to consent to disclosure of criminal convictions as part of the application process.
Note: While a record of criminal convictions will not prevent attainment of your qualification, it may limit your options with regards to available practical learning opportunities.

Tertiary qualifications

If you've studied at a tertiary institution, here's what you need to enter the programme.

You can transfer from another tertiary institution if you meet these requirements.

You need to have the following:

One year successful bachelor-degree level study at a recognised university (or similar institution) overseas.

See information about prior tertiary study requirements

Minimum grade requirements

These are the likely grades required, but they do not guarantee entry. Applicants may require higher grades to gain entry to this programme.

Grade required

GPE Grade Point Equivalent 2.4

Calculate your Grade Point Equivalent
Qualification

IELTS Academic International English Language Testing System

Score required

6.0

No bands less than 5.5

See alternative English language requirements

Further requirements

Other pathways to study

You could be eligible for another programme, or check out these alternative pathways:

Bridge your educational gap with a preparation and foundation programme.
If you have an offer of place from us that is conditional on meeting English language requirements, you may be considered for English Pathway courses from the English Language Academy (ELA)

Career

Where could this programme take you?

A BECSt signifies workplace knowledge and skills applicable in varied domestic and global contexts. Through placements you will encounter practices relevant to education, health, and community work. A BECSt will not qualify you for teacher registration but it provides a pathway into a graduate teaching qualification or postgraduate research.

Further study options

Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Early Childhood Education)

See all study options

Student career planning service

Once you become a student at the University, you can get help with planning and developing your career from Career Development and Employability Services.

Early Childhood Studies is a growing and evolving field, largely due to the increasing recognition of how critical the early years of a child’s life are for long-term wellbeing and development. Our programme in Early Childhood Studies develops knowledge, skills and dispositions relevant to employment in a wide range of early-years contexts and organisations.

The Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies is a scholarly, child-centred and innovative programme, incorporating theory and practical placements across the three years to enable graduates to appreciate and understand theories, ideas, concepts and practices related to the field of early childhood studies.

The practical experiences (practice-based learning and service learning) in early childhood context settings will prepare graduates to work in a range of early childhood-based services and organisations both domestically and abroad. Students will encounter a range of practices during placements relevant to the early childhood years including education, health, and community-based contexts. This wide exposure will enhance graduates’ ability to enter the workforce in many different settings across a range of roles.

Graduates of the BECSt programme will be cognisant of the interdisciplinary nature of early childhood contexts and able to critically analyse and respond to issues relevant to a range of organisations and communities. They will be culturally responsive, critical, reflective, and committed to social justice.

This programme provides a strong disciplinary pathway into a graduate teaching qualification or postgraduate research in the field of early childhood studies. (Please note: this qualification will not allow graduates to qualify for teacher registration).