Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Secondary) GradDipTchg(Sec)

Secondary (high) school teachers are critical for inspiring our young people to develop the knowledge and skills needed for their future lives and the world of work.

New Zealand secondary schools (normally for students aged 13-18 years old) need teachers who are passionate about teaching their subjects and teachers who can encourage a love of learning in their students.

This one-year Graduate Diploma programme is the best preparation for teaching will qualify you to teach and become a provisionally-certificated teacher in accordance with the requirements of the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand. It is taught by experts in secondary education and lecturers who are specialists in their subjects.

Shaped by a commitment to fairness and social justice, the programme is underpinned by principles in the Treaty of Waitangi and a determination to ensure equitable learning outcomes for our young people. The programme is highly practical with time spent in schools and lectures which will show you what and how to teach. You will also form important professional relationships with teachers and prospective employers.

The programme is suitable for those with a Bachelors Degree or higher. Whether you are adding a year to your existing degree or returning to study to change your career, this programme will enable you to gain an internationally recognised degree from the only New Zealand University to rank in the top 50 in the world for Education as a subject.

Graduate Diploma in Teaching students are eligible for the external TeachNZ Scholarships. Find out more and apply.

Before you begin your teaching journey, there are a few key steps you need to complete, so we recommend applying early. Read about the process on our Info for applicants page.

Modes of Delivery

The Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Secondary) is available both as a face-to-face programme at City Campus and as an online programme.

City Campus:

English, Dance, Drama, Music-Sound Arts, Visual Arts, Art History, Health and Physical Education, Languages, ESOL English as a Second Language, Te Reo Māori, Mathematics and Statistics Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics Social Sciences, History, Geography, Classical Studies, Psychology, Media Studies, Economics, Business Studies, Accounting, Special Topic (e.g. Religious Education, Environmental Education), Technology: Design for Visual Communication, Digital Technologies, Fabric, Food, Hard Materials

Online Programmes:

The online enrolment is available to students across New Zealand. For more information visit the Graduate Diploma in Teaching Online page.

Students enrolled in the Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Secondary) Online may be eligible to participate in our Teacher Education in Schools programme. This programme allows students to complete their teaching qualification online while being based in a host Secondary School with study fees covered and $12,500 stipend! Read more about the Teacher Education in Schools Programme.

School subjects offered online:

English, Te reo Māori me ōna tikanga, Mathematics and Statistics, Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Visual Arts, Social Sciences, History, Psychology, Media Studies, Accounting, Economics, Business Studies, Technology (Design for Visual Communication, Digital Technologies, Fabric, Food, Hard Materials), Special Topic (e.g. Religious Education, Environmental Education)

Still got questions? Email our Postgraduate Taught Recruitment Specialist at pgt@auckland.ac.nz