Postgraduate Diploma in 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.

As a graduate of the Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching (PGDipTchg) qualification, you will be among the best-prepared teaching graduates and highly regarded by education employers, within New Zealand and overseas. With separate courses for Early Childhood Education, Primary and Secondary teaching, the PGDipTchg combines Professional Education papers with placements in schools to ensure you get the most out of your time with us.

2026 Closing Dates for First Round of Selection - H Trimester (January)

• Applications closed 27 August 2025
• Applicants must submit required documents, and attend interviews and Literacy and Numeracy* tests, as outlined in their conditional offer

*Applicants seeking to enrol in a one-year Primary programme commencing in 2026 onward will need to complete an LNAAT assessment. More information about this will be provided as part of your application.

The Division of Education will be in touch with successful applicants to advise whether you have been placed at either our Hamilton or Tauranga campus. Due to limited placement availability for different subject areas, you may be required to travel out of town for your placement.

To be eligible to gain entry into this programme, candidates must hold a Bachelor's degree at Level 7 on the NZ Qualifications Framework or a recognised equivalent.

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 a literacy and numeracy assessment. As well as meeting the selection criteria, you will need to meet the admission requirement for The University of Waikato.

Applicants seeking to enter a secondary programme must have sufficient depth and breadth of a relevant subject or curriculum knowledge from levels 5 to 7, or higher, in their entry qualification that is relevant for teaching a particular secondary school subject. When you apply for the programme you will need to submit your degree transcript(s). The programme leader/coordinator will discuss and advise the appropriate programme once you reach the interview stage.

English language test	Undergraduate, graduate certificates, and graduate diplomas (all courses except those listed below)
IELTS (Academic)	6.0 overall (no band less than 5.5)
iBT (internet-based) TOEFL	80 with a score of 21 in writing
iBT (home-based) TOEFL	80 with a score of 21 in writing
Duolingo English Test (DET)	105
C2 Proficiency (formally known as Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE))	169 and no bands below 162
Language Cert International ESOL (LRWS)	B2 Communicator with 33-37 score per skill
NCUK English for Academic Purposes	Minimum C grade average with no lower than D in all components. Some programmes have additional entry requirements. For further details, visit our dedicated NCUK information page.
New Zealand Certificate in English Language (NZCEL)	Level 4 (Academic)
Michigan English Test (formally known as Michigan Language Assessment Battery (MELAB))	Minimum score of 54
Pearson PTE Academic	Overall score of 50 with no Band less than 42
Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE)	II with distinction in all four components
University of Waikato College	Successful completion of Level 7 with a B grade in the Certificate of Attainment in Academic English (CAAE) programme