Secondary – Graduate Diploma of Learning and Teaching

Admission to Massey

All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.

• Massey University entry requirements

Specific requirements

This is a selected entry qualification. This means there are a number of extra requirements you must meet.

To enter the Graduate Diploma of Learning and Teaching you will have:

• been awarded or qualified for a bachelor's degree of at least 360 credits, or equivalent
• demonstrated competence in literacy and numeracy as set down by the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand and the Institute of Education
• achieved an Academic IELTS score of at least 7.0 with no band less than 7.0 or approved equivalent within the preceding 2 years, unless you hold New Zealand University Entrance Level 2 literacy credits or higher, or Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand recognised equivalent qualification(s) and/or schooling
• met the requirements for registration as set down by the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand, in terms of values, disposition and fitness to teach
• completed a body of study at New Zealand Qualifications Framework Levels 5 to 7 and/or higher in at least 1 subject – and typically 2 subjects – that are relevant for teaching a particular Secondary School subject (see below for details).

You will need to provide the following documents:

• copies of all official academic transcripts for studies taken at all universities other than Massey University
• a copy of your current curriculum vitae
• a supporting statement
• A consent to disclosure of information for a New Zealand Police check. Please provide 2 pieces of verified identification (1 of which must be photographic). See more details below about safety checks
• A copy of a police report from every overseas country you have lived in for more than 12 months in the last 10 years. Please do not supply originals as these will need to be supplied to the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand at a later date
• a health and disability declaration
• evidence of English language competency as outlined by the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand, which may include an Academic IELTS test or recognised equivalent - if English is not your first language (see requirements below)
• an NZQA International Qualifications Assessment - if you have an overseas qualification
• contact details of 2 referees - 1 character referee and 1 professional referee.
• Optional; an observation in an education setting relevant to the Secondary endorsement. We strongly recommended you include an observation report - especially if you have not been in a New Zealand school in the last 5 years: Please use this Observation Template (PDF)

If the selection committee feel you potentially meet the values, disposition and fitness to teach criteria, you may be invited to an interview. This is the second part of the selection process.

Application closing date

Applications close 9 December, for study the following year.

All documentation needs to be provided prior to the closing date for applications.

There is only 1 intake at the start of each year, but applications are open throughout the year for future intakes.

Secondary teaching subjects

In the Secondary endorsement, you will develop teaching skills in a major subject that you can teach from years 9-11, and a second subject that you may teach at years 9 and 10 only.

Ordinarily, a suite of relevant university courses including at least 1 course (preferably more) at 300 level is required to teach a subject at years 11-13. Relevant university courses up to 200 level are required to teach at years 9 and 10. At the Selection Wānanga, we discuss and agree the choice of subject options with every student offered a place in the Secondary endorsement. Following the Wānanga, if you are offered a place, you are provided with details of the relevant courses into which you will enrol.

About referees

Referees need to be able to provide informed responses on your personal suitability for the qualification . A referee should be someone who has known you for 1 year or more in the capacity of employer, educator, work colleague or person of community standing, ie kaumatua, Minister or similar. Your referee should not be a friend, flatmate, relative or someone who has not known you for at least a year. The information your referee supplies is confidential to those involved in the selection process.

Curriculum vitae

Please provide a full CV including details for at least the last 5 years and include brief details on recent formal and/or informal experiences and/or involvement in the following areas: experience with children/young adults; proficiency in languages; community activities; school activities; sport, music, drama, art, travel, teaching/coaching and outdoor education. Please also include experiences in bi-cultural, multi-cultural and diverse contexts and settings.

Supporting statement

In your own words, write a 500-word personal statement that demonstrates your aspirations as a future kaiako (teacher). In your statement please consider the following elements:

• Your own educational experience and/or inspiration that has impacted on your decision to become a kaiako
• Strengths and skills you will bring to education
• Challenges that you have identified for your own teaching journey
• Your personal aspirations for teaching and the tamariki of Aotearoa New Zealand
• Current understanding of priorities and challenges for education settings in Aotearoa NZ

Safety checks and disclosure of criminal convictions

You will be required to undergo a number of safety checks. This includes police vetting (including confirmation of identity) and further checks required under the Vulnerable Children Act 2014, Vulnerable Children Regulations 2015 and the Children’s Action Plan. You will be required to permit Massey University to ask the New Zealand Police to disclose any information held on the Police record system.

Health and disability declaration

Please indicate if you have any short or long-term disability (including learning disability), impairment, injury or physical/mental health condition. If you disclose any disability, health or personal information as part of your application, this will be discussed with you at interview and considered in accordance with Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand requirements. The information supplied is confidential to the University staff processing your application.

English language competency requirement

Evidence of English language competency, as outlined by the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand, is required for all applicants. In most cases, your academic background and schooling will provide this evidence.

If English, or Te Reo Māori, is not your first language, you may need to provide further evidence of competency. This may include provision of a verified copy of Academic IELTS test results, undertaken within the preceding 2 years, with a score of at least 7.0 or higher in all components; or the verified results of an approved equivalent English language qualification. Find out more on the TCANZ site:

• Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand

Qualifications from overseas

If you have qualifications obtained overseas you must get these assessed by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) to determine comparability with New Zealand qualifications. This NZQA International Qualifications Assessment must be provided at the time of applying for this qualification. NZQA Assessments older than 3 years at the time of applying may not be accepted. If this applies to you, please contact NZQA, Qualification Review Service requesting a review of the original assessment notes. They will inform you if you need to re-apply to NZQA. NZQA accreditation can take up to 35 working days.

• Information on applying to NZQA

About the selection process

The Graduate Diploma of Learning and Teaching at Massey University requires students to be selected into the qualification. Selection and the subsequent offer of a place is determined by the information submitted in the application process and the interview process.

The first part of the selection process involves assessment of application documents by academic staff within the Institute of Education.

If you meet the initial entry requirements, you will be invited to meet with a selection panel. This is the second part of the selection process. Conversations with the panel are held Zoom. You will be advised of the date and time of this meeting along with other important information. You are welcome to have whānau or support people present if you choose.

The selection process focuses on the following criteria as outlined in The Code of Professional Responsibility in Our Code Our Standards:

• Commitment to the Teaching Profession
• Commitment to Learners
• Commitment to Families and Whānau
• Commitment to Society

Before meeting with the selection panel you will be sent details of a number of preparatory tasks. These will include the submission of a short numeracy test, engagement with documents such as the New Zealand Curriculum, Te Whāriki, Our Code our Standards. You will also need to reflect on the observation you undertook in an education setting and be prepared to speak to it.

If the selection panel is satisfied that you demonstrate readiness to undertake the Graduate Diploma of Learning and Teaching and you meet the entry and admission criteria into the University you will be sent an Offer of Place.

Once you have accepted your Offer of Place you can apply for courses. When your application for enrolment in your courses is approved, you will receive an Offer of Enrolment notification that you will need to accept. The Offer of Enrolment will contain information about fees and may have conditions on it. Once you accept your Offer of Enrolment you will be enrolled and will receive a Confirmation of Enrolment notification if you have no outstanding conditions i.e. pending completion of your degree.

If you are not offered a place in the qualification, you may like to contact us through the Get advice button on this page to discuss other qualifications.

Prior learning, credit and exemptions

Unfortunately no credit can be granted towards the Graduate Diploma of Learning and Teaching (Secondary) due to the specialised nature of this qualification.

English language skills

If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, see our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses.

English Evidence Academic IELTS^: 6.5 overall and minimum 6.0 in each band

English Evidence TOEFL iBT: Overall score 90, minimum 20 in Writing

English Evidence Pearson Test of English (PTE): 58 overall and minimum 50 in each communicative skills

On completion of the Graduate Diploma of Learning and Teaching (Secondary), you will be eligible to apply for certification with the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand as a provisionally certificated teacher.

As a provisionally certificated teacher, you’ll be qualified to teach in secondary schools throughout New Zealand.