About our degree programme
The Bachelor of Teaching (ECE) is an innovative level seven centre-based qualification that equips early childhood teachers with the knowledge, skills and dispositions to work effectively with infants, toddlers and young children in Aotearoa/New Zealand.
Holders of an NZCA diploma should read about our upgrade programme.
Earn and learn
As a full-time centre-based programme, students work while they study - giving them the opportunity to apply their new learning in their work environments.
Course structure
Weekly requirements on this full-time programme include -
- attendance at a one-day tutorial in class
- 12 hours of supervised practice in an early childhood centre
- an average of 15 hours of independent study.
Students must complete a teaching practicum in a different setting at each stage of the programme and attend two noho marae. Online resources are available to support the student's study.
The degree is comprised of twelve 30 credit papers that integrate -
- curriculum knowledge
- pedagogical knowledge
- te reo me ona tikanga Māori.
Teacher identity, teaching dispositions and the Graduating Teacher Standards (New Zealand Teachers Council, 2007) are central aspects of the papers.
Part-time options
Students wishing to undertake the Bachelor of Teaching (ECE) over longer than three years can request to study part-time.
Part-time options are:
- attend one half day tutorial and work in your centre for six hours each week or;
- attend one semester full-time and go on-hold for one semester each year.
You must successfully complete the degree within a six year timeframe.
Key dates
Application dates
- Applications accepted all year round for the next intake
Study length and dates
- Three year full-time programme
- A 36 week academic year
- Orientation commences the week of in February or July for a mid-year intake.
The qualification is modular in structure and students may ‘step off' and ‘step on' but need to complete within six years.
