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Quick Facts

Programme Tabs

Overview

Programme Overview

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 as you refine and develop relevant professional skills. You will spend a total of 24 weeks over three years in a range of educational settings. This will allow you to gain varied 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.

Programme Careers

Potential Careers

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.

Student career planning services

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

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. It enables graduates to appreciate and understand theories, 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 understand 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.

Key Information for Students

Key Information for Students

Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions.

Entry Requirements, Fees and Dates

Programme Entry Requirements

Overseas qualifications

If your highest qualification was gained outside New Zealand, view our international entry requirements


New Zealand secondary school qualifications

You are guaranteed entry to this programme if you meet these requirements.

  1. First, you must meet the University Entrance (UE) standard.
  2. You must also meet the rank score for this programme. Not sure about your rank score? Use our rank score calculator.
  3. You may need to have studied certain subjects or achieved credits in particular subjects.
  4. Some programmes have additional requirements, such as an interview, portfolio or references.

Guaranteed rank score, subject and other requirements

If your rank score is slightly lower than the guaranteed score, we encourage you to still apply. We will consider your application if places are available. If you don’t meet the requirements, you may be able to apply under our Undergraduate Targeted Admission Schemes.

Qualification and Score required

NCEA - 150

CIE - 150

IB - 26


New Zealand tertiary qualifications

You can transfer from another tertiary institution, or another University of Auckland qualification, if you meet these requirements.

Guaranteed grade 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.  

Grade required

2.4 Grade Point average Calculate your Grade Point Average

2.4 Grade Point equivalent Calculate your Grade Point Equivalent

Further Programme Entry 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.

Other Pathways to Study

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

Fees and scholarships

Fees

Fees Disclaimer

Fees are set in advance of each calendar year and will be updated on this website. Fees are inclusive of 15% GST, but do not include the Student Services Fee, course books, travel and health insurance, or living costs. Fees will be confirmed upon completion of enrolment into courses. For more information, please see Fees and Money Matters.

*Please note: amounts shown are indicative and estimates only.

Scholarships

Scholarships and awards

Find out about the scholarships you may be eligible for.

Loans and Allowances

Student loans and allowances

Are you a New Zealand citizen or resident? You could be eligible for a student loan or allowance.

Cost of Living

Cost of living

Get an idea of how much accommodation and general living in Auckland will cost.

Advice on Programme Limits

This is a limited entry programme: there is a limit on the number of enrolments due to staff or space capacity. For more information, please see the Programme and Course Limitations section of the University Academic and General Statutes and Regulations.

Key Dates

Application Advice

Please note: we will consider late applications if places are still available. International students should start the application process as early as possible to allow sufficient time to apply for a visa.

Key Dates

SemesterApplication Closing DateSemester Start DateSemester End Date
2026 Semester One31 January 202602 March 202629 June 2026
2026 Semester Two08 June 202620 July 202616 November 2026

Other Important Dates

See important dates for the academic year, including orientation, enrolment, study breaks, exams, and graduation.

Regulations

Preamble

The regulations for this degree are to be read in conjunction with all other relevant statutes and regulations including the Academic Statutes and Regulations.

Notes:

(i) This is not an initial teacher education qualification.

(ii) This is a limited entry programme as per the Limitation of Entry Statute 1991 and selection criteria apply. Selection criteria are available from the Faculty of Arts and Education.

Duration and Total Points Value

1 A student enrolled for this degree must follow a programme of the equivalent of six full-time semesters and pass courses with a total value of 360 points, unless credit is granted under the Admission Regulations and/or the Credit Regulations.

Structure and Content

2 Of the 360 points required for this degree, a student must pass:

a 330 points listed in the Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies Schedule

b 30 points from courses offered in either the General Education Open Schedule or the relevant General Education Schedule approved for this degree or from a combination of these schedules.

3 A student must complete the University of Auckland Academic Integrity course as specified in the Enrolment and Programme Regulations, Academic Integrity, of the University Calendar.

4 A student who is required to meet the Academic English Language Requirement, as specified in the Enrolment and Programme Regulations, Academic English Language Requirement, of the University Calendar, may substitute an academic English language course approved by the Senate or its representative for 15 points of General Education.

5 A student must consent to the disclosure of criminal convictions and any safety checks as required by the Children’s Act 2014 prior to beginning a placement experience in EDPROFST 115, EDPROFST 215, EDPROFST 396 or EDUCSW 302.

Note: A record of criminal convictions will not prevent any student from attaining their qualification but may limit their options with regards to available service-learning opportunities and employment opportunities.

Language Requirements

6 A student must demonstrate competence in the English language, by passing EDUCSW 199, as prescribed by the Faculty of Arts and Education, prior to enrolment in EDUCSW 302.

General Education Exemptions

7 a A student is exempted from the requirement to pass courses offered in the General Education Schedules who has:

either

(i) completed an undergraduate degree at a tertiary institution

or

(ii) been admitted to this degree having completed 240 points or more of degree-level study at another tertiary institution.

b A student who has been exempted from the requirement to pass courses offered in the General Education Schedules must substitute the requirement with courses available for this degree.

c A student admitted to this degree, who has completed between 120 and 235 points inclusive of degree-level study at another tertiary institution, or who has completed a minimum of 50 points of study towards this degree in one semester at an overseas institution, either through an overseas exchange programme or through prior approval under the Credit Regulations, must pass:

(i) 15 points from courses offered in the General Education Schedules

and

(ii) a further 15 points from courses available for this degree.

d A student who has been fully or partially exempted from the requirement to pass courses offered in the General Education Schedules is nonetheless required to complete the Academic Integrity course.

Variations

8 In exceptional circumstances, the Programme Director may approve a variation to a student’s programme of study in accordance with the Enrolment and Programme Regulations.

Regulation Commencement or Amendment

9 These regulations and/or schedule have been amended with effect from 1 January 2026.

Schedule

Programme Schedules

Complete 360 points comprising:

  • 330 points for Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies Schedule, and
  • 30 points from General Education Courses, and
  • 1 item from Academic Integrity Course

Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies Schedule

Complete 330 points comprising:

  • Either:
  • 1 item from English Language Competency Course, or
  • 2 items from English Language Competency Course, and
  • 15 points for all Māori Education course, and
  • 75 points for all Group 1 Compulsory Courses, and
  • 15 points for all How People Learn Course, and
  • 90 points for all Group 2 Compulsory Courses, and
  • 15 points from Group 1 Elective Courses, and
  • 105 points for all Group 3 Compulsory Courses, and
  • 15 points from Group 2 Elective Courses

English Language Competency Course

Complete exactly 1 of the following:

English Language Competency Course

Complete exactly 2 of the following:

Māori Education course

Complete 15 points for ALL of the following:

How People Learn Course

Complete 15 points for ALL of the following:

Group 1 Elective Courses

Complete exactly 15 points from the following:

General Education Courses

Complete exactly 30 points from the following:

Academic Integrity Course

Complete exactly 1 of the following:

Degree Plan

Overview

  • Students must pass EDUCSW 199 to demonstrate English language competence before enrolling in EDUCSW 302.
  • If you need to meet Academic English Language Requirement (AELR), you must select an AELR course below. This is a core requirement. An AELR course can be used as a General Education course.

ACADENG 100

ACADENG 101

ENGWRIT 101

ENGLISH 121/121G


Degree Plan for the Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies - March start

Year 1
Semester One
English Language Competency
Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies Schedule - English Language Competency Course
Points
Academic Integrity Course
Academic Integrity Course
Points
Introduction to Early Childhood Studies
Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies Schedule - Group 1 Compulsory Courses
15.0 Points
Introduction to Child and Adolescent Development
Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies Schedule - Group 1 Compulsory Courses
15.0 Points
How People Learn
Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies Schedule - How People Learn Course
15.0 Points
Professional Communication Skills
Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies Schedule - Group 1 Compulsory Courses
15.0 Points
Semester Two
Early Childhood Curriculum
Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies Schedule - Group 1 Compulsory Courses
15.0 Points
Professional Early Childhood Practice 1
Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies Schedule - Group 1 Compulsory Courses
15.0 Points
Introduction to Māori Education
Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies Schedule - Māori Education course
15.0 Points
General Education Courses
15.0 Points

Or AELR if required

Year 2
Semester One
Children: Rights and Justice
Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies Schedule - Group 2 Compulsory Courses
15.0 Points
Early Childhood Pedagogies
Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies Schedule - Group 2 Compulsory Courses
15.0 Points
Professional Early Childhood Practice 2
Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies Schedule - Group 2 Compulsory Courses
15.0 Points
General Education Courses
15.0 Points
Semester Two
Pasifika Education and Diversity
Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies Schedule - Group 2 Compulsory Courses
15.0 Points
Child Development
Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies Schedule - Group 2 Compulsory Courses
15.0 Points
Educational Psychology
Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies Schedule - Group 2 Compulsory Courses
15.0 Points
Global Education Policy for All?
Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies Schedule - Group 1 Elective Courses
15.0 Points
Year 3
Semester One
Understanding Childhood
Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies Schedule - Group 3 Compulsory Courses
15.0 Points
Inclusive Education and Philosophy
Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies Schedule - Group 3 Compulsory Courses
15.0 Points
Research and Professional Practice
Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies Schedule - Group 3 Compulsory Courses
15.0 Points
Professional Early Childhood Practice 3
Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies Schedule - Group 3 Compulsory Courses
15.0 Points
Semester Two
Hauora
Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies Schedule - Group 3 Compulsory Courses
15.0 Points
Service Learning
Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies Schedule - Group 3 Compulsory Courses
15.0 Points
Developing Learning Communities
Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies Schedule - Group 3 Compulsory Courses
15.0 Points
Working with Children and Whanau
Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies Schedule - Group 2 Elective Courses
15.0 Points

Graduate Profile and Programme Capabilities

Graduate Profile

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Programme Capabilities

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Programme Capabilities to Graduate Profile Map

Programme Learning OutcomesPeople and PlaceSustainabilityKnowledge and PracticeCritical ThinkingSolution-SeekingCommunicationCollaborationEthics and Professionalism