MTchgLn(EC) - Master of Teaching and Learning (Early Childhood)

Overview
Entry Requirements, Fees and Dates
Regulations
Schedule
Graduate Profile and Programme Capabilities

This intensive one-year early childhood teaching programme is designed for people who already hold a degree and who bring strong commitment and passion for teaching and learning for young children.

Throughout this cohesively designed and well-structured programme, you will develop knowledge and understanding of high-quality learning and teaching. Through 9 on-campus taught courses, you will engage with in-depth study about relational and inclusive pedagogies and curriculum, responsive to children, families, and communities. This comprehensive programme also includes two practicum courses, where you will develop teaching practice through a mix of in-centre days and block week practicum placements in early childhood centres.

You will benefit from the research-based knowledge and extensive practical experience of staff across the School of Education and Social Practice within the Faculty of Arts and Education.

Upon completion of the programme, graduates will be eligible to apply for teacher registration and provisional certification with the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand.

The upcoming intakes are July 2026 and January 2027

July 2026 programme intake: Starts 20th July 2026 – ending July 2027
January 2027 programme intake: January - December 2027

Drawing on the expert knowledge and extensive pedagogical and practical experience of staff across the School of Education and Social Practice in the Faculty of Arts and Education, this programme includes 11 core courses (including two practicum courses). Students will progress through the programme as a cohort, enabling a cohort-based learning and teaching approach.

The programme offers two intakes a year and will be taught across a full year (Mid Year Intake: July – June, or January – December).

Courses are deliberately scheduled at set times in the academic year to ensure a cohesive and well-structured learning progression. The use of block-course delivery as well as staggered course start and finish dates within a semester supports ensure a manageable study workload.

You'll also need to meet other requirements, including time limits and total points limits.

See Postgraduate enrolment.

Graduates will possess the knowledge, skills and dispositions to make a positive difference for learners. They will have critical knowledge of how to use research and evidence to inform and develop their professional knowledge and practice.

PhD - Doctor of Philosophy

EdD - Doctor of Education

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

Key Information for Students

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Minimum programme requirements

Minimum requirements listed here are the likely grades required and do not guarantee entry. We assess each application individually and applicants may require a higher grade to be offered a place.

Taught (180 point) - 5.0 Grade Point Average

A relevant Bachelor's degree

Entrance is subject to satisfactory police check/s, safety checks, interview and referees’ reports. You will be required to sit literacy and numeracy tests.

For more information on the safety checks requirements, please see our Children's Act 2014 requirements page .

You will also need to provide evidence of meeting the Teaching Council Matatū Aotearoa English Language Competency requirements by IELTS or an approved alternative. Further information on approved alternatives can be found on the Teaching Council website.

You will be required to demonstrate the qualities necessary for a person seeking to become registered as a Teacher with the Teaching Council Aotearoa New Zealand. This will normally require an interview, submission of academic transcripts and appropriate letters of reference.

You'll also need to meet other requirements, including time limits and total points limits. See Postgraduate enrolment.

Depending on the type of programme you are pursuing, you may have the opportunity to complete a unique research project. To find out more about the research carried out at the University of Auckland and to identify potential supervisors, check out our researcher profiles.

Alternatively, you must have a relevant Bachelors degree from this University with a Grade Point Average of 5.0 or higher in 60 points above Stage II.

If you do not meet the above entry requirements, but have other relevant experience and think you would be successful in postgraduate study, please contact us to discuss alternative pathways into our programmes.

Year Fees Applicable

Domestic Student Annual Fees

International Student Annual Fees

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 and awards

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Student loans and allowances

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Cost of living

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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.

Semester	Application Closing Date	Semester Start Date	Semester End Date
2026 Semester Two	01 June 2026	20 July 2026	16 November 2026
2027 Semester One		20 January 2027	28 June 2027
2027 Semester Two		19 July 2027	15 November 2027

1 - 3

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

2026:

Mid-year intake starts: 20 July 2026 (programme ends June 2027)

2027:

Starts: 18 January 2027 (programme ends December 2027)

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

In order to satisfy the requirements of this degree, students are required to be in various teaching environments which will bring them into contact with children. Only persons able to meet the criteria for provisional registration of the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand will be permitted to enrol in this masters programme.

1 In order to be admitted to this degree, an applicant must have:

a completed the requirements for a relevant Bachelors degree from this University with a Grade Point Average of 5.0 or higher, or have equivalent prior study

b completed the requirements for a relevant Bachelors degree from this University with a Grade Point Average of 5.0 or higher in 60 points above Stage II.

2 An applicant will be required to demonstrate the qualities necessary for a person seeking to become registered as a Teacher with the Teaching Council Aotearoa New Zealand. This will normally require an interview, submission of academic transcripts and appropriate letters of reference.

3 Applicants are required to pass the Faculty of Arts and Education’s numeracy and literacy skills assessments.

4 An applicant will be required to consent to a disclosure of criminal convictions and safety checks required to ensure that they meet the requirements for the Children’s Act 2014.

5 Equivalence and relevance in Regulation 1 will be determined by the University. Equivalence pertains to the standard as well as nature and level of study.

6 In exceptional circumstances the requirements in Regulation 1 may be waived by the relevant Associate Dean Academic or nominee if they determine that an applicant has at least five years of relevant practical, professional or scholarly experience that provides an equivalent level of preparation.

7 A student admitted to this degree must:

a pass courses with a total value of 180 points

and

b complete within the time limit specified in the General Regulations – Masters Degrees.

8 A student enrolled for this degree must complete the requirements as listed in the Master of Teaching and Learning (Early Childhood) schedule.

9 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.

10 a In any course that has a practicum and non-practicum component, a student must pass both the practicum and non-practicum component in order to have passed that course as a whole.

b Re-enrolment in either EDPRAC 704 or EDPRAC 705 after failing this course requires the permission of the Programme Director or nominee. No more than two enrolments are permitted in each of these courses.

11 a To complete the requirements for this Degree, a student must meet the criteria for registration and provisional certification of the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand.

b A student who ceases to be able to meet the criteria for registration of the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand must immediately notify the Associate Dean Academic or nominee.

c If the Associate Dean Academic or nominee has reason to believe that a student does not meet the criteria for registration of the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand the Associate Dean Academic shall advise the student and take into account any written response from the student.

d If the Associate Dean Academic or nominee is satisfied that the student is not able to meet the criteria for registration of the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand the Associate Dean Academic or nominee may terminate the student’s enrolment and any application to re-enrol may likewise be declined.

e A student whose enrolment is terminated under Regulation 11d may appeal from that decision to the University of Auckland Council or its duly appointed delegate.

12 a If the behaviour of a student in a teaching environment is found, after due and fair inquiry, to be offensive, disruptive or likely to give rise to a risk of harm to the welfare of any person, the enrolment of the student in the programme may be terminated by the Associate Dean Academic or nominee and any application to re-enrol may likewise be declined.

b A student who is subject to any such inquiry may be suspended by the Associate Dean Academic or nominee from lectures, classes and any teaching placement pending the outcome of the inquiry.

c A student whose enrolment is terminated under Regulation 12a may appeal from that decision to the University of Auckland Council or its duly appointed delegate.

13 A student may apply to reassign courses passed for the Master of Teaching and Learning (Early Childhood) to the Postgraduate Diploma in Education.

14 This degree may be awarded with either Distinction or Merit in accordance with the General Regulations – Masters Degrees.

15 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.