Program Overview

Introduction to Ako: Bachelor of Teaching and Learning

The Ako: Bachelor of Teaching and Learning degree is designed to prepare students for a professional teaching career in early childhood or primary settings. This degree offers a choice of three endorsements: Early Childhood, Primary, and Mtauranga Mori.

What Will My Study Involve?

• You will take Te Tiriti o Waitangi and te ao Mori courses to incorporate bicultural knowledge and competence into teaching practices.
• Professional placements in schools, kura, and early childhood centres throughout the degree.
• Learn from education lecturers who are active researchers.
• Flexible study options choose to study on campus in tautahi Christchurch, or by distance, full-time or part-time.
• Students in the primary endorsement that reside in the Nelson area can study through a blended model of online and face-to-face courses through the Whakat Nelson Campus.

Entry Requirements

To enrol in the Ako: Bachelor of Teaching and Learning degree, you will need:

• University Entrance (or equivalent).
• If English is not your first language, you are also required to meet UC's Teaching language requirements.
• If English is not your first language, you are also required to meet the requirements set out by Matat Aotearoa | Teaching Council of New Zealand.

Selection Process

The BTchLn has one intake each February. Selection for entry is based on:

• Involvement and interest in working with children, community involvement, and other personal qualities.
• A police check, referees' reports, and an interview.
• A short literacy and numeracy test.
• Communication skills.

Degree Structure

Ako: Bachelor of Teaching and Learning is made up of a total 360 points:

• 75 points of professional practice placements in schools/centres.
• 285 points of courses for one of the endorsements, which includes a full-year 15-point Te Tiriti o Waitangi course.
• You will complete your degree endorsed in either Early Childhood, Primary, or Mtauranga Mori.

Subjects and Courses

The Ako:BTchLn degree includes compulsory courses to introduce you to Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles and teaching placements, and a choice from three endorsements to focus your studies toward a particular career pathway as a kaiako (teacher).

Endorsements

• Early Childhood
• Primary
• Mtauranga Mori

Fees

Domestic Students

2025 tuition fee estimate: $7,153 (120 points)
2026 tuition fee estimate: $7,582 (120 points)

International Students

2025 tuition fee estimate: $32,830 per 120 points
2026 tuition fee estimate: $34,110 per 120 points
2027 tuition fee estimate: $35,610 per 120 points

Further Study

Postgraduate teaching and education qualifications include:

• Postgraduate Certificate in Education
• Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
• Postgraduate Diploma in Education
• Master of Education
• Master of Education (Thesis)
• Master of Specialist Teaching
• Master of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
• Doctor of Education
• Doctor of Philosophy

Careers

• Meet the requirements to apply for provisional teacher registration with Matat Aotearoa | Teaching Council of New Zealand.
• This degree was developed in partnership with iwi and educators to prepare new teachers to be creative and innovative leaders in the profession.
• You will gain transferable skills such as management, collaboration, resilience, and problem-solving.
• Graduates have gone on to teaching and managing positions in early childhood centres, kura, primary, intermediate, middle, Mori medium, and area schools.