Academic entry requirements
Applicants must -
- be at least 17 years old
- provide evidence of experience in working with children in an early childhood service at the time of entry
- provide evidence of their ability to study at tertiary level.
Students must also continue working with children for a minimum of 12 hours a week in an early childhood centre while completing the programme of study. It is not necessary to be in full-time employment.
The following apply to applicants aged under 20 years -
- University Entrance or better (or overseas equivalent): Level three qualification with minimum of 42 credits over four NZQA approved subjects. The applicant must also meet the literacy and numeracy standards required for entrance to a University. The literacy standards are a minimum of eight credits at level two or higher in English or Te Reo Māori; four credits must be in reading and four credits must be in writing. For numeracy it is a minimum of 14 credits at level one or higher in mathematics or Pangarau.
- Discretionary Entrance: Discretionary entrance will be considered where an applicant has a minimum of 48 credits at level two including 13 credits in English or Te Reo Maori and 35 credits across NZQA approved level 2 subjects. Applicants are also required to have a minimum of 12 level one credits in mathematics or Pangarau.
- Special Admission (under 20 years): In exceptional cases, a student who does not hold an admission qualification as required under the general admission regulations may still be considered for admission if the applicant has met an educational standard, through work experience or other learning methods, that can be considered equivalent to those required for admission and can prove preparedness for study. The Director Academic programmes has delegated authority from the Academic Management Committee to consider such cases and, where warranted, to grant admission.
- Literacy and Numeracy Standards: Must meet the literacy and numeracy standards required for entrance to a University.
If aged over 20 years an applicant may be eligible for Special Admission -
- Special Admission (over 20 years): An applicant who is over 20 years of age and who does not meet the admission qualification regulations may be accepted for admission where they can demonstrate preparedness for study and qualification equivalency through work/voluntary experience. The Director Academic Programmes has delegated authority from the Academic Management Committee to consider such cases and, where warranted, to grant admission.
English language requirements for applicants with English as an additional language
The New Zealand Teachers Council has issued new guidelines on the selection of applicants into initial teacher education programmes for applicants who have English as an Additional Language (EAL).
All EAL applicants for entry into the programme will have English in addition to the language spoken in their family; the applicant's first or primary language is other than English.
All EAL applicants will need to meet a score of 7.0 in all bands of the academic version of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) prior to entry into the Bachelor of Teaching (ECE). Some exemptions apply, these are:
- EAL applicants who have studied in New Zealand for a minimum of two years at secondary school and who have eight, level two NCEA University Entrance literacy credits (4 credits in reading and 4 credits in writing).
- EAL applicants whose medium of instruction was fully in English in a New Zealand or Australian tertiary education organisation (TEO - university, institute of technology, polytechnic, wānanga or PTE) and who are graduates at a degree level (seven) or higher.
