Our Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programmes enable you to become a qualified teacher in Early Childhood, Primary, Te Pōkai Mātauranga o te Ao Rua (primary bicultural) or Secondary Education.
Restricted entry applies to these programmes - you must apply, attend an interview, and be offered a place. Applications are to be submitted online.
To be sure teaching is the career path for you, it is strongly recommended that intending applicants approach a school or centre, to arrange to spend a day observing a typical day’s teaching, prior to submitting your application.
Application dates
Applications for study in 2022 are now closed.
Bachelor of Teaching (BTchg)
- Three-year undergraduate degree
- Applications open annually in early May, and are expected by 30 September.
Master of Teaching and Learning (MTchgLn)
- One-year (January-December) postgraduate degree
- Applications open annually in early May, and are expected by 31 July.
Application closing dates vary for the following, offered at the Dunedin Campus:
- Education courses and programmes
- Postgraduate programmes
Applications
If you are intending to apply for any of our ITE programmes, please refer to the links below for a step-by-step guide about the application process:
- Information for new Bachelor of Teaching (BTchg) applicants
- Information for new Master of Teaching and Learning (MTchgLn) applicants
- Information for students who need to be safety checked under the Children's Act 2014
Applicants who have lived for a year or more in a country other than New Zealand may be requested to provide police or security checks from countries they have resided in. - University of Otago entrance requirements
- Intending MTchgLn (Secondary Education) applicants can check the minimum requirements (pre-requisites) for each secondary school teaching subject, by referring to the table of Secondary Curriculum Subjects.
Interviews
All applicants who apply for our ITE programmes are required to participate in an interview. The purpose of the interview is to assess your suitability for teacher education and a subsequent career in teaching. To assist you to prepare for the interview, please read:
- Interview Information for Applicants
- Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand Our Code Our Standards: Code of Professional Responsibility and Standards for the Teaching Profession.
ITE programmes
For more information and to apply for these programmes, follow the links below (a yellow "Apply" button will appear at the top of the linked pages when applications are open).
Bachelor of Teaching (BTchg) | Master of Teaching and Learning (MTchgLn) | |
| 3-years of undergraduate study | 1-year (January-December) postgraduate study | |
| Early Childhood Education | Dunedin and Invercargill campuses | Dunedin only |
| Primary Education | Dunedin and Invercargill | Dunedin only |
| Te Pōkai Mātauranga o te Ao Rua (Primary Bicultural Education) | Invercargill only | N/A |
| Secondary Education | N/A | Dunedin only |
Support
If you have any questions about our Initial Teacher Education programmes:
Email collegeofeducation.askotago@otago.ac.nz
Tel 0800 TO TEACH (0800 868 3224)
For support with the online application process:
