Our Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programmes enable you to become a qualified teacher in Early Childhood, Primary or Secondary Education.
Restricted entry applies to these programmes - you must apply 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 are open for study in 2022.
Bachelor of Teaching (BTchg)
- Three-year undergraduate degree
- Applications for BTchg study open annually in early May, and are expected by 30 September.
Master of Teaching and Learning (MTchgLn)
- One-year (January-December) postgraduate degree
- Applications for MTchgLn study open annually in early May, and are expected by 31 July. Late applications may be considered.
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 on these programmes, follow the links below. When applications open, please use the yellow "Apply" button at the top of the page to apply.
Bachelor of Teaching (BTchg) | Master of Teaching and Learning (MTchgLn) | |
| 3-year programme | 1-year (January-December) postgraduate study | |
| Early Childhood Education | Available at the Dunedin and Southland campuses | Dunedin only |
| Primary Education | Available at the Dunedin and Southland campuses | Dunedin only |
| Te Pōkai Mātauranga o te Ao Rua (Primary Bicultural Education) | Only available at the Southland Campus, Invercargill | 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:
