Graduate Diploma in Tertiary Education (Level 7)
This qualification will provide you with a formal qualification tailored directly to teaching at tertiary level. You'll be able to study in a way that suits your current schedule and responsibilities, and graduate able to design and facilitate inclusive learning in your tertiary cultural context.
Domestic
Distance
July
About the programme
Teaching adult education and want to become a qualified tertiary teacher?
The Graduate Diploma in Tertiary Education is a stimulating, flexibly-delivered programme that is tailored directly to your teaching context. You will be able to study in a way that suits your work schedule and other responsibilities as we offer online, distance learning and on-campus activities. You can learn at any location, at any time and in a way that appeals to you.
A variety of contemporary educational media, digital tools and experience-based learning approaches will be used to help you develop as a 21st Century educator; that is, a critically-reflective, dual-professional bringing expertise from your trade or profession to vocational education.
Learning while you work as an educator of adults will have a direct impact on your day-to-day activities. You will be encouraged to explore trends in tertiary education and use evidence from research and the wider teaching profession to develop a future-focused and effective teaching practice. As a graduate, you will be able to design and facilitate inclusive learning in your tertiary cultural context.
Studying part-time
We know full-time study isn't always possible. We also offer this programme part-time over two years.
What You Study
Delivery
The Graduate Diploma in Tertiary Education (Level 7) is a 120 credit programme.
Eight, 15-credit courses will be studied, either over one year (full-time) or two years (part-time). During your studies, you can take part in blended learning (on campus and online) or distance learning (online).
Regular tutorials are offered both on campus and using web conferencing, and you can choose whatever suits at the time.
The programme is based on semester starts and you begin your studies at either semester.
You will learn
As a graduate of this qualification, you'll be able to:
- Practise cultural and bi-cultural competence* and be responsive to diverse needs in everyday practice, using multiple perspectives to construct knowledge and establish meaningful relationships that enable ethical behaviour, open mindedness and agency for change.
*Note: For the New Zealand context, learners are expected to practice bicultural competence, acknowledging the historic place and contemporary significance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi / the Treaty of Waitangi, embedding Māori worldviews, knowledge and language into everyday practice. - Think critically about own and others' educational beliefs, values and practices to develop an evidence-based personal philosophy and framework for tertiary teaching that enables effective decision making in practice.
- Make and implement decisions about the design, delivery and assessment of learning, employing effective strategies and authentic, learner-centred practices to promote deep learning in inclusive tertiary learning environments.
- Take responsibility for own professional learning and development, acting as a reflective practitioner to continually explore the relevance and impact of learning and identify areas for improvement and future professional learning needs.
- Work independently and collaborate in communities to find evidence-based solutions to contemporary educational issues and problems, share expertise and advance professional, sustainable practice in the tertiary context.
Further study options
Progress into the Master of Professional Practice delivered by Capable NZ to advance your skills and employment potential.
Workload
Your workload
This 120-credit programme is equal to 1,200 hours of study (approximately) over one year full-time or 600 hours per year over two years. This equates to approximately 35.5 hours per week for the full-time option and approximately 17.75 hours per week for the part-time option.
Entry
Entry requirements
- An undergraduate degree in a related field, or degree-equivalent practical, professional or scholarly experience.
- If English is not your first language, you must provide:
- New Zealand University Entrance OR
- Overall Academic IELTS 6.0 with no individual band score lower than 6.0 (achieved in one test completed in the last two years), OR
- Acceptable alternative evidence of the required IELTS (see here for NZQA proficiency table and here for list of recognised proficiency tests).
If you need to improve your English Language skills, we offer a wide range of English programmes.
Selection procedure
Applicants who meet the entry requirements will be accepted.
Fees
Domestic fees
International fees
Tuition fees
The tuition fees shown above are approximate only. There may be a slight fee increase per year once Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) rules and guidelines are applied. These fees also don’t include additional costs or living costs.
Studylink
Domestic full-time students can apply for a student loan through Studylink.
Some support may be available for domestic part-time students.
Apply at the same time as you apply for your course (you can withdraw your application anytime).
Student Services Fee
For most students, your tuition fee shown above includes a Student Services Fee – also known as the Student Levy. This compulsory fee covers your access to the student services we offer. This cost is tailored depending on how you're studying.
The international tuition fee does not include your Student Levy. This will be calculated when you enrol with us.
Click below to find out more about the Student Levy costs and services provided.
Fees Free* for domestic learners
If this is your first time doing tertiary study, or your first tertiary study was covered by the Targeted Training and Apprenticeship (TTAF) initiative, you may be able to get up to $12,000 of your fees covered for one year’s study or two years’ training.
All the details and criteria are on the Fees Free website and you can check whether you’re going to be able to access Fees Free by entering your National Student Number.
If you can access it, we’ll organise your fees with the Tertiary Education Commission when you’re enrolled to study with us. This funding doesn’t include additional costs or living costs.
* Please note: The Government has advised that they intend to change the Fees Free policy from 2025. The details of the change are yet to be confirmed. We'll update this information as soon as we can with any new details. The Fees Free policy for 2024 is unchanged.
Application
Need more info?
If you have any questions or would like to chat about this programme, please email TertiaryTeaching@op.ac.nz
Info for international students
For non-New Zealand residents, some courses can be studied through the Open Education Resource universitas (OERu).
The OERu is an international network of innovative, higher education institutions inspired by the vision of opening access to a credible, high-quality and affordable education to learners around the world.
To find out about courses relevant to the Graduate Diploma in Tertiary Education (Level 7), go to the OERu website and fill in the contact form.
