Education

Take your passion for learning and teaching to new heights by getting a nationally recognised teaching qualification at UCOL. We'll help you mature into a fantastic teacher!

The New Zealand education system is one of the best in the world. We have achieved this by inspiring individuals to learn, teach and support our tamariki and rangatahi throughout their learning journey. At UCOL, we nurture and motivate our students to become world-class teachers. With us, you will have a wonderful learning experience facilitated and supported by our skilled lecturers, learning advisors and educational institutes in our community. You will learn about teaching, education systems, culture and society, teaching best practices and techniques, and gain practical experience.

With UCOL, you can study towards a certificate, diploma or bachelor’s in adult and early childhood education.

There is no more rewarding job than teaching! So explore what we offer, and feel free to talk to us!

Adult Teaching
Adult Teaching
Early Childhood
Early Childhood
- Degrees
  - Te Tohu Paetahi Akoranga: Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education)
    Level 7
    Duration: 3 Years
    Start: Feb 2025
    Location: UCOL Manawatū in Palmerston North, UCOL Wairarapa in Masterton, UCOL Whanganui
- Diplomas
  - New Zealand Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care (Level 5)
    Level 5
    Duration: 1 year fill-time (41 weeks)
    (See Course Hours & Duration for more details)
    Start: Feb 2025
    Location: UCOL Manawatū in Palmerston North, UCOL Whanganui, UCOL Wairarapa in Masterton
- Certificates
  - New Zealand Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care (Level 4)
    Level 4
    Duration: 19 weeks full-time
    (See Course Hours & Duration for details)
    Start: Feb & Jul 2025
    Location: UCOL Manawatū in Palmerston North, UCOL Horowhenua in Levin, UCOL Whanganui, UCOL Wairarapa in Masterton
  - New Zealand Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care Level 4 (In-work/home based)
    Level 4
    Duration: 19 weeks, full-time
    (See Course Hours & Duration for details)
    Start: On demand
    Location: Online and through UCOL partners across New Zealand.
  - New Zealand Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care (Level 3)
    Level 3
    Duration: 19 weeks full-time
    (See Course Hours & Duration for details)
    Start: Feb & Jul 2025
    Location: UCOL Manawatū in Palmerston North, UCOL Horowhenua in Levin
- In School (programmes for current secondary school students)
  - Academy 2 Day New Zealand Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care
    Level 3
    Duration:
    Start: Feb 2025
    Location: UCOL Manawatū in Palmerston North, UCOL Wairarapa in Masterton, UCOL Whanganui
  - Academy Introduction to Early Childhood
    Level 2
    Duration:
    Start: Feb 2025
    Location: UCOL Manawatū in Palmerston North, UCOL Whanganui, UCOL Wairarapa in Masterton
  - STAR Early Childhood Education & Care
    Level 2
    Duration: One day per week over five weeks (Mondays, 9am - 3pm).
    Start: 2025 dates TBC
    Location: UCOL Manawatū in Palmerston North, UCOL Wairarapa in Masterton

Melissa Lepper
Early Childhood Education Lecturer
Horowhenua Early Childhood Kaimahi Melissa Lepper (Ngā Puhi), never imagined she would work in tertiary education before coming to UCOL.
Meet Melissa
Esmay Krause
Early Childhood Education ākonga
“The universe is built on relationships. It’s about how stories are told and passed down. This is how we honour my culture and Te Tiriti.”
Meet Esmay

Education

Degrees

Diplomas

Certificates

In School (programmes for current secondary school students)

Melissa Lepper

Esmay Krause