Admission and entrance

View the entry requirements for programmes in the Wellington Faculty of Education.

University and programme entry to teacher education qualifications

Applicants to undergraduate qualifications must satisfy the requirements of entry to Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington. Find out more about how to apply for admission to the University.

You will also need to:

• fulfil qualification-specific requirements
• apply by the due date

Places in these programmes are limited and offers will be made on the basis of academic merit, performance at assessment exercise, satisfactory referee checks and police clearance. Preference in the Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Secondary) may be given to those who intend to teach subjects in high demand.

Suitable dispositions for acceptance into teacher education programmes include self-awareness, intellectual curiosity, passion for learning, appreciation of cultural difference, integrity, and aptitude for working with others.

Apply online

You'll make your application through Pūaha, our student portal, where you'll be guided you through the admission and enrolment processes. It is important that you follow the steps and fully complete the information required, including any requested documentation.

If you are applying for entry to the Graduate Diploma of Teaching (ECE, Primary or Secondary) you will also be asked to supply verified copies of the following additional information:

• Proof of New Zealand citizenship or permanent residency e.g., birth certificate or passport.
• Official Academic Transcript showing the courses that you have completed and grades received in your undergraduate degree, if it was not awarded by Victoria University of Wellington.
• Proof of degree completion.
• Degrees from overseas will need to be assessed by New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) for New Zealand equivalence. Contact the Education, Humanities and Social Sciences Student Success team for further details.
• All applicants must meet English language requirements as set out by the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand. One accepted form of evidence must be provided with your application.

Additional requirements for teacher education qualifications

All applicants are assessed by the Wellington Faculty of Education for suitability to the teaching profession. This involves meeting set criteria, having supportive referees, making declarations about any criminal convictions or health and disability issues and successfully taking part in a selection meeting.

Future Students team can help you if you have any questions about university entrance to your chosen programme of study.

Referees

You will need to supply the names and contact details of two referees. They should be people who have known you for at least one year, but are not a family member, partner, or friend. If possible, one of your referees should be a recent employer or teacher.

Examples of suitable referees are:

• Someone who is familiar with your interactions with groups of children.
• A teacher, lecturer or mentor.
• The principal at your school.
• Your church minister.
• Your employer.
• A member of a committee on which you have served.
• An organiser of a charity for which you have worked for.
• An organiser of an event in which you have taken part.

They will be contacted by phone or email.

Personal declarations

Health and disability: in order to identify anything that may place children in your care at risk or inhibit your performance as a student teacher, you need to declare any medical, psychological or learning difficulty, or disability that could limit your participation in a teacher education programme.

These personal declarations are part of the application process. Your enrolment may be reviewed if it is found that false declarations have been made.

Selection meeting

Before you are accepted into any teacher education qualification, you are required to take part successfully in a selection meeting. Two of our academic staff will participate in each interview discussion to assess your oral communication and listening skills, how you interact with others and your views about teaching and education. Assessing that you have suitable levels of literacy and numeracy skills before you begin a teacher education programme is a requirement of the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand. These assessments are an important part of the selection process. You are strongly encouraged to prepare for these assessments, which reflect the literacy and numeracy standards required for University Entrance.  You will need to  demonstrate your competence in te reo Māori through the preparation and presentation of your mihi or pepeha at this meeting.

When you attend the assessment exercise you will be asked to complete a form giving the University permission to obtain a police check. This is required for all students who will spend time in schools or early childhood centres as part of their study.

You will be contacted regarding selection meeting dates after you have applied.

English language competency

Courses at Victoria University of Wellington are normally taught in English and essays and reports are the main kind of written work for assessment and exams.

If English isn't your first language, the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand has strict English language requirements for entry to an Initial Teacher Education programme and for teacher registration.

You will be required to provide evidence of your English language proficiency. The Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand accepts a broad range of evidence outlined on their website. If you are unsure if you will meet the requirements, contact info@vuw.ac.nz for further details.

Qualification assessment

If you have a degree qualification from an overseas university, you will need to have it assessed and approved by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) for acceptance into a teacher education programme. For further information about assessment of overseas qualifications, visit www.nzqa.govt.nz.