Bachelor of Teaching (Primary)

Become a primary teacher and help New Zealand children get off to a great start in life.

This degree works in close partnership with primary schools to give you a balance of theory, self-directed learning and practical experience.

As a candidate teacher, you’ll experience two days a week in a school. On campus, for two days a week you’ll learn the theory and current practice underpinning teaching subjects, such as Language and Literacy, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, The Arts, Technology, and Health and Physical Education.

Graduates can apply for registration as a provisionally certified teacher.

The Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) degree (BTP) offers you the opportunity to gain a professional qualification as a Primary Teacher, Years 0-8 (ages 5-13).

This is a practice-based teacher education programme, which provides a balance between theory, research and practice. Learning is supported through a combination of face-to-face, online and self-directed activity, while the school-based component enables you to apply your on campus learning to practice in classrooms. This qualification prepares you for further post-graduate study should you choose to do so.

You will attend EIT Hawke’s Bay two days per week and a designated primary school two days per week.

You are welcome to make an appointment to discuss your study options with our staff and to view our campus and facilities.

Graduating with a degree in primary teaching paves the way to a challenging and rewarding future educating young minds.

You’ll teach, facilitate and support children in their first eight years of formal learning, in preparation for secondary school and a lifetime of learning.

Further your study with a postgraduate qualification on offer at EIT.

To be able to process your application we require the following forms to be completed and returned to [email protected]

EIT Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) student Georgia Donnelly is loving the practical component of her degree. She compares her study to a three year interview with great opportunities to make industry contacts and score herself her dream job!

Academic Learning Services is here to assist you on your journey towards the successful completion of your studies at EIT. Our aim is for you to become confident, competent and independent learners.

We have dedicated advisors who can assist with your learning.

Find out more:

Hawke’s Bay Campus
Tairāwhiti Campus

A person is eligible to apply for entry who meets the following requirements:

Academic Entry Requirements

• Has attained a University Entrance (UE) qualification and is over the age of 17 years at the beginning of the programme’s academic year.
• For applicants under the age of 20 years at the beginning of the academic year, who do not have University Entrance or equivalent, entry may be considered on a case-by-case basis in accordance with EIT policy on discretionary entry; or
• Non-standard entry for those over 20 years of age:
  In the absence of the above academic requirements, applicants can satisfactorily prove that they have the potential to succeed in tertiary study at degree level and satisfy the selection panel that they possess all the necessary qualities that make them capable of undertaking the programme of study.

In support of their application, applicants must supply, in a CV, a detailed account of their educational background, evidence of experience with primary aged children, and an openness to learning; this must be supported by references or attestations from persons who have observed the applicant working with primary aged children and can comment on their potential for tertiary study and suitability for teaching.

Professional Requirements

• Be free from criminal convictions which would preclude them from working with children.
• Provide evidence of the personal and professional qualities appropriate for undertaking a BTP by furnishing two references from persons who are not related to the applicant, using the prescribed Referee form. One of the referees must be someone who has observed the applicant working with children. The appropriate qualities relate to the values, commitments and standards set out in the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand’s Our Code, Our Standards: Code of Professional Responsibility and Standards for the Teaching Profession (2017). School leavers must also have their school Principal, Dean or Career Advisor complete the School Report form.
• Sign a declaration and a request for personal information held on the NZ Police computer.
• Sign a declaration that they are in good health (having no medical, physical or psychological conditions that would preclude working with children).

English as an Additional Language Requirements

• English language competency.
• Prior to entry, applicants must demonstrate English language competency by providing one of the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand’s approved evidence of English language competency, as set out in the Aotearoa New Zealand Teaching Council’s ITE Programme Approval, Monitoring and Review Requirements (2019). See form for further information of requirements.

Internal Selection Processes

Upon the application satisfying eligibility to apply requirements, the applicants are then required to participate in an internal selection process. This is the first step to ensure the graduating candidate teacher has the qualities and dispositions which enable them to meet the primary teaching registration criteria.

A panel comprising of BTP educator(s) and primary sector representatives conduct the interviews.

The selection process consists of two parts:

• An interview process
• A literacy and numeracy assessment

The interview will be conducted in an equitable, professional manner with every endeavour to make applicants feel at ease. Areas considered by the interviewers are:

• Personal qualities
• Professional qualities
• Knowledge and experience of working with primary school aged children
• Other work and community experience
• Cultural knowledge and understanding

International Applicant Requirements

Those not schooled in New Zealand must have the equivalent of University Entrance if under 20 at the beginning of the programme’s academic year.

A person who meets the following requirements is eligible to apply for entry:

Academic Entry Requirements

In support of their application, applicants must supply in a CV a detailed account of their educational background, evidence of experience with primary school aged children, and an openness to learning; this must be supported by references or attestations from persons who have observed the applicant working with primary aged children and can comment on their potential for tertiary study, and suitability for teaching.

Professional Requirements

• Be free from criminal convictions which would preclude them from working with children.
• Provide evidence of the personal and professional qualities appropriate for undertaking a Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) by furnishing two references from persons who are not related to the applicant, using prescribed Referee Forms. One of the referees must be someone who has observed the applicant working with children. The appropriate qualities are specified in the Teaching Council of Aoteatroa New Zealand’s Good Character and Fit to be Teacher Policy 2007. School leavers must also have their school Principal, Dean or Career Advisor complete the School Report form.
• Submit a Police Clearance Certificate
• Sign a declaration that they are in good health (having no medical, physical or psychological conditions that would preclude them from working with children).

English Language Entry Requirements/ International Student Entry Criteria

International applicants for whom English is not their first language must have a minimum score of 7.0 in all bands of the IELTS (International English Language Testing System). A skype interview and references will also be required.

Internal Selection Processes

Upon the application satisfying eligibility to apply requirements, the applicants are then required to participate in an internal selection process. This is the first step to ensure the graduating candidate teacher has the qualities and dispositions which enable them to meet the primary teaching registration criteria.

A panel comprising of Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) Educator(s) and primary sector representatives conduct the interviews.

The selection process consists of two parts:

• An skype interview process
• A literacy and numeracy assessment

The interviews will be conducted in an equitable, professional manner with every endeavour to make applicants feel at ease. Applicants are welcome to bring family/whānau for support. Areas considered by the interviewers are:

• Personal qualities
• Professional qualities
• Knowledge and experience of working with primary school aged children
• Other work and community experience
• Cultural knowledge and understanding