Bachelor of Teaching (Primary)

Entry criteria

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