Education is an exciting, dynamic and fulfilling field to be in. Early childhood, primary and secondary teachers are in high demand in Aotearoa New Zealand and are featured on the government’s 2019 regional Skills Shortage List. It’s a great time to become a teacher! If you enjoy working with young people to inspire in them a love of learning, come and see us about studying in one of Laidlaw College’s two education programmes.

The Bachelor of Education (Primary) (BEd) is a three-year professional degree approved by the Teaching Council of New Zealand and focuses on uniquely preparing students to teach in primary, intermediate and middle schools in New Zealand and worldwide. If you enjoy working with young children aged 5 to 14 years of age, the Bachelor of Education (Primary) may be for you.

Our one-year Graduate Diploma in Education (Secondary) (GradDipEd) is approved by the Teaching Council of New Zealand and focuses on preparing students with a prior undergraduate qualification to teach in intermediate, middle and secondary schools in New Zealand and worldwide. This qualification will suit people who are excited by the idea of working alongside teenaged students and already have a Bachelor’s degree qualification.

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds who have a desire to work with children in a way that integrates faith with professional teaching practice.

Why study teaching at Laidlaw?

We teach more than the skills of teaching. Uniquely in New Zealand, our courses are taught
by experienced teachers and by theologians, who will help you ground your professional
practice in the Gospel of faith, hope and love, and to engage with children and young people
as people made in the image of God.

As a teachers’ college, we offer smaller classes and a more relational style of learning than
a university, and build lifelong connections with peers and mentors who can help you
develop your career as a teacher.

Explore a wide range of subjects – mathematics, English, science, the arts (drama, dance,
music and visual arts), health and physical education, social sciences, technology and
learning languages – including integrating Te Reo and tikanga Māori into teaching practice.

Our students spend more time in classroom contexts, and we maintain strong partnerships
with a wide variety of schools, as well as offering opportunities to expand your horizons
throughteaching placements with overseas missions organisations.