Graduates of the PGDip(Sec) will build on prior undergraduate knowledge and skills, equipping student teachers with advanced competencies and practices that are necessary to be ready to teach upon graduation. Graduates will experience an immersion into pedagogy through their engagement in practice in school settings. There will be strong links between practice and theory as they engage deeply with theory and a wide range of in-depth pedagogies and assessment practices, as applied to their specialist Learning Areas in secondary schools. As part of reflective practice and fostering continuous improvement and professional growth, they will undertake cycles of inquiry to critically analyse contemporary approaches and practices as they refine their understanding and their own pedagogical practices. Graduates of this programme will emerge prepared to make a significant impact and contribution to the secondary sector in Aotearoa New Zealand.

The following graduate profile outcomes for this programme have been developed to align with The Standards and with stakeholder input to be specific to the PGDip(Sec): GPO1 Demonstrate commitment to honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi and recognition of the unique status of tangata whenua in Aotearoa New Zealand. GPO2 Employ research and scholarship in secondary education to develop understanding about effective practices, especially related to your specialist learning area. GPO3 Establish and maintain professional and ethical relationships with rangatahi, whānau and communities. GPO4 Develop a culture of inclusion, collaboration and safety that provides equitable outcomes for all learners. Part B 3 (c) New Zealand Tertiary College GPO5 Design learning and assessment experiences for rangatahi in a range of New Zealand secondary contexts. GPO6 Demonstrate pedagogical content knowledge, including implementing effective technologies for teaching and learning experiences, in diverse New Zealand secondary contexts.

Graduates may progress to relevant Master's programmes.

Applicants need to be a minimum of 16 years old prior to starting the programme. International applicants must be a minimum of 18 years of age prior to starting the programme. * Applicants for the Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching (Secondary) must hold a bachelor's degree, at level 7 on the New Zealand Qualification and Credentials Framework (NZQCF) or a recognised equivalent degree programme. * Where an applicant's qualification has been undertaken outside of New Zealand, NZTC has discretion to determine equivalency to the New Zealand qualification. Equivalency is assessed on a case-by-case basis. * All applicants must: o Have sufficient depth and breadth of a subject relevant to the Aotearoa New Zealand secondary school curriculum from NZQCF Level 5 to 7 or higher in your entry qualification. Preference will be given for students applying to teach in subject specialist areas in short supply in New Zealand, such as the STEM, English, Learning Languages, and Social Science subjects. o Provide at least one professional reference. o Provide a statement of intent. o Demonstrate their ability to meet the expectations of the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand in terms of personal and professional qualities, based on the Code of Professional Responsibility and Standards for the Teaching Profession (2017), through a personal visual interview. o Take the Literacy and Numeracy for Adults Assessment Tool and attain Step 5 for literacy and Step 5 in numeracy where required. o Be assessed for their current te reo Māori competency based on the levels in Te Aho Arataki Marau and are expected to actively develop their te reo Māori knowledge throughout the programme. o Have attained a New Zealand Police vetting report. The report is uploaded to the New Zealand Police portal under the occupation "Student Teacher" to ensure the vetting includes the Children's Act 2014. If the report indicates the applicant has been convicted of a crime, the matter will be referred to Programme Board, which will decide on the entry of that applicant to the programme based on the applicant's response to the conviction, and support from an approved school. The school must be aware of the conviction. o Be physically and mentally fit to carry out the responsibilities of a teaching role safely and effectively. * International students must submit an overseas police certificate(s) for each overseas country they have lived in for more than one year within the last 10 years if they were 18 years old or over during the time they lived there. * Credit for prior formal study is awarded towards this qualification. * Applicants must provide evidence of meeting English language requirements according to the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand's English language proficiency requirements.
* International applicants must also meet English language requirements according to Rule 22 of the New Zealand Qualifications Authority Programme Approval, Recognition, and Accreditation Rules 2025.