Graduate Diploma in Tertiary Education (Level 7)

Location

Dunedin Campus or by distance

Duration

One year full-time; two years part-time

Delivery

Blended delivery: online, distance learning and on-campus activities 

Credits

120

DescLevel

120

Intakes

31 January
4 July

Apply

Anytime

    Study breaks content

  • Location
    Intake
    Study breaks
  • Distance
    29 January 2024
  • Distance
    1 July 2024
  • Dunedin
    29 January 2024
  • Dunedin
    1 July 2024
  • Distance
    17 February 2025
    30 June 2025 - 11 July 2025
    14 April 2025 - 25 April 2025
    22 September 2025 - 3 October 2025
  • Distance
    15 September 2025
    22 September 2025 - 3 October 2025
  • Distance
    14 July 2025
    22 September 2025 - 3 October 2025
  • Dunedin
    17 February 2025
    30 June 2025 - 11 July 2025
    14 April 2025 - 25 April 2025
    22 September 2025 - 3 October 2025
  • Dunedin
    15 September 2025
    22 September 2025 - 3 October 2025
  • Dunedin
    14 July 2025
    22 September 2025 - 3 October 2025

Teaching adult education and want to become a qualified tertiary teacher?

The Graduate Diploma in Tertiary Education is a stimulating, flexibly-delivered programme that is tailored directly to your teaching context. You will be able to study in a way that suits your work schedule and family responsibilities as we offer online, distance learning and on-campus activities. You can learn at any location, at any time and in a way that appeals to you. 

A variety of contemporary educational media, digital tools and experience-based learning approaches will be used to help you develop as a 21st Century educator; that is, a critically-reflective, dual-professional bringing expertise from your trade or profession to vocational education. 

Learning while you work as an educator of adults will have a direct impact on your day-to-day activities. You will be encouraged to explore trends in tertiary education and use evidence from research and the wider teaching profession to develop a future-focused and effective teaching practice. As a graduate, you will be able to design and facilitate inclusive learning in your tertiary cultural context. 

What will I be able to do?

As a graduate of this qualification, you will be able to:

  1. Practise cultural and bi-cultural competence* and be responsive to diverse needs in everyday practice, using multiple perspectives to construct knowledge and establish meaningful relationships that enable ethical behaviour, open mindedness and agency for change. 

    *Note: For the New Zealand context, learners are expected to practice bicultural competence, acknowledging the historic place and contemporary significance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi / the Treaty of Waitangi, embedding Māori worldviews, knowledge and language into everyday practice. 

  2. Think critically about own and others' educational beliefs, values and practices to develop an evidence-based personal philosophy and framework for tertiary teaching that enables effective decision making in practice. 

  3. Make and implement decisions about the design, delivery and assessment of learning, employing effective strategies and authentic, learner-centred practices to promote deep learning in inclusive tertiary learning environments. 

  4. Take responsibility for own professional learning and development, acting as a reflective practitioner to continually explore the relevance and impact of learning and identify areas for improvement and future professional learning needs. 

  5. Work independently and collaborate in communities to find evidence-based solutions to contemporary educational issues and problems, share expertise and advance professional, sustainable practice in the tertiary context.  

How will I study?

The Graduate Diploma in Tertiary Education (Level 7) is a 120 credit programme. 

Eight, 15-credit courses will be studied, either over one year (full-time) or two years (part-time). During your studies, you can take part in blended learning (on campus and online) or distance learning (online).

Regular tutorials are offered both on campus and using web conferencing, and you can choose whatever suits at the time.

The programme is based on semester starts and you begin your studies at either semester. 

Info for international students

For non-New Zealand residents, some courses can be studied through the Open Education Resource universitas (OERu)

The OERu is an international network of innovative, higher education institutions inspired by the vision of opening access to a credible, high-quality and affordable education to learners around the world. 

To find out about courses relevant to the Graduate Diploma in Tertiary Education (Level 7), go to the OERu website and fill in the contact form. 

What will my workload be?

This 120-credit programme is equal to 1,200 hours of study (approximately) over one year full-time or 600 hours per year over two years. This equates to approximately 35.5 hours per week for the full-time option and approximately 17.75 hours per week for the part-time option. 

What are the entry requirements?

  • An undergraduate degree in a related field, or degree-equivalent practical, professional or scholarly experience. 
  • If English is not your first language, you must provide:

If you need to improve your English Language skills, we offer a wide range of English programmes.

Selection procedure

Applicants who meet the entry requirements will be accepted.  

What could I study next?

Progress into the Master of Professional Practice delivered by Capable NZ to advance your skills and employment potential.

Student loans and allowances

Please contact Studylink to determine your eligibility for student loans and allowances. Phone 0800 88 99 00 or visit the Studylink website.

Any questions? 

If you have any questions or would like to chat about this programme, please email TertiaryTeaching@op.ac.nz

Intakes:

Course Description Dates
25-DUN-FY Dunedin 3 February 2025
25-DIS-FY Distance 3 February 2025