What you will need to provide in order to apply for the programme
When submitting your application you will need to provide information related to your personal details, contact information and educational background.
You will also need to provide additional information specific to your College of Education application, which is detailed below.
1. Handwritten statement
This part of the application requires you to write and upload a personal statement. The statement is required to be in your own handwriting so it will need to be written and then scanned or photographed.
Outline your reasons for wishing to enter the programme(s) you are applying for and your strengths. This is a very important part of your application so please consider carefully what you will write.
2. Recent experiences
This part of the application requires you to upload a document outlining your:
- involvements and recent experiences relevant to a career in teaching, and
- membership in any professional bodies, licensing authorities, and/or registration authorities to which you belong.
Some examples of experiences and involvement you may wish to include are:
- Experiences working with people
- Community activities
- School activities
- Sport
- Music / Drama / Art / Debating
- Experience with other cultures
- Travel
- Teaching / Coaching
- Leadership
3. Teaching subjects – for Master of Teaching (Secondary) applicants only
Applicants for the Secondary Education endorsement are required to indicate proposed teaching subjects in their application. You need to:
- Choose three (or four) teaching subjects from the approved list
- Work within one or two learning areas
- Teach a range of subjects from Years 7 to 13
- Have met the prerequisites of your subjects (see below)
All listed subjects may not be available in any one year. A full programme is considered to be three subjects but you can choose to do four – this can be discussed at interview.
The minimum requirements for secondary school subjects
Refer to the minimum requirements (prerequisites) for secondary school curriculum subjects
In the prerequisites section for each teaching subject please enter the tertiary papers or courses you have completed, or are currently studying, which support the subject.
Please include full subject titles, codes, and levels. Transcripts to support your study should be uploaded later in the application.
In addition, competency in conversational Māori is desirable.
4. Referee reports
For your application to be considered you will need two people to provide completed referee reports.
- Download the Confidential Referee report
- Complete the applicant section of the form
- Provide a copy of the form to each of your two chosen referees.
Examples of suitable referees
Referees cannot be family members, partners, or people living at the same address as yourself. Some examples of suitable referees are:
- Employers
- Managers
- Teachers
- Tutors
- Coaches
- Mentors
- Church leaders
- Kaumātua
5. Language competency
All applicants to initial teacher education programmes at the University of Otago must meet the language competency requirements of the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand.
The criteria can be found on their website. You may be asked to provide evidence that you meet one of the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand language competency criteria.
Language competency requirements
6. Medical certificate
If you have a health condition or impairment you will be asked to provide a document outlining details of the condition or impairment and how it may affect your ability to complete the programme. This could be a personal statement of explanation or medical certificate from your doctor/specialist, regarding your ability to undertake a programme at the College of Education.
This information will be considered in assessing your application but its primary purpose is to ensure all successful applicants are provided with appropriate support. You may seek advice from the University's Disabilities Information and Support service who will, if necessary, act as an advocate or facilitator in your interests.
Professional standards and criminal offences policy
See the Initial Teacher Education – Professional Standards and Criminal Offences Policy
Apply for the Master of Teaching and Learning (MTchgLn)
Once your application has been submitted
It is important to check your eVision notifications regularly for updates about your application.
If you are shortlisted you will be contacted with a date and time for an interview. If your application has not been successful you will be notified of this via your eVision student portal.
Interviews
All applicants who apply for our Teacher Education programmes are required to participate in an interview.
The purpose of the interview is to assess your suitability for teacher education and a subsequent career in teaching. To assist you to prepare for the interview, please read:
- Interview Information for Applicants
- Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand – Our Code Our Standards: Code of Professional Responsibility and Standards for the Teaching Profession.
If you receive an offer of study
If you receive an offer of study you must accept or decline this offer within two weeks of the date of offer and ensure that you have completed the selection of your papers.
Contact us
For information about the programme
For information about your application
Email admissions@otago.ac.nz
Toll-free number
Tel 0800 TO TEACH (0800 868 3224)