Postgraduate Diploma in Leadership (ECE)

Our Postgraduate Diploma Leadership (ECE) is for professionals who aspire to become great leaders in the early childhood sector.

During this level 8 programme, you will immerse yourself in current research, theories and practices of leadership to become more insightful and effective as a leader.

You will develop and expand your skills and thinking around leadership in ECE – from motivating and transforming teams to leading pedagogical change, positive organisations, and sustainable social and educational change for children and families.

The programme’s work-based leadership approach enables you to apply your acquired skills in practice from day one.

When you graduate with the Postgraduate Diploma in Leadership (ECE) you may progress to our Level 9 master’s degree, with two of the four courses contributing to the first part of the degree.

Teacher Registration Pathway

This programme does not directly qualify students for Teacher Registration and a Practicing Certificate from the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand. For further studies to become a registered teacher in New Zealand, check out our Graduate Diploma of Teaching ECE

• Full-time or part-time
• Online

The Postgraduate Diploma in Leadership (ECE) can be completed in one academic year of full-time study or part-time over two years. We recommend part-time study over two years for greater flexibility.

The programme comprises four 30-credit courses, each 16 weeks long. For full-time study, you will need to set aside 34 hours per week, and 17 hours for part-time study. Each course includes a 1.5-day online orientation and block course session.

You will be supported during your studies by our passionate and committed lecturers and pouako, with further in-person support is available for you at any one of our 11 Regional Education Centres.

Assessment

This programme is assessed by internal assessment. Assessments are varied and include essays, reports, PowerPoint presentations, multimedia presentations and other assessment types.

To be eligible for programme admission, you must:

• Hold an NZQA or equivalent level 7 teaching degree or diploma.

• Be working in an ECE service or organisation that has an ECE-related focus.

What is a verified copy?
A verified copy is a photocopy of your original document signed as being a true and accurate copy by a Justice of the Peace (JP), solicitor, church minister, kaumātua, police officer, school principal, Member of Parliament or Te Rito Maioha teaching staff member. You can find a list of Justices of the Peace in the Yellow Pages of the telephone book or at Royal Federation of NZ Justices’ Associations

Documents required to submit an application

1. Primary ID
You must supply a verified copy of one of the documents below:

• New Zealand Birth Certificate issued on or after 1 January 1998 carrying a unique identification number
• New Zealand Passport
• Overseas passport (must include relevant visa/residency permit)
• New Zealand Emergency travel document
• New Zealand refugee travel document
• New Zealand certificate of identity (issued under the Passports Act 1992 to non-NZ citizens who cannot obtain a passport from their country of origin)
• New Zealand certificate of identity (issued under the Immigration Act 1987 to people who have refugee status)
• New Zealand citizenship certificate

2. Secondary ID
You must supply a verified copy of one of the documents below:

• New Zealand Driver’s licence
• 18+ Card
• Community services card
• NZ student photo identification card – from another tertiary institution
• NZ employee photo identification card
• NZ electoral roll record
• Inland revenue number
• NZ utility bill, issued not more than six months earlier.

3. Evidence of Qualification

This programme consists of 3 (30-credit) core courses and one elective course.

Fees cover all tuition costs, student guides, and readings.

All fees shown are domestic fees for students studying in 2025:

Fees may be subject to late payment fees after the due date.

Judy Kaa Scholarship

The Judy Kaa Scholarship is available to a student who has been accepted into this programme and covers the fees for the first year of study (2 papers).

The scholarship covers first-year tuition fees for the Postgraduate Diploma in Leadership Early Childhood Education (indicative $3,670.00 for 2024 – two papers).

Discover other scholarships, grants and loans to finance your studies

Programme Overview

Our Postgraduate Certificate in Leadership (ECE) is for professionals who want to dip their toes into postgraduate study, beginning with the certificate.

During this level 8 programme, you will immerse yourself in current research, theories and practices of leadership to develop your leadership knowledge and practices.

You will develop and expand your skills and thinking around leadership in ECE – from working through team conflict and motivating and transforming teams to leading pedagogical change amongst teaching teams.

The programme’s work-based leadership approach enables you to apply your acquired skills in practice from day one. When you complete your Postgraduate Certificate in Leadership (ECE) you may graduate with this qualification or progress to our Postgraduate Diploma in Leadership (ECE).

Courses

Note: Applicants are to meet all the entry requirements of the Postgraduate Diploma in Leadership to enrol in the Postgraduate Certificate in Leadership (ECE) programme