Master of Education (ECE)
Tohu Paerua Kōhungahunga (ECE)

Level: 9
Credits: 120 - 180
Intakes: 2 per year
Duration:
Full-time: 1 - 1.5 years
Part-time: 2 - 3 years
Application closing dates:
Semester 2, 2025: 30 June 2025

Expand your research-based expertise in early childhood education and take a deep dive into topics you’re passionate about. Our Master's qualification is your pathway to achieving your professional aspirations.
Grow your kete of knowledge further with us across our variety of courses or engage in research and become an expert in your area of passion.
Pathway Options
- Master’s by thesis or primarily by thesis
- 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time
- You will complete a 30-credit research methods course and a 90-credit research thesis.
- Master’s by coursework and thesis
- 18 months full-time or 3 years part-time
- You will complete three 30-credit courses including the compulsory research methods course, before you undertake your 90-credit research thesis. You may choose from a suite of level 8 and 9 courses.
- Master’s by coursework only
- 18 months full-time or 3 years part-time
- You will complete four to six 30-credit courses (depending on your entry qualifications). You may choose from a suite of level 8 and 9 courses.
Note: This programme is available for international students to study in their home country.
- Full-time and Part-time
- Online learning
- Offshore learning option
Full-time students will study 2 courses per semester whilst part-time students will study 1 course per semester.
Students who hold a Postgraduate Diploma in education, related fields or a Bachelor with Honours degree, can undertake either:
- Master’s by thesis or primarily by thesis (need to complete 120 credits), or
- Master’s by coursework only (need to complete 120 credits)
Students who hold an undergraduate degree can undertake either:
- Master’s by coursework and thesis (need to complete 180 credits), or
- Masters by coursework (need to complete 180 credits).
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 degree or diploma.
-
International students are required to show proficiency in English by achieving an IELTS 6.5 overall (no band lower than 6) or a minimum mark of 58 overall at PTE Academic (no band lower than 50).
NZ residents schooled outside of New Zealand may need to provide other evidence of their English language proficiency.
See: Language Competency Requirements
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
Semester 1 2025 | |
---|---|
Start Date: | 17 February 2025 |
Mid Semester Break: | 14 – 27 April 2025 |
End Date: | 22 June 2025 |
Semester 2 2025 | |
Start Date: | 14 July 2025 |
Mid Semester Break: | 15 – 28 September 2025 |
End Date: | 16 November 2025 |
*If you choose to complete a Level 8 Leadership course, you will attend a 1.5-day online block course in the first week of the semester.
Students on the Master’s by course work only pathway, and the Master’s by course work and thesis pathway can choose from these 30 credit courses:
Semester 1 Courses |
See: Course Descriptions |
---|---|
Level 9 | Level 8 |
Research Methods Course Tikanga Rangahau |
Leading Teams Ngā Tira Ārahi |
Bicultural Teaching and Learning Ngā Tikanga Whakaako Kākano Rua |
Organisational Leadership Te Ārahitanga ā-Whakahaere |
Evaluation in Practice Arotakenga Ariā Whakahāngai |
The First Thousand Days Ngā Rā Tuamano |
Inclusive Education He Mātauranga Whakawhāiti |
Infant and Toddler Learning and Wellbeing Tamariki Kōhungahunga Akoranga me te Orangatanga |
Independent Inquiry Te Rangahau Motuhake |
Dialogical Pedagogy Matapakinga Mātauranga |
Philosophies that inform the Montessori Curriculum Te Kaupapa Rapunga Whakaaro o te Marautanga Montessori |
|
Semester 2 Courses |
Level 9 | Level 8 |
Research Methods Course Tikanga Rangahau |
Leading Pedagogical Change Te Ārahi Huringa Tikanga Whakaako |
Mātauranga Māori | Māori Leadership Te Ārahitanga Māori i te Mātauranga Kōhungahunga |
Curriculum Studies Te Akoranga Marautanga |
Pasifika Leadership Te Ārahitanga Moana-Nui-A-Kiwa i te Mātauranga Kōhungahunga |
Independent Inquiry Te Rangahau Motuhake |
Leading Social Change Te Ārahi Huringa Pāpori |
Integrating Montessori with Indigenous Knowledge
Te Whakakotahitanga a Montessori ki ngā Mātauranga Māori |
Infant and Toddler Curriculum and Environments Tamariki Kōhungahunga Marautanga me te Taiao |
The First Thousand Days Ngā Rā Tuamano |
|
Dialogic Pedagogy Matapakinga Mātauranga |
Fees cover all tuition costs, student guides, and readings.
All fees shown are for domestic students studying in 2025*:
Amount per 90 Credit Thesis Course | $6,205 |
Amount per 30 Credit Level 9 Course | $2,100 |
Amount per 30 Credit Level 8 Course | $1,995 |
*Fees may be subject to late payment fees after the due date
Enrolling as an international student, you will be subject to international fees.
Master of Education (ECE) Scholarship
Our master’s programme equips students with specialised knowledge and skills that are crucial for addressing complex challenges in various industries.
Offering a scholarship to a student in our Master of Education (ECE) programme helps develop a pool of highly skilled professionals who can contribute to the economy and society.
Discover scholarships, grants and loans to finance your studies
“Te Rito Maioha is the third tertiary provider that I’ve studied through and the big difference for me, was that sense of whanaungatanga. I really felt supported. I really felt like there was so much taitoko, so much awhi.
If I ever needed anything, there were always people at hand such as my supervisor who was so supportive and encouraging. It felt really personal, and I haven’t had that experience before as a student.”
