Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Primary Education)

Admission Process

This programme admission process requires you to provide all required documentation in order to process your application. Please note that if this is not submitted when requested, your application may be deferred to the next enrolment intake or declined. 

Applicants must meet all entry requirements in order to be admitted to the programme. Please see ‘Entry Requirements’ for the full list. Additional information on some of these entry requirements is provided below:

Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Tool (LNAAT)

All applicants will need to demonstrate competence in mathematics by getting a score designated as equivalent to NCEA Level 2 by taking an assessment on the Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Tool (LNAAT). This is a new entry requirement introduced from 2025 by the Teachers Council of Aotearoa New Zealand .  If you have not studied this programme with Open Polytechnic previously, see the information below on how this new entry requirement is being implemented:

2025: All applicants who have applied to begin their studies in 2025 are allowed to enrol in this programme without meeting this entry requirement. However, this assessment must be passed prior to graduation.

2026: All applicants who apply to begin their studies in 2026 onwards must pass this assessment prior to entry into this programme

Referees

You need to give us details of two people who know you in a professional capacity. They must have agreed to provide confidential reports in support of your application. You need to include their:

• Name
• Occupation
• Email address
• Phone number

Your referees must not be close friends or relatives.
One referee must have observed you working with tamariki/children.
If you don't have their email addresses, you can send them a link to the online version.

Referee Report form

Police vetting

When you apply, you need complete a Vetting Request and Consent form. The Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand requires us to undertake a police check on all students over the age of 17. This form authorises the New Zealand Police to share information about you with Open Polytechnic*. All information is confidential.

When you return this form, you need to include two forms of identification. These must be verified by a trusted referee.

You can download and complete a NZ Police Vetting Service Request and Consent form, during the enrolment process. 

Vetting Request and Consent Form

*Note – Initial Teacher Education students have a role that involves the delivery of education to children/tamariki. Therefore, pursuant to Section 16 of the Criminal Records (Clean Slate) Act 2004, criminal convictions will not be released IF the applicant is eligible for clean slate.

Partner School

Having the support of a partner school is an entry requirement. During the admission process, we will contact you to discuss partner school options and contact schools you would like to partner with on your behalf.

Teach NZ scholarships 

Please see https://www.teachnz.govt.nz/studying-to-be-a-teacher/scholarships/ for information about Teach NZ scholarships. You need to apply for a scholarship as early as possible; do not wait until you have been accepted into the programme. If you would like a copy of our helpsheet “Teach NZ Application Advice”, please email iteadmin@openpolytechnic.ac.nz to request this.

After you apply

After we get your application and all required documentation, we will get in touch to acknowledge receipt of your application.

After the application close off date, we will let you know if your application has been accepted for an online interview.