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Te Tuku Tono How to Apply Applying for a programme is super easy - just follow these five steps. Before applying, make sure you have your certified ID documents (passport or birth certificate) handy.
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Decide on the right programme for you and click ‘Apply Now’
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Complete your application
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Complete your enrolment tasks
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Accept your ‘Offer of Study’
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Finish off remaining tasks
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Congrats! You’re in!
Search the programme you’re interested in studying on the Unitec website, unitec.ac.nz, and click Apply Now.
You’ll need to create an account with Unitec by entering your personal details and academic history into the system.
When you’ve finished your application, you’ll be transferred to an enrolment portal. Here you’ll need to complete some tasks such as uploading supporting documents to support your application.
If all goes well you’ll receive an offer of study. You can accept this offer via your enrolment portal.
If your offer is conditional, you may be required to complete additional tasks. Wrap these up as quickly as possible so we can finalise your place in the programme.
Request an update If you need help during your application, you can ‘Request an Update’ in your Enrolment Portal. We’ll also be keeping an eye on your progress, and may contact you if we need to. Otherwise, feel free to call 0800 10 95 10, or email study@unitec.ac.nz
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Te Tahua Akoranga Funding Your Studies Studying is an investment in your future and a great way to ensure you remain work-ready in today’s ever-changing world. Here are some of the options for funding your studies:
Student Loans and Allowances
Youth Guarantee Fund
StudyLink is the best place to start when looking for help to pay for your study. What you’re eligible to apply for depends on your residency status, age, income and course type.
If you’re between the ages of 16 and 24, a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident and enrolled in an eligible 6 or 12-month Level 3 programme, you might be able to apply for funding under the Youth Guarantee Scheme to cover your compulsory tuition fees.
StudyLink may be able to help with: •
Compulsory tuition fees
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Course-related costs
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Living costs
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Other costs (e.g. disability or childcare)
Here’s how it works 1.
Apply online for an eligible course or programme.
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Fill in the Expression of Interest form on the Unitec website for Youth Guarantee Fund.
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If your application is successful, you’ll have an interview with the Youth Guarantee team.
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Youth Guarantee-funded places of study are limited, so apply as early as possible.
Student Loan A student loan can help with paying for your tuition fees (compulsory fees charged by us), study materials (e.g. books, computer, travel) and living costs. Because this is a loan, you’ll have to pay it back once you start working.
Student Allowance A student allowance is a weekly payment to help you with your living expenses while you’re studying. If you’re eligible, you don’t have to pay this one back. To find out if you’re eligible to apply for a student loan and/or allowance, visit studylink.govt.nz
For more information on the Youth Guarantee Fund, please visit unitec.ac.nz/youth-guarantee
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Refugee English Fund Grant
Fees Free will finish at the end of 2026
You may be eligible if you plan to study our New Zealand Certificate in English Language programmes.
The Government has announced it is ending Fees Free for the final year of tertiary study and the final 2 years of work-based learning.
For more information on the Refugee English Fund Grant, please visit unitec.ac.nz/refugee
If you complete an eligible qualification or programme in 2026, you will still be able to apply for Fees Free within 12 months of completing, up to 31 December 2027.
Māori & Pasifika Trades Training Scholarships
If you complete your qualification or programme after 31 December 2026, you will no longer be eligible for Fees Free.
You may be eligible if you are of Māori & Pasifika descent, aged 16 – 40, and want to learn a trade programme.
Please note: Fees Free is a government scheme administered by Inland Revenue (IRD). Unitec cannot assess eligibility, process applications, or make decisions about Fees Free.
For more information on the Māori and Pacifika Trades Training Scholarships, please visit unitec.ac.nz/mptt
For all Fees Free enquiries, please contact IRD directly or visit ird.govt.nz/fees-free
Other Scholarships For other scholarships please refer to pages 6 & 7 for more information.
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Te Tahua Akoranga Scholarships At Unitec we manaaki student success wherever we can and scholarships are one of the ways we do that. Scholarships We have scholarships that recognise the achievements and the challenges of dedicating yourself to learning, whether that’s in a vocational trade, at undergraduate level or at Master’s degree level and beyond. We understand that financial barriers can be significant for students. That’s why most scholarship funding helps support students with costs associated with study. That could be tuition fees or course-related costs like books and supplies, as well as living expenses such as childcare and transport.
Applying for a scholarship We offer scholarships designed specifically to help reduce the pressure, so you can focus on achieving your academic goals.
Manaaki New Zealand Scholar Ratu Epeneri Korovakaturaga, Master of Architecture, Fiji
We offer a variety of scholarships to students and highly recommend looking at our website for current scholarships.
Help while you study – financial assistance
Here are some of the scholarships we have offered in the past:
Sometimes unexpected and additional costs can pop up. If you find yourself struggling financially during your studies, Unitec has Study Grants for essential course-related costs (up to $500) that domestic, full-time students can apply for. There’s also an emergency hardship fund that can provide some limited financial help. Our Student Support team can help put you in touch with other support services that can help to get you back on your feet.
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Māori & Pacific Scholarships Scholarships for new students, those progressing into a new programme and academic excellence scholarships in undergraduate degrees. Some of these scholarships also provided mentoring opportunities and other ways to connect with Unitec’s Māori and Pacific communities. We also offer Kura Kaupapa / Rūmaki Reo scholarships. New Student & School Leaver Scholarships Scholarships for students who have recently left high school or people seeking a career change, as well as our disabled and neurodiverse learners, to further support and enhance the student experience.
Our website unitec.ac.nz has the most up-to-date fees information. It also has useful links to help you work out how to apply for a loan, and whether there are scholarships you could be applying for.
For your funding questions, please visit the Ask Me desk on campus, email them on studentsupport@unitec.ac.nz or phone 0800 10 75 10. For scholarship questions, email scholarships@unitec.ac.nz
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Scholarship Profiles
Pacific Academic Excellence Scholarship Recipient
Ana Nadumu
Bachelor of Social Practice
“I feel blessed and thankful for the support provided, the availability of my lecturers, the resources, learning advisors and library assistance which have been a huge help in my journey. And the assistance provided by my Unitec whānau motivates me to stay focused on my studies and work towards my goal of graduating.” “I struggled in my first year of studies, especially during the first semester. It was overwhelming, returning to study after 20 years, especially in a totally different country and environment. I was already used to juggling work, home and family life but with the addition of studies, I started to feel stressed. Receiving a scholarship has really helped take the pressure off, and allowed me to focus on getting good grades.” “The scholarship team has been incredibly helpful, guiding me through the application process and convincing me that I could do it. I’d say to anyone considering a scholarship, if you fit the criteria, then apply!”
Whai Ake ISuccess Te Ara Tika Māori Mentoring Pacific Scholarship - Unitec School Leavers Scholarship – Scholarship Recipient Te Pou Hiranga Academic Excellence Scholarship
Aivi Fifita
Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Business (HR Management)
“Receiving the Pacific Success scholarship has been such a blessing to me. It has reminded me that I’m not alone in my journey and has connected me with other Pasifika learners – it really feels like I’m coming from home to home when I spend time at the Pacific Centre at Unitec.” “It has also helped me balance my family and study life – I really feel that I can support my husband and daughter despite the fact that I’m studying. I’m so grateful for this opportunity, and to my Pasifika whānau at Unitec for encouraging me to apply. “The assistance that scholarships offer really strengthens our Pacific network, and I hope that my success might encourage other Pasifika women to do the same, particularly those held back by family commitments or financial hardship. “Remember - it’s never too late to invest in yourself.”
Whai Ake Māori Scholarship Recipient
Theresa Murray
Bachelor of Social Practice
“I started my Social Practices degree because I wanted to change the cycle – I was raised in care and none of my family had ever done any tertiary study before.” “Whai Ake has helped me in more ways than you can imagine. The financial assistance has been huge, but also the friendships and connections it’s helped me make – not just with other students, but with kaihautū as well. We get so much support from kaimahi, especially those at Waitākere – my whānau is their whānau, and we’re always encouraged to bring our kids along to everything – they’re part of our journey. “Whai Ake has also helped me become more grounded in my culture. Whaea Lynda, Whaea Jonyne, Whaea Marama and Papa Ho – they’ve all helped me learn my identity as a Māori student. “Don’t be whakama (scared), I say – make the most of the help that’s available. You don’t know until you know.”
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Programmes Available Early Childhood Education • Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education)
Page 10
10 Level 7 Programme
Bachelor Of Teaching (Early Childhood Education) Credits 360 (3.0 EFTS) Campus Mt Albert
Start dates February or July Duration Full-time for three years.
Annual fees $7,800 (NZD)*
If you’ve always wanted to work with young children, study early childhood education and develop the skills and knowledge required to make a difference in the lives of children, their whānau and society. Career opportunities
Programme overview
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Early childhood teacher
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Early year primary school teacher
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Head teacher in an early childhood setting
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Home-based coordinator/educator
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Manager in an early childhood education centre
In this practical, field-based programme, you’ll develop the skills and knowledge required to become a competent, informed, and reflective early childhood teacher who is committed to young children and their learning and development.
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Hospital play specialist
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Nanny
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Become a qualified early childhood teacher: on completion of the programme you’ll be able to apply for teacher registration and certification with the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand. Emphasis on teaching practice: work (paid or voluntary) in a licensed early childhood centre for at least 12 hours per week during the programme. In addition, teaching in a range of centres: each year you’ll also take part in professional experience at an early childhood education centre for 37.5 hours per week.
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Our graduates have had a 100% employment rate since 2014.
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A focus on research: you’ll design and implement a self-study research project in an area of interest, carry it out during your teaching practice, then reflect upon how it has impacted your practice.
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A strong emphasis on mātauranga Māori and the Aotearoa New Zealand early childhood curriculum document, Te Whāriki, with a commitment to a bicultural and sociocultural learning approach.
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Acknowledgement of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, which prepares you to implement te reo me ngā tikanga Māori in your teaching practice.
You’ll work at least 12 hours a week in an early childhood centre while studying, and be on campus 2 days a week, where you’ll learn to relate your teaching practice to theory. Teaching staff are regularly on hand to provide pastoral care, and there are numerous student support services available on campus. You’ll experience a range of professional experience placements at other early childhood centres for 22 weeks over three years. In addition, you’ll do 10 weeks of professional experience in your home centre over the three years. When you graduate, you’ll be eligible to become a certified teacher in Aotearoa New Zealand
Field experience You’ll complete at least 12 hours (paid or voluntary) field experience per week during term times. If you’re not currently employed, we can help you find an appropriate centre – this can be located close to your home if you’re not based in Auckland.
Professional Experience Year One: You’ll complete one 2-week placement in your first term at the centre where you are on field experience. You’ll also complete one four-week professional experience placement at the end of the year at another centre, chosen by Unitec in accordance with Teaching Council requirements. Years Two and Three: You’ll complete one 4-week practicum per year at another centre, also chosen by Unitec, in accordance with Teaching Council requirements.
*Fees are approximate domestic fees only. Includes GST but excludes the Compulsory Student Services Fee levy.
You will also complete one 4-week placement per year at your Field Experience centre to ensure you meet the practice requirements of the Teaching Council.
TeachNZ Scholarships As part of the government’s support for equity in education, there are a range of TeachNZ scholarships available. You may be eligible for one of these, especially if you’re passionate about becoming an early childhood educator and are Māori, Pasifika or planning to teach in bilingual or immersion settings. Contact scholarships@unitec.ac.nz for more information.
Admission requirements For this programme, the application process depends on your age. If you’re 20 years old and over: 1. Be able to work for a minimum of 12 hours per week for the duration of the programme in a licensed early childhood centre. 2. Complete a self-declaration of criminal convictions and medical conditions form. 3. Consent to a safety check as set out in the Children’s Regulations 2015. This will be shared with host institutions as part of your Field Experience and Professional Experience. •
Providing two forms of verified ID and evidence of any name changes.
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Consent to Unitec undertaking a NZ Police vetting check
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Providing the names of two referees who Unitec can contact.
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Pass a mandatory interview process which includes a group and individual interview, plus a short numeracy and literacy test.
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If required, provide a CV detailing a chronological summary of your work history for the past five years.
You don’t need to have any NCEA credits (or equivalent), however there is a short numeracy and literacy test during your interview process. If you’re under 20 years old: In addition to the above requirements, you’ll need the following: •
To be 17 years old by the time the programme starts
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University Entrance which requires NCEA Level 3 including:
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14 credits at NCEA Level 3 in three different approved subjects
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10 credits at NCEA Level 2 or higher in English or te reo māori (5 in reading, 5 in writing)
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10 credits at NCEA Level 1 or higher in Mathematics or Pāngarau
If you don’t meet the English criteria above, we have a range of English Language programmes available. There are additional English requirements for international students – you can find more information on our website.
Other options If you don’t meet these requirements, you could still apply for special or discretionary admission.
For more information on this programme, please visit unitec.ac.nz/ece International Students, please visit unitec.ac.nz/international
The information contained in this publication is for domestic students. For international students, please get in touch with international@unitec.ac.nz or visit unitec.ac.nz/international to view the international prospectus. Disclaimer: Unitec has used all reasonable care and skill to ensure that the information in this publication is accurate at the time of printing (August 2026). However, matters covered by this publication are subject to change due to a continuous process of review. Unitec reserves the right to make any changes without notice. So far as the law permits, Unitec accepts no responsibility for any loss suffered by any person due to reliance (either in whole or in part) on the information contained in this publication, whether direct or indirect, and whether foreseeable or not. For the most up-to-date information, please visit unitec.ac.nz or visit Student Central (Te Pae Kōrero) at either Mt Albert or Waitākere campus.
Postal Address
Mt Albert campus
Waitākere campus
Private Bag 92025
139 Carrington Road,
5-7 Ratanui Street
Victoria Street West
Mount Albert,
Henderson,
Auckland 1142, New Zealand
Auckland 1025
Auckland 0612
020926V1
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