Education is an exciting, dynamic, and fulfilling field. The career pathways and opportunities within education are vast — including teaching in primary and secondary schools, both in New Zealand and overseas.
Teachers are in high demand in Aotearoa New Zealand, making this a great time to pursue a teaching qualification.
“I chose Laidlaw because it fit into my lifestyle as a parent. I stayed because of the people, the relationships, and the transformative classes and learning.”
Hannah Saifoloi
Bachelor of Education (Primary) Graduate
Laidlaw College is committed to growing leaders who can renew communities. We are offering Zero Tuition Fees in 2027 for student teachers to enable more people to enter a rewarding profession where they can positively influence the lives of children, young people, their whanau, and the wider community.
The Zero Tuition Fees waiver policy applies to the 2027 academic year for students studying the Bachelor of Education (Primary) and the Graduate Diploma in Education (Secondary) programmes at our Auckland and Christchurch campuses in 2027.
*The Zero Tuition Fees waiver does not include the student services fee. Terms & Conditions apply.
The Bachelor of Education (Primary) (BEd) equips you to become a fully qualified Primary School Teacher, engaging with the New Zealand curriculum and applying what you learn through practical placements.
You’ll be supported by our experienced, well-connected, and genuinely friendly Education lecturers — people who’ve been where you want to go: in the classroom, making a difference and inspiring the next generation.
This Teaching Council-approved, three-year professional degree prepares you to meet the Code and Standards for the Teaching Profession, graduating with a strong foundation in curriculum, pedagogy, reflection, and research.
Already completed a bachelor’s degree or higher and looking to do something meaningful?
The Graduate Diploma in Education (Secondary) is a one-year, Level 7 professional qualification that prepares you to meet the Code and Standards for the Teaching Profession. Graduates develop a strong understanding of secondary teaching and learning, along with key skills in reflection and research.
This programme is delivered through a combination of face-to-face learning, school-based experiences, and practicum placements. It’s an ideal fit for those energised by the idea of working with teenagers and making a lasting impact.
“Laidlaw did a really good job at setting me up for success as I started teaching. The transition from study into teaching was really smooth. I felt like the prep I had done while on placement alongside what I had learned while in lectures and courses really set me up to succeed.”
Hannah Medland
Bachelor of Education (Primary) Graduate
“I wanted to study at a place that had Christian underpinnings in its values and where I wasn’t just a number in a classroom and was actually valued. The staff actually walked the walk, not just talked the talk. Rather than saying how to be a good teacher, they were actually showing it.”
Corban Maynard
Graduate Diploma in Education Graduate
Our courses are taught by experienced educators and theologians who will help you ground your professional practice in the gospel of faith, hope, and love. You’ll learn to engage with children and youth as people made in the image of God.
Explore a wide range of subjects — Mathematics, English, Science, the Arts (Drama, Dance, Music & Visual Arts), Health and Physical Education, Social Sciences, Technology, and Learning Languages — including the integration of te reo and tikanga Māori into your teaching practice.
As a provider of Initial Teacher Education (ITE) and other education qualifications, Laidlaw offers smaller classes and a more relational style of learning than traditional universities. You’ll build lifelong connections with peers and mentors who will support your development and career as a teacher.
Our lecturers and curriculum reflect the relational connection that is highly valued at Laidlaw. Students are more than just a number — they become part of a genuine community of like-minded peers and staff. With dedicated support, small class sizes, and regular community events, students are empowered to thrive both personally and academically.