Bachelor of Education (Teaching) Primary

Are you passionate about inspiring future generations? Do you seek to teach and transform the lives of children and young people in Aotearoa New Zealand? Then our Primary Teaching degree may be for you.

BTI looks to educate wise teachers who are developing a gracious, secure and teachable character; motivated by love, informed by faith and inspired by hope. 

Studying primary teaching at BTI will prepare you for the classroom. Not only will you be well-versed in the curriculum, you will be learning from educators at the forefront of research into modern learning methods.

Learning to teach coding

Why study Primary Teaching at BTI?

  • Both full and part-time study options available 
  • Learn in small groups onsite in Tauranga or in mixed-mode (online by distance) 
  • Become part of a relational learning community 
  • Staff get to know who you are and offer great learning support 
  • Biblically-based education is at the heart of our programme
  • Culturally responsive teaching strategies and course material 
  • Staff draw on the latest research and practice in teaching and learning 
  • Our programme is shaped by stakeholder feedback 
  • Get a job in your chosen career – nearly 100% of our Primary students have offers of employment before the end of their final year.  

The Bachelor of Education (Teaching) Primary three-year degree prepares students to teach primary and intermediate school children in a wide range of educational settings and with the Aotearoa New Zealand Curriculum. 

Graduates from this programme are eligible to gain registration and provisional certification with the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand. Our students also have a very high success rate when it comes to gaining employment after completing their degree. 

Programme overview

This degree can be completed on site or via distance learning.

If you decide to study via distance, there are four compulsory intensive block courses during the year. Two of these intensive courses are held on campus in Tauranga and the other two are online. Students under 20 years old usually study on campus unless an exemption is granted.

Full-time study requires a commitment of at least 40 hours per week.

Courses are made up of tutorials and course work, practical learning activities, academic reading and research, field-trips, micro-teaching, assignments, and professional experience placements.

Professional experience placements are a part of the course workload.  These are completed with a range of school settings and year levels.

Year 1 Semester 1: 3 weeks, Semester 2: 3 weeks
Year 2 Semester 1: 4 weeks, Semester 2: 4 weeks
Year 3 Semester 1: 5 weeks, Semester 2: 8 weeks

Part time options are available for this programme. Contact info@bti.ac.nz to discuss how this may work for you. 

Koti Tikitiki-Whitaker

“I find myself studying to become a teacher which I never in my wildest imagination would’ve thought possible. Through my first year of study at BTI I have learned so much about myself as a teacher and learner, and hope to continue to grow in the education sector.”

Koti Tikitiki-Whittaker, student teacher in BTI’s Primary Teacher Education programme

Cover of 2022 Primary Teaching brochure
Download the programme brochure (PDF)

Primary Education Team

Gayle Te Kani: Head of School of Teacher Education
Janette Blake: Primary Programme Leader
Naomi Jones: Educator
Rachelle Hulbert: Educator
Sue Baker: Educator
Sahra Swart: Practicum Placement Coordinator