NZ · Master's
University of Canterbury
Master of Teaching and Learning
University of Canterbury
Course Overview
The University of Canterbury's Master of Teaching and Learning is an accredited, professional initial-teacher-education qualification delivered by the highly regarded School of Teacher Education, with primary and secondary specialisation routes. The intensive one-year master's combines advanced pedagogy, educational research, and culturally responsive practice (including Māori and Pasifika perspectives) with extensive supervised teaching placements. The qualification meets the requirements for provisional teacher registration with the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand, opening classroom careers nationwide.
Sri Lankan applicants who hold a relevant Bachelor's degree — for example science, English, mathematics, or arts graduates from Colombo, Peradeniya, Kelaniya, Sri Jayewardenepura, or NSBM — choose this master's to qualify as registered teachers in New Zealand, where teaching appears on the Green List of priority skilled occupations. An English-medium Bachelor's may support an IELTS waiver for admission, though teacher registration applies its own higher English standard. Graduates qualify for a post-study work visa, and teaching's Green List status offers a residence pathway. Returnees route into senior teaching and leadership at international schools (Colombo International, Gateway, Lyceum, Elizabeth Moir, OKI) and curriculum roles at the National Institute of Education.
Entry Requirements
Academic
- check_circle Bachelor's degree with relevant subject content for the chosen primary / secondary route — Sri Lankan upper-second class equivalent.
- check_circle Secondary applicants need adequate subject content matched to NZ teaching areas; the consultant can map your transcript.
- check_circle Sri Lankan applicants from Colombo, Peradeniya, Kelaniya, Sri Jayewardenepura, and NSBM with relevant majors are competitive.
- check_circle Interview, satisfactory police / vetting check, and a personal statement on motivation for teaching.
English Proficiency
- check_circle IELTS Academic: 7.0 Overall with no band below 7.0 — the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand registration standard.
- check_circle PTE Academic and TOEFL iBT accepted at the equivalent registration-aligned levels.
- check_circle Note: an MOI waiver may cover university admission, but teacher registration applies the high IELTS 7.0-each-band standard — plan to sit IELTS for registration.
Estimated Cost of Study
| Expense Category | Amount (NZD) | Approx. LKR |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fee (full programme, international) | NZD 37,000 | Rs. 7,030,000 |
| Living Expenses in Christchurch (12 months) | NZD 20,000 | Rs. 3,800,000 |
| Visa, Insurance & Materials | NZD 2,500 | Rs. 475,000 |
| Total Year 1 Investment | NZD 59,500 | Rs. 11,305,000 |
*LKR conversion based on current bank rates. Subject to change.
Career Outcomes & PR
Graduates qualify for a post-study work visa, and teaching is on New Zealand's Green List of priority skilled occupations — a recognised residence pathway. UC teaching graduates gain provisional registration and move into NZ primary and secondary schools (starting ~NZD 56,000-62,000). Sri Lankan returnees route into senior teaching and academic leadership at international schools (Colombo International, Gateway, Lyceum, Elizabeth Moir, OKI) and curriculum roles at the National Institute of Education.
Related Programs
Master of Teaching (Secondary)
Faculty of Education and Social Work, University of Auckland
Master of Teaching (Primary)
University of Auckland
Master of Teaching (Primary)
University of Melbourne
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Our counsellors have helped hundreds of Sri Lankan students secure placements in NZ. We handle everything from applications to visa processing.
ඔබට සුදුසු විශ්වවිද්යාලයක් තේරීම, අයදුම්පත් යොමු කිරීම, SOP සකස් කිරීම සහ වීසා ලබා ගැනීම ඇතුළු සෑම පියවරකදීම, ඔබ වෙනුවෙන් සියලුම වගකීම් විශ්වාසවන්තව අප භාර ගනිමු.