The general requirement for all universities in New Zealand is a three year degree. For more specific details it is best to contact the TEACH office by email or by phone.

TEACH accepts applications from students all over the country. We have even processed applications for students who are working abroad. Since other provinces have different regulations for teacher certification, we recommend that students verify their program of study with the College of Teachers/Ministry of Education in their province to ensure that the program meets their requirement. This should be done before the commencement of the program.

TEACH does not operate on a deadline system. We advise all students to apply early for best results. Please ensure when you launch your application that you have sufficient time to obtain your Student Visa for New Zealand and complete the NZQA. It is best to apply in your final year of university.

There are various types of accommodations available. On campus accommodation and apartments are available to all students. Often a group of 3 or 4 students will rent an apartment/house together in order to cut costs. More details will be given out to the students at the various university presentations that take place in October.

All TEACH students will be met at the airport as long as they travel with the TEACH group flight. Airport pick up is provided free of charge at most of the universities.  You must inform the university of your arrival details and receive confirmation for pickup.  If the university has requested an arrival form, the student should ensure that this is returned promptly.

Most universities will grant deferrals to the following year. A formal email should be sent to the university officially requesting a deferral, after you have received an offer of a place. You should also inform TEACH of your deferral.

Most of the universities request a deposit to secure your place in the Faculty of Education. Deposits and acceptance documents must be returned directly to the university as TEACH does not process tuition payments or acceptance forms. All students should ensure that documents and payments are received according to the deadline outlined in their letter of offer.

We recommend students obtain medical and travel insurance (for travel outside of NZ.) On arrival in New Zealand, students will receive a form from an organization specializing in insurance for international students. The fees are approximately $400 CDN for 11 months of comprehensive healthcare.

*Please note that you must take out extra insurance if you are travelling outside the country in which you are studying.

You should inform OHIP or your provincial health plan that you are intending to leave Canada for a specific period of time. You can contact the OHIP office at 1-800-268-1154 Website: www.gov.on.ca/health

Please note that it is mandatory for all Canadian graduates attending New Zealand universities to apply to the NZQA. You must produce your NZQA assessment to the university that you will be attending, prior to your study in New Zealand. All teachers who qualify in NZ must be eligible for certification in NZ before they can register in their home province. Please refer to their website.

Information sessions for the various universities are held in hotels in Toronto in October. Once details are available they will be posted on the TEACH website. We encourage all applicants and their parents to attend the sessions as this gives students an opportunity to meet the staff and ask any relevant questions.

Some of the New Zealand universities require a telephone interview. An interview will be arranged by the university via email and you will be conducted by telephone for your interview.

Most of the universities are OSAP eligible. Most students are awarded OSAP loans for the Faculty of Education courses in NZ based on financial need. Those students who are living in other Canadian provinces should apply directly to the Student Loans Centre of their own province.

Check OSAP/Canlearn website for more specific information.

All students must have a passport to travel. Please ensure that your passport is valid for the full length of your study outside Canada.

You should appoint a relative/friend as your Power of Attorney in case you need to have your OSAP funds deposited in a Canadian bank. This is also helpful in the event that you need to have funds transferred from your Canadian account to your NZ account.

Academic letters of reference are usually from a professor, a teaching Assistant or a high school teacher. Often students find that it is difficult to contact a professor who knew them well at university as they may be on leave or the classes were too large. Thus an academic reference from a teacher or teaching assistant will suffice.

Volunteer letters of reference are usually from a teacher, sports coach or supervisor who was able to observe you in a setting with children. If possible, it is best to have volunteer work in the classroom with different age groups of students.

Normally the assessment of your application will take 6-8 weeks. The universities that require a telephone interview usually require the full 8 weeks to assess a student. Once your assessment is complete you will be notified by TEACH of the outcome. You can also track your status online via your TEACH account.

Canadians may teach in New Zealand after the completion of their course. More information regarding teaching in NZ will be given to the students at the various university presentations.  TEACH also recruits teachers for New Zealand, Australia and the United Kingdom.

Over the past number of years that TEACH has been sending students overseas, the school boards in Ontario and other Canadian provinces have found that TEACH graduates make excellent teachers. These students have been exposed to another educational system and to a different culture which makes them very well-rounded individuals. This wider experience of teaching has enhanced the employment and promotion prospects of these future teachers.

TEACH will arrange discounted group flights for all of the students travelling to NZ through a reputable travel agency. If students wish, they may make their own travel arrangements to NZ. If you do not fly with the group you should inform the university of your arrival date and flight details. You will be responsible for organizing your own airport pick up if you do not travel with the group. Discounted fares to New Zealand are also available for family and friends travelling with you.

All fees and acceptance documents must be returned directly to the university as TEACH does not process tuition payments. All payments and acceptance documents should be received by the university prior to the deadline indicated on the letter of offer. Tuition fees vary depending on the university. They are also linked to the changing values of the Canadian dollar as well as the Australian dollar. The universities usually make a small increase in tuition fees each year.

All students intending to study in New Zealand must have a Student Visa. The Student Visa for NZ can be obtained through the
New Zealand Immigration Office.

You should not book your flight until you have received your Student Visa.

Students are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week while on a student Visa.
Please do not hesitate to contact TEACH if you require any more information.

There are some scholarships available to TEACH students from the New Zealand Faculties of Education. Each university that offers a scholarship will have this information listed on their page on the TEACH website.