New Zealand Certificate in Adult and Tertiary Teaching (Level 4)

New Zealand Certificate in Adult and Tertiary Teaching (Level 4)

New Zealand Certificate in Adult and Tertiary Teaching (Level 4)

Unlock your potential as an educator with our introductory qualification designed for those stepping into the world of adult and tertiary teaching or vocational training. Whether you are in a workplace, tertiary institution, or educating adults as a community volunteer, this program equips you with the foundational skills you need in Aotearoa New Zealand’s dynamic tertiary landscape.

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Key Details
SIT2LRN Distance Learning
Qualification:
Certificate
Level:
4
Credits:
40
Duration:

12 weeks full-time

Up to three years part-time

Intakes are 12 weeks long

Study Modes:
Distance Learning
Dates:

2025 Intake 4: 09 June to 29 August - Applications Close 26 May 2025

2025 Intake 5: 04 August to 24 October - Applications Close 21 July 2025

2025 Intake 6: 15 September to 05 December - Applications Close 01 September 2025

2025 Intake 7: 20 October to 09 January - Applications Close 06 October 2025

2026 Intake 1: 26 January to 17 April - Applications Close 19 January 2026

2026 Intake 2: 02 March to 22 May - Applications Close 23 February 2026

2026 Intake 3: 27 April to 17 July - Applications Close 20 April 2026

2026 Intake 4: 08 June to 28 August - Applications Close 01 June 2026

2026 Intake 5: 03 August to 23 October - Applications Close 27 July 2026

2026 Intake 6: 14 September to 04 December - Applications Close 07 September 2026
Fees:

SIT Zero Fees Scheme

  • Tuition Fee: $0   Check eligibility
  • Direct material Cost: $7.00 per credit (incl GST)

 

International Fees

$8333

 

Unsure which one is for me? Check Fees Eligibility Check my options

 

     

Through this qualification you'll gain a solid grasp of contemporary pedagogical techniques to foster meaningful learning experiences tailored to diverse cultural contexts. By the end of the program, you'll be able to:

  • Design learning to meet specified learning outcomes, using a range of pedagogical principles and cultural practices.
  • Use learner-centred teaching strategies that respect the mana and diverse backgrounds of adult learners.
  • Select and use facilitation and learning strategies, using resources and technologies to meet specific outcomes.
  • Use assessment, feedback and moderation processes.
  • Seek, reflect on, and respond to feedback from learners and other stakeholders in own context to improve learner outcomes.

Note: This qualification has now been unified as part of a national delivery for Te Pukenga and we are moving to Version 2.

For new students to this programme of study:

  • You will need to complete all four EDUC courses (40 credits) – details in the ‘Course Content’ tab.

For returning students who have previously started this programme of study:

  • You will be enrolling in the new version of this qualification for 2024, however, your previous study may be credited towards this version. Please see the table below and course information under the ‘Course Content’ tab before selecting courses.
Version 1 (2020 - 2023) Version 2 (2024) 
29690 v. 1 (6 cr)EDUC4101 Principles and Practices of Adult Learning (6 cr)

7093 v. 5 (10 cr) or

7108 v. 5 (8 credits) plus 4098 v.8 (6 cr)

EDUC4102 Plan to Facilitate Adult Learning (10 cr)

Any of the following that equals at least 14 credits (and not already used for EDUC4102):

25779 v. 3 (10 cr)

7108 v. 5 (8 cr)

4098 v. 8 (6 cr)

7091 v. 6 (4 cr)

EDUC4103 Facilitate Adult Learning (14 cr)

7110 v. 5 (8 cr) plus either:

4098 v. 8 (6 cr) or 7091 v. 6 (4 cr) (if not already used for EDUC4102 or EDUC4103)

EDUC4104 Reflection on Practice (10 cr)

If you have any questions, please contact the Programme Operations Manager, Melissa James; or, the Programme Administrator at SIT2LRN Admin.

To gain this qualification you will need to complete all of the following courses (40 credits). 

Throughout these courses you will also complete 40 hours of work-integrated learning in an adult or tertiary teaching setting. To meet this requirement, you must have access to a minimum of 6 adult learners (e.g. over the age of 18) over the duration of the programme of study in order to undertake learning and reflection in an authentic setting. Please read through the following information to understand the requirements for access to adult learners/classroom environment and other adult education stakeholders in each paper. 

EDUC4101 Principles and Practices of Adult Learning (6 credits)

Gain a fundamental understanding of contemporary and culturally appropriate pedagogical principles, practices, and essential frameworks that underpin the dynamic Aotearoa New Zealand tertiary landscape. This course will equip you with contemporary insights into adult learning and help you understand how to seamlessly integrate these into your own teaching practice. 

Assessments: There are three assessments. This is a theory-based paper; however, you will need some understanding of the adult learners in your teaching context as this information informs the three lesson plans you will develop in EDUC4102. 

Note: the following three courses require students to be in a classroom or teaching environment to undertake the work-integrated practice. 

EDUC4102 Plan to Facilitate Adult Learning (10 credits) 

This course will empower you with the skills and knowledge needed to create successful adult learning experiences that satisfy both learners and stakeholders. You will learn how to identify learning outcomes and anticipate the diverse needs of your learners. Dive into the details of content selection and sequencing, ensuring that your sessions effectively achieve the desired outcomes. Learn how to craft facilitation, assessment, and review processes that not only align with the desired learning outcomes but also accommodate the varying needs of your diverse group of learners. 

Assessments: In this paper, you develop three lesson plans (at least 30 mins duration of teaching/training time each) for a group of learners. A group is considered to be at least 4 learners which allows you to fully consider learner diversity within your context. Each lesson plan must include some form of assessment against identified outcomes. You will also need to plan for how you will gather evaluation evidence (learner and other education stakeholder feedback) which will be reviewed in EDUC4104. 

EDUC4103 Facilitate Adult Learning Sessions (14 credits) 

Learn to create and deliver engaging learning sessions for adults, designed with learner-centred principles and innovative processes. Harness the potential of planned assessment methods to accurately gauge your learners' achievements and learn to evaluate and fine-tune your learning sessions through feedback from your learners and other stakeholders. 

Assessments: In this paper, you facilitate the three lessons that you planned in EDUC4102, and all three must be observed by a suitably qualified assessor. The assessments relate to your preparation for these lessons and how you will evaluate them. 

EDUC4104 Reflection on Practice (10 credits) 

Empower yourself to become a more effective and reflective facilitator through understanding of self-assessment and continuous improvement in your teaching practice. Explore various evaluation tools for collecting data, and analyse your practice against feedback from moderators, stakeholders and industry best practices. Armed with this insightful feedback, you will craft a strategic action plan that will serve as your roadmap for addressing identified areas for improvement. 

Assessments: In this paper there are three assessments in which you will evaluate aspects of your facilitation against criteria for good practice, identify areas for improvement, and develop an action plan. You will use the evidence gathered during your facilitation of the learning sessions in EDUC4103, as well as evidence gathered following the learning sessions.

Graduates will have the skills and knowledge for roles such as:

  • Industry or workplace trainer
  • Academic staff member/tutor
  • Community educator

 

Applicants for this programme of study must have access to a minimum of 6 adult (e.g. over the age of 18) learners over the duration of the programme of study in order to enable them to undertake learning and reflection in an authentic setting.

General Admission

Applicants should be a minimum of 16 years of age and must hold either:

  • 40 credits at NCEA Level 1 (including 10 Literacy credits and 10 Numeracy credits)
  • A relevant qualification at NZQF Level 2 or above, or a recognised equivalent.

Any ākonga who do not meet the above criteria may be eligible for consideration for Discretionary Admission. In assessing whether to grant Discretionary Admission, the focus is on the applicant’s level of preparedness for their intended programme.

English Language Requirements

All applicants (international and domestic) for whom English is not a first language need to provide evidence that they have the necessary English language proficiency required for the programme.

International applicants are required to have an IELTS score of 5.5 (general or academic) with no individual band lower than 5 from one test taken in the preceding two years, or an equivalent described in NZQA Rules website. 

International applicants should contact the SIT International team for advice.

Suggested study path / combinations

Part time study: The number of courses selected per intake will depend on your work, family, and other commitments. It is recommended that you complete study in alternate intakes. It is advisable complete the courses in the order they are listed on the website.

Full time study: This is completing all courses (40 credits) in one intake. Full time acceptance into the programme is at the Programme Manager's discretion. Some courses may have weekly assessment or other engagement requirements, therefore, part time study is recommended, even for students working less than 20 hours per week.

 

Additional information

  • As a guideline, one credit equates to approximately 10 hours study within an intake period. Click HERE to download a Study Load Calculator (spreadsheet)
  • All courses selected within a particular intake must be completed within that intake unless a transfer is requested (conditions apply; see FAQs)
  • Online enrolments are on a year by year basis and students are welcome to apply for multiple intakes in one enrolment. Further enrolment is the responsibility of individual students. There is no automatic enrolment rollover.

Assessments for this programme typically include written reports, preparation and delivery of learning sessions to adult learners, and discussion board postings. There are no exams for this programme.

All SIT2LRN courses require you to have a computer and Internet access. Students are required to use their SIT webmail only for all SIT2LRN communications. All course materials and information, including assessments and due dates, are located on the online Blackboard system and you will have access to this from the Intake start date. However, once you have been accepted into a programme you will receive an Important Information Booklet that includes information to familiarise yourself with our online Blackboard learning environment.

Facilitator Assistance - During the enrolled intake period, students have email access to facilitators, who endeavour to respond to all emails within 48 hours (weekdays only). All students are required, within the first two weeks of an intake, to send an email to their facilitator confirming their start on the programme of study. Students who have not emailed their facilitator or embarked upon their course of study by the end of the 2nd week of an intake, will be Faculty Withdrawn from the programme. Such withdrawals may impact on future access to SIT Zero Fees Scheme and Student Direct Material Costs are still liable for payment.

We recommend students new to SIT2LRN read through the Frequently Asked Questions section of our website for further study and enrolment information.

Please use the following checklist to ensure that all relevant information and documentation has been included. Remember, your application will be assessed based on the information that you provide us with. Processing of your application will be delayed if we need to come back to you for missing information.

  • I have read all sections of the programme information on this page
  • I have read the SIT2LRN Frequently Asked Questions section
  • I have met all admission criteria for the programme (found under "Application Criteria")
  • I have read the outline for all individual units (found under "Course Content")
  • I have selected the units I wish to study in each intake(s), and I have selected alternate intakes rather than overlapping intakes (eg., Intakes 1 & 3 or 2 & 4 etc.)
  • I confirm I have approval from my employer/organisation/a tertiary education provider to access adult learners for teaching, assessment, and evaluation purposes for the duration of my studies.
  • I know my intended payment method
  • If my organisation/company is paying for my studies, I have a completed and approved purchase order to attach to my online application. I am aware that should my organisation or company not pay my fees, these will become my responsibility
  • I have completed and attached a cross credit form (if applying for a cross credit)
  • New students - I have provided an active NSN in the name I am enrolling in or I have verified ID and will attach it to my online application.
  • New students - I will attach academic documentation (NZQA record of achievement/academic transcripts/certificates). These do not need to be verified. (If you do not have any academic documentation to support your application, please attach a comprehensive CV outlining your education and work experience)
     

What is the Zero Fees Scheme?

The Zero Fees Scheme means we do not charge tuition fees. However, there is a Student Direct Material Cost that you need to pay. The administration fee is for processing your application and the Student Direct Material Cost gives you secure access to Blackboard® our online learning environment and to student support services throughout your study with us.

Who qualifies for the Zero Fees Scheme?

  • A New Zealand citizen completing the full qualification or 
  • An Australian citizen/New Zealand Resident or Permanent Resident who will be residing in New Zealand for the duration of your enrolment.

Instructions to help you with your application:

  1. Read the Programme Information on this page and the SIT2LRN Frequently Asked Questions and find out if you meet the application criteria for both the programme and the unit/s you wish to study.
  2. Check your eligibility for Zero Fees. If you are not eligible to study under this scheme, please call 
    0800 748 257 for further options.
  3. Complete your online enrolment checking that:

If you are a new student …

  • Provide an active NSN number in the name you are enrolling in (contact NZQA on 0800 697 296 to get your NSN number if you do not know it);
  • If you do not have an active NSN, then attach a copy of your verified ID in the name you are enrolling in.
  • If you are a Resident or Permanent resident of NZ, please provide a copy of proof of residency;
  • Attach all academic documentation to support your application including copies of any certificates of courses you have undertaken / NZQA record of achievement / transcripts / CV;

Attach supporting documents as required and outlined on the previous page.

  1. Please check that you have included all the required information and supporting documents.  Your application will be assessed based on the information that you provide.  Missing information will delay the processing of your application.
  2. Please scan and email all additional documentation to sit2lrn@sit.ac.nz.

What happens next?

  • You will receive an automatic email confirmation when we receive your online application. Processing may take up to three weeks. However, we will get in touch with you sooner if we require further documentation.
  • Once your application has been accepted you will be sent a conditional offer of acceptance with an invoice and instructions on how to make payment.
  • Once we have received your payment (or if you have opted to pay by Credit Card, Student Loan or Purchase Order) you will be sent an Enrolment Confirmation Letter and Important Information Booklet. Closer to the start of the intake you will receive a Time To Get Started Letter which will give you all the necessary information, tools and guidance to start your study with us.

To satisfactorily complete the New Zealand Certificate in Adult and Tertiary Teaching(Level 4), and be awarded this qualification the student must successfully achieve:

  • A minimum of 40 credits in accordance with the Programme schedule for the New Zealand Certificate in Adult and Tertiary Teaching (Level 4)
  • The student will normally be expected to complete the New Zealand Certificate in Adult and Tertiary Teaching (Level 4) full-time over three months or part-time over three years.

Please Note: Students failing to engage in study as per programme requirements may forfeit Zero Fees entitlement.

This qualification may lead to Level 5 qualifications in adult and tertiary teaching such as:

  • New Zealand Certificate in Adult and Tertiary Teaching (Level 5)
  • New Zealand Certificate in Adult Literacy and Numeracy (Vocational/Workplace) (Level 5)

It can also lead to the New Zealand Certificate in Assessment Practice (Level 4) for those with a specific interest in assessment practice.

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