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 entering 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 programme equips you with the foundational skills you need in Aotearoa New Zealand’s dynamic tertiary landscape.

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Key Details
SIT Online
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:

2026 Intake 7: 12 October to 01 January - Applications Close 05 October 2026

2027 Intake 1: 25 January to 16 April - Applications Close 11 January 2027

2027 Intake 2: 01 March to 21 May - Applications Close 15 February 2027

2027 Intake 3: 26 April to 16 July - Applications Close 12 April 2027

2027 Intake 4: 07 June to 27 August - Applications Close 24 May 2027

2027 Intake 5: 02 August to 22 October - Applications Close 19 July 2027

2027 Intake 6: 13 September to 03 December - Applications Close 06 September 2027
Fees:

Zero Fees Scheme

  • Tuition Fee: $0   Check eligibility
  • Direct material Cost: $8.00 per credit (incl GST)

International Fees

$100 per credit

 

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 programme, 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 programme was updated to Version 2 of the qualification in 2024. If you began your study towards this qualification prior to this, your previous study may be credited towards this version but please contact the Programme Operations Manager, Melissa James; or, the Programme Administrator at SIT Online Admin for further information. 

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 SIT Online courses require you to have a computer and Internet access. Students are required to use their SIT webmail only for all SIT Online 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 SIT Online read through the Frequently Asked Questions section of our website for further study and enrolment information.

Before you apply

Please read the Information on this page before starting your application. 
Your application will be assessed based on the information and supporting documents you provide.

Missing information or documents may delay your application.

Application checklist (once you click “Enrol”)

Before submitting your application, check that:

  • You have read the Programme Information on this page.
  • You meet the programme admission requirements.
  • You meet any entry requirements for the individual paper(s) you want to study.
  • You have selected your preferred intake(s), avoiding overlapping intakes.
  • You know how you intend to pay for your study.
  • If your organisation or employer is paying, you have an approved purchase order ready to attach. If they do not pay your fees, these will become your responsibility.
  • If applying for cross credit, you have completed the required cross credit form.
  • You have access to a computer, internet connection and software for creating electronic documents, such as Microsoft Word or OpenOffice.

For Level 3 programmes: You will be required by the Tertiary Education Commission to complete at least one literacy and one numeracy assessment as part of your studies.

New students

You will also need to:

  • Provide an active NSN in the name you are enrolling under. If you do not know your NSN, contact NZQA on 0800 697 296.
  • If you do not have an active NSN, provide verified identification in the name you are enrolling under.
  • If you are a New Zealand Resident or Permanent Resident, provide proof of residency.
  • Provide supporting academic documentation, such as your NZQA Record of Achievement, academic transcripts or certificates. These documents do not need to be verified.
  • If you do not have academic documentation, provide a comprehensive CV outlining your education and work experience.
  • Attach any other supporting documents required for the programme.

Zero Fees Scheme | What is the Zero Fees Scheme?

Under the Zero Fees Scheme, SIT does not charge tuition fees. You will still need to pay the applicable Student Direct Material Cost and a non-refundable administration fee.

The Student Direct Material Cost provides access to Blackboard®, SIT's online learning environment, and student support services throughout your study.

Who qualifies?

The Zero Fees Scheme is available to:

  • New Zealand citizens completing the full qualification.
  • Australian citizens, New Zealand Residents and Permanent Residents who will be living in New Zealand for the duration of their enrolment.

If you are not eligible for the Zero Fees Scheme, call 0800 748 257 to discuss your options.

Submit your application

Complete the online application and attach all required supporting documentation.

Before submitting, check that the information you have provided is complete and accurate. Missing information or documentation may delay the processing of your application.

Any additional documentation can be emailed to sitonline@sit.ac.nz.

What happens next?

  1. Application received
    You will receive an automatic email confirming that SIT has received your application. Processing may take up to three weeks. We will contact you sooner if we require additional documentation.
  2. Offer and invoice
    If your application is accepted, you will receive a conditional offer of acceptance, an invoice and payment instructions.
  3. Enrolment confirmed
    Once payment has been received, or you have selected an approved payment method such as Credit Card, Student Loan or Purchase Order, you will receive an Enrolment Confirmation Letter and Important Information Booklet.
  4. Get ready to study
    Closer to the start of your intake, you will receive a Time To Get Started Letter with the information, tools and guidance you need to begin your studies.

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.

For more information on required and recommended textbooks for this course please refer to the textbook list here. 

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