Postgraduate Diploma in Learning Support – PGDipLrnSupport

Massey’s Postgraduate Diploma in Learning Support is for Learning Support Coordinators (LSC), Special Education Needs Coordinators (SENCo), and Teachers working in the area of learning support.

Type of qualification

Postgraduate diploma

Level of study

Postgraduate study

Once you’ve graduated with a bachelor’s degree – or have equal experience – you can study at the postgraduate level. Doctoral qualifications require additional entry requirements.

More about study levels

NZQF level 8

Our courses follow the New Zealand Qualification Framework (NZQF) levels.

Find out more about NZQF levels

Time to complete

2 years part-time. Not available for full-time study.
Up to 4 years part-time

Where you can study

Distance and online

International students

International students are not New Zealand citizens or residents.

Definition of New Zealand citizens and residents

Not open to international students
Note: Selected entry qualification.

Study a Postgraduate Diploma in Learning Support – PGDipLrnSupport

The Postgraduate Diploma in Learning Support integrates theory and practice to explore key aspects of the LSC and SENCo roles. You will extend your knowledge, skills and networks. It will provide you with a space to learn with, from and about other SENCo and Learning Support Coordinators throughout New Zealand.

The diploma is designed around the application of the Teacher Standards to the Learning Support role, and aims to develop your competence and confidence to:

  • develop inclusive, equitable and culturally responsive education practices in schools and kura
  • understand curricula, New Zealand legislation, documents, policies and contemporary theories
  • enquire into your practice
  • enact universal design for learning and assessment
  • implement systems-based work
  • facilitate teams to support whānau, teachers and learners
  • foster mentoring partnerships in your contexts
  • curate, create and disseminate evidence-based practice.

Tailored to your needs

You’ll have the opportunity to design your own learning pathway relevant to your professional needs within your educational context. The Postgraduate Diploma in Learning Support uses a flexible online learning environment, so you can study when and where it suits you, using webinars, forum discussions, spotlights on practice and modules of learning.

Your qualification options

Please note that the Postgraduate Diploma in Learning Support does not qualify you to be a teacher in New Zealand. If you wish to become a teacher, see the Graduate Diploma of Learning and Teaching.

A PGDipLrnSupport is a good fit if you:

  • are working in a SENCo (Special Education Needs Coordinator or Learning Support Coordinator (LSC) role
  • want to make education systems in Aotearoa New Zealand more equitable and inclusive for all learners
  • are ready to try new ways of learning and practice.

Entry requirements

Admission to Massey

All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.

Specific requirements

This is a selected entry qualification. This means there are a number of extra requirements you must meet. 

To enter the Postgraduate Diploma in Learning Support you will:

  • have been awarded or qualified for a bachelor’s degree in teaching, or equivalent
  • hold registration as a teacher with a current practising certificate from the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand
  • have completed at least two years of relevant teaching experience
  • have been selected into the diploma on the basis of an application which may include the assessment of a professional portfolio.

You will need to provide the following documents:

  • copies of all official academic transcripts for studies taken at all universities other than Massey University
  • a copy of your current curriculum vitae (including education and employment for at least the last five years). This CV should include details of your educational and professional qualifications, employment history with dates and descriptions of roles and responsibilities, membership of associations/organisations and a list of professional publications and research reports.
  • a copy of your current practising certificate issued by the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand.

Application closing date

Applications close on 22 January.

Application for credit for 269730 Learning Support: Networked Learning

If you have completed the 6 short courses under the Learning Support Network, you can apply for credit in your portal for the course 249730. You will need to supply evidence of completion of the credits (eg Badges) that can be uploaded along with your application.

English language requirements

To study this qualification you must meet Massey University's English language standards.

Time limits for Honours, Distinction and Merit

Where your qualification is completed within the stated time limit and to a high standard, you may be able to graduate with Distinction or Merit. 

Prior learning, credit and exemptions

For information on prior learning, exemptions and transfer of credit or other questions:

English language skills

If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, see our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses.

Maximum time limits for completion

There are maximum time limits to complete some undergraduate and all postgraduate qualifications. If you do not complete within the maximum time, you may be required to re-apply for the qualification if you wish to continue your studies.

Official regulations

To understand what you need to study and must complete to graduate read the official rules and regulations for this qualification.

You should read these together with all other relevant Statutes and Regulations of the University including the General Regulations for Postgraduate Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas, and Postgraduate Certificates.

Returning students

For returning students, there may be changes to the majors and minors available and the courses you need to take. Go to the section called ‘Transitional Provisions’ in the Regulations to find out more.

In some cases the qualification or specialisation you enrolled in may be no longer be taking new enrolments, so may not appear on these web pages. To find information on the regulations for these qualifications go to the Massey University Calendar.

Please contact us through the Get advice button on this page if you have any questions.

Structure of the Postgraduate Diploma in Learning Support

The Postgraduate Diploma in Learning Support is awarded without endorsement.

This qualification is available for part-time study only due to the sequencing of courses. It must be completed within a maximum of four years.

You will typically undertake these two courses in your first year (although these can also be taken over two years):

  • 249730 Learning Support: Networked Learning
  • 249731 Learning Support: Professional Practice

And you will undertake the remaining two courses the following year (again concurrently or they can be split over 2 years):

  • 249770 Supervision & Mentoring in Specialist Teaching
  • 249732 Learning Support: Professional Inquiry

If you have questions about this sequencing (e.g. would like to complete Mentoring in the first year) please contact us through the Get advice button.

Courses and specialisations

Key terms

Courses
Each qualification has its own specific set of courses. Some universities call these papers. You enrol in courses after you get accepted into Massey.
Course code
Each course is numbered using 6 digits. The fourth number shows the level of the course. For example, in course 219206, the fourth number is a 2, so it is a 200-level course (usually studied in the second year of full-time study).
Credits
Each course is worth a number of credits. You combine courses (credits) to meet the total number of credits needed for your qualification.
Specialisations
Some qualifications let you choose what subject you'd like to specialise in. Your major or endorsement is what you will take the majority of your courses in.

Credit summary

120 credits

  • Core courses – 120 credits

Course planning key

Prerequisites
Courses that need to be completed before moving onto a course at the next level. For example, a lot of 200-level courses have 100-level prerequisite courses.
Corequisites
Courses that must be completed at the same time as another course are known as corequisite courses.
Restrictions
Some courses are restricted against each other because their content is similar. This means you can only choose one of the offered courses to study and credit to your qualification.
Choose 120 credits from
Course code: 249730 Learning Support: Networked Learning 30 credits

An advanced study of the principles and practices of learning support provision in the school sector.

Prerequisites: Appraisal required

View full course details
Course code: 249731 Learning Support: Professional Practice 30 credits

An in-depth exploration and application of the specialist knowledge base and skills required for school leaders of learning support.

Prerequisites: Appraisal required

View full course details
Course code: 249732 Learning Support: Professional Inquiry 45 credits

A research-based professional inquiry into teaching and learning in the area of school learning support.

Prerequisites: 249730, 249731 Restrictions: 267875

View full course details
Course code: 249770 Supervision and Mentoring in Specialist Teaching 15 credits

This course critically examines advanced theory and practice in the area of mentoring and supervision in special and inclusive education. Students will engage in practical applications in their teaching and learning context.

View full course details

Fees and scholarships

Fees, student loans and free fees scheme

Your tuition fees may be different depending on the courses you choose. Your exact fees will show once you have chosen your courses.

There will also be some compulsory non-tuition fees and for some courses, there may also be charges for things such as study resources, software, trips and contact workshops.

Already know which courses you're going to choose?

You can view fees for the courses that make up your qualification on the course details pages.

Student loans (StudyLink) and Fees Free scheme

You may be eligible for a student loan to help towards paying your fees.

The New Zealand Government offers fees-free tertiary study for eligible domestic students. Find out more about the scheme and your eligibility on the Fees Free website. To use the site's eligibility checking tool, you will need your National Student Number.

Current and returning Massey students can find their National Student Number in the student portal.

Scholarship and award opportunities

Search our scholarships and awards

Fees disclaimer

This information is for estimation purposes only. Actual fees payable will be finalised on confirmation of enrolment. Unless otherwise stated, all fees shown are quoted in New Zealand dollars and include Goods and Services Tax, if any. Before relying on any information on these pages you should also read the University's Disclaimer Notice.

Accreditations and rankings

QS Ranking - Education

Massey is ranked in the world's top 250 universities for education in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings.

Learn more

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