An applied practice part-time or full-time programme for ECE leaders and aspiring leaders that grows a community of leaders within the ECE sector.
Register interest
Applications for study commencing in February 2021 have now closed. Please register interest if you would like to be notified when applications for the 2021 mid-year intakes are open.
This Level 8 postgraduate qualification has a strong emphasis on work-based leadership practice within the ECE context. Students will develop their leadership skills through connection with other students and engagement with current research.
Students who graduate with the Postgraduate Diploma in Leadership (ECE) – Tītohu Paerua i te Ārahitanga (ECE) are eligible to staircase into a Level 9 master’s degree, with the four courses contributing to the first part of a master’s degree.
Students who complete the Leading Pedagogical Change and Leading Teams courses are eligible to graduate with a Postgraduate Certificate in Leadership (ECE) – Tiwhikete Paerua i te Ārahitanga (ECE).

Programme delivery
Te ara tuku
This is a 120-credit qualification comprising four 30-credit courses. It is equivalent to 1 full-time academic year but can be completed part-time within 2 years. Full-time students need to set aside 30–34 hours per week, which is why most students choose to study part-time.
Three of the four courses are compulsory core courses, with the other being an elective course. The programme blends online and face-to-face learning. There is one 1.5-day block course per course.
A 1-day orientation course for new students precedes the block course, which is usually held in Wellington.