Studying IT or Education in New Zealand: How to Compare Your Options

IT and teaching can both offer interesting careers in New Zealand, but they suit different strengths and involve different professional preparation. Rather than asking which is more popular, consider the work you would enjoy learning to do every day.

In this comparison, education means training to become a teacher. Education research and management degrees can have different purposes and may not lead to teacher registration.

Compare the work you are preparing for

In IT, you will need to demonstrate technical problem-solving and keep learning as tools change. In teaching, you will need to plan learning, manage a classroom, respond to different needs and communicate with families.

A degree supports that preparation, but employers and regulators will also look at what you can do.

Choose an IT course at the right level

School leavers might explore IT, computer science or related bachelor's degrees. If you already hold a degree, check whether a postgraduate program builds on existing computing knowledge or accepts career changers.

The University of Auckland's Master of Information Technology example has 120-, 180- and 240-point options. The 240-point route can accommodate an appropriate degree from another field, subject to the requirements. The program includes a ten-week full-time internship.

Read the actual subjects and programming expectations. A course name featuring AI or cybersecurity is less informative than the skills, projects and experience you will develop.

Choose recognised teacher preparation

If your goal is teacher registration, look for an approved Initial Teacher Education (ITE) program. That may be a teaching bachelor's degree or a postgraduate route for graduates with a suitable background.

Decide whether you want to teach early childhood, primary or secondary students. A Master of Education is not automatically an initial teaching qualification; check the Teaching Council's approved list.

English preparation deserves an early start. When IELTS Academic is used to meet the cited Teaching Council standard, the requirement is 7.0 overall and in every band. Other accepted evidence may be available under the rules. Confirm what your chosen route accepts.

Compare tuition on a like-for-like basis

These University of Waikato examples use the same institution to make the comparison easier. They do not represent all New Zealand programs.

Actual subject choices affect fees, and student services or insurance may be additional. The cited INZ living-funds requirement for tertiary study is NZD 20,000 per year; actual costs depend on your location and circumstances.

Allow for rent, a bond, transport, equipment, insurance and time to find work. A placement-heavy timetable may make regular paid shifts harder to maintain.

Prepare for the first job while you study

For IT, explore roles such as software development, testing, data and systems analysis. Build projects you can explain: what problem did you tackle, what did you contribute, and what worked? Practise discussing your decisions and responding to feedback in English.

For teaching, learn about placements, registration and practising certificates before enrolling. Think about lesson planning, classroom routines, communication with parents and supporting students with different needs. Enjoying the subject or liking children is a useful start, but the daily responsibilities matter too.

Career changers in either field should allow time to develop foundations. A short course does not automatically give you the same experience as someone who has worked in the field.

Check work and residence options by qualification and occupation

A Post Study Work Visa may last up to three years, depending on the qualification and circumstances. The linked official guidance describes at least 30 weeks of full-time New Zealand study for eligible Level 7 degrees and Level 8–10 qualifications. Completing a course entirely online from Vietnam does not meet that study-in-New-Zealand requirement.

For residence, the linked official guidance describes secondary teachers moving to Straight to Residence from May 2024, and primary and intermediate teachers from 26 March 2025. Graduating from a teaching program is still not enough on its own. For IT and other education jobs, check the exact Green List occupation, qualifications, registration and pay requirements.

A Tier 2 Work to Residence plan includes 24 months of qualifying New Zealand employment alongside the other conditions. Do not infer eligibility from the broad subject name.

Make a choice you can stand behind

Ask yourself which work suits your strengths, what entry gaps you need to address, and whether the family budget covers the whole course and job search. Then ask whether you would still want the career if residence policies changed.

If you are weighing both options, Owen & Co. Education can help you compare course outcomes, costs and the requirements to investigate next.

Sources and further reading

• Teaching Council
• University of Auckland
• New Zealand Ministry of Education
• Teaching Council - language requirements
• University of Waikato
• Immigration New Zealand - finance for studying abroad
• INZ - Post Study Work Visa
• INZ - high school teacher
• elementary and intermediate school teachers
• INZ - Green List
• INZ - Work to Residence