Flexible Learning Options (FLO)
Studying by Distance
Distance and Regional study
We provide a supportive study environment with small, friendly classes, and a range of delivery options to suit you. These include on-campus degree, diploma and certificate programmes at Christchurch, Nelson, Tauranga, Rotorua and New Plymouth, plus distance and Flexible Learning Options (FLO). FLO students complete the same course requirements as on campus students. On campus students are also able to enrol in FLO.
Early Childhood and Primary Flexible Learning Options (FLO) programmes involve attendance at a College of Education Campus/Centre for some parts of the qualification.
Some qualifications (such as the Certificate in Learning Support and several professional development qualifications) can be studied fully via distance.
The following qualifications are available by FLO.
Bachelor of Teaching and Learning (Early Childhood)
The commitment you can expect to make:
- Full-time students can expect to spend approximately 40 hours per week studying independently.
- Each month there will be two days of face-to-face classes in Christchurch or Nelson. The scheduling of these days may vary from region to region. If student numbers are not sufficient to hold these classes within Nelson then the face-to-face days will be held on the Christchurch Campus.
- Full-time students attend one professional practice in schools in their first year and then two for each of the following two years. Part time students attend one professional practice in their second year of study and then one practice per year after that.
- Part-time study commitment is dependent upon the course structure and may vary from year to year.
- Further information BTchLn (Early Childhood) (Courses, Subjects and Qualifications website).
Bachelor of Teaching and Learning (Primary)
The commitment you can expect to make:
- Full-time students can expect to spend approximately 35-40 hours per week studying independently and part-time students 17-20 hours per week.
- Full-time students attend one professional practice in schools in their first year and then two for each of the following two years. Part-time students attend one professional practice in their second year and then one professional practice per year after that.
- All full-time students will attend two sessions (known as residential schools) of up to two weeks in Christchurch or Rotorua in each year of study. Part-time students attend one per year. All FLO Primary students attend a residential school in the February of their first year of study.
- Further information BTchLn (Primary) (Courses, Subjects and Qualifications website).
Graduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning (Early Childhood)
The commitment you can expect to make:
- The Graduate Diploma is available through the FLO option as the Bachelor of Teaching and Learning (Early Childhood). The Graduate Diploma will take 20 months to complete. If you are a qualified Primary School teacher you will complete your Graduate Diploma in 15 months.
- Full-time students can expect to spend approximately 40-50 hours per week studying independently.
- Each month there will be two days of face-to-face classes in Christchurch or Nelson. The scheduling of these days may vary from region to region. If student numbers are not sufficient to hold these classes within Nelson then the face-to-face days will be held on the Christchurch Campus.
- Students completing the 20 month Graduate Diploma will attend four professional practice in schools of five weeks each. Students completing the 15 month Graduate Diploma will attend three professional practice of five weeks each.
- Further information GradDipTchLn (Early Childhood) (Courses, Subjects and Qualifications website).
Graduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning (Primary).
The commitment you can expect to make:
- Full-time students can expect to spend approximately 40-50 hours per week studying independently and part-time students 20-25 hours per week.
- Students will attend three professional practices in schools of five weeks each over the period of study.
- All students will attend three sessions (known as residential schools) of up to two weeks. Full-time students attend one per semester while part-time students attend one per year. In both cases the first residential school will be held in Christchurch during the February of the first year of study; subsequent residential schools may also be held in Rotorua if numbers permit.
- Further information GradDipTchLn (Primary) (Courses, Subjects and Qualifications website).
Certificate in Learning Support
The CertLS is available to be studied either via distance, on the Christchurch Campus, or a combination of both. For those students studying this through distance we recommend approximately four hours of study per course per week.
Professional Development for Qualified Teachers
A number of professional development qualifications are also offered by distance. For more information see Professional Development.
More Information
For more information email education@canterbury.ac.nz or phone 0800 VARSITY (827 748).
