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Bethlehem Tertiary Institute, Tauranga

Private Training Establishments · Teacher Education · Bethlehem, Tauranga

A private tertiary institute founded around 1993 in Tauranga, New Zealand, operating under Christian principles through the Christian Education Trust. It offers programmes across teacher education, social work, counselling, and postgraduate study, with both on-campus and distance learning options.

Last checked 4 October 2026

Jump to: About · Courses · Entry requirements

At a glance

TypePrivate Training Establishments
LocationTauranga
RegionBay of Plenty Region
Websitebti.ac.nz
Provider informationMinistry data only
Ministry ID8694

About Bethlehem Tertiary Institute

Bethlehem Tertiary Institute (BTI) is a privately governed tertiary institution based in Tauranga, New Zealand, founded on Christian principles. It traces its origins to 1970, when Graham Preston, founding Principal of Bethlehem College, developed the concept of a Christian-based independent school. The Christian Education Trust was subsequently formed to acquire land and establish the school, and BTI itself was established around 1993.

BTI offers programmes in teaching, counselling, and social work, and delivers courses through both on-campus and distance learning. The institution has 8 staff members holding doctorates, with additional staff engaged in research projects; all researchers also teach into BTI's programmes or supervise postgraduate students.

BTI acknowledges Ngāti Kahu as mana whenua of the land on which its campus is situated. Its cultural advisory group, Te Rōpū Whakatere, is made up of Māori staff and representatives from Ngāti Kahu, and advises on Mātauranga Māori and Tikanga Māori matters, supports engagement with tangata whenua o Tauranga Moana, and provides a culturally safe support space for Māori students. BTI partners with Tauranga Moana and Ngāti Kahu iwi to offer scholarships covering tuition fees and levies for students affiliated with those iwi, available across BTI's teaching, counselling, and social work programmes.

BTI partners with local businesses and non-profit organisations to conduct and publish research. Current staff research areas include teacher dispositions, the impact of addictions on family and whānau, and responses to trauma.

Programmes and Qualifications

No specifically named programmes or qualifications are listed in the available information about Bethlehem Tertiary Institute's professional development offerings.

Entry Requirements for International Students

BTI defines international students as those who do not hold New Zealand or Australian citizenship, a qualifying New Zealand residence-class visa, or Australian permanent residency with a returning resident's visa while living in New Zealand.

International applicants must meet the general entry requirements for their chosen programme, along with New Zealand qualification verification requirements and English language requirements. No specific minimum grades, test scores, or NCEA credit thresholds are stated as universal criteria — requirements vary by programme.

Overseas qualification verification

Where a programme requires evidence of previous tertiary study, overseas qualifications must be verified. Applicants can check whether their qualification appears on the Qualifications Exempt from Assessment Register on the New Zealand Immigration website, or obtain an International Qualification Assessment (IQA) from the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA). BTI may request an IQA even for qualifications on the exempt register, as that register is intended for immigration purposes rather than academic assessment.

Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Secondary)

The Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Secondary) requires a qualification equivalent to a New Zealand Level 7 undergraduate degree or above, with an appropriate background in subject areas relevant to the New Zealand secondary school curriculum. Prospective applicants may email academic transcripts to applications@bti.ac.nz before applying to receive advice on eligibility and which teaching subjects their degree may support.

English language

Applicants for whom English is an additional language must meet the English language competency requirements of their chosen programme. No specific test names or minimum scores are stated as universal requirements. All teaching is conducted in English, with assignment work completed in English or Te Reo Māori.

Curated by the KuraData team from Bethlehem Tertiary Institute's own website, reviewed 4 October 2026.

Subject area: Teacher Education

The Ministry of Education groups Bethlehem Tertiary Institute under Teacher Education — the broad field of education and training it's classified under in the official tertiary directory.

Teacher Education

Address

Where Bethlehem Tertiary Institute is based, taken directly from the Ministry of Education's own address record for this provider.

  • Street24 Elder Lane
  • SuburbBethlehem
  • CityTauranga
  • Postcode3143
  • Territorial authorityTauranga City
  • RegionBay of Plenty Region

No coordinates are published for tertiary providers in this dataset, so no map is shown here.

Contact Bethlehem Tertiary Institute

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Other Teacher Education providers

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