Master of Education
Advance your career in education.
Domestic
International
Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) are available for this program
Check the Fees & Scholarships tab for details
Want to expand your professional opportunities? A Master of Education will equip you to move into specialist fields, leadership or research in the education sector.
Faculty
Faculty of Arts, Design and Architecture
Delivery Mode
Face-to-face (includes blended), Online
Award
Master of Education
Commencing Terms
Term 1, Term 2, Term 3
Duration (Full Time)
1-2 years FT, 2-4 years PT
- Overview
- Entry requirements
- What will I study?
- Future careers
- How to apply
- Fees & Scholarships
Overview
Enhance career options and professional advancement opportunities with the UNSW Master of Education. You will be equipped to progress into specialist fields, or leadership roles within your current field, or into further study with research degrees - such as the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or the Doctor of Education (EdD).
Choose a program duration that respects your experience and goals. You can fast-track your studies to graduate in only one year, deepen your expertise in a 1.5-year program, or confidently begin your new direction with a two-year program.
Please note: this degree program does not provide professional accreditation or teacher qualification. If you seek professional accreditation as a teacher, consider the Master of Teaching (Secondary) or the Master of Teaching (Primary).
Key features
Flexible study options
Fit your study around commitments – whether you are employed full-time, have caring responsibilities, or live far from campus. You can choose from fully online courses, a combination of online and face-to-face, as well as school holiday intensive and evening classes.
Financial support
Commonwealth Supported Places and FEE-HELP are available to aid domestic students with the education costs for this program.
Specialisations
Develop or update your skills and knowledge in one of the following specialisations:
Why study this degree at UNSW?
- Study at a school benchmarked with the highest global rating for education research (ARC, Excellence in Research for Australia)
- Be supported by our diverse, open and inclusive Arts, Design & Architecture community
- Learn through research-informed teaching
- Benefit from strong industry links and partnerships
- Access world-class alumni connections
- Join a community that’s part of the prestigious Group of Eight (Go8) universities
Program Code
8913
CRICOS Code
110653C
Campus
Kensington
Total Units of Credit (UOC)
96
Want to see more from UNSW Arts, Design & Architecture?
Entry requirements
Depending on your experience, there are three entry pathways to the Master of Education.
One-year fast-track program
- A four-year bachelor’s degree or combined degree in education (including professional experience or practicum) equivalent to the qualifications required for graduate teacher status in NSW or other Australian jurisdictions, OR
- A recognised bachelor’s degree and a postgraduate teaching qualification (e.g., Graduate Diploma of Education or Master of Teaching) equivalent to the qualifications required for graduate teacher status in NSW or other Australian jurisdictions, OR
- A bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant discipline*, plus three years of relevant professional experience and development**.
1.5-year program
- A bachelor’s degree (or equivalent qualification) in a relevant discipline* with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65%, OR
- A bachelor’s degree (or equivalent qualification) in any discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65% plus three years’ relevant professional experience** and development, OR
- An honours degree or graduate diploma (or equivalent qualification) in any discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65%.
Two-year program
- A bachelor’s degree (or equivalent qualification) in any discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65%.
* “Relevant disciplines” may include arts, humanities, media, psychology, social work, business, economics, languages, linguistics, communications, policy studies, behavioural sciences, and social sciences.
** “Relevant professional experience” may include roles such as teacher, trainer, coach, educational developer, languages teacher, lecturer, teacher of English to speakers of other languages, educational leader, and educational administration.
Admission pathways
If you don’t meet the entry requirements for the Master of Education, you may be eligible for the Graduate Certificate of Education or the Graduate Certificate of Educational Leadership. These can provide a stepping stone to the Master of Education.
English language requirements
You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on your educational background and citizenship. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.
If you’re completing an Australian Year 12 qualification (e.g. NSW HSC or equivalent), you do not need to provide anything extra to prove your proficiency. Your qualification will be used as evidence of your English proficiency.
If you do need to provide evidence of your English proficiency, this will be indicated in your application. You can prove this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:
- English language tests and university English courses
- Prior study in the medium of English
- Other qualifications
If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, UNSW College’s Academic English Programs are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.
Depending on your experience, there are three entry pathways to the Master of Education.
One-year fast-track program
- A four-year bachelor’s degree or combined degree in education (including professional experience or practicum) equivalent to the qualifications required for graduate teacher status in NSW or other Australian jurisdictions, OR
- A recognised bachelor’s degree and a postgraduate teaching qualification (e.g., Graduate Diploma of Education or Master of Teaching) equivalent to the qualifications required for graduate teacher status in NSW or other Australian jurisdictions, OR
- A bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant discipline*, plus three years of relevant professional experience and development**.
1.5-year program
- A bachelor’s degree (or equivalent qualification) in a relevant discipline* with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65%, OR
- A bachelor’s degree (or equivalent qualification) in any discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65% plus three years’ relevant professional experience** and development, OR
- An honours degree or graduate diploma (or equivalent qualification) in any discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65%.
Two-year program
- A bachelor’s degree (or equivalent qualification) in any discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65%.
* “Relevant disciplines” may include arts, humanities, media, psychology, social work, business, economics, languages, linguistics, communications, policy studies, behavioural sciences, and social sciences.
** “Relevant professional experience” may include roles such as teacher, trainer, coach, educational developer, languages teacher, lecturer, teacher of English to speakers of other languages, educational leader, and educational administration.
Admission pathways
If you don’t meet the entry requirements for the Master of Education, you may be eligible for the Graduate Certificate of Education or the Graduate Certificate of Educational Leadership. These can provide a stepping stone to the Master of Education.
English language requirements
You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on whether you are from an English-speaking background or non-English speaking background. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.
If English is not your first language, you’ll need to provide proof of your English proficiency before you can be given an offer to study at UNSW. You can do this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:
- English language tests and university English courses
- Prior study in the medium of English
- Other qualifications
If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, UNSW College’s Academic English Programs are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.
Check the specific English language requirements for this program
Program structure
Depending on your experience, you can complete the Master of Education in one, two, or 1.5 years. Regardless of the duration, you will choose a specialisation from six options. The number of courses, and which courses you undertake, will differ depending on the specialisation you choose. You can take an additional course to develop or renew your confidence in academic writing skills.
- ARTS5503 - Academic Writing for the Humanities
- ARTS5505 Personalised English Language Enhancement
Please note the abovementioned courses do not count towards the Master of Education program requirements.
Full program structure
Explore individual course structures for each Master of Education specialisation.
- Educational Studies
- Curriculum and Assessment
- Special Education
- Gifted Education
- Educational Psychology
- TESOL
Each academic year at UNSW has three terms and an optional summer study period. You can study full-time or part-time. A full-time study load is typically eight courses per year. Some courses may not be taught every term. For further information on full course listings, descriptions, and timetables, please see the handbook.
Future careers
Like many of our graduates, you have the opportunity to progress into specialist fields of education and have a positive impact on future generations. Our graduates work in early childhood teaching; primary and secondary school teaching; vocational and workplace teaching and tertiary teaching roles.
Potential careers
- Early Childhood Teaching
- Primary and Secondary Teaching
- Vocational and Workplace Teaching
- Tertiary Teaching
How to apply
Applications must be submitted through our Apply Online portal. We encourage you to submit your completed application as early as possible to ensure it will be processed in time for your preferred term. Some high-demand programs and Faculties with limited places may have an earlier application deadline or commencement date. Find out more.
Ready to start your application?
For most international students, applications are submitted via our Apply Online service. We encourage you to submit your completed application as early as possible to ensure it will be processed in time for your preferred term.
Some high-demand programs with limited places, may have an earlier application deadline or may have an earlier commencement date. For more information visit our international applicant information page.
Ready to start your application?
Fees & Scholarships
2023 Indicative CSP First Year Fee
$4,125*
2023 Indicative CSP Fee to Complete Degree
$8,375*
All places within this degree are Commonwealth supported. This means that if you receive an offer from UNSW Sydney as a domestic student, you will have a substantial proportion of your fees subsidised by the Australian government. Start your application today with our guide on how to apply.
2023 Indicative First Year Full Fee
$27,360*
2023 Indicative Full Fee to Complete Degree
$55,200*
Full Fees are the cost of the degree for students who do not receive a CSP place.
*Fees are subject to annual review by the University and may increase annually, with the new fees effective from the start of each calendar year. The indicative fees listed here are based on an estimated average and are for tuition only other fees and charges are not included. The amount you pay will vary depending on the calendar year to enrol, the courses you select and whether your study load is more or less than 1 Equivalent Full Time Student Load (8 courses per year). Indicative fees are a guide for comparison only based on current conditions and available data. You should not rely on indicative fees. More information on fees can be found at the UNSW fees website
Indicative fees to complete the program have been calculated based on a percentage increase for every year of the program. Fee increases are assessed annually and may exceed the indicative figures listed below.
2023 Indicative First Year Fee
$36,700*
2023 Indicative Fee to Complete Degree
$74,515*
*Fees are subject to annual review by the University and may increase annually, with the new fees effective from the start of each calendar year. The indicative fees listed here are based on an estimated average and are for tuition only other fees and charges are not included. The amount you pay will vary depending on the calendar year to enrol, the courses you select and whether your study load is more or less than 1 Equivalent Full Time Student Load (8 courses per year).
Indicative fees are a guide for comparison only based on current conditions and available data. You should not rely on indicative fees. More information on fees can be found at the UNSW fees website.
Indicative fees to complete the program have been calculated based on a percentage increase for every year of the program. Fee increases are assessed annually and may exceed the indicative figures listed here.
Indicative fees to complete the program include tuition plus an estimate of study-related costs of approximately $1,000 per year. To find out more about other costs, visit UNSW International.
Scholarships
At UNSW, we award over $83 million in scholarships each year. We pride ourselves on rewarding excellence and making university accessible to students from all walks of life. Whether you’re a domestic or international student, our range of scholarships, prizes and awards can support your journey.
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Top 20WorldwideQS World University Rankings, 2024.
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MostEmployable GraduatesAFR Top 100 Future leaders Award.
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LeadingInnovation#1 Australian uni attended by start-up founders.
"I found that UNSW’s online courses had so much to offer. This meant that I could navigate my masters and continue my job.”
