Fees
$2,956 per unit | FEE-HELP available
Intakes
Jan, Mar, May, Jul, Sep, Oct
Units
8 units, 7 weeks each
Duration
16 months part-time
Save on your fees
Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) are available for this course. That means if you’re eligible, the government will subsidise some of your fees, and you may also be able to apply to defer the balance through an Australian Government HELP loan.
Why study the online Master of Education at UC?
Flex your learning: 100% online
Tailor your education with UC's dynamic flexibility. Our 6-week model lets you complete 8 units in 16 months or extend based on your needs, making it perfect for busy teachers. Course content is available 24/7, meaning you can study when it suits you, day or night. Your success, on your terms.
Practical mastery: Immediate application
Our focus on real-world expectations means tackling professional challenges aligned with school leadership demands. Our approach at UC emphasises practical value, ensuring your journey is about tangible improvement in teaching and leadership. Join us in reshaping education through hands-on change plans to enhance professional practice.
Support beyond boundaries: A personal touch
At UC Postgraduate Online, personalised support is more than a commitment – it's a mantra. Our advisers and academics are committed to providing exceptional and tailored assistance. The coursework's unique value and specialisations guide teachers, aspiring leaders, and school leaders to apply their learning contextually – instantly. With UC's support as your compass, navigate through real-world scenarios and soar above and beyond.
Course overview
Embark on a transformative journey with our 100% online Master of Education tailored for professionals seeking to elevate their careers. This program goes beyond conventional boundaries, offering specialised tracks in Leadership and STEM, dedicated units focusing on inclusion and well-being, and aligning seamlessly with ACARA demands. Guided by research-informed practice, you'll not only enhance your professional authority but emerge as a specialist leading the charge in modern education.
What you will learn
Analyse and evaluate seminal and emerging educational theory, curriculum, technology, policy and practice.
Develop, articulate and apply integrated knowledge and skills to curriculum, policies and practices from a variety of perspectives and with a variety of audiences in mind, including equity groups.
Develop reflective, self-aware and adaptable professional practice.
Critically examine the complex challenges facing authentic educational contexts to find solutions.
Your course pathway
Customise your studies for your career goals with the flexibility of our Master of Education.
Choose specialisation or electives for a generalist degree. The program comprises 4 core units and 4 electives, allowing for specialised tracks.
Consider the Graduate Certificate in Education, Graduate Certificate in Educational Leadership and Graduate Certificate in STEM Education as entry or exit points for this dynamic course.
Master of Education (STEM)
8 units | 16 months*
Master of Education
8 units | 16 months*
Master of Education (Leadership)
8 units | 16 months*
*Dependent on individual study path and unit availability. Please speak to a Student Adviser for more information.
What you will study
The Master of Education has 4 core units and 4 elective units which can make up a specialisation. Alternatively, choose from the below list of elective options to align with your career goals.
Educational Research Foundations
Inclusion in Education
Wellbeing in Education
Professional Practice Capstone
STEM Pedagogy, Foundational Theory
STEM and Design Thinking
Spatial Thinking
STEM Practices and Learning Opportunities
Educational Research Foundations
Inclusion in Education
Wellbeing in Education
Professional Practice Capstone
Course information
Entry requirements
To be eligible for the Master of Education, applicants must have:
- registration as a teacher at a proficient level or higher with an Australian regulatory authority* relevant to your state of practice OR
- a higher-level qualification in education from a recognised tertiary institution as approved by the University of Canberra.
*For examples of regulatory authorities in your state, download a course brochure
Ready to learn more?
Download your course brochure for more detailed information including:
- What you’ll study
- Recognition of prior learning
- Entry requirements
- Fees and FEE-HELP
Career outcomes
UC Online’s Master of Education is your key to advancing in the education sector. Whether aspiring to leadership roles, specialising in STEM, or enriching your teaching expertise, this course equips you with skills, credibility, and a competitive edge. Potential career outcomes include, but are not restricted to:
- Assistant Principal
- Curriculum Coordinator or Specialist
- Curriculum Coordinator or Specialist (STEM)
- Deputy Principal
- Early Childhood Director
- Executive Teacher (STEM)
- Education Assessment Specialist
- Executive Principal
- Executive Teacher
- Head of Department or Faculty
- Head of Department or Faculty (STEM)
- Principal
- School Leader
- School Policy Adviser or Developer
- Student Wellbeing Manager
- Year Adviser
Taught by industry experts
“The University of Canberra’s online Master of Education and Graduate Certificate in Education courses have been designed to provide teachers with ideal practical professional development and career-building opportunities, allowing them to shape their future education/professional pathways and enhance their skills and knowledge."
Dr. Beth Chapman
Program Director for Postgraduate Education
Taught by industry experts
“I continue to be impressed by the quality and authenticity of the assessment work of students in this course. I particularly value the way the program challenges practising educators to engage deeply with real problems of practice, resulting in thoughtful, context-rich submissions that reflect genuine professional growth. It is a privilege to witness the intellectual rigour and practical impact emerging from teachers who are committed to strengthening their craft through postgraduate study."
Mr. Cheyne Webster
Lecturer in Education
Taught by industry experts
“Experienced educators recognise that each learner is unique and must have equitable access to learning. The Inclusion in Education unit recognises the variables that impact on learners' ability and willingness to engage in learning and provides an overview of inclusive education and its application in authentic teaching and learning settings. Students critically analyse theory, research and policy to determine the practical application of evidence-based approaches as they examine the challenges experienced by learners with diverse needs, including how these relate to assessment, intervention, instruction, collaboration and support."
Ms. Belinda Maher
Lecturer in Education
Frequently asked questions
No, the online Master of Education at UC is for current education professionals looking to enhance their skills to step into the phase of their career. However, if you would like to become a teacher, we recommend contacting the University of Canberra Future Students Team to find out which course is right for you.
No. The online Master of Education at UC is for qualified educators and registered teachers who can apply what they learn to their current and future roles in education. Placement is not required.
Yes. With a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP), the government will pay a portion of your fees and reduce the overall cost of your course. This subsidy is not a loan and you will not have to pay it back.
ACARA is the authoritative source for advice and delivery of national curriculum, assessment and reporting for all Australian education ministers with international recognition. The UC Postgraduate Online Master of Education is developed to correspond with the ACARA requirements, providing students with contemporary methodologies and frameworks for modern educational contexts.
By understanding how learning, teaching and curriculum intersect, UC's Master of Education provides contemporary strategies on how you can transform educational systems. By learning frameworks and pedagogy that can help shape teaching practices, UC Master of Education graduates develop the skills that not only empower teachers, but, most importantly, benefit the student.
The Master of Education offers two specialisations which students can choose from depending on their career goals:
- Master of Education (STEM): Delivered in partnership with the STEM Education Research Centre (SERC) and aligned with ACRA demands, students will gain specialist knowledge build upon contemporary STEM pedagogical frameworks to foster improvements in teaching practices, student outcomes and student engagement, giving them the skills to pursue curriculum lead roles.
- Master of Education (Leadership): Empowers students to confidently step into the next phase of their career by developing leadership skills to navigate and respond to changes in the educational landscape. Students will build a supportive learning environment that improves student outcomes and values staff empowerment.
Alternatively, students may select a mix of electives from each specialisation to graduate with the general Master of Education.
Each unit is seven weeks long. The University advises a minimum of 15 to 20 hours of online study per week. The master’s course can be completed in as little as 16 months.
Gaining a Master of Education qualification will not automatically grant you a pay rise. However, postgraduate study can significantly enhance your application for promotions, which can result in a pay rise.
Our online accelerated Master of Education offers six intakes per year and each study period is seven weeks in total. Some study periods will coincide with school holidays, but this will not be the case for all of them. You can find the dates of all our study periods on the UC Postgraduate Online Academic Calendar.
A Master of Education from the University of Canberra will prepare you for the next step in your education career. Whether you're pursuing a specialist teacher role in STEM education or a leadership position, this course will provide you with the skills, credibility and competitive advantage when applying for more senior positions.
The duration of a Master of Education varies based on study load and delivery mode. Full-time programs take a minimum of 1 year and 5 months (8 study blocks), while part-time programs may extend to a maximum duration of 4 years from commencement to completion. Online programs offer flexibility, allowing students to progress through units of study at their own pace.
The UC Master of Education is designed for flexible study online, enabling students to complete the program within 16-months part-time, depending on individual study plans.
A Master of Teaching is an initial teacher education program, leading to teacher registration and classroom teaching roles. A Master of Education, such as the UC Master of Education, is a postgraduate education course for qualified teachers or education professionals looking to enhance expertise, leadership, and research skills.
The UC program focuses on curriculum design, education leadership, and applied research, rather than initial classroom training.
In some sectors, holding a Master of Education may enable access to higher-level leadership roles or specialised teaching positions, which may carry increased remuneration. Exact figures vary across states and school types.
Graduates of the UC Master of Education are prepared for roles such as curriculum coordinator, educational leader, or school policy advisor, where advanced qualifications are advantageous.
Question not covered here?
We’re here to help. Our Student Enrolment Adviser can tell you more about:
- Finding your ideal course
- How courses are structured
- How online study works
- How to apply and enrol
Ready to apply?
Start your application to study with UC Online.
