Master of Education
PostgraduateCUR-MED-MAS2019
Course information for 2019 intake View information for 2025 course intake
Increase your education leadership potential
Work towards education leadership roles by studying core subjects in research and global education trends. Choose options from digital technologies, Science Technology Engineering Maths (STEM), pedagogy philosophy, sustainable education and language.
Enrolments for this course are closed, but you may have other options to start studying now. Book a consultation to learn more.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Credit available
- Yes
- Total subjects
- 7
- Available loans
- Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
Master of Education
About this degree
At the completion of this degree, students will be able to:
- demonstrate and apply comprehensive and in-depth knowledge of educational research and theory
- formulate and investigate educational problems and solutions via critical engagement with relevant and contemporary empirical and theoretical literature
- identify, access, analyse and synthesise information from a wide range of sources using appropriate technologies
- communicate information and ideas effectively through a range of mediums and in ways that are appropriate for a range of audiences and education stakeholders
- engage critically and effectively with innovative and appropriate technologies for a range of purposes
- demonstrate a capacity for independent learning, critically evaluate personal performance and respond to feedback with a view to development as a reflective practitioner and lifelong learner
- consider educational and professional issues from a variety of national and international perspectives with a view to informing and improving educational and professional knowledge and practice
- appreciate the value of individual and cultural differences, and the important implications these have for knowledge production, effective practice and professionalism in education settings
- work both independently and collaboratively in a way that demonstrates professionalism, a commitment to socially-just and ethical practices and the capacity for future leadership in the field of education.
The Master of Education degree is for educators in a broad range of fields related to education who hold a four-year teacher education degree or equivalent. The degree curriculum builds on students' professional knowledge with an emphasis on critical and independent thinking. The degree consists of coursework subjects that enable specialisation in one of three highly-valued areas of expertise: STEM Education, Advanced Pedagogies, and Language and Linguistics. To provide maximum flexibility, students can also study subjects from any of these pathways. The degree comprises a Negotiated Research Project where students investigate an area of individual or professional interest.. Successful completion of the degree may enable students to undertake doctoral level study.
Recommended study pattern
Ideally students will commence the degree in either SP4 or SP2 however enrolment can be accepted in any study period. Please note that degree commencement in SP1 or SP3 may result in a longer degree duration as not all subjects are available in each study period.
Students must be in the final study period of the degree before they can undertake EDMC502 Negotiated Research Project.
Award requirements
To qualify for the award of Master of Education, students must complete 7 subjects (6 single subjects and 1 double subject).
Choose your subjects
Majors
This degree consists of 3 core subjects and a selection of 4 subjects from the optional subjects list. EDMC502 Negotiated Research Project is a core double subject and can only be taken in the final study period of the degree.
Degrees are usually made up of core subjects and electives. Some degrees include a choice of majors, so you can focus your studies on a specialisation.
This list is a general overview. Download the full Degree Guide for more information.
Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.
Indicative total fee $17,928
The amount shown here is indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.
Fees may vary depending on:
- the subjects you choose
- credit from previous work experience
- your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.
To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.
Start your career with Curtin’s globally recognised courses and extensive industry connections. Through OUA, their online courses offer an interactive and collaborative learning experience that gets you the same degree as if you studied on campus. Curtin is a global university with a vibrant culture of innovation and collaboration and is ranked in the top one per cent of universities worldwide.
Learn more about Curtin University.
Explore Curtin courses.
- QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 13
- Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 14
Entry requirements
This is a restricted degree. Subject enrolment is only available to students admitted into this degree.
An education/teaching degree assessed as being the equivalent of a four-year Australian degree (normally a Bachelor of Education or a four-year combined/double education degree e.g. BSc/BEd) or a three-year degree in a non-education discipline (e.g. Arts, Science, Commerce) plus a minimum one-year teaching qualification such as a Graduate Diploma in Education or Master of Teaching or equivalent.
Applicants need to meet Curtin’s English Language requirement as all degrees are taught in English. If your education degrees were not solely in English, as per the International Handbook of Universities or the World Higher Education database, please attach a scanned original copy of English Proficiency Test results. Admission requires an IELTS (or equivalent test) score of at least 6.5 overall with a score of no less than 6.0 in any test component.
Please refer to the 'Minimum English Entry Requirements' document at http://students.curtin.edu.au/local/docs/English_List.pdf.
Applicants for a Graduate Certificate are required to meet University academic and English language entry standards; details are provided at http://courses.curtin.edu.au/course_overview/admission-requirements/. Applicants generally require a Bachelor Degree or equivalent credit gained for recognised learning.
*** Please Note: If any academic or legal document is not in English, you must provide a colour scan of the non-English documents, including a colour scan of the official English translations of these documents. This is for comparison purposes. ***
Credit for Recognised Learning (CRL) is assessed on individual merit and is awarded for different types of learning, for example, studies you have previously completed or for relevant work experience.
Students must be admitted in an award degree of study before lodging their completed CRL application, along with all required supporting documentation for a formal assessment.
To apply for CRL, please visit the Curtin University website: https://study.curtin.edu.au/credit/
It is important to note accepted documentation includes scans of the original Transcripts and/or Award Certificate; front and back; in colour; and original size. For further information see the scanned documents and certification requirements and guidelines.
More information about the policies and procedures related to CRL assessment and appealing a CRL assessment outcome can be found in the Credit for Recognised Learning manual (PDF).
If you have any questions, please contact opencurtin@curtin.edu.au
Career opportunities
The Master of Education provides an opportunity for students to demonstrate their professional and personal development and better position them for career advancement and educational leadership. Graduates of this degree may be eligible to continue their studies at a doctoral level.
Australian job snapshots
Data sourced from Australian Jobs 2023.
| Role | Earnings | Employment change |
|---|---|---|
| Education Advisers and Reviewers | $93K to $120K | Up 19.2% |
| School Principals | N/A^ | Up 19% |
Degree FAQs
How long does it take to finish an online degree?
That's up to you! Because we let you choose when to study online, you can actually pick up and pause study when it suits you. Many universities have a set time you need to complete your degree within. For some this is up to 10 years, and for others there is no limit.
There are some degrees that are stricter about when you can take breaks, and about how many years you can take to complete your degree. Please always check with your uni what the limits are.
As a general guide, Commonwealth supported place students have 10 years to finish their undergraduate degree through OUA, However, if you're studying with Griffith University, there's a limit of 8 years to complete your studies. If you want to take a break that lasts more than two study terms, you'll need to apply for a leave of absence. You can apply for a leave of absence for up to 12 months, as long as you complete your studies within the maximum time allowed for your degree.
If you're studying with Macquarie University, with the exception of certain degrees, there's no limit to how long you can take. But, please check with Macquarie Student Administration to be sure.
If you're studying with the University of Adelaide, you have up to 9 years to complete your undergraduate degree and graduate.
If you're studying with La Trobe University and want to take a break of minimum 1 study term, you must apply for leave of absence to avoid being inadvertently withdrawn from your degree.
Through OUA, you can study all year round, so it's possible to fast-track and finish up sooner than studying at a traditional uni would allow. That said, you need to spend around 12 hours a week on each undergraduate subject you do, so taking on extra work to finish ahead of time can be challenging.
How can I pay for my studies?
You may be eligible for a HELP loan from the Australian government, depending on your citizenship status and where you'll be living during your studies. You can also pay upfront with your credit card.
Payment options are explained in Fees, and you can contact a student advisor for more information.
How does studying through Open Universities Australia work?
You might find learning through OUA a little different to how you've studied in the past. It can take time to develop the skills you need for independent online study.
We connect you with subjects and degrees that are taught by leading Australian universities. You can complete single subjects, or follow a degree structure to work towards a specific qualification. Subjects are offered in several study terms throughout the year, so you can choose to study part-time or full-time, continuously or with breaks.
We help you find the subjects or degree that's right for you, and we handle your enrolment in uni and some administration. Your uni sends you your study materials and deals with all academic matters. They're also in charge of your assessment and graduation. If you go on to complete a degree, you'll graduate from the uni offering your degree, for example, RMIT University or Griffith University.
How do I know if I‘m eligible to apply for a course?
Before starting an enrolment, it's important to read the entry requirements for your chosen course to ensure that you're eligible to apply. If you don't quite meet the requirements, we can help you find a pathway into your course through open-entry subjects, which anyone can study. Contact us to find out more.
When is my cut-off date for enrolment?
Our close of enrolment times vary. You can check the cut-off dates for upcoming study terms by visiting Key dates.
Why should I study online through Open Universities Australia?
There are a lot of reasons to study your course online through us.
You can enrol without entry requirements
We have a unique open-door policy that makes it possible for everyone to enrol in university study, no matter their academic history. If you don't meet the entry requirements for a degree, we'll help you get in through single undergraduate subjects and transition into a qualification from there.
You have total control over how you study
Upskill without committing to a whole degree upfront. Or enrol in a full degree, but take it a subject at a time. We'll introduce you to flexible study options you didn't even know about, so you can fit uni around what matters to you.You'll graduate with the same qualification as an on-campus student
Once you enrol through us, you'll study online with the university that provides your degree. This means that when you complete your qualification, you'll graduate with the same degree as on-campus students.We'll help you navigate the university world
Our friendly student advisors will be your guide every step of the enrolment journey. They'll help you compare universities, choose a course, provide documentation and understand your finance options.
How do I enrol?
Here at Open Universities Australia, we make enrolling online as straightforward as possible. To get started, find the course for you by browsing the options on this page. You can also compare different qualifications using our handy comparison tool, or request help from one of our student advisors.
When you've made your choice, click 'Apply now' on the relevant course page and follow the prompts to begin your enrolment. We'll ask you to supply some supporting documentation, including proof of your identity, your tax file number, and a unique student identifier (USI) during this process.
Your university will get in touch with you via email to confirm whether or not your application has been successful.
If you get stuck at any time, reach out to a student advisor and we'll talk you through it.
You can also take a look at our online self-service enrolling instructions.