Course information for - 2026 entry
Domestic
  • Domestic
  • International

Offered at 1 locations
  • Online MT

Duration

120 cp: 1.5 years full-time or equivalent part-time

160 cp: 2 years full-time or equivalent part-time

ATAR
N/A
Fees (first year)*

$4736 CSP

Start dates

Semester 1 intake: Beginning March 2026

Applications open August 2025

Midyear (Semester 2) intake: Beginning August 2026

Applications open April 2026

Overview

The Master of Education is for educators and sector professionals who wish to pursue further studies and develop advanced knowledge and expertise in educational practice.

Be part of a vibrant academic, research-led community and deepen your understanding of the latest and most effective pedagogical practices. Learn the latest evidence-based approaches to learning and augment your craft in professional application, rigorous innovation, focused leadership, and research in this area.

Enhance your area of specialisation by choosing from one of eight streams, including: Inclusive Practice; Literacy: Primary and Secondary; Literacy: Teaching Foundational Reading Skills; Literacy: Teaching Fluency, Comprehension and Writing; Research Methods; School Psychology; STEM and Wellbeing.

By embracing life-long learning, teachers and aspiring school leaders will be equipped with advanced practitioner knowledge, skills, and abilities along with a discrete pathway to doctoral research. Students wanting to progress to doctoral study on completion of this course must complete the sequence of Advanced Research methods within their studies.

This advanced education course asks you to reimagine the purposes of education and improve the educational setting you work in. If you are passionate about continual learning and want to advance your career, but do not hold a teaching qualification, you can complete an additional sequence of units to meet this degree's requirements.

The Master of Education is not an initial teaching qualification.

  • Top 50 Globally in education and second in Australia.

Careers

Our graduates have pursued careers as:

  • policy advisors
  • school leaders
  • curriculum advisors
  • consultants

Course details

Course structure

Course map

Open all

Please note: Course maps are subject to change.

Admission Requirement A - One Stream and Elective units

  • One StreamSpecialisation Unit 110 cp
  • One StreamSpecialisation Unit 210 cp
  • Specified unitSpecified unitEDLE655 Data Information Systems: Using Research and Data for Learning Compulsory unit for students enrolled in the Research Methods stream. OREDRS651 Educational Research Methods Compulsory unit for students NOT enrolled in the Research Methods stream. 10 cp
  • Elective unitsElective Unit 110 cp
  • One StreamSpecialisation Unit 310 cp
  • One StreamSpecialisation Unit 410 cp
  • Elective unitsElective Unit 210 cp
  • Elective unitsElective Unit 310 cp

Please consult the unit list in the Course Enrolment Guide to see offerings for a particular year.

Admission Requirement A -Two streams

Please consult the unit list in the Course Enrolment Guide to see offerings for a particular year.

Admission Requirement B - Online

Please consult the unit list in the Course Enrolment Guide to see offerings for a particular year.

Admission Requirement B - International Intake (Melbourne)

Please consult the unit list in the Course Enrolment Guide to see offerings for a particular year.

Graduate statement

Insight

As an ACU graduate you have personal insight founded on an understanding of who you are as a professional, a citizen and a scholar. You embrace change and growth through critical self-awareness and learning autonomy. You are empowered to seek truth and meaning, drawing on the principles of justice, equity, and the dignity of all human beings.

Empathy

As an ACU graduate you value human dignity and diversity. This appreciation is founded on deep reflection, and empathy. You have experience of Indigenous Knowings and perspectives and can engage respectfully when working alongside Australia's First Peoples. You can connect with people and cultures and work with community in ways that recognise the dignity of the human person and all cultures

Imagination

As an ACU graduate you utilise imagination and innovation to solve problems. You critically analyse information from a range of sources to creatively solve practical problems and use critical thinking to make decisions and advance the common good. You appreciate the role of innovation and creative thinking in developing a better future for each person and community.

Impact

As an ACU graduate you recognise your responsibility to work for social justice and a sustainable world founded on a commitment to human dignity and the common good. You lead change through respectful collaboration and effective communication of ideas to diverse peoples, groups and communities in local and global contexts. You are empowered to positively impact your profession and the community.

AQF framework

Masters (Coursework) - AQF Level 9

Exit Points

A student who has completed 40 cp from the Schedule of Unit Offerings of the Graduate Certificate in Education may exit with that award.

A student who has completed 80 cp from the Schedule of Unit Offerings of the Graduate Diploma in Education may exit with that award.

Additional course information

Participants with a teaching qualification complete the 120 credit point course. Participants without a teaching qualification complete the 160 credit point course from the Schedule of Unit Offerings outlined in the course handbook on the ACU website.

Police and/or Working with Children checks (or equivalent) may be required prior to practicum.

Entry requirements

An applicant must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.

International applicants must also meet the English Language Proficiency requirements as defined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.

To be eligible for admission to the course, an applicant must have completed the following prerequisites:

a. Bachelor degree in Education; or a Bachelor degree and a recognised teaching qualification OR

b. Bachelor degree in an area other than Education

Students admitted under Admission Requirement A must complete 120 cp and students admitted under Admission Requirement B must complete 160 cp.

Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2026 Admission.

View transparency admission information

Applicants with higher education study

You will need to meet the minimum entry requirements and subject prerequisites for your chosen course. 

If you have completed at least two units of AQF-recognised study at bachelor level or above, we’ll assign you with a new selection rank that reflects your study level, duration, and grade point average.

If your prior study or relevant work experience has provided you with knowledge, skills or experience aligned with the learning outcomes of units in your new course, you may be eligible to gain credit for study or have your prior learning recognised. This means you may be able to complete your ACU course in a shorter timeframe.

You can use our credit search tool to see what you might be eligible for. For more information about credit and recognition of prior learning at ACU, follow the link below.

Search our credit database

Learn more about recognition of prior learning

English language requirements

IELTS  overall score of 7.0. Individual score of 6.0 in all tests.

Inherent requirement

There are essential components of a course or unit that demonstrate the capabilities, knowledge and skills to achieve the core learning outcomes of that course or unit. You will need to be able to meet these inherent requirements to complete your course.

Learn more about inherent requirements for your course and how they affect you

Pathways

Further study

Graduates of this course may be eligible for entry into further postgraduate coursework degree programs and/or research higher degree, doctoral programs.

Fees

Course costs

Average first year fee*

$4736 CSP

*This is an indicative first-year fee based on the tuition fee rates for a full-time student, using unit enrolment data from domestic students who studied the course in the previous year.

A student’s annual fee will vary depending on factors including:

  • Number of units studied per year
  • Choice of major or specialisation
  • Elective units

The University reviews fees annually.

You can view current course costs and domestic tuition fee rates by unit.

Payment options

You should be able to concentrate on getting good marks instead of worrying about how you’ll pay your fees. We have a number of options that can help you ease the financial burden, including government assistance, scholarships and income support. 

Explore your options 

Scholarships

You could be eligible for one of the hundreds of scholarships we award each year to help students from across the university with the cost of studying, accommodation or overseas study opportunities. Some of our scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit, but these aren’t just for the academically gifted; ACU also recognises excellence in community engagement and leadership. We also offer a range of scholarships for those who may be struggling financially or who have faced other barriers to accessing education.  

Search our scholarships  

How to apply

Domestic applicants

Apply directly to ACU

Deferment

Deferment is available for one year. Some specialisations may not run every year. Find out more about deferment.

Shanghai Ranking, Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2023

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