Master of Education

• This is an ideal qualification for those who have already undertaken some postgraduate study. Graduates of the MEd are ideally placed to achieve research-informed teaching and leadership in their particular educational setting.
• UC's College of Education, Health and Human Development has a national and international reputation for its teaching and research. UC is ranked in the top 150 universities in the world for Education (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2018).

Normally the minimum requirement is a three-year bachelor’s degree from a New Zealand university, or a qualification or combination of qualifications considered to be equivalent. If you gained your qualifications overseas, these will need to be assessed to make sure they are of an equivalent standard.

You are also required to meet UC's English language requirements.

The MEd can be awarded through one of two pathways:

a) 120-point pathway which can be either:

• endorsed in Inclusive and Special Education, or
• unendorsed through the completion of a thesis.

Candidates can complete either a 120-point thesis or a 90-point thesis and 30 points of coursework.

The minimum period of enrolment for this pathway for a full-time candidate is 12 months and the maximum two years; for a part-time student, the minimum is 18 months and the maximum three years.

b) 180-point pathway which can be either:

• unendorsed, or
• endorsed in one of eight areas (see 'Subjects and courses').

Candidates can select one of three flexible courses of study:

• endorsed coursework with at least 90 points of courses in the area of specialisation
• unendorsed coursework
• coursework and a thesis.

The minimum period of enrolment for this pathway for a full-time candidate is 12-18 months and the maximum three years; for a part-time student, the minimum is 18 months and the maximum five years.

For the specifics for each option, including prescribed courses and point combinations, please see the Regulations for the Master of Education.

The 120-point pathway can be either unendorsed, or endorsed in:

• Inclusive and Special Education

To be admitted to the Master of Education 120 point pathway, you must already have a Bachelor of Teaching and Learning with Honours, a Postgraduate Diploma in Education, or other equivalent qualifying programme of study, with a minimum B+ grade average.

The 180-point pathway can be either unendorsed, or endorsed in one of eight areas:

• Curriculum and Pedagogy
• e-Learning and Digital Technologies
• Hōaka Pounamu: Te Reo Māori Bilingual and Immersion Teaching
• Inclusive and Special Education
• Leadership
• Literacy
• Positive Behaviour Support (not open to new enrolments in 2019)
• Teaching and Learning Languages

More information on each endorsement is available on the College of Education, Health and Human Development website.

For the up-to-date schedule of courses for each endorsement, see the Regulations for the Master of Education.

Students can study a Doctor of Education at UC, as well as a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Education.

Postgraduate study can bring many career benefits eg, specialist skills and enhanced knowledge, entry into specific occupations, higher starting salary/progression rates, research capability/achievement and evidence of high academic attainment/self-discipline.