Master of Education, University of South Australia (UniSA). 2025 information for Australian students

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Australian students

Start Date
February
July

Campus
Magill

Duration
2 year(s) full-time

Program Code
MMEM

SATAC Code
4CM234 (Internal)
4CM235 (Internal)
4CM236 (Internal)

Study as
Full-time or part-time

Mode
On-campus/Online

Fees
$AU 23,900 per 1.0 EFTSL for students enrolled in 2025

Entry requirements
Applicants will normally hold an approved Bachelor degree in any discipline, or equivalent qualification from an approved tertiary institution.

Applicants who have completed a four-year Bachelor degree in Education, or equivalent Initial Teacher Education qualifications, e.g. Graduate Diploma in Education, Master of Teaching, or a four-year Bachelor degree with studies in educational methodology and curriculum equivalent to 18 units are eligible to enter the program with 0.5 EFTSL Advanced Standing and complete the program in 1.5 years of full-time study or equivalent part-time study.

Applicants who have completed a four-year Bachelor degree in Education and 2 years of teaching experience in an Australian educational setting (early years, school, tertiary or vocational), or equivalent Initial Teacher Education qualifications, e.g. Graduate Diploma in Education, Master of Teaching and 2 years teaching experience in an Australian educational setting (early years, school, tertiary or vocational), or a four-year Bachelor degree with studies in educational methodology and curriculum equivalent to 18 units and 2 years of teaching experience in an Australian educational setting (early years, school, tertiary or vocational) are eligible to enter the program with 1.0 EFTSL Advanced Standing and complete the program in 1 year of full-time study or equivalent part-time study.

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Aim

The Master of Education qualifies graduates to apply an advanced body of knowledge to engage in reflective practice and develop leadership and management capacity in a range of learning areas and educational settings.

Content & Structure

Graduates of the Master of Education degree will have a body of knowledge that includes the understanding of recent developments in theories, research, debates and practices to improve quality of professional experience and student learning outcomes across a range of educational settings. Graduates will have knowledge of research principles and methods applicable to leadership and innovation in selected topics of interest. Students will complete 72 units of study comprising 36 units of core courses, and 36 units of elective courses.

Study at the new Adelaide University in 2026

The University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia are combining their strengths to create a new university for the future, Adelaide University, opening in January 2026.

From 4 August 2025, the University of Adelaide and University of South Australia will no longer be accepting applications for new students.

Apply now to study with Adelaide University in 2026.

What courses you'll study

Course name	Area and cat no.	Units
FIRST YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Theorists and Theories of Learning and Development	EDUC 5220	4.5	Rule(s): 1,2,3,5
Learning Communities and Cultures	EDUC 5219	4.5	Rule(s): 1,2,3,5
Elective 1		4.5	Rule(s): 2,3
Elective 2		4.5	Rule(s): 2,3
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
International Comparative Studies in Education	EDUC 5218	4.5	Rule(s): 1,2,3,5
Evidence-Informed Practice in Education	EDUC 5217	4.5	Rule(s): 1,2,3,5
Elective 3		4.5	Rule(s): 2,3
Elective 4		4.5	Rule(s): 2,3
SECOND YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Research Methods and Issues in Education	EDUC 5033	9
Elective 5		4.5
Elective 6		4.5
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Project in Education	EDUC 5030	9
Elective 7		4.5
Elective 8		4.5

Electives

Course name	Area and cat no.	Units
Educational Leadership Stream
Leading Learning: Educational Leadership in Globalising Times	EDUC 5234	4.5
Leading Professional Learning Communities	EDUC 5235	4.5
Learner-Centred Curriculum Leadership	EDUC 5248	4.5
Leadership, Accountability and the Challenge of Complexity	EDUC 5247	4.5
Digital Learning and Assessment Stream
Learners in a Digital Age: Innovative Practices	EDUC 5237	4.5
Developing Future Oriented Learning and Assessment Practices	EDUC 5228	4.5
Online Learning Communities: Formal and Informal	EDUC 5239	4.5
Effective Assessment for Effective Learning	EDUC 5229	4.5
Inclusive Education Stream
Learner and Educator Wellbeing for Positive Communities	EDUC 5236	4.5
Inclusive and Special Education	EDUC 5230	4.5
The Networked Educator	EDUC 5240	4.5
New Pedagogy Studies: Frontiers and Provocations	EDUC 5238	4.5
Islamic Pedagogy: Principles and Praxis	EDUC 5262	4.5
Islamic Pedagogy: Quality Teaching and Learning	EDUC 5263	4.5
TESOL Stream
Curriculum Development in TESOL	EDUC 5154	4.5
Learning English as an Additional Language	EDUC 5180	4.5
TESOL Approaches and Strategies	EDUC 5199	4.5
Critical Reflection on TESOL Practice	EDUC 5215	4.5

Rules & notes

Rules

1. Applicants who have completed a four-year Bachelor degree in Education, or equivalent Initial Teacher Education qualifications, e.g. Graduate Diploma in Education, Master of Teaching, or a four-year Bachelor degree with studies in educational methodology and curriculum equivalent to 18 units are eligible to enter the program with 0.5 EFTSL Advanced Standing in lieu of these courses and complete the program in 1.5 years of full-time study or equivalent part-time study.

2. Applicants who have completed a four-year Bachelor degree in Education and 2 years of teaching experience in an Australian educational setting, or equivalent Initial Teacher Education qualifications, e.g. Graduate Diploma in Education, Master of Teaching and 2 years of teaching experience in an Australian educational setting (early years, school, tertiary or vocational) are eligible to enter the program with 1.0 EFTSL (36 units) Advanced Standing in lieu of these courses and complete the program in 1 year of full-time study or equivalent part-time study.

3. Applicants who have completed a four-year Bachelor degree with studies in educational methodology and curriculum equivalent to 18 units and 2 years of teaching experience in an Australian educational setting (early years, school, tertiary or vocational) are eligible to enter the program with 1.0 EFTSL (36 units) Advanced Standing in lieu of these courses and complete the program in 1 year of full-time study or equivalent part-time study.

4. The Educational Leadership stream is available to students with at least five years of professional experience as an educator and assigned to a recognised leadership role in an educational setting.

5. Upon completion of the four foundational education courses/stream (18 units in total), students are eligible to exit with a Graduate Certificate in Education.

6. At the discretion of the Program Director, in addition to 1.0 EFTSL advanced standing, up to 9 units of credit may be awarded, based on AQF level 9 Education courses successfully completed as part of a UniSA degree, or a degree from a recognised institution for which a credit agreement exists.

Notes

1. Students are encouraged to select their electives from two of the listed streams, or one of the listed streams if a student has 1.0 EFTSL advanced standing. However, with PD approval, courses may be substituted with those from other recommended streams.