- Duration 16 months
part time - Subjects 8 subjects
(100 credit points) - Fees $4,248 per 12.5
credit point subject* - Intakes August, October, January, March, May, July
Why study the online Master of Education with the University of Melbourne?
Become an agent of change
Transform education by becoming a leader who uses their expertise to address complex problems and prioritises wellbeing. Develop a sense of agency to immediately address challenges in sustaining staff, students and your education community.
Study with the #1 university in Australia for Education1
Benefit from expert-led contemporary learning as you prepare for the next phase of your career. Learn from world-leading academics whose expert opinions are sought after by governments to shape strategy and influence policy.
1QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
You’re in control
Wherever you are, you can take charge of your learning experience. Whether this means engaging live or when it suits you, taking breaks or accelerating, connecting with others or running your own race, you're in control – of your work, study and life.
Course highlights
- A truly flexible learning experience to fit your busy schedule
- Specialise in sought-after areas in education: Student Wellbeing and Educational Leadership
- Practical real-world applications embedded in every subject
- Learn from and be inspired by world-leading academics
- Curriculum designed to develop your expertise across both specialisations.
Learn from world-leading academics
Benefit from expert-led contemporary learning as you prepare for the next phase of your career. Engage with our world-leading academics whose opinions are sought after by government, shaping strategy and influencing policy.
Unlock access to the latest industry research to amplify your impact in your educational community.
Download your course guide to meet the experts behind the online curriculum at Australia’s #1 university for Education (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025).
Career outcomes
Strengthen your professional value and deepen your knowledge to achieve even greater impact. With a dual focus in wellbeing and leadership, the online Master of Education is perfect for those looking to upskill, specialise or transform their career and educational organisation.
This transformative qualification will prepare you for a variety of roles within the education sector, such as:
- Educational Policy Developer
- Head of Department/Faculty
- Head of Student Success
- Head of Student Wellbeing Programs
- Instructional Leader
- Principal or Deputy Principal
- Senior Wellbeing Adviser
- Wellbeing Specialist and Inclusion Coordinator
- Year Level Adviser.
Specialisations
With the choice of two sought-after areas in education, you can choose to specialise in either Educational Leadership or Student Wellbeing. You will study four core subjects aligned to your chosen specialisation, plus two electives from the alternate specialisation. Your studies will conclude with your Inquiry Capstone subject.
In this specialisation, you will gain the wisdom and strategies to evolve into an impactful leader. Master the art of influencing and communicating effectively with diverse stakeholders to tackle existing and emerging challenges in your educational community. Develop instantly transferable skills with hands-on learning designed to empower you to drive meaningful change. Understand the critical role of educational leadership in facilitating transformation and be one step closer to becoming the leader you’ve always aspired to be.
Subjects
- Developing Educational Leadership Skills
- Leadership for Learning
- Leading Educational Organisations
- Future Focused Educational Leadership
- Two electives chosen from Student Wellbeing specialisation
- Disciplined Inquiry Capstone.
In this specialisation, you will gain the knowledge to drive innovative wellbeing solutions in your school community. Utilise the latest research and gain access to world-leading academics to develop a repertoire of wellbeing approaches and leadership strategies to improve student success, address teacher burnout and create supportive learning environments. With practical applications built into each subject, you will gain instantly transferrable skills to impact academic and personal success at individual, school and system levels.
Subjects
- Communicating for Wellbeing
- Wellbeing Approaches and Frameworks
- Wellbeing Design in the Real World
- Leading Change for Wellbeing
- Two electives chosen from Educational Leadership specialisation
- Disciplined Inquiry Capstone.
Subjects of Study
The Master of Education online from the University of Melbourne is an eight-subject transformational qualification designed to support aspiring educational leaders in driving positive change.
The program provides you with advanced strategies needed to understand, identify and remedy existing and emerging educational challenges. Additionally, you will explore evidence-led techniques and global perspectives to design and implement strategies that foster responsive and respectful educational settings.
Educational Leadership specialisation
In this subject, you will explore the principles of self-leadership and practise the interpersonal skills that will equip you to lead inclusively within diverse educational organisations.
Educational Leadership specialisation
Explore local and global purposes of education, organisational culture, leadership for learning, evidence-based teaching and learning practices, future trends in schooling and leadership, and supporting teachers to develop their expertise throughout their careers.
Educational Leadership specialisation
Study the characteristics and qualities of successful educational leadership, key practices that underpin leadership and management, and the key interventions and capacity-building strategies necessary for establishing a successful educational organisation.
Educational Leadership specialisation
Learn the approaches, processes and skills necessary to manage the present while focusing on the future. You will be given the opportunity to apply this knowledge to your work setting or a provided case study.
Student Wellbeing specialisation
Be introduced to theories and communication skills which establish rapport with a diverse range of individuals for creating a positive, stimulating and safe culture within organisations.
Student Wellbeing specialisation
By engaging with contemporary research, theories and frameworks you will interrogate and reflect on your own perspectives and values regarding wellbeing and the ways in which wellbeing is understood for diverse learner perspectives.
Student Wellbeing specialisation
This subject examines the design, delivery, and evaluation of positive interventions and approaches to fostering wellbeing and other positive outcomes across a range of contexts, including educational settings, workplaces and in the local and global community.
Student Wellbeing specialisation
In this subject, you will use current research, practice and policy to recommend change approaches related to student wellbeing. This subject will prepare you to take a leadership role in the design, implementation and evaluation of wellbeing activities in schools and beyond.
Draw on theory, knowledge and skills developed through your degree to design and complete a project directly related to your own professional practice and/or within your area of specialisation. This subject is broken down into Part 1 and Part 2 and spans two online terms. You are to complete Disciplined Inquiry Capstone Part 1 and then continue with Disciplined Inquiry Capstone Part 2 in your following online term.
You’re in control of your learning experience
- Find freedom with the choice of how and where you study
- Have more control over your learning with the ability to take breaks from study when needed
- Receive ongoing one-on-one support from application through to graduation
- Access resources and support systems designed to help you succeed
- Experience personalised interactions from expert educators who value your development
- Gain a competitive edge with a recognised qualification from Australia’s top university (QS, 2025).
Find out more about the online experience at the University of Melbourne.
Entry requirements
In order to be considered for entry into this course, you must have:
- An accredited four-year undergraduate initial teacher education degree (or equivalent) or
- A bachelors degree in any discipline and an accredited postgraduate initial teacher education qualification (or equivalent) and
- At least two years relevant full-time work experience* (or part-time equivalent).
In addition to meeting these entry criteria, applicants must also provide a copy of their CV/resume.
Meeting these requirements does not guarantee selection.
In ranking applications, the Selection Committee will consider:
- Prior academic performance
- The CV or resume
- The professional experience.
*Relevant work experience may include: school settings (primary, secondary, vocational), early childhood settings, special education, TAFE, higher education, learning design, workplace educators, community-based educators, government education departments, education policy or education technology experience. Applicants are to submit a copy of their CV/resume.
Credit is not normally granted for studies completed more than ten years prior to the course commencement. You may be eligible for advanced standing if your previous studies are more than ten years prior to the course commencement on the basis of substantial, relevant and documented professional work experience where recent prior learning can be demonstrated. Further information is contained in the University of Melbourne Credit, Advanced Standing and Accelerated Entry Policy.
arrow_right_alt Download your course guide for more information
Fees and FEE-HELP
Cost per 12.5 credit point subject: $4,248*
FEE-HELP is a loan that can cover all or part of tuition fees for eligible students. The Australian Government pays the amount of the loan direct to the University. It enables you to borrow the amount of your tuition fees and then pay that loan back once you are in the workforce and earning at a specified level or you can make voluntary repayments to the ATO at any time.
For more information, including eligibility for FEE-HELP, download your Master of Education course guide.
* Fees are subject to annual review by the university, with any new rates effective from the beginning of each calendar year.
Josh's story
"Learning to be critical and applying the appropriate theory gave me the words and explanations I needed to describe what I have always felt about education in Australia. I feel like the education afforded to me at the faculty has empowered me to disrupt curriculum that has worked to silence Indigenous knowledges."
Josh Cubillo
Master of Education Alumni
Enquire and receive your course guide
Discover more information on our courses, including:
- Entry requirements
- Career outcomes
- Subject descriptions
- Fees and FEE-HELP.
Explore related courses on campus
Prefer face-to-face learning? Discover a range of on-campus courses available in your area of interest.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, to be considered for entry into the Master of Education, applicants must have an accredited initial teacher education degree and at least two years of relevant work experience.
No, the Master of Education online from the University of Melbourne is for existing education professionals and does not provide eligibility for registration to teach in Australian schools. If you would like to become a teacher, we recommend getting in touch with the on campus University of Melbourne Future Students Team.
Studying a Master of Education qualification will not guarantee you a pay rise. However, postgraduate study can make you a strong candidate for senior positions, often resulting in higher pay.
A Master of Education will provide you with the wisdom and skills to step into specialist or leadership roles within the education industry. With a dual focus on leadership and student wellbeing, you will have a holistic view of how to effectively shape initiatives to improve outcomes on an individual, school or system level.
The Master of Education online from the University of Melbourne offers two specialisations in sought-after areas of education for students to choose from. These are:
- Master of Education (Educational Leadership): in this specialisation, you will gain practical knowledge in adaptive leadership, strategic thinking and stakeholder management to help you become an impactful education leader
- Master of Education (Student Wellbeing): in this specialisation, you will acquire a repertoire of wellbeing approaches, deep understanding of educational policies, and strategies to cultivate nurturing and inclusive learning environments.
Yes. The Australian Education and Training industry is projected to grow over the next five years*, making it the ideal time to upskill and become a strong candidate for senior/specialist and leadership positions.
Yes, all classes are offered 100% online. Choose to tune in to lessons in real time or at a time that suits you, whether that is during your morning commute, on your lunch break, at your child’s weekly sports game or while meal prepping. We’ve made progressing in your career without having to hit pause on life more achievable and flexible.
You will take on one subject at a time, and we recommend dedicating a minimum of 15-20 hours per week to your studies. If you ever feel overwhelmed or need advice on how to balance study with your other commitments, our team of dedicated Student Success Advisers are here to help.