Deep dive into an area of education
Take your degree and experience in education to the next level and become an expert in your area of interest. Build on what you already know and apply it to your own practice.
The Master of Education (MEd) gives educators, policy makers, and professionals in related fields the chance to study in their area of interest.
Tailor your focus to a subject relevant to your learning and career goals, or select one of the majors to shape your coursework.
Who can study for this qualification
The MEd suits teachers returning to study, people working in education, as well as those looking to change career or enhance their career prospects.
To apply to study an MEd, you’ll need either:
- a Bachelor’s degree in Education, Psychology, Teacher Education, or a related area
- a recognised teacher-education degree
- a Bachelor’s degree and a teaching qualification approved by the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand.
What you’ll learn
Within the MEd you can choose to major in a specific area, tailoring your courses to that subject. Choosing a major is optional, but it may help you find the courses that best suit your interests and career goals.
We have courses in:
- Educational Leadership
- Education Policy
- Māori Education
- Pacific Education
- Teaching and Learning.
How you’ll study
Flexible ways to study
Complete the MEd either by coursework or by a combination of coursework and a thesis or dissertation. Most students complete the MEd part time while they are working. You can also study full time.
Each MEd course is either:
- online
- on campus, with weekly scheduled classes
- blended, with online learning mixed with campus classes that you may be able to join from a distance.
Part-time study workload
Part-time domestic students doing two 15-point courses or one 30-point course per trimester will need to do around 20 hours of study a week. Make sure you take this into account if you are working.
Other postgraduate study options
You don’t have to go straight into a Master’s. You can study towards your MEd using staircasing options.
- The Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCertEd) can be your first step into postgraduate study.
- The PGCertEd leads to the Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDipEd).
- The PGDipEd then leads to the MEd.
If you enrol in the Master’s programme but don’t complete it, you may be able to graduate with the Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma.
Why Wellington
Take advantage of Wellington’s access to policy and education leaders. The capital city is home to government agencies, education organisations, and national decision-makers, so you can connect with people shaping education in New Zealand. You’ll also get a clear view of how education policy is made and put into practice.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for domestic students
- Requirements for students who completed university in:
If you live in New Zealand and are a citizen or permanent resident of New Zealand or Australia, you're considered a domestic student.
Some citizens of the Cook Islands, Niue, and Tokelau may automatically hold New Zealand citizenship.
Diplomatic residents living in New Zealand are also regarded as domestic students.
To be accepted into this qualification, you need:
1. (a) Before enrolment, a candidate for the MEd degree shall have:
(i) completed at an appropriate level (normally the equivalent of a B average) a Bachelor’s degree with a major in Education, Psychology, Teacher Education or a related discipline, or a Bachelor’s degree and teaching qualification approved by the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand, or, at the discretion of the Associate Dean (Academic), an equivalent qualification; and
(ii) been accepted by the associate dean.
(b) Requirement (a)(i) may be waived by the associate dean for a candidate who has completed a Bachelor’s degree and has produced evidence of sufficient educational training and experience to proceed with the proposed course of study.
Your acceptance into this programme is based on your previous qualifications and experience.
Qualification requirements
Excerpt from the regulations for the MEd
2. The course of study for the MEd shall comprise:
(a) Research Methods in Education (EDUC 503); and
(b) A further 150 points from the Schedule to the Med
(c) To enrol in Dissertation (EDUC 585) or 590, students are required to have achieved an average grade of B or above for all postgraduate coursework and have completed Research Methods in Education (EDUC 503) with a B+ or better.
(d) A candidate who has been awarded the Postgraduate Diploma in Education shall abandon that qualification upon being awarded the Master of Education.
3. A candidate who has completed a BA(Hons) in Education or the BEd(Hons) may complete the MEd by completing Research Methods in Education (EDUC 503) and either Thesis (EDUC 590) or a further 90 points from the Schedule to the MEd regulations.
4. A candidate shall complete the degree within six years of first enrolling in it. The associate dean may extend the maximum period in special cases.
Subjects in the MEd
Majors are the subjects you focus your degree on.
Explore more degree options by adding an optional second major or minor. How our flexible degrees work.
Subjects and requirements
Explore your major options below.
MEd subjects
Child & Adolescent Development and Learning
Education Policy
Educational Leadership
Educational Policy
Māori Education
Pacific Education
Teaching and Learning
No matching majors found.
Qualification support and advice
We can help you match your interests and career goals with the right supervisor.
Research an area that interests you
You can explore an area of education that interests you by choosing either a coursework pathway or a combination of coursework and a thesis or dissertation. This allows you to develop knowledge in a particular area either through taught courses alone or by completing a thesis or dissertation alongside your coursework.
You could choose areas like:
- international education
- educational policy and leadership
- youth development
- Māori, Pacific, and Indigenous education.
You could also examine sustainability and the environment in education, develop expertise in evaluation and assessment, or build skills for teaching bilingual students in mainstream centres and schools.
Future careers
MEd graduates have skills that are valuable in social services, learning and development in the education sector, and elsewhere.
More career information
Find out more about careers in education.
The government careers website, Tahatū, offers more information about jobs, salaries, and current opportunities.
Scholarships
You may be able to get a scholarship to help fund your studies.
We have postgraduate and doctoral scholarships available, as well as specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas. If nothing fits right now, something may suit you later.
We encourage you to apply. It’s a straightforward process, and it could make a real difference.
Scholarships in Education
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This scholarship has been established by a gift from Autism New Zealand to further its mission to empower the autistic and wider autism communities. The scholarship is designed to support Education and Educational Psychology Master’s by thesis students to undertake research evaluating early support for Autistic children.
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This scholarship is open to any undergraduate or postgraduate student who is currently enrolled full-time in a degree majoring in Education. The scholarship will be awarded on the basis of academic merit, but where more than one top applicant consideration will be given to applicants experiencing financial hardship.
Scholarships for international students
We are currently offering a NZ$10,000 VUW Postgraduate International Scholarship to all eligible international students enrolling in a Master’s degree or Postgraduate Diploma programme.
Your scholarship will be processed automatically when your programme application is accepted, and the amount will be deducted from your tuition fees.
Other scholarships
We also have postgraduate and doctoral scholarships available, as well as specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas. If nothing fits right now, something may suit you later.
We encourage you to apply. It’s a straightforward process, and it could make a real difference.
Scholarships in Education
-
This scholarship has been established by a gift from Autism New Zealand to further its mission to empower the autistic and wider autism communities. The scholarship is designed to support Education and Educational Psychology Master’s by thesis students to undertake research evaluating early support for Autistic children.
-
This scholarship is open to any undergraduate or postgraduate student who is currently enrolled full-time in a degree majoring in Education. The scholarship will be awarded on the basis of academic merit, but where more than one top applicant consideration will be given to applicants experiencing financial hardship.
Join our postgraduate community
The Postgraduate Students’ Association provides a voice for you on campus and information on studying at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
Postgraduate Students’ Association
MAI ki Pōneke
MAI ki Pōneke are part of an international network of Māori and Indigenous postgraduate students. They provide advice, support, and information to Indigenous postgraduate students of all levels, as well as those thinking about enrolling.
Further research or study
If you do well in your Master’s degree, and show an aptitude for advanced research, you’ll be able to apply to do a PhD.
You’ll carry out original and sustained research under supervision from world-class academics in the Wellington School of Business and Government.
As a PhD candidate, you’ll also be supported by the Faculty of Graduate Research.
Academic staff research areas
Sue Cherrington
Professor
Carmen Dalli
Head of School
Vanessa Green
Professor of Education
Linda Hogg
Senior Lecturer
Judith Loveridge
Deputy Head of School, Education
Sandi McCutcheon
Senior Lecturer
Hiria McRae
Associate Dean, Maori
Jenny Ritchie
Professor
Kabini Sanga
Associate Professor
Kate Thornton
Associate Professor
Get help to manage your finances
We can help you:
- budget your money
- manage your student loan or allowance
- work out your accommodation payment schedule.
If you’re facing financial difficulties, we can help you apply for the Hardship Fund.
You may be eligible for government or community support, too.
Apply for a New Zealand study visa
You’ll need to apply for a study visa if you plan to study with us as an international student.
You should apply for your visa after you’ve received your Offer of Place, and before you come to New Zealand.