University of Canberra
Master of Education (Leadership) Online
- Delivery: Online
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 18 months
- Course Type: Master's
Empower growth and further your impact in education.
Course overview
Whether you’re looking to further your impact inside or outside the classroom, the 100% online Master of Education (Leadership) will give you the confidence and credibility to advance your career in education. By deepening your understanding of contemporary education and developing your leadership and managerial skills, you will be able to identify, problem-solve and implement an effective strategy that encompasses inclusion and wellbeing, learning, teaching and curriculum to cultivate positive learning environments that celebrate the unique needs of its staff and students.
Gain a people-first leadership perspective, study 100% online and accelerated to fit around your life and work, build upon your experience and develop your professional authority in modern education, gain a toolkit to respond to contemporary challenges in education, focus on inclusion and wellbeing in educational contexts, add instant value to your career through authentic practice assessments, experience dedicated support at every stage and start anytime with intakes open every two months.
Key facts
6th July, 2026
31st August, 2026
26th October, 2026
What you will study
The Master of Education (Leadership) has four core units and four specialised leadership units, which will make up your specialisation.
Core units
- Educational Research Foundations
- Inclusion in Education
- Wellbeing in Education
- Professional Practice Capstone
Leadership specialisation units
- Education Leadership and Change
- Leading, Learning, Teaching and Curriculum
- Leading and Developing Educators
- Educational Management and Administration
Entry requirements
To be eligible for the Master of Education (Leadership), applicants must have one of the following:
- Current registration as a teacher at a proficient level or higher with an Australian regulatory authority/registration authority or;
- A three-year undergraduate degree in Education or a relevant field as approved by the University of Canberra and at least three years' FTE professional experience in education or;
- Graduate and/or postgraduate education qualifications as approved by the University of Canberra.
English language requirements
You can demonstrate your proficiency in a number of ways, including through an approved English language test or recognised past study taught and assessed in English.
The Master of Education (Leadership) requires an overall IELTS Academic score (or equivalent) of 6.5, with no band score below 6.0.
Contact the university or visit its website for more information.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Master of Education students may receive a maximum of four units of RPL (12 credit points), which will be assessed based on their previous post-graduate studies (at a matching AQF and CPL level) and on advice from the Program Director. Applications need to be made through the Program Director.
Contact the university or visit its website for more information.
Outcomes
Career outcomes
A Master of Education (Leadership) from the University of Canberra will unlock your professional authority in modern education. Preparing you for the next step of your career, graduate outcomes include, but are not limited to:
- Curriculum Coordinator or Specialist
- Deputy Principal
- Early Childhood Director
- Education Assessment Specialist
- Educational Policy Developer
- Executive Principal
- Executive Teacher
- Head of Department or Faculty
- Principal
- School Leader
- School Policy Adviser or Developer
- Student Wellbeing Manager
- Year Adviser
Fees and FEE-HELP
Indicative cost per unit in 2026: $2,956.25 (domestic full-fee paying place)
Indicative total cost in 2026: $23,650 (domestic full-fee paying place)
All costs are calculated using current rates and are based on a study load of eight units.
Student fees may vary in accordance with:
- The number of units studied per term.
- The choice of major or specialisation.
- Choice of units.
- Credit from previous study or work experience.
- Eligibility for government-funded loans.
You may also need to pay the student services and amenities fee.
Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.
FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying domestic students with the cost of a university course.
Who You Will Learn From
Dr Janet Smith
Master of Education Course Director
The University of Canberra’s online Master of Education and Graduate Certificate in Education courses have been designed to provide teachers with ideal practical professional development and career-building opportunities, allowing them to shape their future education/professional pathways and enhance their skills and knowledge.
Dr Ilyse Resnick
Associate Professor
Spatial reasoning is a foundational aspect across the STEM disciplines. Importantly, spatial reasoning skills can be learned and improved. When educators are prepared with strong spatial reasoning skills and spatial tools to teach spatial reasoning and related STEM content, students’ STEM learning improves.
Dr Bernard Brown
Senior Lecturer in Education
While much attention has been given to improving teachers’ capacity in recent years, the role of school leadership remains fundamental to achieving enhanced educational outcomes for all students. For educational leaders, the ongoing acquisition of knowledge about leadership practice and the application of that knowledge is crucial.
Murray Campbell
Lecturer in Education, Educational Consultant, Expert Educational Leader and Practitioner
Today’s modern educational leader needs to understand their role as a leader of people, of systems, of learning, whilst being able to champion the needs of their students within an environment that is increasingly volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous. The University of Canberra’s online Master of Education and Graduate Certificate in Education courses provide educators with the opportunity to build their capacity to lead effectively in such times.