Admission criteria

To be considered for entry into this course, you must:

• Have completed a bachelor degree (AQF7) or equivalent in any discipline.

The University of Melbourne is committed to maintaining a transparent admissions policy by clearly communicating all entry scores to prospective students. Entry requirements to the University of Melbourne are regularly reviewed to ensure they align with the University's Selection and Admissions Policy. The entry requirements published for this course will apply from the start year 2027 intake onwards.

Where degree levels are referenced, levels align with the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). Applications are assessed against these standards.

Where our admission criteria includes a minimum Weighted Average Mark (WAM) and/or specific subject criteria, these are based on University of Melbourne grades and subjects. If you've studied elsewhere, we'll assess your relevant prior studies and equivalent grades. Your final WAM may be adjusted depending on your previous institution's accreditation, subject grading, and pass marks.

English language requirements

All applicants to the University of Melbourne must satisfy the English language requirements. This may be achieved in a number of ways, including recognised previous study taught and assessed entirely in English or an approved English language test. If you are from a non-English speaking background, the required standard of English for this degree is one of the following English proficiency test scores:

About selection

When assessing (and where relevant, ranking) applications, the Selection Committee will consider:

• Prior academic performance

The Selection Committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Selection and Admission Policy.

Meeting the minimum entry requirements for this course does not guarantee selection.

Additional information

Exit award information

Master of Education students who discontinue without completing the award may be eligible to apply for an exit award:

• Graduate Certificate in Education: Students who have successfully completed the first 50 credit points of study of the 200-credit point program will be eligible to receive the Graduate Certificate in Education as an exit award.
• Graduate Diploma in Educational Studies: Students who have successfully completed the prescribed first 100 credit points of study of the 200-credit point program will be eligible to receive the Graduate Diploma in Educational Studies as an exit award.

Graduate Access Melbourne (GAM)

We encourage domestic students to explore eligibility for Graduate Access Melbourne (GAM). GAM offers an opportunity for admission to this course even if your tertiary marks are below the standard entry requirements. GAM applicants may also be considered for financial bursaries and Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) where available.

GAM categories include coming from a rural area, being an Indigenous Australian, experiencing financial hardship or personal difficulties, having refugee status, or living with a disability or medical condition. In assessing applications, we look to balance opportunity and your capacity to succeed.

Advanced Standing

Prior studies may be credited towards your degree and potentially reduce the duration of your course. This is known as Advanced Standing (also known as credit or recognition of prior learning).

Successful applicants with the following may be granted up to 100 credit points of advanced standing:

• A bachelor honours degree (AQF8) or equivalent in Education, or
• A bachelor degree (AQF7) or equivalent in any discipline, and at least a graduate certificate (AQF8 or above) or equivalent in Education, or
• A bachelor degree (AQF7) or equivalent in Education or a cognate (relevant) discipline, and at least two years of documented relevant work experience, or
• A master degree (AQF9) or equivalent in any discipline and at least two years of documented relevant full-time relevant work experience.

Cognate disciplines include: Teaching (primary, secondary, or early Childhood), special education, educational psychology, STEM education, curriculum and pedagogy, TESOL/language and literacy, educational leadership or policy, social work (with an education or youth focus), youth work or community education, human development or child development, sociology or anthropology of education, Indigenous education, learning design/educational technology.

Relevant work experience may include (but is not limited to): School settings (primary, secondary, vocational), early childhood settings, special education, TAFE, higher education, learning designers, workplace educators, community-based educators, government education departments, education policy, education technology experience.

Applicants seeking advanced standing will need to submit a copy of their CV/resume when they apply.

For additional, in-depth details on entry requirements and admissions for this course, refer to the University Handbook.