Master of Instructional Leadership
Course code: MC-INSLEAD
February, July
Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) available
Access Melbourne is available
February, July
AUD $52,000 (2026 indicative first year fee)
IELTS 6.5: with no band less than 6.0
Career outcomes
Overview
Your future career starts at Melbourne
Enhance your career in education with new specialist knowledge in instructional leadership. The rigorous research-led approach will allow you to practically apply what you learn, ensuring holistic understanding and skill development.
Key career outcomes
- Advance into a higher leadership role in education. With a uniquely evidence-based focus on instructional leadership, this course from Australia’s top university will grant you the skills, knowledge, and reputation to accelerate your career as an instructional leader.
- Develop strong connections with community and industry. Through your education studies and research projects, you will develop strong professional and personal connections with community and industry that will open doors to an outstanding future.
- Consider research. Take the research option in second year to start building research skills and expertise, and continue on to a PhD or other graduate research.
Where can instructional leadership take you?
A Master of Instructional Leadership can lead to roles like:
- School principal
- Assistant principal
- System leader.
The skills and knowledge you’ll gain in the program can also be applicable to roles in other areas, such as the following:
- Government services such as children’s services coordination and education policy
- Health services such as youth wellbeing services
- Education services such as assessment and evaluation services
- Regulatory authorities such as quality regulation and assessment.
Career support
Plan and achieve your goals with our career support services. Access these services to build your confidence and improve your career readiness while studying.
Support includes:
- Personalised career consultations
- Workshops on resume writing, LinkedIn optimisation, and interview skills
- Access to an exclusive job portal connecting students to industry opportunities
- Networking events with alumni and professionals.
Industry connections
Develop strong professional and personal connections with community and industry that will open doors to an outstanding future.
- Meet experts and hear about the latest developments in the field with world-renowned researchers as teaching staff and guest lecturers.
- Build professional networks and develop connections within your cohort and within the University of Melbourne’s acclaimed Faculty of Education.
- Pursue the final-year research option to start building networks in your area of interest, and as a stepping stone to graduate research.
Hear from alumni
“The way I would describe it is that I felt like I started the course as the school leadership equivalent of a really great home cook but left the course as someone who could run a commercial kitchen.”
— Deborah Letcher, Master of Instructional Leadership
Whilst studying for the Master of Instructional Leadership, Deborah changed roles twice in areas directly related to the area of educational leadership. She reflects that the study she was doing at the time was largely responsible for her being ready for those new positions. Deborah found her studies to be flexible around her full-time leadership responsibilities and the on-campus intensives to be stimulating and engaging.
Further study
Make a difference through graduate research
Build on your masters qualification to pursue a graduate research degree. Supported by a globally connected research community, you’ll collaborate with supervisors, experts and peers who share your passion for discovery and impact.
Through regular connection with peers, researchers and our global network of industry partners, you’ll develop strong connections with community and industry that open the door to an outstanding future.