Master of Education – MEd

The Master of Education will update your professional knowledge and research skills while exploring new developments and changes in education.

Type of qualification

Master's degree

Level of study

Postgraduate study

Once you’ve graduated with a bachelor’s degree – or have equal experience – you can study at the postgraduate level. Doctoral qualifications require additional entry requirements.

More about study levels

NZQF level 9

Our courses follow the New Zealand Qualification Framework (NZQF) levels.

Find out more about NZQF levels

Time to complete

2 years (minimum) part-time (180 credits). Not available for full-time study.
Up to 5 years part-time

International students

International students are not New Zealand citizens or residents.

Definition of New Zealand citizens and residents

Open to international students studying online from outside New Zealand

Study a Master of Education – MEd

Stay up to date with the latest education knowledge

Massey uses an enquiry-based and inter-professional learning model that results in high-quality, contemporary learning and teaching experiences. This can immediately be applied in your own setting. Our Master of Education offers the largest number of endorsements of any postgraduate degree of its kind in New Zealand. Alternatively, you may want to follow an unendorsed pathway where you can choose from any of the courses in the endorsement areas or the elective schedule.

Flexible study to suit you

You’ll benefit from a range of distance and blended-learning delivery options that provide flexible learning opportunities regardless of your location.

Learn from highly qualified, well-regarded teachers who are supportive and provide a high level of pastoral care. We use a variety of technologies to personalise your experience and provide an anywhere, anytime learning environment.

Advance through your studies

The Master of Education is a 180-credit degree and can be completed in 2 years of part-time study.

Join us in promoting the scholarship of teaching and learning.

Note: The Master of Education does not qualify you to be a teacher.

A MEd is a good fit if you:

  • have a degree and some professional teaching experience
  • want to engage at the cutting edge of educational thought and practice
  • have an education topic that you would like to explore through research.

Entry requirements

Admission to Massey

All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.

Specific requirements

To enter the Master of Education you will have been awarded or qualified for:

  • the Bachelor of Education with a grade average in the highest level courses of at least a B, or equivalent, or
  • any other bachelor’s degree with a grade average in the highest level courses of at least a B, or equivalent, and hold a professional qualification in teaching, or
  • any other bachelor’s degree with a grade average in the highest level courses of at least a B, or equivalent, and have professional experience relevant to the intended postgraduate subject, or
  • a Postgraduate Diploma in Education, or equivalent, with a grade average across all courses of at least B (coursework pathway) or at least a B+ (research pathway).

If you do not have a Bachelor of Education or equivalent, you will need to supply a copy of your curriculum vitae (CV). Your CV should show some leadership/management experience in an educational environment (e.g. Special Education Needs Coordinator (SENCO), Syndicate Leader, Nursing Programme Leader at a Polytechnic, Training Manager in a Hospital, Private Training Organisation (PTO) Team Leader, Head of Human Resources in an educational environment, etc).

If you have a Postgraduate Diploma in Education from Massey University as outlined above, you may apply for credit towards Part One of the qualification.

You will need to provide copies of all official academic transcripts for studies taken at all universities other than Massey University.

Research and coursework pathway

When you apply, you will choose either a research pathway or a coursework pathway

If you intend to do the research pathway (thesis) you will need to provide a short summary of your research interests (200 words or less) with your application.

English language requirements

To study this qualification you must meet Massey University's English language standards.

Time limits for Honours, Distinction and Merit

Where your qualification is completed within the stated time limit and to a high standard, you may be able to graduate with Distinction or Merit. 

Prior learning, credit and exemptions

For information on prior learning, exemptions and transfer of credit or other questions:

English language skills

If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, see our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses.

Maximum time limits for completion

There are maximum time limits to complete postgraduate qualifications. If you do not complete within the maximum time, you may be required to re-apply for the qualification programme if you wish to continue your studies.

Official regulations

To understand what you need to study and must complete to graduate read the official rules and regulations for this qualification.

You should read these together with all other relevant Statutes and Regulations of the University including the General Regulations for Postgraduate Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas, and Postgraduate Certificates.

Returning students

For returning students, there may be changes to the majors and minors available and the courses you need to take. Go to the section called ‘Transitional Provisions’ in the Regulations to find out more.

In some cases the qualification or specialisation you enrolled in may no longer be taking new enrolments, so may not appear on these web pages. To find information on the regulations for these qualifications go to the Massey University Calendar.

Please contact us through the Get advice button on this page if you have any questions.

Structure of the Master of Education

The Master of Education is a parts-based qualification. That means you must complete the first part before moving to the second.

If you are planning your Part One courses for the Research pathway, you will need to pass only one 15 credit research methods course, not two, as indicated in the entry requirements for the thesis (267881 Thesis Part 1 or 267880 Thesis). The entry requirements for the thesis are being updated.

Coursework (Professional Inquiry) pathway

To progress to Part Two you must achieve a minimum B grade average in the first 120 credits of courses.

The Master of Education professional pathway is not available for full-time study. It will take two years of part-time study due to the sequencing of compulsory courses and professional inquiry. 

Research (thesis) pathway

To progress to Part Two you must achieve a minimum B+ grade average in the first 90 credits of courses.

Advanced entry

If you have completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Education you may may apply for credit towards Part One of the qualification.

Courses and specialisations

Key terms

Courses
Each qualification has its own specific set of courses. Some universities call these papers. You enrol in courses after you get accepted into Massey.
Course code
Each course is numbered using 6 digits. The fourth number shows the level of the course. For example, in course 219206, the fourth number is a 2, so it is a 200-level course (usually studied in the second year of full-time study).
Credits
Each course is worth a number of credits. You combine courses (credits) to meet the total number of credits needed for your qualification.
Specialisations
Some qualifications let you choose what subject you'd like to specialise in. Your major or endorsement is what you will take the majority of your courses in.

Credit summary

MEd with specialisation

180 credits

Coursework Pathway

  • Part One core course – 15 credits
  • Part One research methods course – 15 credits
  • Part One subject courses – At least 60 credits
  • Part One electives selected from the Schedule – 30 credits
  • Part Two professional inquiry – 60 credits

Research Pathway

  • Part One core course – 15 credits
  • Part One research methods course – 15 credits
  • Part One subject courses – 60 credits
  • Part Two thesis 90 credits

MEd without specialisation

180 credits

Coursework Pathway

  • Part One core course – 15 credits
  • Part One research methods course – 15 credits
  • Courses from Part One of the Schedule – 90 credits
  • Part Two professional inquiry – 60 credits

Research Pathway

  • Part One core course – 15 credits
  • Part One research methods course – 15 credits
  • Courses from Part One of the Schedule – 60 credits
  • Part Two thesis 90 credits

A specialisation (subject) is optional. Subjects include Part Two courses, and require 120 credits for the coursework pathway, or 150 credits for the research pathway.

Advanced entry: Those who have already completed specified qualifications in advance of the minimum entry requirements and have been granted credit for it, may be able to complete this degree in 60 - 120 credits.

This is a parts-based qualification. This means there are regulations around your completion of Part One before progressing to Part Two, etc.

Course planning key

Prerequisites
Courses that need to be completed before moving onto a course at the next level. For example, a lot of 200-level courses have 100-level prerequisite courses.
Corequisites
Courses that must be completed at the same time as another course are known as corequisite courses.
Restrictions
Some courses are restricted against each other because their content is similar. This means you can only choose one of the offered courses to study and credit to your qualification.

Part One

Core Course

Course code: 254710 Ruia taitea: Transforming Education 15 credits

This course introduces students to critical issues of education within a neo-colonial, settler society. Students examine key concepts such as social justice, cultural location, and the collective wellbeing in the context of education in Aotearoa New Zealand.

View full course details

Research Methods courses (Choose 15 credits from)

Choose 15 credits from
Course code: 267721 Research Methodologies in Education 15 credits

An advanced study of quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods research design in education. Theoretical and practical issues of research are studied under three course themes: context for research, research designs, data collection and analysis.

View full course details
Course code: 267741 Indigenous Research Methodologies 15 credits

A study of Māori research frameworks, philosophies and processes and an examination of their contribution to the growing body of indigenous scholarship as relevant to educational settings.

Restrictions: 267790

View full course details

Subjects

Some qualifications let you choose what subject you'd like to specialise in. Your major or endorsement is what you will take the majority of your courses in.

You may enrol in this qualification with or without a specialisation.

 

Elective courses

Course code: 253753 Guidance in Education 30 credits

A study of guidance in educational settings. Attention is given to the philosophical foundations of guidance, its social implications, organisation and roles. Intervention procedures for individuals and groups are examined.

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Course code: 254744 Pacific Peoples and Education in New Zealand 30 credits

A critical examination of current issues in education which affect Pacific Islands peoples in New Zealand. Students will consider the place of Pacific Islands peoples in New Zealand society and design strategies for meeting their educational needs within specified professional fields of interest.

View full course details
Course code: 263704 Advanced Studies in Motivation and Learning 30 credits

A study of learning and the applications of national and international theory and research within learning contexts with an emphasis on contemporary learning themes.

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Course code: 263705 Assessment for Learning and Teaching 30 credits

Contemporary New Zealand and international assessment theory, practice and policy are examined and critiqued with application for educators in their learning context.

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Course code: 269735 Mana Kura: Leadership in Māori Education 30 credits

A critical examination of traditional and contemporary forms of Māori professional, personal and cultural leadership and the role of iwi, community and tribal organisations in educational governance.

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Course code: 276731 STEM in Education and Society 30 credits

Students will develop scholarship, engagement, and teaching in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

View full course details

Part Two

Research Pathway (Choose 90 credits from)

Choose 90 credits from
Course code: 267880 Thesis 90 credits

Course enables students to conduct and report research using academic research conventions.

Prerequisites: Two of 267740, 267741, 267782, 267783 Restrictions: 180791, 180898, 186894, 267881, 267882

View full course details
Course code: 267881 Thesis 90 Credit Part 1 45 credits

Course enables students to conduct and report research using academic research conventions.

Prerequisites: Two of 267740, 267741, 267782, 267783; all of 249744, 258722, 256754, 256755 and 267781 for MEdPsych Restrictions: 180897, 186891, 186892, 186893, 187892, 267880

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Course code: 267882 Thesis 90 Credit Part 2 45 credits

Course enables students to conduct and report research using academic research conventions.

Corequisites: 267881 Restrictions: 267880

View full course details

Coursework Pathway (Choose 60 credits from)

Choose 60 credits from
Course code: 267860 Professional Inquiry 60 credits

An advanced analysis of a significant professional situation to which a proposed solution is applied and evaluated, based on a critique of educational theory and literature.

Prerequisites: One of 267740, 267782, 267783 or 267741 Corequisites: N/A

View full course details

Fees and scholarships

Fees, student loans and free fees scheme

Your tuition fees may be different depending on the courses you choose. Your exact fees will show once you have chosen your courses.

There will also be some compulsory non-tuition fees and for some courses, there may also be charges for things such as study resources, software, trips and contact workshops.

Already know which courses you're going to choose?

You can view fees for the courses that make up your qualification on the course details pages.

Student loans (StudyLink) and Fees Free scheme

You may be eligible for a student loan to help towards paying your fees.

The New Zealand Government offers fees-free tertiary study for eligible domestic students. Find out more about the scheme and your eligibility on the Fees Free website. To use the site's eligibility checking tool, you will need your National Student Number.

Current and returning Massey students can find their National Student Number in the student portal.

Fees disclaimer

This information is for estimation purposes only. Actual fees payable will be finalised on confirmation of enrolment. Unless otherwise stated, all fees shown are quoted in New Zealand dollars and include Goods and Services Tax, if any. Before relying on any information on these pages you should also read the University's Disclaimer Notice.

Careers and job opportunities

You will enhance and advance your career, depending on your specialisation, in areas such as:

  • education settings
  • TESOL settings
  • Kaiwhakaako Māori
  • special education
  • professional training and development roles within organisations (e.g. teaching hospitals, businesses, community organisations, libraries)
  • leadership roles in centres/schools and post-school settings
  • learning and instructional design
  • research and policy development.

Accreditations and rankings

QS Ranking - Education

Massey is ranked in the world's top 250 universities for education in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings.

Learn more