Key facts

Entry requirements

Entry is based on a Bachelor of Education or equivalent, graduate certificate or graduate diploma in a relevant discipline with relevant research preparation, or a Master of Education with GPA, other qualifications, or relevant experience.

View full entry requirements
Duration
  • 2 years full-time
  • Up to 4 years part-time
Fees
  • International
  • Research Training Program
View more fees information
CRICOS code
  • 008627M
Start Dates and Campus
Research Period 1Research Period 2
OnlineOfferedOffered
Armidale CampusOfferedOffered
Sydney CampusNot OfferedNot Offered

Course information

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Expand your knowledge of contemporary education while making a substantial and original contribution to an academic field of knowledge. With a focus on the challenges and opportunities facing the education profession today, UNE’s Master of Education (Research) provides you with the opportunity to build on your expertise and develop advanced research skills with the support and guidance of our renowned School of Education. Future proof your career in education with advanced research skills, specialist knowledge and transferable skills in communication, thought leadership and critical analysis.

Why study the Master of Education (Research) with UNE?

Take advantage of the strong research culture of UNE and produce independent research of the highest calibre with the Master of Education (Research) at UNE.

Our world-class academic staff have diverse research interests in a wide range of education disciplines including eLearning, ePedagogy and Innovation, Equity and Diversity, Languages and Literacies, Learning and Assessment, and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

This degree equips you with the advanced knowledge and skills to make an impactful contribution to the education profession in an academic environment that is renowned for its support, flexibility and research excellence.

What makes our course different?

When you study the Master of Education (Research) at UNE, you will have the opportunity to:

  • Position yourself at the forefront of innovation and adaptation in contemporary education, with cutting-edge training in contemporary educational research, guided by UNE's vibrant research-led community who aim to achieve a high standard of excellence in learning, research and supervision.
  • Build an expert understanding of your chosen academic field of knowledge, grounded in contemporary developments in education and research.
  • Expand your skills as an independent researcher, working on your own findings to contribute new insights to the educational profession and academic field.
  • Hone your skills in evaluating ideas and making informed judgements on complex issues in education, also expanding your understanding of the social and cultural importance of educational work.
  • Complete your degree online to balance your research with work, family life and other commitments.

If you are an Australian or New Zealand student and meet the criteria for entry to the Master of Education (Research), you may be funded under the Australian Government’s Research Training Program (RTP) and may not incur tuition fees for the duration of the course. If you are an international student, you will incur tuition fees.

Internal funding is available to support research projects and UNE offers a range of scholarships for Higher Degree Research students.

Study online

Most of our students choose to study online across three study periods with 24/7 tutor support* and fit study around work and family commitments. Uniquely, our online students are mostly over 30 and bring valuable experience with them. They form a community of adults juggling the same challenges and priorities and who bring their life and work experience together at UNE in order to become future-fit and better respond to a rapidly changing world.

Study on campus

Many of our students choose to take advantage of the on-campus lifestyle in Armidale, in the beautiful New England region, with access to unparalleled support, accommodation and sporting facilities. These students are often starting their first degree and have left school recently. Through access to academic and career support they get a fantastic start to their careers.

* 24/7 tutor support includes: essay feedback (within 24 hours); live chat 24/7 for generic feedback on academic writing; and subject-specific help at a foundation or first-year level for subjects including mathematics, chemistry, biology, physics, business, accounting, microeconomics, macroeconomics and statistics. There are also a wide range of workshops, resources and courses available in academic skills support to assist you and help you to succeed.

Entry requirements

To be eligible to apply for this course you must meet one of the following entry requirements:

  • You have completed one of the following qualifications with a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 5.0:
    • Bachelor qualification (AQF Level 7 or overseas equivalent) in Education.
    • Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma (AQF Level 8 or overseas equivalent) in a relevant discipline. You must also have had adequate relevant preparation since graduation.*
    • Master of Education (AQF Level 9 or overseas equivalent).
  • Adequate preparation for candidature may be satisfied by means of other qualifications and/or relevant experience but must be assessed and approved by the Head of School of relevant delegate.

Eligibility for admission is reviewed by the Associate Dean Research (ADR) or delegate.  

The Director Graduate Research has final authority for approving admission to research higher degrees. 

 All admissions are subject to the HDR Admission and Enrolment Policy.  

All applicants must meet the English Language Requirements for all Higher Degree by Research candidates (see English Language Requirements higher than the University Minimum Annex). 

* Adequate relevant preparation may be gained through an approved academic course, professional training, work experience or peer reviewed publications.

See our Glossary for help with university terms.

These requirements are in addition to the entry requirements above.

English Language Requirements

When applying you may be required to show how you satisfy the English Language Requirements for this course.

International applicants, please note: You may also need to show evidence of your English language proficiency to the Department of Home Affairs if you are applying for a Student Visa.

Intensive Schools

Mandatory intensive schools on campus may be a requirement of some of the units in this course. Please see the UNE Course Handbook for the specific requirements of each unit.

Some courses require you to provide documentary evidence, or interviews to support your application. The following documents are required to support your application:

  • Previous qualifications documentation. You must provide a certified/notarised copy of your official transcript(s) and certificate(s) for all previous secondary and tertiary study. You do not need to provide transcripts for any previous study completed at UNE. For information on getting your documents certified/notarised, please refer to our Document Certification Guidelines.
  • Evidence of supervision. You must provide evidence that at least one UNE academic staff member has agreed to support your application/supervise your research. For example, email communication with your proposed supervisor.
  • Research proposal. You must submit a research proposal which you will complete in consultation with your potential supervisor. Your proposal must not be longer than three A4 pages. Please refer to the HDR Application Guidelines for the suggested format.
  • Referee reports. You must nominate two people (preferably external to UNE) who can testify to your academic achievements. You will need to contact your referees prior to lodging your application and request that they complete the online HDR Referee Report form. UNE cannot request these reports on your behalf.
  • Proof of identity and citizenship. All documents provided must be a certified/notarised copy. Australian citizens must provide a birth certificate, passport or citizenship certificate. New Zealand citizens must provide a passport and visa. Australian Permanent Residents must provide a passport and visa, and the date you became a permanent resident. International applicants must provide a passport, and evidence of the country you hold citizenship in; for example, a foreign government identity card.
  • Evidence of English Language Requirements satisfied. If you have completed a UNE-approved English test within the past two years, please provide a copy of the test results with your application.

Advanced Standing is credit or recognition of your previous study, work and/or life experience. This can reduce the cost and length of your studies.

You can apply for Advanced Standing for coursework already completed as part of other qualifications. The relevant Associate Dean Research or delegate will assess and approve Advanced Standing as part of your admission to candidature. 

Fees and scholarships

How much will it cost?

Estimated fees for your first year of study in this course are:

Fee typeCost
International
$28,762*
Research Training Program
$0*
Estimated amenities fee per year if studying full-time$351
*For more information, visit our Research Training Program page. Please note that International fees are a guide only and will vary depending on the discipline you are applying for. Please visit our Visa and Fees page for more details.

Scholarships

Scholarships are available for both Domestic and International Higher Degree Research (HDR) Students. HDR scholarships can include funding for many things including tuition fees, living allowance stipends, relocation, travel and research specific projects. There are also targeted scholarships for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.

HDR Scholarships are confidential and the application process is free. Please visit the HDR scholarships webpage for current scholarship opportunities.

Your career

Career outcomes

This degree will advance your career and options to undertake further study in a variety of ways. For example:

  • a pathway which may lead directly to a Doctoral program
  • professional enrichment as an educator and education decision-maker
  • moving into a leadership position in education.
Other career information

This course aims to provide professional educators with specialised knowledge and skills for professional practice, scholarship, research and/or further learning.

Course outcomes

The Master of Education (Research) provides a program of independent, supervised research for high calibre graduates to make a substantial and original contribution to scholarship and mastery of an academic field of knowledge. The Master of Education (Research) is designed so graduates will undertake supervised study of which two thirds will be devoted to research, research training and independent study.
  1. exhibit a mastery of an Education field of knowledge by: (a) having systematically acquired intellectual skill and experience that is grounded in contemporary developments in an Education field; (b) creating and communicating scholarship of a quality to satisfy peer review, extending the frontier of the field of knowledge and potentially meriting publication; and (c) demonstrating knowledge of research principles and methods applicable in advanced academic inquiry;
  2. conduct research independently and systematically by: (a) conceptualising, designing and implementing a project which will increase knowledge that is applicable or contributes new insights to an Education field; (b) evaluating ideas and making informed judgements on complex issues or challenges in the education field of specialisation; and (c) communicating ideas, methodologies and conclusions clearly and effectively to specialist and non-specialist audiences; and
  3. be accountable for their own learning and professional training by: (a) demonstrating the capacity to undertake further learning and/or a further career in or around research at an advanced level, and contributing substantially to the development or dissemination of new techniques, ideas or approaches; (b) displaying the qualities and attributes necessary to exercise personal responsibility and autonomous initiative in complex and unpredictable situations, whether in professional environments or in the public domain.
Knowledge of a Discipline

Graduates demonstrate a command of a comprehensive body of theoretical knowledge, including recent developments in their chosen discipline, or in interdisciplinary studies of education, and critical examination of the relationship between those theories and contemporary educational and social problems. Educational research dissertations are generally set in a global and national context. Graduates take a global and international perspective in evaluating educational theories and related public policy. Graduates possess advanced knowledge of research principles and methods applicable to their field, and demonstrate extensive reading of academic literature and scholarly articles published internationally, and engage in comparative analysis and critical evaluation of education in the global context.

Communication Skills

Graduates demonstrate high-level scholarly written and oral communication skills. Graduates will have experience in designing, evaluating, implementing, analysing and disseminating research results to specialist and non-specialist audiences, communicating effectively and confidently both orally and in writing.

Problem Solving

The primary focus of research is on seeking solutions to complex problems. Graduates use cognitive and technical skills to design, use and evaluate research and research methods.

Information Literacy

Graduates apply advanced research methods, including the use of relevant technologies, to construct arguments and present new considerations, and to critically evaluate academic literature relevant to their field of research.

Ethical Conduct and Social Responsibility

Graduates reflect critically on educational theory and its application to their discipline, conduct their research in an ethical manner and report their findings responsibly.

Lifelong Learning

The skills acquired and developed through research and problem solving provides graduates with self-motivated learning and research techniques for their future challenges.

Independence and Collaboration

While students in this course are predominantly working independently, they are introduced to the collegial nature of research through their participation in the foundational units on research methodology and theory. Students in these units are encouraged to work in collaboration with their peers, engaging empathetically and insightfully with them, to achieve agreed outcomes. Graduates will also have worked in collaboration with their supervisors.

A five-star experience

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Five Stars,
18 Years in a Row

UNE is the only public uni in Australia awarded 18 straight years of five stars for Overall Experience

Good Universities Guide 2007-2024
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No.1 in NSW for
Student Experience

QILT (government-endorsed) ranks UNE as the top public NSW uni for Student Experience

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Five Stars for
Teaching Quality

UNE rates among the top 20 per cent of universities in Australia for Teaching Quality

Good Universities Guide 2024
Woman studying online at home

Studying online

At UNE we know it takes more than just being online to be a great online university. It takes time and experience. We pioneered distance education for working adults back in the 1950s, so we’ve been doing this longer than any other Australian university.

We understand the challenges faced by busy adults studying at home. We know that a vital part of online study is your engagement with the learning community. Communication with your classmates, teaching staff and university support staff will enhance your study experience and ensure that your skills extend beyond the subject matter. UNE’s teaching staff are experts in their field which is why UNE consistently receives five stars from students for teaching quality, support and overall experience.*

*The Good Universities Guide

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Why study with us?

Music teacher and Master of Teaching (Primary) graduate Caleb Gorman playing electric guitar

Education is an antidote to a lot of the problems remote communities and towns face. I'd like to continue to be a part of the positive changes we are seeing in Central Australia.

Caleb Goman, Music Teacher, Northern Territory Music School

How to apply

Applying to UNE is quick and easy. You can apply for this course at any time — there are no closing dates for applications.

If you would like to apply for a scholarship, closing dates do apply and are specific to each individual scholarship. Please see the HDR Scholarships webpage for further information.

Preparing to apply

The documents you will need to include in your application depend on:

  • Your chosen HDR program
  • Your personal circumstances

Please review the course rules and entry requirements above before you apply. If you have any questions or need help with your application please contact the Graduate Research School team.

Important Notice for Prospective Students

For accurate, up-to-date details on entry requirements, course structure, and other essential information, please consult the UNE Student Handbook before applying or enrolling. The Handbook provides comprehensive guidance to assist in your decision-making process. We apologise for any inconvenience.