Key facts
English language requirements
IELTS band score of 6.5 with no band less than 6
Duration
Campuses
Current Deakin Students
To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook
Course information
This course is designed for current and aspiring leaders in education. Whether you're already in a leadership role or preparing to take the next step, enhance your career options with Deakin's Master of Education (Leadership and Management).
Are you ready to challenge what you know and transform your ideas about education leadership?
The leadership of education has become a complex affair in contemporary society. Deakin’s Master of Education (Leadership and Management) explores the responsibilities of those involved in leading and managing education institutions and the learning processes within them.
Delivered entirely online through Deakin's Cloud Campus, the course maintains a strong focus on real-world opportunities and challenges in education leadership. Through live video conferences, video content and interactive discussion boards, you'll delve into current social justice discourse and develop high-level critical thinking and evaluative skills. Each assessment task enables you to translate your knowledge and learnings into practice, preparing you to lead successfully in periods of rapid and significant change.
As a direct pathway to PhD study, you'll have the opportunity to develop foundational research skills and a highly-engaged network of academic peers. Using data and insights from Deakin's innovative educational research, you'll analyse the driving factors of policy and practice in current and future-state education in Australia and around the world.
Optional face-to-face weekend intensives are also offered, giving you the chance to interact with leading scholars, practitioners and researchers.
While the course curriculum focuses primarily on schools, the base ideas apply equally to other learning organisations and those who work within them.
Read MoreCourse structure
The Master of Education (Leadership and Management) is typically 8 or 12 credit points.
The exact number of credit points you study depends on how much credit you receive as recognition of prior learning (RPL) – your professional experience and previous qualifications – which can save you time and money
To qualify for the award of Master of Education (Leadership and Management), students must successfully complete the following:
Option 1.
- 4 credit points of core units
- 4 credit points of research units (EDX701, EDX712, EDX703, EDX704)
- 4 credit points of electives from a single specialist strand
Option 2.
- 4 credit points of core units
- 6 credit points of research units (EDX701, EDX712, EDX705 (2cp), EDX706 (2cp))
- 2 credit points of electives from a single specialist strand
And
Core units
Options 1 & 2
Option 1
Plus 4 electives from a single specialist strand
Option 2
Plus 2 electives from a single specialist strand
Specialist strands
Professional Education and Training
ECJ723 Applied Learning in the Post-compulsory Education and Training Sector [No longer available for enrolment—students are invited to contact the Course Director for advice on alternative units]
ECN722 Assessment Frameworks and Equity in the Workplace [No longer available for enrolment—students are invited to contact the Course Director for advice on alternative units]
International Education
Key information
2021 course information
This course is approved by the University under the Higher Education Standards Framework.
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9.
Campuses by intake
Campus availability varies per trimester. This means that a course offered in Trimester 1 may not be offered in the same location for Trimester 2 or 3. Read more to learn where this course will be offered throughout the year.
Trimester 1 - March
- Start date: March
- Available at:
- Cloud Campus
Trimester 2 - July
- Start date: July
- Available at:
- Cloud Campus
Note: This is not an initial teacher education qualification. Students wishing to enter the profession of teaching should instead consider one of our Master of Teaching courses or E737 Master of Applied Learning and Teaching (Secondary)
Additional course information
Course duration - additional information
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.
Participation requirements
Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. Click here for more information.
Entry requirements
Entry information
Admission to study postgraduate coursework at Deakin is based on recognition of your professional experience and previous qualifications. Depending on your professional experience and previous qualifications, your course may be:
1 year full time (2 years part time) – 8 credit points
Admission is based on:
- Bachelor honours (AQF8) degree in a related discipline or
- Bachelor degree in a related discipline, plus two years relevant work experience or
- Graduate certificate or graduate diploma in a related discipline or
- Evidence of academic capability judged to be equivalent.
1.5 years full time (3 years part time) – 12 credit points
Admission is based on:
- Bachelor degree in a related discipline or
- Bachelor degree in any discipline, plus two years relevant work experience or
- Evidence of academic capability judged to be equivalent.
IELTS / English language requirements
Please note that English language requirements exist for entry to this course and you will be required to meet the English language level requirement that is applicable in the year of your commencement of studies.
It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the required IELTS score to register with any external accredited courses. (more details)
Deakin University offers admission to postgraduate courses through a number of Admission categories. To be eligible for admission to this program, applicants must meet the course requirements.
All applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements.
Please note that meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee selection, which is based on merit, likelihood of success and availability of places in the course.
For more information on the Admission Criteria and Selection (Higher Education Courses) Policy visit the Deakin Policy Library
Recognition of prior learning
The University aims to provide students with as much credit as possible for approved prior study or informal learning which exceeds the normal entrance requirements for the course and is within the constraints of the course regulations. Students are required to complete a minimum of one-third of the course at Deakin University, or four credit points, whichever is the greater. In the case of certificates, including graduate certificates, a minimum of two credit points within the course must be completed at Deakin.
You can also refer to the Recognition of Prior Learning System which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree.
Fees and scholarships
Fee information
Learn more about fees and your options for paying.
The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only based on a typical enrolment of students completing the first year of this course. The cost will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the length of your course and any approved Recognition of Prior Learning.
One year full-time study load is typically represented by eight credit points of study. Each unit you enrol in has a credit point value. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together eight credit points of a typical combination of units for your course.
You can find the credit point value of each unit under the Unit Description by searching for the unit in the Handbook.
Learn more about tuition fees.
Scholarship options
A Deakin scholarship might change your life. If you've got something special to offer Deakin – or you just need the financial help to get you here – we may have a scholarship opportunity for you.
Postgraduate bursary
If you’re a Deakin alumnus commencing a postgraduate award course, you may be eligible to receive a 15% reduction per unit on your enrolment fees. Your Immediate Family Members may also be eligible to apply for this bursary.
Apply now
How to apply
Applications can be made directly to the University through StudyLink Connect - Deakin University's International Student Application Service. For information on the application process and closing dates, see the How to apply web page. Please note that closing dates may vary for individual courses.
Fill out the application form and submit to a Deakin International office or take your application form to a Deakin representative for assistance
For information on the application process and closing dates, see the How to apply webpage.
If you’re still having problems, please contact Deakin International for assistance.
Research Information
Students are able to undertake one of two options for research training and research in the course. Each option has a common foundation that is based on an introductory unit of one credit point in research design & method. This research study is then further supported by one of the three research options:
Option 1: advanced research training of one credit point of either quantitative or qualitative research methods; and Research Paper (2 credit points);
Option 2: advanced research training of one credit point of either quantitative or qualitative research methods; and Minor Thesis (4 credit points).
Why choose Deakin
Career outcomes
Public scrutiny of the education sector is greater than ever before. As a graduate you’ll be well-equipped to understand and critically address the growing expectations of education leaders today.
Enhance your professional standing and opportunities for promotion within the teaching sector and allied areas, for roles such as:
- Principal
- member of the senior leadership team of an education institution
- head of department or school
- leading teacher
- curriculum or policy advisor within a government department or organisation.
For more information go to DeakinTALENT
Course learning outcomes
Deakin's graduate learning outcomes describe the knowledge and capabilities graduates can demonstrate at the completion of their course. These outcomes mean that regardless of the Deakin course you undertake, you can rest assured your degree will teach you the skills and professional attributes that employers value. They'll set you up to learn and work effectively in the future.
| Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcomes |
| Discipline specific knowledge and capabilities | Use advanced and integrated understanding of the development of contemporary educational management and leadership in evidence based research in the field of educational management and leadership and apply theoretical knowledge to practice in a range of professional learning and educational contexts. |
| Communication | Employ a range of oral and written communication skills and standards required of professional educators and learning professionals to be able to transmit complex knowledge in professional and scholarly contexts. |
| Digital literacy | Demonstrate knowledge of and proficiency in a range of digital technologies to research, analyse, report, evaluate and communicate within education contexts and for further learning. |
| Critical thinking | Demonstrate high level skills in the critical analysis and synthesis of complex ideas in research and professional practice in the discipline of education. |
| Problem solving | Demonstrate expert and specialist knowledge of relevant learning theories to identify, analyse and evaluate authentic problems of practice, and generate informed and innovative solutions. |
| Self-management | Apply the knowledge and skills required of professional educators and learning professionals to demonstrate autonomy, leadership and expert judgement, adaptability and responsibility in education contexts, research and for further learning. |
| Teamwork | Work effectively and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary team to create solutions to authentic problems of practice. |
| Global citizenship | Demonstrate high level understanding of, and the capacity to engage ethically and productively in professional contexts with diverse communities and in a global context. |
| Approved by Faculty Board June 2014 | |