Teaching (Early Childhood)
Masters
This course is designed with a new type of early childhood professional in mind – one who operates in a multi-disciplinary field involving care, education and health.
The course covers children aged 0-8 years, reflecting the Victorian Government’s early childhood strategy.
Start year intake
The core program comprises four semesters over two years. You can choose to exit after the third semester with a Graduate Diploma in Teaching, which will qualify you to teach in early childhood settings (children aged 0-5 years) only.
In your fourth semester, you can choose from one of three options to gain the full masters:
- Early Years: receive dual registration to teach in early childhood settings and primary schools
- Early Childhood (professional development): specialise in an area of interest, such as special education, and receive registration to teach in early childhood settings
- Early Childhood (research): research a topic of interest, and receive registration to teach in early childhood settings.
These options can be completed up to five years after completing the Graduate Diploma.
Career outcomes
The Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Early Childhood) and the Master of Teaching (Early Childhood) have been approved by The Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) and successful completion qualifies you to work in children’s services in Australia (with children aged 0 – 5).
If you complete the Early Years option you will be qualified to work in children’s services plus gain provisional registration with the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) as a primary teacher. If you intend to teach outside Victoria, we recommend you check registration requirements with the relevant body.
You may also choose to pursue a career in areas like:
- children’s services coordination
- early childhood research
- policy formation
- quality regulation and assessment
- early intervention for children with special needs.
Mid-year intake
This program is undertaken in four semesters over two years. The first semester provides an in-depth opportunity to learn more about working with children in an Australian context, which will ensure you are better prepared to face the challenges of the program, most particularly during placements in early childhood settings. In turn this can help you achieve better results in the course and improve your employability in the future.
If you are unfamiliar with the context of education in Australia, we recommend you take the mid-year intake option.
The outcomes of the Master of Teaching (Early Childhood) differ depending on which intake you commence your studies. If you are interested in receiving dual registration to teach in early childhood settings and primary schools; or are interested in moving into research, you will need to begin the course in start year intake.
Career outcomes
The Master of Teaching (Early Childhood) have been approved by The Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) and successful completion qualifies you to work in children’s services in Australia (with children aged 0 – 5).
You may also choose to pursue a career in areas like:
- children’s services coordination
- policy formation
- quality regulation and assessment
- early intervention for children with special needs.
Entry requirements
- An undergraduate degree from an approved institution
- All applicants must also meet English language requirements and Teacher Capability Assessment Tool (TCAT) standards
Fees and scholarships
The Master of Teaching has a large number of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) available to Australian citizens and permanent residents.
Australian Fee places are also available for local students and International Fee places are available to international students. Visit the Future Students website for more information on fees.
Government loan schemes are available to help you defer all or part of your tuition fees, depending on the type of offer you receive. With both schemes, you don't need to repay the loan until your income reaches a minimum repayment threshold.
- If you receive an offer for an Australian Fee place, you may be eligible for the FEE-HELP loan program.
- If you receive an offer for a CSP, you may be eligible for the HECS-HELP loan program.
For more information on these schemes, visit studyassist.gov.au
Youth Allowance and Austudy are available to students undertaking the Master of Teaching. Visit Centrelink for more information.
Master of Teaching students are also eligible for a number a scholarships.
How to apply
There are three ways to apply for the Master of Teaching (excluding Master of Teaching (Secondary) Internship):
Guaranteed Entry
Final year University of Melbourne undergraduate students have the opportunity to secure a place in the Master of Teaching before all other applicants are considered. For more information, visit Guaranteed Entry. Open to both international and domestic applicants.
Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC)
VTAC administers the application process for Graduate Entry Teaching for Victorian institutions. Open to domestic students only, you can apply for either a Commonwealth Supported Place or an Australian Fee Place between August and November.
Direct to the University of Melbourne
The University of Melbourne accepts online applications year round from both domestic and international applicants. Domestic applicants may be eligible secure an Australian Fee Place before of the main VTAC round. International applicants can apply online or in person through our overseas representatives.
Application dates
Domestic
Guaranteed Entry
Open: 1 August
Close: 31 October
VTAC
Open: Early August
Close: Early November
Direct
Open: 1 August
Round 1 close: 16 November
Round 2 close: 16 January
International
Guaranteed Entry
Open: 1 August
Close: 31 October
Direct
Round 1 close: 31 July
Round 2 close: 15 December
Prepare your application
VTAC
Please visit Documents Required on the VTAC website.
Direct applications
You may be required to provide supporting documentation to demonstrate that you meet the course entry requirements. Supporting documentation may include:
- Previous academic transcripts
- Evidence of degree completion (testamur)
- Evidence of English language proficiency
- Completion of Teacher Capability Assessment Tool (TCAT)
Application process
- Complete Teacher Capability Assessment tool (TCAT) *
- Submit an online course application
- directly to the University of Melbourne; and/or
- through VTAC (domestic students only)
*Please note TCAT is a compulsory application requirement for the Master of Teaching.
Outcomes
VTAC
Applicants will be notified the outcome of their application by VTAC.
Direct
Direct applications will be assessed on a rolling basis throughout the year. You can track the progress of your application by logging back into the online application system.
As soon as the outcome of your application has been determined, you will be notified by email.
Have an enquiry? Course brochure (106kb PDF)
Information sessions scheduled for Sept 2016
Find out more
The clinical model that the Master of Teaching (Early Childhood) uses and the interwoven nature of the practice and theory really attracted me. This course has given me the skills to involve children in critical reflection of the learning program. I have confidence in myself and my own abilities, and I am looking forward to gaining employment, knowing I am very prepared to teach.
At a glance
Course code:
MC-TEACHEC
Duration:
Graduate Diploma: 1.5 years full-time (Semester 1 start only)
Masters degree: 2 years full-time
Entry:
Start-year or mid-year
Delivery mode:
Full-time, on campus at Parkville and placements in early childhood centres/schools
Schedule:
Master of Teaching (Early Childhood) 2016 (43kb PDF)
Further information:
Visit the University Handbook for the full course and subject outline.
| Fees | C'wealth Supported Place | Australian Fee Place | International Fee Place |
|---|---|---|---|
| Masters degree |
Learn more about Financial support
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