The Master of Education and Learning (MEdLn) is designed to meet the professional development needs of teachers in the early childhood, primary, and secondary sectors, and to help teachers further develop their critical knowledge and understanding of issues related to teaching and learning in Aotearoa New Zealand, including their own teaching practices. The programme is notable for its flexible nature, utilising digital technologies to ensure students can be available at times and places that suit them.
The MEdLn (180 points) may be completed in eighteen months (two semesters of full-time study followed by completion of the Research Project or Professional Inquiry focusing on the area of endorsement), but will normally be completed in three years of part-time study (to be completed within eight years of admission) enabling teachers to continue teaching while they study. The MEdLn is available by distance learning.
Students can choose the amount of research they include, focusing either on classroom-based research or research in education more broadly.
Endorsement options:
Curriculum
Digital Technologies
Early Childhood Education
Leadership
Studies in Teacher Education
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Programme details
Regulations for the Degree of Master of Education and Learning (MEdLn)
Admission to the Programme
Admission to the programme shall be subject to the approval of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Humanities).
Every applicant shall:
have a bachelor's degree, or an equivalent qualification;
be registered to teach in New Zealand, or have an equivalent teaching qualification or experience acceptable to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (humanities);
have experience of or be currently working in a relevant field of education; and,
present evidence of ability for advanced level academic study. Applicants must normally have achieved an average grade of at least B in the papers at the highest level in their qualifying programme.
Structure of the Programme
The programme of study shall consist of EDUC 402, 403 (20 points each), EDUC 411 or 412 (20 points), either EDUC 591 or 592 (40 points) and 495 (20 points) or EDUC 590 (60 points), and further 400-level EDUC papers worth a total of 60 points.
If the degree is to be endorsed, the programme of study must be as specified in the schedule of endorsed options.
The research component (EDUC 591 or EDUC 592) should be submitted no earlier than six months (for full-time students) and no later than twelve months following enrolment (for full-time or part-time students).
With prior approval, postgraduate papers worth up to the equivalent of 40 points may be credited from another department or from another university or tertiary institution.
A candidate who has been awarded the Postgraduate Certificate in Education and Learning, or the Postgraduate Diploma in Education and Learning, or equivalent, at a standard acceptable to the Dean of the College of Education, may be exempted from those papers in the programme for the degree which have been previously passed for the certificate or diploma.
Duration of the Programme
The programme may be completed in eighteen months (two semesters of full-time study followed by completion of the Research Project, Professional Inquiry or Professional Practice Portfolio) but will normally be completed in three years of part-time study. Every candidate shall complete the requirements for the degree within eight years of admission to the programme.
Withdrawal from the Programme
A candidate whose results are not satisfactory after completion of the first 120 points of study may be required to withdraw from the programme.
Where a candidate withdraws from the programme after completing at least 120 points for papers required in regulation 2(a), the Dean of the College of Education may recommend the award of the Postgraduate Diploma in Education and Learning.
Examination
The research projects (EDUC 591 and EDUC 592) and portfolio (EDUC 590) shall be marked by two examiners who will agree upon a mark. In cases of significant discrepancy where agreement cannot be reached, a third examiner will be appointed. The reports of all examiners shall be made available to the external examiner to the College of Education, who will recommend a mark to the Dean of the College of Education.
Level of Award of the Degree
The degree may be awarded with distinction or with credit.
Variations
The Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Humanities) may in exceptional circumstances approve a course of study which does not comply with these regulations.
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Regulations on this page are taken from the 2025 Calendar and supplementary material.
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