Overview
Prepare for a rewarding career as a primary school teacher with the practical experience offered through a Master of Teaching (Primary Education) at Victoria University.
Refine your craft as a teacher by engaging in informed classroom discussions and undertaking practical research. This course will prepare you to teach in all areas of the primary curriculum. It includes scope to pursue specialist studies in literacy, numeracy and science.
You can study at our convenient Footscray Nicholson Campus, or complete your Master of Teaching (Primary Education) 100% online.
You will gain significant professional experience to prepare you for the real world of teaching. Through our extensive partnerships, you will undertake 60+ days of supervised teaching practice in a primary school.
Through engagement with the latest educational theory, practice and technology, you can be assured of an excellent grounding in teaching.
Commonwealth Supported Places in 2023
Fees are heavily subsidised and HECS-HELP loans available for eligible students in 2023. Apply now or register your interest - there's never been a better time to study!
Study in convenient four-week blocks
Following the overwhelming success of the revolutionary VU Block Model with undergraduate students, we rolled out the Block Model to our postgraduate courses.
This course is delivered in four-week mode, which means you study one unit (subject) at a time over four weeks, rather than juggling several units at once. And with its focused timetables and smaller, collaborative classes, VU’s Block Model gives you more time to connect with your peers, lecturers and industry partners, helping you to build strong professional networks.
The VU Block Model has improved our student results and engagement, and has won multiple international awards for innovation and excellence.
Accreditation
This course is accredited by the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT), which means you will be eligible for registration to teach in the whole of Australia.
Workplace learning
You will gain extensive professional experience, supervised by experienced teachers and supported to take on increasing responsibility. We also offer a range of additional professional experience opportunities, including:
- teaching in rural/remote areas
- international placements
- partnerships with local sports or arts organisations.
Teaching practice methods
This course structure is guided by the integration of three groups of practice:
- epistemologies of practice: experiences and processes of learning through social acts
- pedagogies of practice: learning environments that enable inquiry and action
- methodologies of practice: investigations of meaning and understanding that unites mind, material and process.
Postgraduate academic learning advice
As a postgraduate student you might want to take up one of many opportunities to further develop your academic language and study skills. VU’s Learning Hubs are welcoming spaces where you can improve your study and employability skills.
We offer maths, writing, careers and English-language advice, and show you effective ways to study and manage your time.
Our programs include:
- workshops
- drop-in sessions
- peer mentoring
- maths and writing resources
- resume and career guidance.
We also have accessibility support services and counselling services available for all students.
Need some advice?
Request a call back from one of our experienced VUHQ course advisers to get your questions answered.
Request a call backCareers in teaching
Postgraduate study in education is increasingly important in the advancement of a professional education career. Our Master of Teaching (Primary Education) will prepare you for a rewarding career as a primary school teacher.
You will be eligible to apply for primary-school teacher positions after you graduate from the Master of Teaching (Primary Education), register with Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT), and pass the National Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education.
You'll also be able to pursue careers in a range of education-related industries and organisations, that could include:
- special-education teacher
- educational-publishing editor or writer
- museum or gallery educator
- tutor
- school-holiday program or aftercare coordinator
- education-supply liaison officer.
The number of job openings for primary school teachers is expected to be high (Job Outlook).
Salary
Find out about average salaries and employment prospects on the government job-data site, Labour Market Insights:
This course is accredited by the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT), the independent statutory authority for the teaching profession. It is a legal requirement for all teachers to be registered with VIT in order to be employed in a school or early childhood education and care service or Victorian children’s service.
Course structure
To attain the Master of Teaching (Primary Education) students will be required to complete 192 credit points in total consisting of:
- 168 Credit points of Core studies;
- 24 credit points of Capstone Studies;
- EED7005 Curriculum Specialisation unit and EED7004 Engaging with the Profession can only be taken towards the end of your course;
- Students must successfully complete 65 practicum days in a primary school.
Students are required to pass the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education (LANTITE) in order to be eligible to graduate from their Victorian Institute of Teaching-accredited program.
Course structure and units
Year 1
-
- Unit code
- EED5102
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- EED7002
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- ETP5001
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- ETP5003
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- ETP5005
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- ETP5006
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- ETP5007
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- ETP5008
- Credits
- 12
Year 2
-
- Unit code
- AEK7001
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- EED7001
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- EED7005
- Credits
- 24
-
- Unit code
- EED7004
- Credits
- 24
-
- Unit code
- ETP5002
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- ETP5004
- Credits
- 12
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
| 1. | Implement educational innovation and professional learning in a workplace, and be able to draw on a range of connections within professional and academic communities; | ||
| 2. | Critically analyse the changing nature of society (technological, economic, environmental and cultural) and the implications for primary education; | ||
| 3. | Understand, design and implement effective assessment practices for primary school teaching; | ||
| 4. | Implement and justify a range of approaches for the education of children, enabling the development of personal teaching practices which are suitable for teaching within primary education in the 21st century; in economically and culturally diverse communities; | ||
| 5. | Investigate and present patterns of cultural and political relations in which primary education services are located, with particular reference to primary education in economically and culturally diverse communities; | ||
| 6. | Exhibit an understanding of and commitment to ethical action, social responsibility and sustainability, with the commitment to an ongoing process of improvement that is in their own interests, those of young people in primary education and the communities in which they teach; | ||
| 7. | Design, formulate, and elucidate educational inquiry/research which can be applied by teachers to inform, evaluate and improve their teaching practice; | ||
| 8. | Exhibit knowledge and skills in educational leadership applicable for beginning teachers. |
What's a unit?
A unit or 'subject' is the actual class you'll attend in the process of completing a course.
Most courses have a mixture of compulsory 'core' units that you need to take and optional elective units that you can choose to take based on your area of interest, expertise or experience.
Credits
Each unit is worth a set amount of study credits based on the amount of time you study. Generally, 1 credit is equal to 1 hour of study per week.
Fees & scholarships
Fee type for this course: Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP), Full-fee
Fee type definitions
The amount you pay for your course depends on whether you’re offered a Commonwealth supported place (CSP) or a full fee-paying place.
Students who enrol in a:
- Commonwealth supported place pay tuition fees that are partly subsidised by the Australian government
- full fee-paying place need to pay the full amount for all enrolled units before census each study period.
In addition to your tuition fees, you may also be charged a Student Services & Amenities Fee (SSAF).
Scholarships & assistance
Apply for a scholarship to help with your study costs.
We can help with fee assistance and advice.
Admission & pathways
Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee you entry into this course. Some courses receive more applications than the number of places available. In this situation we will also assess your education, work and other relevant experience.
If you do not meet the minimum requirements you may be eligible for one of our special admission programs. We also encourage you to explore our study pathways to help you reach your goal.
Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.
Entry requirements
Completion of an Australian Bachelor degree (or equivalent).
Applicants will also be asked to complete an assessment of their non-academic attributes. Applicants with a Bachelor's degree from countries other than Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, United States of America, Canada or the Republic of Ireland will be required to complete IELTS (or equivalent): Overall 7.0 with Listening 7.5, Reading 6.5, Writing 6.5, Speaking 7.5.
All students need to pass a CASPer test or VU ANAA interview prior to admission.
All students need a 3.5 GPA average for entry into the course.
Pathways from VU courses
There are many ways you can start your education journey at VU. Pathways offer an easy transition between courses at different levels, so that you can start with a certificate and progress right through to postgraduate study.
Find out more about pathways and credits.
Credit for skills and past study
Use our credit calculator to find out how much credit you could get towards your course, based on your previous study.
If you have completed study with another university or institution and believe you are eligible to receive credit for skills and past study, you can apply for advanced standing.
Applications for advanced standing can be made after a discussion with your course chair or academic adviser.
Additional information
Applicants will be assessed on academic performance.
Prior to entry into the second year of full time study, students in this course will have to sit the LANTITE test in order to demonstrate that their literacy and numeracy skills are within that expected of the top 30% of the population in Australia. The LANTITE test is a national government requirement for initial teacher education programs.
Students should note that they will be subject to a Working With Children Check before practice placements, in accordance with Department of Education and Training policy.
Satisfactory achievement of the benchmark for literacy and numeracy is a requirement to graduate from the program.
This course is professionally accredited. Applications for credit can only be made on the basis of formal learning that is considered to be equivalent in a professionally accredited course at another institution.
How to apply
Available start dates:
- 24 February 2025
- 28 July 2025
Before you apply
Before applying, you should consider whether you also want to apply for:
- Special admission programs: Depending on your life circumstances you may be eligible for special consideration of your application.
- Advanced standing: If you have significant experience or studies elsewhere you may be eligible for credit for some units of your course and not have to undertake them.
All applicants must complete an A141 - Master of Teaching supplementary form.
Find out more about applying for our courses.
Apply direct to VU
Direct applications are due on 16 February 2025 for our next intake which starts on 24 February 2025.
Already a VU student?
If you are already a VU student, apply direct to VU using our Admissions centre to transfer into this course. Remember it’s best to be accepted into your new course before withdrawing from your current one.
After you apply
- It’s important to check for emails from us (which may go to your spam/junk folder).
- Complete any requests for information by the given dates, otherwise your application may not be considered
Enquire now
Please fill out the form below, and we'll get back to you shortly.
Get help
- Visit a student service centre
- 1300 VIC UNI (1300 842 864)
- Request a call back
- Visit the glossary
At Victoria University, we aim to display accurate and complete course information online. However, we are unable to guarantee that every course change is currently displayed. You may contact the University directly on +61 3 9919 6100 to confirm the most up-to-date course fees, pathways and credit transfer, recognition of prior learning, admission and enrolment procedures, examinations and services available to our students.
