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Postgraduate

Master of Learning and Teaching (Primary)

Domestic students
Master of Learning and Teaching (Primary) (MPLT)
Entry requirements
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Study mode
  • External
Campus
  • -
Duration
  • 2 year(s) (or part-time equivalent)
Start
  • Jan, May, Sep
Intakes

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Overview

  • Become a primary school teacher in 18 months and inspire the next generation. Your passion and industry experience will enrich your teaching career and help set you up for success.
  • If you have a bachelor degree in a field other than education and want to become a registered primary teacher, the Master of Learning and Teaching (Primary) is for you.
  • Want a chance to receive $20,000 to cover study expenses, a second-year paid internship on fulltime salary, and an offer of permanent employment upon graduation? UniSQ is one of only two universities in Queensland to offer prospective students the opportunity to apply for the government’s Turn to Teaching Internship Program. Find out if you are eligible at the Department of Education website. 
  • Gain the skills and confidence to teach children aged 5 to 12 across all learning areas of the school curriculum with a specialised focus on English Literacy.
  • Connect your studies with the practical side of teaching with 60 days of placements in state, Catholic or independent school sectors.

Further study

Upon completion of the Master of Learning and Teaching (Primary), you are eligible to apply for the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).

Thinking of studying in 2024? UniSQ will be delivering flexible new ways of teaching, with different calendar offerings, making the balance of study and life easier. Read more in our new academic calendar FAQs.

Professional accreditation

As a graduate, you are eligible to apply for registration as a teacher through the Queensland College of Teachers (QCT). This degree meets the expectations and requirements of the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL).

Career outcomes

  • As a graduate, you are eligible for teacher registration. This presents many exciting opportunities for finding employment as a teacher for a wide variety of diverse contexts including metropolitan, rural and remote and international schools.
  • Want the skills you acquire training to be a teacher but not necessarily keen to be in the classroom? Teaching-related skills of communication and educational management are also in demand in careers such as sport and leisure centre management, personal training, life coaching and other professions in the human services.

Entry requirements

  • Completed a 3-year bachelor degree, or equivalent, in a discipline other than education with a minimum GPA of 4.0 out of 7.0.
  • Applicants for the Primary specialisation must demonstrate through eight units of their undergraduate degree, or other equivalent studies, adequate knowledge of one or more learning areas related to the Australian primary school curriculum. These areas are English, Mathematics, Science, Humanities and Social Sciences, the Arts, Health and Physical Education, Languages, and Technology. This requirement for discipline studies can be met through further study that is completed from different courses at bachelor degree level or higher.
  • While not a requirement for admission, students need to pass the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education (LANTITE) prior to the final supervised professional experience placement and to graduate from this degree. Students can register for the LANTITE through the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER). If an applicant has achieved a 'satisfactory' result for one or more components of the LANTITE at another institution, the 'satisfactory' result can be carried across with this admission application.

Non-academic entry requirements

  • Complete a questionnaire and provide written statements to address the key competencies of effective teachers. The criteria for selection includes capabilities such as motivation to teach, suitability for the teaching profession, learning activities and leadership responsibilities. Refer to the selection guidelines for initial teacher education courses. 

English language requirements

You are required to satisfy the applicable English language requirements and this degree requires one or more of the following criteria: a minimum of IELTS 8.0, or equivalent, for speaking and listening, IELTS 7.0 for reading and writing, or an average band score of 7.5 across all four skill areas of listening, speaking, reading and writing. If you do not meet the English language requirements you may apply to study a University-approved English language program.

Recognition of prior learning

Recognition of prior learning will help you reduce the number of courses that you need to study to finish your program. You may be eligible for up to eight units of credit/recognition of prior learning if you have completed a relevant, equivalent postgraduate level study from a recognised university or institution.

Pathways

UniSQ offers a number of bachelor degrees for you to study to help you meet the entry requirements for your chosen degree.

Degree structure

To complete this degree students must complete 16 units.

Courses to be studied Units
Core courses 16
Total 16

Refer to the UniSQ Handbook for courses to be studied and recommended enrolment patterns.

Professional experience / Education placements

You will also need to complete 60 days of supervised professional experience. This experience provides you with the opportunity to put theory into practice and to build significant industry connections. Students are required to attend the majority of placements in settings within Australia. 

To support you throughout your professional experience, there are many opportunities to receive financial support and scholarships. Learn more about the available support.

All students must be able to meet professional requirements expected of teachers within this degree, including holding a current Positive Exemption Card (Blue Card or Exemption Card), or equivalent.

Fees and scholarships

Your actual fees may vary depending on the courses you select. We review our fees annually so these may be subject to change.

Approximate annual costs1 for your first year of study (8 units) in this degree are:

Study Mode Cost
Commonwealth supported

The Federal Government contributes to the cost of your course and you need to pay a student contribution.

AUD 4120
Domestic full fee paying

You are responsible for the full cost of your course and are charged a tuition fee.

AUD 22800

1 These are indicative annual fees for 2024. 

Student services and amenities fees

You may need to pay student services and amenities (SA) fees as part of your course costs.

Professional experience costs

This degree includes a professional experience component that may involve travel, accommodation and meal expenses.

Loan to help you pay your fees

You may not have to pay your course (subject) fees upfront. HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP allows you to defer your fees until your income reaches a certain level. Find out if you are eligible for HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP.

You may also be eligible to receive financial support from Centrelink.

Scholarships

At UniSQ, we offer a range of scholarships to support your success at university. Find a scholarship that works for you.

How to apply

Complete your online application directly to UniSQ.

Apply direct to UniSQ

The closing dates for applying directly to UniSQ are:

  • Semester 3, 2023 - applications close on 13 November and Semester 3 study period commences on Monday 13 November, 2023.

Intakes

You can select to start your study in Trimester 1, 2 or 3.

Study period  Application closing date Orientation  Study period start date Finish date
Trimester 1, 2024  Monday 22 January Monday 15 January Monday 22 January Friday 26 April 
Trimester 2, 2024 Monday 13 May Monday 6 May Monday 13 May  Friday 16 August
Trimester 3, 2024 Monday 2 September Monday 26 August Monday 2 September Friday 6 December 

More information on applying key dates is available.

Further information

Discover further information on applying to study at UniSQ that is relevant to you.

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Got questions?

 

Begin your study journey today with the university rated 5/5 stars for graduates starting salaries* and start the degree that’s right for you.

*Good Universities Guide 2024

Talk to us
Why study a Master of Learning and Teaching (Primary)?

Teaching is a challenging yet rewarding profession where you can share your knowledge and skills to inspire a younger generation. If you have an interest in developing young minds, thinking creatively, and enjoy a job where no day is the same, a primary education qualification such as the Master of Teaching Primary might be for you!

When you study education and teaching at UniSQ you are choosing an important stepping stone for your career in education. Our Master of Learning and Teaching (Primary) provides you with the skills you need to become a registered primary school teacher in just 18 months. If you are passionate about a career as an educator, there’s no better place to start than UniSQ.

What years will I be able to teach?
After completing a Master of Primary Teaching you will be qualified to teach children in Prep (4-5 years old) to Year 6 (aged 11-12 years old) in private or public schools.
What are the entry requirements for a Master of Learning and Teaching (Primary)?

The requirements to get into a Master of Learning and Teaching (Primary) at UniSQ are:

  • Completion of a 3-year bachelor degree, or equivalent in a discipline other than education.
  • Demonstration through eight units of your undergraduate degree adequate knowledge of one or more learning areas related to the Australian primary school curriculum.

You may be eligible for recognition of prior learning if you have previously studied. This will help reduce the number of courses that you need to complete.

We also offer a number of bachelor degrees pathways if you don’t meet these entry requirements.

Please view the entry requirements section of this page for further details.

How long does it take?

UniSQ’s Masters of Learning and Teaching (Primary) takes 18 months to complete in an accelerated program taught in four semesters, which is equivalent to 2 years full-time study.

Some students choose to study a standard semester structure which takes 2 years to complete if you study full-time. You can also study part-time, however, this will increase the time it takes to finish the required courses.

Are flexible study options available?

We offer a variety of flexible study options to ensure your study is practical for you and your life. Regardless of how you choose to study, you’ll experience the same level of support and opportunities to connect with other education and teaching students.

Discover more about the different ways to study at UniSQ.

Can I complete it online?
Yes! The Master of Learning and Teaching (Primary) is available to study online except for your professional experience/education placements which you’ll undertake in a school setting.
How much does a Master of Learning and Teaching (Primary) cost in Australia?

The cost of a Master of Teaching Primary in Australia will vary depending on your choice of education provider.

When you study a Master of Learning and Teaching (Primary) at UniSQ, the first year of your studies will cost approximately AUD 3985 (Commonwealth supported place) not including:

  • Student services and amenities fees
  • Professional experience costs.

Please view the fees and scholarships section of this page for details.

Why study with UniSQ?

Inspire the next generation with a primary education degree from UniSQ.

  • UniSQ is one of only two universities in Queensland to offer prospective students eligible for the Master of Learning and Teaching (Primary) the opportunity to apply for the government’s Turn to Teaching Internship Program.
  • We have over 800 placement partners supporting UniSQ’s pre-service teachers across Queensland, interstate and overseas.
  • Through a combination of theory and professional experience placements, our Master of Primary Teaching students will be empowered and well prepared to adapt to the classroom environment
  • UniSQ is rated five out of five stars for postgraduate overall education experience and student support (Good Universities Guide, 2023).
  • We are rated five out of five stars for graduates starting salaries (Good Universities Guide, 2023).