Why study with us?
We’re ranked 25th in the world for education by the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2021.
Study in acclaimed research institutes including the Australian Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology and the Charles Perkins Centre.
In response to COVID-19, the University of Sydney has reviewed the availability of courses to be delivered remotely for students commencing their studies in 2021 and 2022.
Students commencing this course in 2021 and 2022 can commence their studies remotely whilst the Australian border remains closed due to the COVID-19 global pandemic. Remote study is not available for some units of study and/or placements essential to this course and you will be required to attend in-person on campus from Semester 2, Year 1.
About this course
Would you like to inspire and influence the next generation? This program enables you to qualify to teach children from birth to five years. You will develop the knowledge and skills to become an outstanding early childhood teacher, professional decision maker, ethical leader, and theoretical and practical thinker.
Become a teacher with this two-year program. Gain hands-on experience with 40 days of teaching practice in early childhood settings, a 45-day internship and a professional research project. This experience will ensure you develop the confidence, knowledge and skills to become a successful early childhood teacher.
Commonwealth Supported Places
Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) are available for postgraduate study for eligible domestic students. This means that your course fees are subsidised by the Australian Government and you pay a student contribution amount (SCA). CSPs are limited in number and are allocated based on academic merit.
For academic requirements check the ‘Admission requirements’ section on this page.
Domestic student applications for the Semester 1 intake open on the last Friday in August of the preceding year.
You can apply online via the application portal. When you are ready to apply, select the ‘Apply’ button on this course page. Visit the How to apply page for other important information.
Applicants are advised to download the supplementary application forms (supplementary form, how to apply document) and complete the information before commencing their online application, as only completed applications will be assessed.
Closing dates
Semester 1 - 15 December of the preceding year.
Only complete applications that include supplementary documentation will be considered. Applications received after this deadline may be considered if places are still available.
We strongly encourage applicants to apply as early as possible, offers are made on a rolling basis and places are limited. Separate scholarship deadlines apply - check the scholarships website for details.
Semester 1 (February)
You can apply online via the application portal. When you are ready to apply, select the ‘Apply’ button on this course page. Visit the How to apply page for other important information.
Applicants are advised to download the supplementary application forms (supplementary form, how to apply document) and complete the information before commencing their online application, as only completed applications will be assessed.
Closing dates
Semester 1 - 15 January of the commencing year.
We strongly encourage international applicants to apply as early as possible to allow time for visa and travel arrangements. Separate scholarship deadlines may apply - check the scholarships website for details.
Semester 1 (February)
Master of Teaching (Early Childhood) students complete 96 credit points. Full-time students enrol in 24 credit points in each semester. Students normally complete a combination of core education and curriculum and professional units of study and practicum placements.
The first three full-time semesters of the Master of Teaching total 72 credit points. Once the 72 credit points have been achieved students undertake extensive work in an early childhood setting from the beginning of their final semester.
For further information regarding the course structure, please refer to the Master of Teaching (Early Childhood) course structure (pdf, 92.2KB).
Mandatory work component = 595 hours.
This mandatory work component must be completed as part of the award requirements for the course.
COVID-19
Students need to meet the NSW Department of Education pre-requisites for pre-service teachers before they can register for a placement in a NSW Public School.
Students need to meet any requirements relating to NSW Public Health Orders issued under the Public Health Act 2010 NSW.
Failure to meet these requirements may result in students being unable to complete their degree.
Candidates must successfully complete each unit of study, including 595 hours of work-based training, to meet the course requirements and graduate with a teaching qualification. Except with the permission of the Dean, a candidate must complete all unit of study requirements specified for each year, before proceeding to the next year. Candidates must complete a minimum of 72 credit points in Education before completing the Internship and the Action Research Project and Conference in the final semester of the degree.
Students undertake their internship of at least 40 days (usually 45 days) in an early childhood setting (birth to 5 years) in the second semester in the second year of the program. Internship placements are approved by the Faculty, and each student is assigned to a tertiary mentor.
During the internship, students work closely with a qualified cooperating teacher. The cooperating teacher, alongside the university mentor, monitors the intern in her/his work in the early childhood setting and, in discussion with the student and the university mentor, is responsible for writing a report on the internship that forms the basis of the assessment.
Available places will be offered to qualified applicants based on merit. Admission to Master of Teaching (Early Childhood) candidature requires:
English language requirements must be met where these are not demonstrated by sufficient qualifications taught in English.
In exceptional circumstances, the Dean may admit applicants without these qualifications who in the opinion of the Faculty have qualifications and evidence of experience and achievement sufficient to successfully undertake the award.
To assist students to make informed choices about their study, the Sydney School of Education and Social Work has identified inherent requirements for coursework-award courses in Early Childhood Education. In order to successfully complete such a course, students must possess the qualities and skills listed in this document (PDF).
Commencing students 2020
Number of students: 169
Domestic students: 135
International students: 34
Commencing students 2021
Number of students: 204
Domestic students: 176
International students: 28
The Master of Teaching - Early Childhood (MTeach) is listed under the Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) approved qualification list. This course is open to students who already have an undergraduate degree.
The University of Sydney has an international reputation for excellence. Many of our Master of Teaching students are offered full-time employment before completing their degrees.
The Sydney School of Education and Social Work offers a wealth of experience and expertise in the development and delivery of professional development activities. Find out about the range of consultancy and customised programs, conferences, colloquia and symposia, and professional learning courses offered by the School.
