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
This master's degree prepares you to teach all primary school subjects from kindergarten to Year 6 (K-6).
As well as learning about the policy frameworks that shape teaching in NSW, Australia and internationally, you'll attend lectures and complete assignments about issues in teaching, learning and curriculum in all school years from Kindergarten to the Higher School Certificate. Various electives are offered in addition to the compulsory coursework, which covers teaching in multilingual classrooms (TESOL) and the Primary School Key Learning Areas of:
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 - 31 October 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 (Primary) 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 our partner schools from the beginning of their final semester.
For an overview of units of study for this course, please refer to the Master of Teaching (Primary) course structure (pdf, 97.8KB).
Mandatory work component = 595 hours.
This mandatory work component must be completed as part of the award requirements for the course.
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 30 days (usually 35 days) in a primary school in the second semester in the second year of the program. Internship placements are approved by the Faculty, and students undertake their placements in the area in which they are enrolled and are conditionally certified to teach.
During the internship, students are assigned to one or more mentor teachers, and are responsible for teaching one or more classes for a total of between 14 and 17 lesson periods per week. The mentor teacher monitors the intern in their work in the school and, in discussion with the tertiary mentor, is responsible for writing a report on the internship that forms the basis of the assessment. Assessment is aligned with the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA)'s Professional Teaching Standards for the Graduate Teacher.
Available places will be offered to qualified applicants based on merit. Admission to 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.
The requirement to complete the LANTITE applies to all students enrolled in the BEd (Primary); BEd (Health and PE); BEd (Secondary:Humanities and Social Sciences)/BA; BEd (Secondary: Maths)/BSc; BEd (Secondary: Science)/BSc; and all Master of Teaching programs except MTeach (Early Childhood).
Information about LANTITE for students commencing their studies in 2017 and beyond will be required to have successfully completed testing as follows: For the MTeach program, testing must be completed before the second year of candidature, that is, during the first year of the program.
For information about teacher-accreditation requirements in NSW, including the testing, visit the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA).
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 Primary Education. In order to successfully complete such a course, students must possess these qualities and skills (PDF).
Because primary teachers are required to teach across a range of key learning areas (KLAs) from Kindergarten to Year 6 (K–6), applicants to the Master of Teaching (Primary) must have completed university studies in at least one of these to be considered for admission to the program. The minimum requirement is: at least one year of full-time equivalent study (normally 8 units of study) that is relevant to one or more KLAs of the primary school curriculum. The KLAs are:
| KLA | Related areas of academic study may include |
English |
English with a strong core component of study of English literature, communications, creative writing, language studies (English), linguistics, literature studies, media studies (ie the theoretical study of media or where the product is a literary text). |
Mathematics |
pure or applied mathematics, statistics (one unit only may be counted, provided it was studied as a stand-alone unit), other studies of mathematics that are relevant to the central concepts, modes of enquiry and structure of the content/discipline/s. Engineering units may be considered upon review of unit statements for appropriate mathematical content. |
Science and Technology |
agriculture, architecture (two units only may be counted), biology, biotechnology, chemistry, computing studies, design [interior, industrial, graphic, fashion, product, landscape (two units only may be counted)], engineering (chemical, mechanical, civil, electrical, environmental), design and technology, food technology, geology, earth and environmental science, materials science, medicine, nursing, biomedical science, physics, psychology or similar fields which include processes of inquiry, design and production. |
Human Society and its Environment |
Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander studies, Aboriginal Languages, anthropology, archaeology, Asia or Pacific studies, economics, business studies, cultural studies, sociology, geography, environmental studies, government and citizenship, history, languages, legal studies, political science, studies of religion. |
Creative Arts |
dance including practical experience in choreography and performance in various dance styles appropriate for primary education, drama including experiential involvement in making and performing drama, music including performing (singing, playing and moving), listening and organising sound (composing) within a wide repertoire), visual arts including art making and art history/theory, fine arts. |
Personal Development, Health and Physical Education |
physical-education studies, family studies, health studies, health promotion, human movement studies, nutrition education, sports science. |
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 (MTeach) is a graduate-entry professional teaching qualification to become an accredited teacher in NSW and other Australian jurisdictions. It is open to students who already have an undergraduate degree. Under the Institute of Teachers Act 2004 all graduates (so-called 'new scheme teachers') will need to be accredited against the standards for Professional Competence following their employment in schools. All Sydney University graduates of the Master of Teaching (Primary) degree have an AITSL specialisation in English.
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. Please visit our webpage to find out about the range of consultancy and customized programs, conferences, colloquial and symposia, and professional learning courses offered by the School. The Sydney School of Education and Social Work is a NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) endorsed provider of professional development for the maintenance of accreditation at Professional Competence.
