Master of Contemporary Education

There are two intakes of this masters programme per year, starting in January and July in 2023.

For more details about key dates, download our 2023 student prospectus.

Applications close two weeks before the start date of the intake you are applying for. Please see Key Dates in our 2023 student prospectus for specific application close dates. 

Applications may be accepted on a case-by-case basis after the application close date at the discretion of academyEX. Please contact enrol@academyex.com if you applications are closed and you would like to apply.

The domestic tuition fee for the Programme is $12,060 (incl. GST). If you have completed the Postgraduate Certificate in Digital and Collaborative Learning, the tuition fee for Part 2 and 3 is $8,738 (incl. GST). The international tuition fee for international students studying in New Zealand is $44,000 (incl. GST).

academyEX offers a range of scholarships to support people to study and help to minimise barriers to learning. The following scholarships can be applied for, and cover 75% of the programme fees.

• Tangata Whenua - for learners who identify as Māori 

• Pacific Ako - for learners who identify as Pacific 

• Taipakeke - for learners who are aged 60 years and over. 

• Impact Scholarship - for learners who are positively impacting people, society and/or the planet.

Early Bird Discount: 

There is an Early Bird discount of 10% off the course fees for domestic students who apply 4 weeks before the start date of an intake, and 8 weeks before the start of an intake for international students. The discount will be applied to your invoice automatically through the enrolment process. 

Please note: Early Bird Discount and Scholarships cannot both be applied. If you receive a scholarship, the remaining amount payable will not be discounted with the early bird rate.

Find out more, including scholarship terms and conditions, by visiting our Scholarships page. 

Yes, domestic students studying in New Zealand can apply for a StudyLink Student Loan for this programme. 

Check this StudyLink page for more details on how to apply. Domestics students may also be eligible for Fees Free

To be admitted to this master’s degree you need to have:

• A recognised bachelor's degree in the same or similar discipline, with merit achievements, deemed to be an average grade of B- or higher in all Level 7 courses.

OR 

• A professional qualification in a relevant discipline, recognised as being equivalent to merit achievement in a bachelor degree.

• A New Zealand Teacher Registration number or proof of qualification or employment statement of purpose.  ​

Getting to know you and your goals

For admission into this master’s programme you will  have an interview with one of the programme team. It’s a chance for you to ask any questions and ensure that this master’s programme is the right fit for you. You can discuss your professional experience, the support available from our team and the commitment you can give to achieving your learning goals

For further information, download our 2023 Student Prospectus.

Absolutely. We’ve had loads of students do the course alongside family members, friends and colleagues. There are also opportunities to work collaboratively on assessments during the programme and work together on a project of interest. Learning is always better together!

In the lead up to the start of each intake, fully enrolled students will receive onboarding emails from the team, as well as access to platforms that will be used during your study. During the first session, whether online or in-person, the team will talk through what you can expect during the programme and answer any questions. 

International students learning onshore with us will also be required to attend a separate orientation session. Details will be provided during the application process.

The Master of Contemporary Education programme is designed for Educators teachers and educators at all levels to be equipped to bring contemporary skills and tools into their classrooms and schools.

This programme is available to study as an international student either via online distance learning or if you currently reside in New Zealand and your visa conditions allow study. To find out more about studying with academyEX as an international student, and for programme fees, visit our International Students page.

Yes, Part 2 of the Masters of Contemporary Education is designed to support all students to identify a problem, opportunity or challenge that they can address through their practice-based change project.

This is a practice-based Master’s highly relevant to your education context e.g classroom or school.

It will add value to your school (or other education context), so your manager or leadership team will be supportive of your study. Importantly, this Master’s is about your practice - the challenges, problems and opportunities that you face in your classroom (or other education context).

This Master’s adds value to the Digital and Collaborative Learning Postgraduate Certificate which is Part 1 of the 3 part MCE. The PG-DCL and MCE become a suite of options for teachers and other educators to choose from and move between.

This Masters focuses on the challenges of contemporary education including digital fluency through leadership and collaboration. The programme recognises all teachers as leaders.

The Master of Contemporary Education Agile Inquiry Process is a framework that allows you to tackle complex change in learning environments where requirements are not fully understood or are ever changing.

The learning is divided into sprints (chunks) that facilitate successful collaboration and shared learning. There is an individual and collective responsibility and a shared accountability with personalised learning through the selection and development of particular sprints that are focused to your context. With continuous improvement, regular reflection and iteration, the solution to the challenge emerges through the process.  

The Masters has part-time and full-time options.

To learn more about our Masters programme, download our 2023 Prospectus or book a chat with Lisa Whittington-Slater, our Outreach Manager.

Previous candidates have received pay increases after the completion of the Masters. Our understanding is and has been if you complete the Masters which is an NZQA approved Level 9 postgraduate qualification you are entitled to a change in salary upon graduation with a Master's degree - unless you are already on the highest allowable step. However, as academyEX, we cannot guarantee all graduates will receive a pay increase upon graduation. All employees salaries and qualifications need to be assessed individually by the MOE Salary Assessment Team before any change in pay scale is confirmed.We recommend checking the Teachers’ Collective Agreement, Remuneration Clause or contact MOE Resourcing Division resourcing@education.govt.nz, or speaking with the Payroll Officer at your school for any clarification.

Usually, workshops will be held during the school holidays or on a weekend. There may be some flexibility around workshops/days of the week, but there is an expectation that you will attend these workshops. Attending online is possible, please speak with the programme team

Yes, almost all academyEX learners work full time while studying part time. If you want to study the Masters full-time, a full-time job is not possible. Learning and assessment are designed to be practical and linked to personal aspirations and projects. You will also be implementing your practice-based project in your workplace during Part 3.

We are very happy to help you to communicate the benefits of studying with academyEX to your employer. If you would like us to provide you with a letter of support or further information, please just ask.