Starts 19 January 2026 Designed for educators, leaders and learning designers who want rethink what learning can be and create a future ready educational system. It&#039;s less about theory for theory&#039;s sake and more about action, impact and purpose.

Masters

Hybrid learning

Leadership (neutral UI)

Technology (neutral UI)

Education (neutral UI)

The Mind Lab - hidden

Paid

Master of Contemporary Education

<h6>LEARNING OUTCOMES</h6><h1>What you’ll learn</h1>

This is not a regular Masters programme. It is practice-based and focused on creating impactful change in your school WHILE you study. Designed for busy educators, this programme blends scheduled online sessions with optional in-person workshops in Auckland. This flexible structure allows you to balance your studies with professional commitments while benefiting from the support of a collaborative educator community. At academyEX, you&#039;ll gain the tools and support to shape the future of education in Aotearoa. The Masters of Contemporary Education extends your knowledge in multiple dimensions, here are just a few:

Lead innovation in education through a hands-on, practice-based approach. By combining research and theory with the creation of a personalised “Change Project,” you&#039;ll drive transformative change in your school or community. This project enables you to integrate digital technologies and future-focused teaching practices to improve learning outcomes while collaborating with students, whānau, and other stakeholders.

Whether addressing a local challenge or pioneering new educational practices, your Change Project is designed to create meaningful, culturally responsive change. This programme also meets the criteria of a Research Masters, equipping you with expertise to advance excellence in contemporary education.

This hands-on, practice-based programme equips you with the tools to tackle challenges, enhance your teaching strategies, and create real solutions while you study. In a rapidly changing world, it prepares you to stay ahead and make an impact where it matters most.

<h3 style="text-align: center;">Emerging education challenges</h3>Acquire an understanding of emerging education challenges and how to address areas that need improvement.

<h3 style="text-align: center;">Enhance student outcomes</h3>Develop skills to lead and drive sustained pedagogical change to improve student outcomes.

<h3 style="text-align: center;">Respond to change</h3>Grow the ability to understand and authentically respond to cultural and social change.

<h3 style="text-align: center;">Digital fluency</h3>Gain digital fluency and the ability to effectively implement technology into your day-to-day teaching practice.

What you'll learn list - MCE overview

Experienced educators – Teachers and leaders ready to deepen their expertise and advance their careers.Education innovators – Those passionate about driving change and shaping the future of education.Lifelong learners – Ideal for professionals committed to improving teaching and learning practicesAspiring leaders – Designed for those looking to take on leadership roles and influence education systems.

There are 3 parts to this Master’s programme:

How this Master’s programme works - Course Overview - Masters

<h4 style="text-align: center;">Part 1 - Discovery 20 or 32 weeks</h4>Part one also forms our <a href="/courses/digital-and-collaborative-learning-postgrad-cert">Postgraduate Certificate</a>. Evaluate digital and collaborative pedagogies and plan innovations to implement in your practice.

<h4 style="text-align: center;">Part 2 - Project Proposal 15 Weeks</h4>If you have already completed the Postgraduate Certificate in Digital and Collaborative Learning, you will start here - a 3rd of the way there! Dive into Contemporary Teaching and develop a proposal for a practice based change project to be implemented in Part 3.

<h4 style="text-align: center;">Part 3 - Implementation 25 or 50 weeks</h4>Implement your practice-based change project to create impact in your chosen space.

How this Master’s programme works list - MCE overview

Join MCE to be among the first to experience The Play Lab: A new space for educators to explore, prototype, and transform learning. This is a hands-on environment where you can design and test innovative teaching strategies, explore tools like robotics, AI, and digital fabrication, and build confidence with emerging technologies. Investigate new strategies you can apply to your teaching the day you learn them. Whether you’re rethinking curriculum, leading change in your school, or exploring new ways to engage learners, the Play Lab brings your vision into the real world.

If you are an international student planning to study in New Zealand, please download our <a target="_blank" href="https://link.academyex.com/3C3wEcL">International Student guide</a>.

What you need to apply - Course overview - MCE

<h3 style="text-align: center;">Proof of identity</h3>You will need to provide a copy of your passport or birth certificate to confirm your personal details.

<h3 style="text-align: center;">English language proficiency</h3>If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence of English language competence e.g. academic IELTS or PTE. <a target="_blank" href="https://www2.nzqa.govt.nz/tertiary/english-language-entry-requirements-for-international-students/">Learn more</a>

<h3 style="text-align: center;">Qualifications &amp; work experience</h3>You need to provide proof of previous study and work experience e.g. an academic transcript, graduating certificate, or CV.

<h3 style="text-align: center;">Statement of Intent</h3>We want to know why you want to study a Master’s programme! Let us know in the Statement of Intent form. <a target="_blank" href="https://link.academyex.com/3slmGC5">Download the form</a>

What you need to apply - List - Course overview - Masters

If you are applying as an international student, please download our <a target="_blank" href="https://link.academyex.com/3C3wEcL">International Student guide</a> for full information (including what documents you need to apply).

Application and admissions - Course overview - Masters

<h4 style="text-align: center;">Apply online</h4>Choose a <a href="/browse/courses?course-type=masters">Master’s programme</a> that aligns with your goals and complete an application form. Make sure to submit all the required documentation so your application can be processed as quickly as possible. If you are applying as an international student, please download our <a target="_blank" href="https://link.academyex.com/3C3wEcL">International Student guide</a> for full details of entry requirements.

<h4 style="text-align: center;">Interview</h4>We’d love to get to know you better! These interviews are a fantastic opportunity for you to ask any questions you may have, share your professional experience, and discuss your learning goals. This helps ensure that the Master’s programme you’ve chosen is the perfect fit for your aspirations.

<h4 style="text-align: center;">Accept offer of place</h4>Once you qualify for the programme you will receive a confirmation email from our enrolments team. Our finance team will then reach out to guide you through the available payment options.

<h4 style="text-align: center;">Visa</h4>If you are not a citizen or permanent resident of New Zealand, you will need to apply for a visa that permits full-time study. For complete details on the requirements, please visit <a href="https://www.immigration.govt.nz/">Immigration New Zealand</a>.

Application and admissions - List - Course Overview - Masters

*New International student intake starts in April 2026. Complete programme in 15 months. Payment options and <a target="_blank" href="/student-support/scholarships">scholarships</a> are available to help ease the financial commitment of studying. To discuss your own situation and learn about what options are available to you, please get in touch to chat with one of our student advisors.

Domestic student fee Domestic student fees apply to all students who are citizens, permanent residents or those hold a residency visa in New Zealand.

International student fee International student fees apply to all students who are NOT citizens, permanent residents or those who DO NOT hold a residency visa in New Zealand.

Programme Lead - MCE

Dr. Herbert Thomas

Postgraduate Director - MCE

Dorcas Kayes

Anna Johnstone

Research Director

Dr. David Parsons

I might be older, but I&#039;ve never felt more polished. To those of you who are older—seize the opportunity and make the most of it!

I hope to be a role model for my kids. When they grow up, I want them to see what I&#039;ve done and inspire them to better themselves.

My project focused on harnessing the power of technology through a blended learning model, aiming to transform education delivery.

It’s a great chance to explore what you’re passionate about and lead in an educational setting. You’ll meet amazing people along the way.

If you think you&#039;re too busy or tied up with work, academyEX is the place to start—no better way to expand your horizons.

I always like to drive change - I loved that I could come here, broach an idea and pick a change that you want to see made reality.

I can now lead in pedagogy and the science of learning, and I feel so much more confident in my ability to guide others.

It was inspiring because it was based on my classroom practice. I could take what I learned here and apply it immediately with my students.

Course overview - MCE overview

Key dates - MCE overview

Course requirements - MCE overview

Fees and enrolment - MCE overview

Starts 30 March. You can take this dynamic post graduate certificate as a stand alone qualification - or use it as part one of your Master of Contemporary Education. As social and technological changes accelerate, educators must continually update their skills to keep pace. Generative artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming education by challenging traditional assessments and prompting a reevaluation of educational purposes. To navigate these changes, both teachers and learners need to develop new skills and critical perspectives.

Digital &amp; Collaborative Learning

Starts 1 September. How do you lead change for good in an AI-enabled world? When climate challenges accelerate, ethical questions multiply, and systems struggle to keep pace? Explore new ways to create positive change .

Leading Change for Good

Starts 30 October. This course is for senior leaders who want to strengthen culture, manage complexity, and lead transformation with confidence in an AI-enabled world.

Master of Change and Organisational Resilience

Starts 17 February. Skill up in essential AI &amp; Digital Tools in 7 weeks. Designed for immediate application, this Micro-credential is your ticket to levelling-up in the digital world and unleashing your true potential in the ever-evolving workplace landscape.

Digital Skills for the Workplace

The Mind Lab

<h1>Become the change your learners need.</h1>Position yourself to lead in education’s AI era. This master’s builds the digital fluency and bold thinking to lift your learners and reshape what’s possible in your classroom, your school, and beyond. The Master&#039;s of Contemporary Education equips you to design inclusive, culturally responsive, digitally fluent learning. And to use AI responsibly across curriculum, assessment, and learner support. Build practical capability through innovative practice and critical reflection, and lead change with confidence. Next Intake starts 19 January 2026. Our next International student intake starts April 2026.

Hands-on learning with emerging tech <a href="/courses/master/master-of-contemporary-education#section_the-play-lab-mce-course-overview">Learn more</a>

3-5 hours of directed learning per week

Blended learning: Online and in-person sessions

NZQA accredited, Level 9 (180 Credits)

Master of Contemporary Education#10 (13-07-2026) - Part 2

Master of Contemporary Education#9 (19-01-2026) - Part 2

Master of Contemporary Education#8 (20-04-2026) - Part 1 - Full time

Develop contemporary teaching skills to create a positive educational impact with academyEX's innovative Master's program. Be the difference you want to see. Enrol today!

MASTER OF CONTEMPORARY EDUCATION

The Play Lab

Course duration

Time commitment

Flexible study

Research Masters

Lead educational innovation

Create meaningful change

Future-focused learning

This course is ideal for:

COURSE DETAILS

How this Master’s programme works

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