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Postgraduate

Master of Learning and Teaching (Early Years)

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

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Overview

  • UniSQ’s new Master of Learning and Teaching (Early Years) enables those with a bachelor degree in a discipline other than education to become a registered teacher in as little as 18 months.
  • Specialising in the development and care of children from birth to eight years, this degree provides a comprehensive understanding of education designed to give children a strong start in their learning development.
  • Study online at your own pace, in your own time, the characteristics of babies and young children and how they develop and learn.
  • Learn how to create and maintain supportive, socially inclusive and safe learning environments.
  • Put theory into practice and build significant industry connections through 75 days of supervised professional experience placements in pre-school and primary school contexts. 
 

Further study

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

Professional accreditation

This degree is an approved early childhood teacher qualification with the Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) and accredited by the Queensland College of Teachers (QCT). It also meets the expectations and requirements of the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL).

Career outcomes

  • Graduates can work in early learning centres and kindergartens, early education and care services, and to be eligible to apply for registration to teach in primary school contexts with in-depth understandings and skills of  foundation to Year 3, with a specialisation in English Literacy.

Entry requirements

Find the entry requirements most relevant to you.

  • 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.
  • 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.

English language requirements

To meet the English language requirements for this degree, we accept the combined level and duration of study specified below, or the minimum English language proficiency scores from one of the following tests. Your test must be completed within two years of applying to UniSQ. 

Tertiary study
(Diploma level or higher)
 3+ years full-time tertiary study in a country from the Accepted English-speaking countries list.
IELTS (Academic)  Minimum overall score of 7.5, with a minimum of 8.0 in speaking and listening, and a minimum of 7.0 in reading and writing. 
International Second Language Proficiency Ratings (ISLPR) A rating of at least 4 in each of the skill areas of listening, speaking, reading and writing. Please note that the assessment must be completed at an approved testing site.
Professional English Assessment for Teachers (PEAT) Assessment of A in all four areas of listening, speaking, reading and writing.

If you have a current Queensland College of Teachers (QCT) provisional or full registration you automatically meet the English language requirements for this degree.

Teacher registration is the responsibility of jurisdictional authorities and the specifications for English Language requirements are set out under the relevant regulatory schemes. 

Recognition of prior learning or work experience

You may be eligible for recognition of prior learning if you have previously studied or have relevant work experience. This will help to reduce the number of courses that you need to study to finish your program.

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

During the degree, you will complete four full-time supervised professional experience placements blocks, including 10 days with children aged birth to two years old, 20 days in a kindergarten, and 45 days in a primary school setting, totalling 75 days. 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 4624
Domestic full fee paying

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

AUD 25120

1 These are indicative annual fees for 2025. 

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

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, 2025  Monday 10 February Monday 3 February  Monday 10 February  Friday 9 May
Trimester 2, 2025 Monday 26 May Monday 19 May Monday 26 May  Friday 22 August
Trimester 3, 2025 Monday 8 September Monday 1 September Monday 8 September Friday 5 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?

 

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How long does a Master of Teaching Early Childhood take to complete?

The duration of a Master of Early Childhood Teaching (or equivalent) will vary depending on the education provider you choose.

At UniSQ, our Education and Teaching Master of Learning and Teaching (Early Years) will take you approximately two years to complete. Some students choose to study part-time, which increases the time it takes to finish the required courses. 

What are the career opportunities for graduates with a Master of Learning and Teaching (Early Years)?

Graduates of a Master of Teaching Early Childhood can enjoy employment opportunities in early learning centers, kindergartens, early education and care services.

You may also be eligible to apply for registration to teach in a primary school context with in-depth understanding and skills of foundation to Year 3, with a specialisation in English literacy. 

What opportunities does UniSQ offer for practical experience?

You will have many opportunities to put theory into practice when studying a Master of Teaching Early Childhood

At UniSQ, you will gain practical, hands-on experience during your professional experience placement, including 10 days with children aged birth to two years old, 20 days in a kindergarten setting, and 45 days in a primary school setting, totalling 75 days.

For further information on education placements, including financial support and Positive Exemption Cards, please view the degree structure details on this page. 

Are there flexible study options available?

A Master of Early Childhood online is an ideal way to combine your education and career goals with your life and work commitments.

At UniSQ, you can study our Master of Learning and Teaching Early Childhood (also known as a Master of Teaching Early Childhood) externally, allowing you to learn some of your subject theory online and complete practical experience in person when required. We’ve been delivering distance education for over 40 years, so you can be sure that you are learning your degree from the experts in online education.

Discover more about the different ways you can study at UniSQ.