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Quick Facts

Programme Tabs

Overview

Programme Overview

This masters is designed for aspiring or current educational leaders who are passionate about leading improvements that serve diverse communities and learners. The qualification will help you understand, critique and contribute to culturally responsive educational leadership that is shaping Aotearoa New Zealand and improve the quality of education for all young people.

It will allow you to take the next step in your career, strengthen your understanding of your own school or context and your role as a leader within it.

Choose from a variety of different study options to suit your learning preferences and commitments, including a new fully online programme available through University of Auckland Online.

For some courses, primary and Intermediate teachers may also be eligible for Ministry of Education Tertiary Fees subsidies. 

120-point pathway

This option is for those who already hold a Postgraduate Diploma in Education, Educational Leadership or equivalent, plus three years' experience in teaching or a related profession. You can choose to complete with or without a research component. 

180-point pathway

This option is for those who already hold an undergraduate degree or graduate diploma in education, plus three years' experience in teaching or a related profession. New in 2020, this programme is the perfect fast-track for those who want to advance their career in educational leadership directly from undergraduate or graduate level study and have the grades to progress directly into masters. Both taught and research options are available.

Study this programme online

This pathway is also available through University of Auckland Online. This will allow you to complete the programme in two years part-time, through a set of prescribed fully-online courses. Learn about University of Auckland Online.

Programme Careers

Potential Careers

This qualification will prepare you for leadership roles, such as in a school or centre, as well as for specialist education roles including senior management, mentoring and educational policy development. The research study options can lead to further study at doctoral level.

Jobs related to this programme

  • Education consultant
  • Policy development manager (education)
  • Professional development facilitator
  • School head of department
  • School principal
  • School senior leadership team member
  • Senior teacher

Student career planning services

Once you become a student at the University, you can get help with planning and developing your career from Career Development and Employability Services.

Key Information for Students

Key Information for Students

Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions.

Experience the University

Video

Give your career an edge

Deputy Principal Joe Johansen shares the value the Master of Educational Leadership has added to his career as a teacher and educational leader.

Entry Requirements, Fees and Dates

Programme Entry Requirements

Other qualifications

If your highest qualification was gained from another tertiary institution, view our entry requirements.


University of Auckland minimum programme requirements

Minimum requirements listed here are the likely grades required and do not guarantee entry. We assess each application individually and applicants may require a higher grade to be offered a place. 

Taught (120 point) - 5.0 Grade Point Average 

Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Leadership or Postgraduate Diploma in Education

Taught (180 point) - 5.0 Grade Point Average

The Bachelor of Education (Teaching) or Bachelor of Arts with a major in Education or Postgraduate Certificate in Education (must not be awarded)

Research (120 point) - 5.0 Grade Point Average

Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Leadership or Postgraduate Diploma in Education

Research (180 point) - 5.0 Grade Point Average

The Bachelor of Education (Teaching) or Bachelor of Arts with a major in Education or Postgraduate Certificate in Education (must not be awarded)

Calculate your Grade Point Average (GPA)

Further Programme Entry Requirements

Taught and Research 120 points    

You must have at least three years of practical experience in teaching or a related profession, including experience in a formal or informal leadership and/or management role.

In addition, you must have completed Educational Leadership EDPROFST 738 or an equivalent course     

Taught and Research 180 points

In addition, you must have at least three years of practical experience in teaching or a related profession, including experience in a formal or informal leadership and/or management role.            

Postgraduate Requirements

You'll also need to meet other requirements, including time limits and total points limits. See Postgraduate enrolment.

Find a Supervisor

Depending on the type of programme you are pursuing, you may have the opportunity to complete a unique research project. To find out more about the research carried out at the University of Auckland and to identify potential supervisors, check out our researcher profiles.

Other Pathways to Study

Taught and Research (180 points)

You must have either:

  • a Bachelors degree, in a relevant subject and passed 60 points towards the Postgraduate Certificate in Education from this University with a Grade Point Average of 5.0 or higher (provided that the postgraduate certificate has not been awarded)
  • a relevant professional qualification in education and passed 60 points towards the Postgraduate Certificate in Education from this University with a Grade Point Average of 5.0 or higher (provided that the postgraduate certificate has not been awarded)


If you do not meet the above entry requirements, but have other relevant experience and think you would be successful in postgraduate study, please contact us to discuss alternative pathways into our programmes. 

Fees and scholarships

Fees

Fees Disclaimer

Fees are set in advance of each calendar year and will be updated on this website. Fees are inclusive of 15% GST, but do not include the Student Services Fee, course books, travel and health insurance, or living costs. Fees will be confirmed upon completion of enrolment into courses. For more information, please see Fees and Money Matters .

*Please note: amounts shown are indicative and estimates only.

Scholarships

Scholarships and awards

Find out about the scholarships you may be eligible for.

Loans and Allowances

Student loans and allowances

Are you a New Zealand citizen or resident? You could be eligible for a student loan or allowance.

Cost of Living

Cost of living

Get an idea of how much accommodation and general living in Auckland will cost.

Key Dates

Application Advice

Please note: we will consider late applications if places are still available. International students should start the application process as early as possible to allow sufficient time to apply for a visa.

Key Dates

SemesterApplication Closing DateSemester Start DateSemester End Date
2026 Semester One08 December 202502 March 202629 June 2026
2026 Semester Two08 June 202620 July 202616 November 2026

Other Important Dates

See important dates for the academic year, including orientation, enrolment, study breaks, exams, and graduation.

Regulations

Preamble

The regulations for this degree are to be read in conjunction with all other relevant statutes and regulations including the Academic Statutes and Regulations.

Admission

1 In order to be admitted to this degree, an applicant intending to complete 120 points must have:

a completed the requirements for the Bachelor of Education (Teaching) (Honours), or Postgraduate Diploma in Education or Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Leadership from this University with a Grade Point Average of 5.0 or higher, or have equivalent prior study

and

b completed EDPROFST 738 or the equivalent.

2 In order to be admitted to this degree, an applicant intending to complete 180 points must have:

a completed the requirements for the Bachelor of Education (Teaching) or Bachelor of Arts with a major in Education from this University with a Grade Point Average of 5.0 or higher, or have equivalent prior study

or

b (i) completed the requirements for a Bachelors degree, in a relevant subject

and

(ii) passed 60 points towards the Postgraduate Certificate in Education from this University with a Grade Point Average of 5.0 or higher, provided that the postgraduate certificate has not been awarded

or

c (i) completed the requirements for a relevant professional qualification in education

and

(ii) passed 60 points towards the Postgraduate Certificate in Education from this University with a Grade Point Average of 5.0 or higher, provided that the postgraduate certificate has not been awarded.

Note: Relevant subjects may include education, psychology, social work, social sciences and sociology.

3 An applicant must have at least three years of practical experience in teaching or a related profession, including experience in a formal or informal leadership and/or management role.

4 An applicant who has met the requirements for admission under Regulation 1a above and who has not completed EDPROFST 738 or its equivalent must have passed this course within two semesters of enrolment in the Master of Educational Leadership. Should this requirement not be completed, enrolment in any further courses required for the Master of Educational Leadership will not be permitted until EDPROFST 738 has been completed.

5 Equivalence and relevance in Regulation 1, 2 and 3 will be determined by the University. Equivalence pertains to the standard as well as nature and level of study.

6 a In exceptional circumstances the requirements in Regulation 1 may be waived by the relevant Associate Dean Academic or nominee if they determine that an applicant has a bachelors degree and relevant practical, professional or scholarly experience of an appropriate kind that is equivalent to one year of postgraduate study.

b In exceptional circumstances the requirements in Regulation 2 may be waived by the relevant Associate Dean Academic or nominee if they determine that an applicant has at least three years of relevant practical, professional or scholarly experience that provides an equivalent level of preparation.

Duration and Total Points Value

7 A student admitted to this degree under Regulation 1 or 6a must:

a pass courses with a total value of 120 points

and

b complete within the time limit specified in the General Regulations – Masters Degrees

and

c not exceed 160 points for the total enrolment for this degree.

8 A student admitted to this degree under Regulation 2 or 6b must:

a pass courses with a total value of 180 points

and

b complete within the time limit specified in the General Regulations – Masters Degrees

and

c not exceed 220 points for the total enrolment for this degree.

Structure and Content

9 a A student enrolled for this degree must complete the requirements as listed in the Master of Educational Leadership Schedule.

b A student who has to complete 180 points must achieve a Grade Point Average of 5.0 or higher in the first 60 points of taught courses taken. If this Grade Point Average is not achieved, enrolment in the Master of Educational Leadership cannot continue.

10 A student must complete the University of Auckland Academic Integrity course as specified in the Enrolment and Programme Regulations, Academic Integrity, of the University Calendar.

Research Component

11 a The thesis is to be carried out under the guidance of a supervisor appointed by the relevant Academic Head or nominee.

b The thesis topic must be approved by the relevant Programme Director or nominee or Postgraduate Committee prior to enrolment.

c The thesis is to be completed and submitted in accordance with the General Regulations – Masters Degrees.

Credit, Cross-credit and Reassignment

12 A student may apply to reassign courses passed for this degree to the Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Leadership or Postgraduate Diploma in Education or Postgraduate Certificate in Education.

Transfer from Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma

13 A student who has passed courses towards the Postgraduate Certificate in Education, Postgraduate Diploma in Education or Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Leadership may apply to reassign those courses to this degree provided that the postgraduate certificate or postgraduate diploma has not been awarded.

Distinction

14 This degree may be awarded with either Honours, Distinction or Merit as specified in the General Regulations – Masters Degrees.

Variations

15 In exceptional circumstances the Programme Director may approve a variation to a student’s programme of study in accordance with the Enrolment and Programme Regulations.

Regulation Commencement or Amendment

16 These regulations and/or schedule have been amended with effect from 1 January 2025.

Schedule

Programme Schedules

Complete 120 to 180 points comprising:

  • Either:
  • 1 item from 120 points Requirements, or
  • 1 item from 180 points Requirements, and
  • 1 item from Academic Integrity Course

Academic Integrity Course

Complete exactly 1 of the following:

Degree Plan

Overview

Degree Plan for the Master of Educational Leadership - 180 points Taught (Full-time)

Year 1
Semester One
Educational Leadership - Level 9
180 points Requirements - EDLD-T3MEdLd - Master of Education Leadership specialisation in Educational Leadership - Taught 180 - Compulsory Courses
30 Points

Elective Course

30 Points
Academic Integrity Course
Academic Integrity Course
Points
Semester Two
Educational Change - Level 9
180 points Requirements - EDLD-T3MEdLd - Master of Education Leadership specialisation in Educational Leadership - Taught 180 - Compulsory Courses
30 Points

Elective Course

30 Points
Year 2
Semester One

Elective Course

30 Points

Other 700 level course in Education

30 Points

Graduate Profile and Programme Capabilities

Graduate Profile

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Programme Capabilities

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Programme Capabilities to Graduate Profile Map

Programme Learning OutcomesPeople and PlaceSustainabilityKnowledge and PracticeCritical ThinkingSolution-SeekingCommunicationCollaborationEthics and Professionalism