Master of Educational Leadership

One-year fast-track program

• A four-year bachelor's degree or combined degree in education (including professional experience or practicum) equivalent to the qualifications required for graduate teacher status in NSW or other Australian jurisdictions, OR
• A recognised bachelor's degree and a postgraduate teaching qualification (e.g., Graduate Diploma of Education or Master of Teaching) equivalent to the qualifications required for graduate teacher status in NSW or other Australian jurisdictions, OR
• A bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant discipline*, plus three years of relevant professional experience and development**.

1.5-year program

• A bachelor's degree (or equivalent qualification) in a relevant discipline* with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65%, OR
• A bachelor's degree (or equivalent qualification) in any discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65% plus three years' relevant professional experience** and development, OR
• An honours degree or graduate diploma (or equivalent qualification) in any discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65%.

Two-year program

• A bachelor's degree (or equivalent qualification) in any discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65%.

Relevant disciplines may include arts, humanities, media, psychology, social work, business, economics, languages, linguistics, communications, policy studies, behavioural sciences, and social sciences.

Relevant professional experience may include roles such as teacher, trainer, coach, educational developer, languages teacher, lecturer, teacher of English to speakers of other languages, educational leader, and educational administration.

Credit Transfer

• You can apply to have credit points from previous studies applied to the Master of Educational Leadership.
• The maximum credit transfer you can apply for is 50% (24 units of credit, or three courses).
• Recognised courses must have been completed within the last ten years, provided the content is relevant and/or meet BOSTES requirements.

Alternative Entry Pathways

• If you don't meet the entry requirements, you may be eligible for the Graduate Certificate in Education or the Graduate Certificate in Educational Leadership as stepping stones.

English Language Requirements

• You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency depending on your educational background and citizenship.
• Evidence can be provided via English language tests and university English courses, prior study in the medium of English, or other qualifications.

Graduates of the Master of Educational Leadership go on to work as school principals, deputy school principals, head teachers and education authorities in government departments. Demand for school principals in Australia is projected to grow by 11.5% over the next five years (Seek, 2026). The average salary of a school principal in Australia is $155,000 per year (Seek, 2026). Some graduates transition into corporate education, taking on executive roles within professional learning and development teams, training organisations, education technology companies or large corporations, where they lead strategy, workforce capability and organisational learning initiatives. The UNSW Master of Educational Leadership can also be a stepping stone to the UNSW Doctor of Education.

Potential careers include: Deputy principal, Director of teaching and learning, Education consultant, Education manager, Education policy adviser, Executive director (Education), Head teacher, Learning and development manager, Organisational learning and development lead, Policy officer (Education), Principal, Professional learning director, Senior education adviser, Training and development director.