Faculty of Education

Become a professional in primary teaching and experience the satisfaction of making a real difference.

Primary teachers play a crucial role in society by preparing children for lifelong learning and participation in society. They are pivotal in helping children acquire positive attitudes to learning and supporting them in the development of knowledge, understandings and skills in a range of learning areas.

Children in their primary school years (generally ages 6 to 12) are often highly receptive and an excellent teacher can inspire them to achieve. Primary school teachers also play a crucial role in preparing children academically and emotionally for the transition to adolescence and secondary school.

Literacy, numeracy and the use of ICT in teaching and learning are given particular emphasis in the Master of Teaching (Primary) course, and our students are taught to create engaging integrated programs for children across a range of learning areas, including Science, History, Geography and the Arts.

A special feature of this course is the final semester, in which students can choose to deepen their knowledge, skill and confidence in a particular area of professional practice, through an interventions stream. Many of the units include a school based component as we believe that theory and practice need to be tightly interwoven.

The UWA Master of Teaching is a two year post-graduate teacher preparation program that qualifies graduates to teach in primary schools.

Why a Master's degree at UWA?

The UWA Graduate School of Education is committed to producing exceptional teachers who are highly sought after by government and non-government schools locally, nationally and internationally. The Master of Teaching degree involves two years of intensive study of education that prepares highly skilled professionals who have a deep understanding of teaching and student learning and the potential for future leadership roles.

Compared to a one year Graduate of Diploma, the two year Master of Teaching provides more professional practice and a greater depth of knowledge and understanding of content, pedagogy and assessment of children’s learning.

As a graduate of this course you will be able to work in government and non-government schools, both nationally and internationally. There is a strong demand for graduates from the UWA Faculty of Education as it is renowned for its excellent teacher education courses and the quality of its graduates. Graduates of this course have been highly satisfied and have received excellent feedback from teachers and principals in their professional practice placements.

Course outline

The core component of the course is the effective teaching of literacy and numeracy; the program has a strong focus on diagnosis and intervention in these areas. Students will also be introduced to teaching and assessment techniques in a range of important curriculum areas including the Arts, Science, Health and Physical Education. The integration of theory and practice is an important aspect of this program and students will have the opportunity to practise their teaching skills in school placements each semester.

Final year students are offered the opportunity to enter an 'interventions' stream, with an action research component that focuses on helping children who have learning difficulties or who need extension, or a research stream that can lead to entry into doctoral programs. For more information about this, please see entry requirements for relevant doctoral programs.

Admission requirements

Entry is competitive, so an interview may be required. All students are required to pass a literacy and numeracy test during the course.

Successful completion of a recognised tertiary degree, in any discipline, will qualify you for this course.

Domestic students

• A bachelor's degree, or equivalent, as recognised by the Faculty.
• All UWA coursework programs: English Language Competence

International students

• Requirements are the same as for domestic students above, plus
• applicants who hold overseas qualifications must provide evidence of English language competence equivalent to an IELTS score of 7.5 with no band lower than 7.0.

Course enquiries

Prospective students should read the frequently asked questions for this course prior to contacting staff.

Initial enquiries
Anita Creasey
Administrative Assistant
Telephone: (+61 8) 6488 8024