Master of Higher Education

The Master of Higher Education (MHEd) degree comprises four advanced-level taught papers and a research dissertation. Graduates of the Master in Higher Education will have a thorough and rigorous understanding of the discipline of higher education. This will include advanced knowledge in leadership, policy analysis, teaching, learning and research. The programme is designed to act as a means of enhancing the knowledge and skills of those seeking or wishing to enhance their career in Higher Education or as a foundation for entry to a PhD programme.

The Master of Higher Education can be awarded with an endorsement in Educational Technology where students undertake study in the specialist area of educational technology within each of the four papers and the research project.

Postgraduate entrance requirements

Entrance requirements for postgraduate study vary by programme with most requiring a minimum bachelor-level qualification in the same field, and some having additional requirements such as relevant work experience and/or professional registration in New Zealand.

A postgraduate certificate or postgraduate diploma can usually be taken at any time after the completion of your bachelor's degree.

If you hold an honours degree or postgraduate diploma you may be able to eligible for master’s study by thesis only. In some cases if you hold a bachelor’s degree you may apply for a coursework master’s degree or for master’s study by coursework and thesis.

To study a PhD you usually require the completion of a master’s degree, or a first-class or upper second-class honours degree in the same area of study, or a related discipline, as your intended area of research.

Check the postgraduate students pages for specific information on the entrance requirements of the programme you are interested in.

IELTS (Academic module) (including IELTS Online) : Overall score of 6.5, no individual band below 6.0

TOEFL iBT : Overall score of 90 and a writing score of 21 The University of Otago TOEFL institution code is 9483 (Please note we do not accept MyBest TOEFL scores)

Pearson Test of English ( PTE ) Academic : Overall score of 58 with no communicative skills score below 50

Duolingo English Test : Overall score of 120 (with no Individual Subscore below 95)