Why Study / Key Benefits

The Master of Education (Mathematics Education) is designed for professionals who already have a background in education or mathematics teaching and want to deepen their expertise in how mathematics is taught and learned.

Key benefits include:

• Develop advanced knowledge of mathematics education for early-years, primary and secondary education contexts.
• Examine how learners develop mathematical understanding and how teaching approaches can improve mathematics achievement.
• Develop knowledge of equitable and culturally responsive mathematics education practices.
• Explore evidence-based approaches to mathematical inquiry and classroom practice.
• Develop advanced skills in analysing, synthesising and critically evaluating mathematics pedagogy and curriculum.
• Undertake professional inquiry or formal research in mathematics education.
• Study flexibly through distance and online learning.
• Work with practitioners and researchers in mathematics education.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The MEd is a parts-based qualification. Students complete Part One before progressing to Part Two.

The core component includes:

• 254710 Ruia taitea: Transforming Education – 15 credits. This explores critical issues in education, including social justice, cultural location and collective wellbeing in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Students also choose 15 credits from research-methods courses, including:

• 267721 Research Methodologies in Education – 15 credits. Covers quantitative, qualitative and mixed-methods research design, research context, research designs, data collection and analysis.
• 267741 Indigenous Research Methodologies – 15 credits. Examines M?ori research frameworks, philosophies and processes and their contribution to Indigenous scholarship in educational settings.

Mathematics Education courses

Students must take at least 60 credits from the current Mathematics Education course selection:

• 276700 Developing Mathematical Inquiry Communities – 30 credits
• 276782 Mathematics in Schooling and Society – 30 credits
• 276785 Making Mathematics Accessible – 30 credits

These courses address mathematical inquiry, theories of learning, mathematical learning trajectories, the role of mathematics in education and society, and equitable classroom practices that make mathematics accessible to learners.

Part Two – Coursework pathway

The coursework pathway includes:

• 267860 Professional Inquiry – 60 credits.

This involves critical evaluation and inquiry into a significant professional issue, supported by relevant theory and literature.

For the coursework pathway, students must achieve at least a B average across their first 120 credits before progressing to Part Two.

Part Two – Research pathway

The research pathway consists of:

• 267881 Thesis 90 Credit Part 1 – 45 credits
• 267882 Thesis 90 Credit Part 2 – 45 credits

Disciplines / Specialisations

The selected specialisation is Mathematics Education.

Massey’s current Master of Education subjects include:

• Digital Education
• Early Years
• Educational Administration and Leadership
• Inclusive Education
• Literacy Education
• M?ori Education
• Mathematics Education.

For Mathematics Education, the subject focuses specifically on:

• Mathematical inquiry
• Mathematics teaching and learning
• Mathematics curriculum
• Mathematics in schooling and society
• Mathematical learning trajectories
• Equitable mathematics education
• Accessible mathematics teaching
• Evidence-based classroom practices
• Research and professional inquiry in mathematics education.

Programme Highlights

Key programme features include:

• Specialisation in Mathematics Education.
• Flexible distance and online delivery.
• International students can study online from outside New Zealand.
• Focus on mathematics teaching and learning across early-years, primary and secondary contexts.
• Emphasis on equitable and culturally responsive educational practice.
• Evidence-based mathematics pedagogy.
• Mathematical inquiry and learning communities.
• Options for professional inquiry or a research thesis.
• Development of advanced analytical, synthesis and critical-evaluation skills.
• Potential progression towards doctoral study, subject to meeting the required academic standard.

Career Outcomes

Massey states that graduates develop skills and experience that can enhance and advance careers relevant to their specialisation across education contexts.

For Mathematics Education, the qualification can support professional development in areas such as:

• Mathematics teaching
• Curriculum development
• Mathematics education leadership
• Educational professional development
• Teacher inquiry
• Educational research
• Mathematics pedagogy
• Education policy and curriculum-related work
• Further academic research.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

Several current points are important for applicants:

• The programme page confirms that international students can study Mathematics Education online from outside New Zealand.
• The MEd is currently a minimum 180-credit qualification.
• The programme has both coursework/professional-inquiry and research/thesis pathways.
• Coursework-pathway progression requires a minimum B average over the first 120 credits.
• Research-pathway progression requires a minimum B+ average over the first 90 credits.
• Massey currently notes that the research-pathway thesis entry requirements are being updated. The programme page specifically clarifies that only one 15-credit research-methods course is currently required for Part One planning, rather than two as indicated in some thesis-entry wording.
• A Postgraduate Diploma in Education may provide an opportunity to apply for credit towards Part One.
• The qualification does not itself provide New Zealand teacher registration/qualification.
• Older MEd regulations contain transitional provisions for students enrolled before 2024; these are not intended as the normal structure for new 2026/2027 applicants.

International Student Visa Requirements

For an international student studying the programme online from outside New Zealand, Massey explicitly states that the qualification is open to international students studying online outside New Zealand. In that situation, a New Zealand student visa is generally not required merely to study the online programme from overseas.

If an international student instead intends to study physically in New Zealand, the relevant immigration route is generally the New Zealand Fee Paying Student Visa.

Current Immigration New Zealand requirements include:

• Offer of place from an approved education provider.
• Evidence of sufficient funds to pay tuition, or an acceptable scholarship.
• Evidence of sufficient living funds or an acceptable sponsor.
• Acceptable medical and travel insurance.
• Meeting health and character requirements.
• Genuine intention to study.
• Evidence that the student can leave New Zealand at the end of the stay.
• Full-time study in the approved course.
• Visa cost from NZ$850.
• Maximum stay of up to four years, depending on circumstances and visa conditions.
• Immigration New Zealand states that 80% of applications are processed within eight weeks.