UBC Educational Studies (EDST) Master of Education (MEd)
Information Session for 2025-2026 Intake
Wednesday, January 8, 2025
4:30 – 6 PM (PST)
In-person or Online
The MEd programs in Educational Studies are situated within the academic programs in the Department of Educational Studies.
A MEd degree can be completed full-time over a two-year period or over a longer period for part-time students, and is excellent preparation for professional practice.
MEd students enroll in one of the programs:
- Adult Learning and Education (ALE)
- Adult Learning and Global Change (ALGC) – online
- Educational Administration and Leadership (EDAL)
- Higher Education (HIED)
- Society, Culture and Politics in Education (SCPE)
- Ts”Kel Concentration
In addition, we offer an MEd in Curriculum and Leadership (CULE) which is collaborative program between the Educational Administration and Leadership Program (EDAL) and the Department of Curriculum and Pedagogy (EDCP). We have also offered the MEd in Educational (for in Education for Sustainability) through PDCE:
- Curriculum and Leadership (CULE)
- MEd EDST (Education for Sustainabiilty)
What is the difference between an MA and an MEd program?
The MEd Program is designed for those students whose primary interest is in developing further their professional practice. Students interested in the MEd Program pick one of several program concentrations offered by the department (Adult Learning and Education; Adult Learning and Global Change; Curriculum and Leadership; Educational Administration and Leadership; Higher Education; Society, Culture and Politics in Education; or Ts”Kel), and complete their course work either full-time or part-time (with the exception of Adult Learning and Global Change, which is full-time only).
MEd students complete their programs by writing a graduating paper (EDST 590) which can take a number of forms, including writing a substantial essay on a particular topic that includes a review of relevant literature, or the creation of a curriculum or policy that is directly relevant to their workplace. Some program concentrations give students the option of completing one or more elective courses as an alternative to writing a graduating paper.
The MEd Program is generally completed over a two-year period for full-time students, and over a longer period for part-time students.
The MA Program is a thesis based program designed for students interested in learning more about conducting research, and who may enter the PhD program at a later date. Students interested in the MA program can complete the degree as a general concentration in Educational Studies, or by choosing one of four program concentrations offered by the department (Adult Learning and Education; Educational Administration and Leadership; Higher Education; or Society, Culture and Politics in Education).
The core courses for MA students are the same as the core courses for MEd students. Unlike MEd students, MA students must take other required MA courses, find a supervisory committee, prepare a research proposal, conduct their research, write up the results and defend their thesis.
The MA Program is generally completed over a two-year period for full-time students, and over a longer period for part-time students.
Admissions Requirements for Graduate Study
Each MEd Program within the Department Of Educational Studies has its own admission requirements.
In addition to individual program requirements, all graduate program applicants in the Department of Educational Studies (EDST) must meet the minimum entry requirements established by the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, which oversees graduate work at UBC. Applicants who do not meet the minimum requirements will be considered for admission only in exceptional circumstances.
General Eligibility
To be eligible for admission to a master’s degree program at UBC, applicants must hold a four-year bachelor’s degree (apart from applicants from Quebec) with a minimum overall average in the B+ range (at UBC 76%) in third- and fourth-year courses prescribed by the Department concerned as prerequisite to the master’s program.
Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies - Minimum Academic Requirements: Canadian or U.S. Credentials
http://www.grad.ubc.ca/prospective-students/application-admission/minimum-academic-requirements-canadian-or-us-credentials
Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies - Minimum Academic Requirements: International Credentials
http://www.grad.ubc.ca/prospective-students/application-admission/minimum-academic-requirements-international-credentials
English Requirements
English Proficiency Test Score: Applicants whose degrees are from a university outside Canada in which English is not the primary language of instruction must present evidence of competency to pursue studies in the English language prior to being extended an offer of admission. Acceptable English language proficiency tests for applicants to graduate studies are:
- TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language): Minimum score of 600 (paper version), 250 (computer version), 92 with a minimum of 22 in each component (iTB) is required for admission to all programs in Educational Studies. Visit TOEFL’s website
- IELTS (International English Language Testing Service): Minimum overall band score of 6.5 with no other component score less than 6.0.
- MELAB (Michigan English Language Assessment Battery): Minimum overall score of 81.
The applicants must have an official report of their score on one of these tests sent directly from the testing service to the Graduate Program Assistant, Department of Educational Studies at the address below by the application deadline. Score reports more than two years old will not be accepted.
More Information: http://www.grad.ubc.ca/prospective-students/application-admission/english-proficiency-requirements
The EDST MEd is a 30 credit program.
Students have the option of:
(1) completing 27 credits of course work and a three credit graduating paperor
(2) completing all 30 credits through course work.
* In addition to general EDST MEd requirements, each MEd Program has its own program requirements as outlined on each Program’s individual page.
The MEd degree provides a rich learning environment for studying educational theories, methodologies, and problems which can then be transferred to work in schools, the workplace, the non-profit sector, and community leadership.
Scholarship funding is not available for MEd students.
Prospective students should apply through the program concentration they are interested in pursuing:
- Adult Learning and Education (ALE)
- Adult Learning and Global Change (ALGC) – online
- Educational Administration and Leadership (EDAL)
- Education for Sustainability (EfS)
- Higher Education (HIED)
- Society, Culture and Politics in Education (SCPE)
- Ts”Kel Program
Note that fees are subject to change by the University.
Tuition for MEd Programs
Tuition fees for EDST Masters Programs are found on the UBC Calendar website.
Deadlines for applications
Deadlines for EDST programs can be found on the EDST website.
Contact Us
Quick links:
| Deadlines | Eligibility | English requirements |
| Housing | How to Apply | FAQ - Prospective Students |
| Tuition |
For more information about this program, the department and admission procedures can be found at edst.educ.ubc.ca or by contacting:
EDST Graduate Program Assistant
Email: grad.edst@ubc.ca
Tel: 604.822.6647
Faculty of Education – Department of Educational Studies
Education Centre at Ponderosa Commons
6445 University Boulevard
Vancouver, British Columbia
V6T 1Z2