UC STEP

Step into the classroom with a Master of Teaching under UC's School-based Teacher Education Program (UC STEP).

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About UC STEP

Are you ready to step in a new career direction? UC鈥檚 School-based Teacher Education Program (UC STEP) is Canberra鈥檚 newest employment-based pathway into teaching, created in partnership with the ACT Education Directorate. This innovative program allows you to start working as a paid Learning Support Assistant (LSA) from day one, gaining invaluable classroom experience while studying for your Master of Primary or Master of Secondary Teaching. It鈥檚 the perfect blend of earning and learning, designed to fast-track your teaching career.

From your second year in the program, you鈥檒l step into a teaching role with a Permit to Teach, giving you the opportunity to put theory into practice while still completing your studies. UC STEP offers a unique chance to combine hands-on learning, financial support, and a career-defining experience that prepares you to become a confident, capable teacher.

With UC STEP, not only do you earn a salary, but you also receive a $20,000 scholarship to help ease the financial burden of returning to study. Throughout your journey, you鈥檒l be supported by experienced mentors and instructional coaches who will guide you every step of the way, ensuring you graduate with the skills, knowledge and confidence to thrive in the classroom.

So, if you鈥檙e after a career change that will challenge and reward you, UC STEP provides the perfect pathway to becoming a fully qualified teacher while working in a school-based environment.

Applications for the 2025 UC STEP intake are now closed. However, there is still time to apply for our Master of Teaching degree if you鈥檇 like to begin your studies in 2025. Stay tuned for updates on the 2026 UC STEP intake.

Employed from day one

Start working as a part-time LSA in your first year, progressing to a teacher (Permit to Teach) in your second year.

$20,000 Scholarship

Financial support to help you focus on your studies.

Mentorship and coaching

Benefit from experienced mentors and instructional coaches supporting you throughout your studies.

Employed from day one

Start working as a part-time LSA in your first year, progressing to a teacher (Permit to Teach) in your second year.

$20,000 Scholarship

Financial support to help you focus on your studies.

Mentorship and coaching

Benefit from experienced mentors and instructional coaches supporting you throughout your studies.

Register your interest

Download the course brochure and receive updates on key dates and the application process

View the UC STEP webinar recording

Interested in the UC STEP program? Watch our recent webinar to see how this program can support your journey into a teaching career. In this session, we provide an in-depth look at UC STEP鈥檚 structure and benefits, along with expert insights from our academics to highlight the unique advantages of the Master of Teaching pathway.

Program details

Qualification

Upon graduation you will have a Master of Primary Teaching or a Master of Secondary Teaching, depending on your selected specialisation.

The Master of Teaching under UC STEP will be delivered using a combination of flexible on campus and online study designed to enable employment alongside study; you will complete 30 credit points in the first year and the remaining 18 credit points in the second year, allowing you to work while you learn.

Learn more about UC鈥檚 Master of Teaching.

Eligibility

To be eligible to study a Master of Teaching under UC STEP, you will need to have the following:

An undergraduate degree that aligns with one or more of the in the Australian Curriculum. We particularly encourage applicants with backgrounds in hard-to-staff subject areas such as Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) or foreign languages.
You should have the capacity to balance part-time employment as a Learning Support Assistant (LSA) or a teacher with your academic commitments during the program.
All applicants must obtain a Working with Vulnerable People Check (WWVPC) prior to commencing the program
Applicants must demonstrate a passion for education and a desire to make a positive impact on students' lives. A personal statement outlining your motivation for entering the teaching profession will be required as part of the application.
In your second year, you鈥檒l progress to teaching under a Permit to Teach (PTT). You must meet the ACT Education Directorate's requirements for this, which include a satisfactory background check and appropriate professional readiness for the classroom.
Applicants must be eligible to gain a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) or be an Australian citizen or permanent resident.

UC STEP is committed to building a diverse and inclusive teaching workforce. We strongly encourage applications from:

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) individuals
Individuals with personal and professional backgrounds relevant to working with neurodiverse students, students with disability, or students with English as a second language

Employment salary

Through UC STEP, you鈥檒l be employed as a Learning Support Assistant (LSA) from day one, and as a teacher under a Permit to Teach (PTT) in your second year, all while undertaking a Master of Primary Teaching or Master of Secondary Teaching.

Year 1:

Learning Support Assistant (LSA):

Part time (0.4 full-time equivalent)
Approx. $23,086 - $23,890 salary
Plus a $20,000 scholarship

Year 2:

Permit to Teach (PTT):

0.8 part-time equivalent
Approx. $66,237 salary

Career Opportunities

UC鈥檚 Master of Teaching is an internationally recognised qualification that will enable graduates to pursue a wide range of employment opportunities across Australia and the world, including:

Primary School Teacher (Primary Teaching specialisation)
Secondary School Teacher (Secondary Teaching specialisation)
Principal
Relief Teacher
Adult Educator
Children鈥檚 Author
Curriculum Adviser
Flexible Learning Developer
Professional Trainer, Coach, or Tutor
Life Coach or Development Executive
International School Teacher
Lecturer
Education Entrepreneur
Foreign Aid Worker/Educator
Academia, including pedagogy researcher
Policy Design and Implementation

How to Apply

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Upcoming Intakes

UC STEP is only available for Semester 1 intake. The next intake is:

Semester 1, 2025
Start date: 5 February 2025

Frequently asked questions

What time will my classes be?
- All classes are scheduled during the day.
Can I study the course part-time?
- Unfortunately, the program can only be studied in the format outlined to ensure that you are eligible to work in a part-time capacity in the second year.
- You could certainly enrol in our regular program if you are keen to study part-time, and there are other scholarships offered by the Federal government.
Are there other scholarships if I am not eligible for UC STEP?
- Yes! The Commonwealth Teaching Scholarship can provide you up to $20,000 for new full-time postgraduate teaching students.
- Check out the website for further information on eligibility:
Is this program open to international students?
- Unfortunately, no. You will need to be either an Australian citizen, a permanent resident, or able to gain a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Who can I contact if I need advice for the program?
- Send us an email via UCSTEP@canberra.edu.au and we will be in touch.

UC鈥檚 Master of Teaching

UC鈥檚 Master of Primary Teaching and Master of Secondary Teaching are unlike any other in Australia. Our unique hands-on approach to learning gives you the perfect blend of theoretical knowledge and extensive classroom experience. You鈥檒l graduate with a fully accredited qualification by the ACT Teacher Quality Institute (TQI), equipped with everything you need to be a pivotal mentor in a child鈥檚 learning journey.

Learn more