UC STEP

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

About UC STEP

Are you ready to step in a new career direction? UC’s School-based Teacher Education Program (UC STEP) is Canberra’s newest employment-based pathway into teaching, created in partnership with the ACT Education Directorate. This 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.

From your second year in the program, you’ll 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’ll 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’re 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.

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.

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’s Master of Teaching.

Eligibility

To be eligible to study a Master of Teaching under UC STEP, applicants must:

Hold an undergraduate degree that aligns with one or more of the eight key learning areas 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.
Complete the one-way interview in the application process.
Be eligible to gain a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) or be an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
Obtain a Working with Vulnerable People Check (WWVPC) prior to commencing the program.
Have the capacity to balance part-time employment as a Learning Support Assistant (LSA) or a teacher with your academic commitments during the program.
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.
Meet the ACT Education Directorate's requirements to teach under a Permit to Teach (PTT) in your second year, which includes a satisfactory background check and appropriate professional readiness for the classroom.
Additional English Language Proficiency and Teacher Registration requirements for this course: Please refer to the Admission requirements for Master of Secondary Teaching and Master of Primary Teaching. Some applicants may be required to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) assessment and attain an overall test score of 7.5 with scores of at least band 8 in Speaking and Listening and at least band 7 in Reading and Writing.

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.

Upcoming intakes

There are currently no UC STEP intakes available. Please complete the Register your interest form at the top of the page to be notified if and when a new intake opens.

The 2027 intake is currently under review and has not yet been confirmed. Please fill out this Expression of Interest if you are interested in applying for UC STEP for intake beginning Semester 1, 2027.

The UC STEP Program is delivered as part of the High Achieving Teachers (HAT) Program: Phase 2 Expansion Pilots with the support of the Australian Government Department of Education.

Hear from current fellows

Learn more about UC STEP from three current UC STEP fellows, Barney Dalgarno (Executive Dean, Faculty of Education) and Joanne Keens (Director of UC STEP) as they explain the UC STEP program and how you might benefit.

UC’s Master of Teaching

UC’s 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’ll 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’s learning journey.

Learn more

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’s structure and benefits, along with expert insights from our academics to highlight the unique advantages of the Master of Teaching pathway.