Program Overview

Master of Education in Early Childhood Education (MEd)

The Master of Education in Early Childhood Education (MEd) is a course-based degree that focuses on knowledge of professional practice. Students may choose from either the course-only option or courses plus ECED 590 (3 credits), which is recognized as a capstone experience by the British Columbia Teacher Qualification Service (TQS).

Overview

The early years of a child's life are critical years that play a major role in determining the child's developmental trajectory throughout life. A significant body of research literature has documented the importance of early childhood education and the difference that quality early childhood education makes in these early formative years. The Faculty of Education at UBC is fortunate to have a number of faculty members whose research and professional interests focus on children from birth to age 9.

What makes the program unique?

Graduate programs in UBC's Early Childhood Education program are designed for educators and child care professionals who wish to explore issues in early childhood research, theory, and practice. The MEd in Early Childhood Education program is an interdisciplinary, faculty-wide program that consists of core courses in early childhood education (ECED) and related courses in other Faculty of Education departments. Key areas of focus include:

• Theorizing early childhood and early childhood education
• Research and research methodologies
• Issues in early childhood curriculum, instruction, assessment and evaluation
• Cross-departmental inquiries in early childhood education

The MEd in Early Childhood Education is offered both as an on-campus program or an online cohort. The online MEd in Early Childhood Education program was the first Masters degree of its kind to be offered in Canada. There are both full-time and part-time options available.

Quick Facts

• Faculty: Faculty of Education
• Academic Unit: Office of Research in Education
• Specialization: Early Childhood Education
• Mode of delivery: In person at UBC Vancouver
• Program Components: Coursework + Options
• Tuition (First Year):
  • Domestic: $8,043.27
  • International: $17,034.40

Admission Information & Requirements

1) Check Eligibility

Minimum Academic Requirements

The Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies establishes the minimum admission requirements common to all applicants, usually a minimum overall average in the B+ range (76% at UBC). The graduate program that you are applying to may have additional requirements.

English Language Test

Applicants from a university outside Canada in which English is not the primary language of instruction must provide results of an English language proficiency examination as part of their application. Tests must have been taken within the last 24 months at the time of submission of your application.

• TOEFL: Test of English as a Foreign Language - internet-based
  • Overall score requirement: 90
  • Reading: 22
  • Writing: 21
  • Speaking: 21
  • Listening: 22
• IELTS: International English Language Testing System
  • Overall score requirement: 6.5
  • Reading: 6.0
  • Writing: 6.0
  • Speaking: 6.0
  • Listening: 6.0

Prior degree, course and other requirements

• Prior Degree Requirements: Admission to the MEd program requires a Bachelor of Education degree, or a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Fine Arts with an early childhood education minor education, or a four-year undergraduate degree in a related field.
• Other Requirements: Applicants must have a minimum of 2 years experience working with early years children.

2) Meet Deadlines

• Program Name: Master of Education in Early Childhood Education (MEd)
• Intake: September 2026
• Canadian Applicant Deadline: 4 January 2026
• International Applicant Deadline: 4 January 2026

3) Prepare Application

• Transcripts: All applicants have to submit transcripts from all past post-secondary study.
• Letters of reference: Applicants have to submit 2 references to apply to this graduate program.
• Statement of Interest: Many programs require a statement of interest, sometimes called a "statement of intent", "description of research interests" or something similar.

Tuition & Financial Support

Tuition

• Fees:
  • Canadian Citizen / Permanent Resident / Refugee / Diplomat:
    • Application Fee: $118.50
    • Tuition per year: $8,043.27
  • International:
    • Application Fee: $168.25
    • Tuition per year: $17,034.36
• Other Fees and Costs:
  • Student Fees (yearly): $1,144.10 (approx.)
  • Costs of living: Estimate your costs of living with our interactive tool in order to start developing a financial plan for your graduate studies.

Financial Support

Applicants to UBC have access to a variety of funding options, including:

• Employer support
• Scholarships & awards (merit-based funding)
• Financial aid (need-based funding)
• Foreign government scholarships
• Working while studying
• Tax credits and RRSP withdrawals

Career Options

While the majority of students in the MEd program are teaching professionals, this program is also appropriate for individuals in other professions related to early childhood education and care, such as child and youth care, nursing, psychology, and social work. Students may also aspire to pursue administrative or leadership roles in the education sector, as well as higher coordination/directorship positions in public offices and NGOs.

Enrolment, Duration & Other Stats

• ENROLMENT DATA:
  • Applications: 81 (2023), 92 (2022), 85 (2021), 91 (2020), 83 (2019)
  • Offers: 36 (2023), 42 (2022), 35 (2021), 36 (2020), 36 (2019)
  • New Enrolment: 25 (2023), 27 (2022), 27 (2021), 32 (2020), 26 (2019)
  • Total Enrolment: 70 (2023), 84 (2022), 80 (2021), 76 (2020), 68 (2019)
• Completion Rates & Times:
  • Graduation rate: 94% based on 86 students admitted between 2015 - 2018
  • Minimum time to completion: 0.68 years
  • Maximum time to completion: 5.13 years
  • Average time to completion: 2.59 years

Related Programs

• Same specialization:
  • Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education (MA)
• At the UBC Okanagan Campus:
  • Master of Education, Master of Arts in Education (MEd, MA)
• Related Disciplines:
  • Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education (MA)

Further Information

• Specialization: Early Childhood Education
• Key areas of focus:
  • Theorizing early childhood and early childhood education
  • Research and research methodologies
  • Issues in early childhood curriculum, instruction, assessment and evaluation
  • Cross-departmental inquiries in early childhood education
• Faculty: Faculty of Education
• Academic Unit: Office of Research in Education
• Program Identifier: VGMMED-GN
• Classification: Social sciences » Education » Education systems » Early childhood education