Master in Early Childhood Education
UNIRAZAK ( Universiti Tun Abdul Razak) · Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
QS World University Ranking: N/A
Quick Overview
Apply Now📘 Program Overview
The Master in Early Childhood Education is designed to prepare students to become skilled, ethical, and professional educators in the field of early childhood education. The programme blends theoretical study with hands-on practical experience to build critical thinking, problem-solving, and leadership skills.
Graduates are prepared for diverse career paths in early childhood education, including teaching, training, management, and consultancy. The programme curriculum includes core courses, elective options, and a research project.
🎯 Course & Curriculum
Course structure
- Foundations of Education
- Psychology of Learning and Instruction
- Young Children in Multicultural Environment
- Theories and Programme in Early Childhood Education
- Curriculum Development in Early Childhood Education
- Assessment in Early Childhood Education
- Policies and Practice in Early Childhood Education Programs
- Research Methodology
- Strategic Human Resource Management or Innovation and Creativity
- Managerial Leadership or Entrepreneurship
- Trend and Issues in Early Childhood Education or Entrepreneurship
- Project Paper
Curriculum
Master in Early Childhood Education requires a total of 40 credits to complete in 1 year 4 months (credit hours).
| Semester | No. of modules | Module / subject category | credit hours | Semester total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Core courses | Foundations of Education | 5 | 20 |
| Psychology of Learning and Instruction | 5 | |||
| Young Children in Multicultural Environment | 5 | |||
| Theories and Programme in Early Childhood Education | 5 | |||
| Semester 2 | Core courses, elective courses, and research methodology | Curriculum Development in Early Childhood Education | 5 | 20 |
| Assessment in Early Childhood Education | 5 | |||
| Policies and Practice in Early Childhood Education Programs | 5 | |||
| Research Methodology | 5 | |||
| Total | All core courses and research methodology required to complete the Master in Early Childhood Education | 40 credit hours | ||
Career outcomes
- You build advanced capability to work as a preschool/kindergarten teacher, early childhood educator, or head teacher through the program’s theory and practice focus.
- You gain skills for leadership and centre operations roles such as centre administrator and early childhood education director by studying policies, programme practice, and leadership modules.
- You prepare for curriculum-related careers as a curriculum developer and course coordinator by completing coursework in early childhood curriculum development and assessment.
- You develop research skills that support roles in consultancy in early childhood education and other evidence-based improvement work for early childhood settings.
- You can pursue entrepreneurial paths such as becoming an entrepreneur or pre-school owner using your training in programme, management, and emerging issues in the field.
- You graduate with a specialised master’s qualification aligned to early childhood education careers, supporting progression into senior and specialist positions.
Employability rate
For early childhood education postgraduate graduates, Malaysia typically has an employability rate of around 82% and an unemployment rate of about 18%, reflecting steady hiring in preschool/kindergarten and education support functions.
Together, these figures point to a generally stable outlook for qualified educators and education professionals as demand continues for early childhood programmes.
✅ Entry Requirements
Academic qualification
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree (foreign qualification) | International applicants: a relevant Bachelor’s degree with a minimum CGPA of 2.50 or its equivalent, as accepted by the Senate. UNIRAZAK also states that applicants can be accepted based on a minimum of 3 years working experience in early childhood fields, or with a minimum of 4 years working experience if holding a Diploma in ECE. |
Module matching by study area
| Study area | Match possible? | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Education & Training | Direct match | The programme lists core and elective courses focused on early childhood education (for example Foundations of Education, Curriculum Development in Early Childhood Education, and Assessment in Early Childhood Education), so prior studies in education or early childhood are generally the closest academic background. |
Language requirements
International applicants must meet the programme English proficiency requirement before enrolment. UNIRAZAK states the accepted minimum scores for TOEFL and IELTS, and notes that the validity period for TOEFL and IELTS is two (2) years from the date of the award.
TOEFL iBT
IELTS Academic
MOI (Medium of Instruction)
MOI waiver details are not published for this programme. See the English test requirements above.
💶 Fees & Funding
Proof of financial resources
You must be able to fund your tuition and living expenses while studying in Malaysia. UNIRAZAK’s international student guidance explains the visa and pre-arrival process, and you will need to show that you can make the required payments once you receive your offer and visa approval.
- Proof that you can pay the required university charges after receiving your offer letter (as part of the international student visa and arrival process)
- Any additional financial proof requested during visa/student-pass processing, following the requirements described in Malaysia’s official education visa guidance
Important dates
Application window
| Milestone | March - Summer intake | July - Summer intake | November - Winter intake |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application portal opens | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Application deadline (final submit) | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Application deadline (EU students) | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Application deadline (Non-EU students) | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Recommended apply-by | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Semester begins | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Pre-application & reviews
| Milestone | March - Summer intake | July - Summer intake | November - Winter intake |
|---|---|---|---|
| VPD request - recommended | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| VPD result expected | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| APS - recommended | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Start eligibility check | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Document submission deadlines
| Milestone | March - Summer intake | July - Summer intake | November - Winter intake |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application submission deadline | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Document submission deadline (EU students) | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Document submission deadline (Non-EU students) | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Language certificate deadline | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Official transcripts deadline | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Certified translations deadline | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Postal / hard-copy documents deadline | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Missing documents (if requested) | N/A | N/A | N/A |
📝 How to Apply
Submit your application online
Apply through UNIRAZAK’s official online application process during the published intake period. Complete the online application form and upload the required documents in the requested format. Ensure your English proficiency documents (TOEFL or IELTS) are ready, as these are required before enrolment.
Wait for the Letter of Offer
After you submit your application and documents, UNIRAZAK states that the Letter of Offer is issued within 3 working days, subject to the university’s approval. If you are applying for an ODL programme, international student guidance may also require EMGS Approval to Study after you receive your offer letter.
Complete student-pass and pre-arrival steps (international students)
International students must follow UNIRAZAK’s pre-arrival guidance, including applying for the student pass via the university’s Office of International Student Affairs (OIA). UNIRAZAK explains that you should not enter Malaysia until your electronic Visa Approval Letter (eVAL) is approved.