Core Zone
This zone consists of all the compulsory requirements for the degree.
80 credit points
Qualification
80 credit points
Master of Disability Studies
Overview
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Study options
- Part Time
- Full Time
- Off-campus
Duration Duration can vary due to your prior learning and work experience. Learn about admission points under Entry Requirements.
Duration can vary due to your prior learning and work experience. Learn about admission points under Entry Requirements.
- Full time: 1 year (or equivalent part time)
Fees The estimated annual fee displayed is based on completing a standard full-time study load. Fees are reviewed annually and are subject to change.
The estimated annual fee displayed is based on completing a standard full-time study load. Fees are reviewed annually and are subject to change.
- Domestic Commonwealth Supported Place
Students can check the cost of commonwealth supported units at CSP Fees.
- Domestic Fee-paying
- Estimated annual fee AUD $26,400
Location and start dates
Off-campus:
- Session 1 (22 February 2027)
- Session 2 (26 July 2027)
Summary
Key features
- Build expertise aligned to recognised professional standards
Develop specialist capability through a curriculum informed by industry standards and aligned to professional practice in sensory disability.
- Enjoy flexible study options that fit your work and life
Study online, full-time or part-time, with the option to undertake a placement in your workplace or another setting.
- Study in a supported and accessible learning environment
Access inclusive learning with high-quality captioning, Auslan interpreting and formats tailored for low vision or blindness.
- Become eligible for professional membership
Attain professional recognition in your field with eligibility for specialist membership of professional associations, NAATD or SPEVI.
Specialisations available in this degree
Focus and tailor your study. Specialisations offer in-depth learning in a specific discipline.
Career outcomes
With a rapidly evolving job market, it’s vital that you have the right skills to evolve with it. We’ll help you upskill or reskill so you can take the next career step in your current industry, or move to one that matches your changing interests. View professions and potential employers.
See career outcomesWho is this degree suitable for?
About the Master of Disability Studies at Macquarie University
Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences
The Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences is ambitiously pushing the boundaries of progressive thinking and challenging what's possible to solve some of the big issues of our time. You'll learn from expert academics, researchers and clinicians within an educational environment that's unique in Australia.
Learn more about the faculty
Studying at Macquarie
Our vibrant and leafy campus forms part of one of the largest business and technology precincts in Australia. To ensure you have the right skills when you graduate — whether you're starting your first job or taking your career to the next level — we offer flexible study options, personalised degrees and practical experiences.
Benefits of studying at Macquarie
Course structure
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Focused and flexible study
Where you can study
Off-campus
Core Zone
80 credit points
Your degree’s core zone provides the focus of your preferred area of study and consists of all the units you’ll need to complete to meet your degree’s requirements.
Essential units
20 credit points
Complete each unit below.
Essential units are units that you must complete to qualify for your degree.
Elective units
10 credit points
Complete 10 credit points from the following options.
Elective units allow you to customise your degree by choosing units within or outside your area of study.
Elective units
10 credit points
Complete 10 credit points from the following options.
Elective units allow you to customise your degree by choosing units within or outside your area of study.
Specialisation
40 credit points
Complete one specialisation from the following options.
Guide to University terminology
Use our handy guide to better understand common study terms.
Career outcomes
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Take the next step in your career
Professions
- Allied health professional
- Community education officer
- Community support worker
- Disability services manager
- Disability support worker
- Early childhood leader
- Education policy adviser
- Education support officer
- NDIA planner
- Policy adviser
- Rehabilitation professional
- School leader
- Sensory disability advocate
- Sensory disability educator
- Social worker
- Special education and inclusion specialist
- Teacher (after further study)
Employers
- Allied health organisations
- Community organisations
- Department of Education
- Disability support organisations
- Early childhood service providers
- Government agencies and departments
- Healthcare and social assistance providers
- NDIS service providers
- NGOs
- National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA)
- Rehabilitation centres
- Schools
- Special education and inclusion organisations
- Vision and hearing service providers
Career information
Job and Skills Australia – an Australian Government initiative – provides accessible labour-market data, research and tools to help you understand Australia’s current and projected workforce-skills needs.
Multiply your employability
Co-designed degrees
Study a degree co-designed with the education sector, and graduate with the knowledge employers want.
Career service
Get help preparing a résumé, identifying job opportunities and connecting with employers.
Career-boosting network
300 partner schools, and early childhood and special education facilities on campus.
Entry requirements
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looking to start my course in
Simple steps to entry at Macquarie
See if you meet the academic requirements
Check if you qualify for recognition of prior learning
Do you meet some, but not all of the requirements?
Depending on your prior qualifications, work experience or other recognised prior learning, you may qualify for entry to this degree at the admission point below.
Each admission point requires the completion of some or all of the degree’s zones, which will affect the overall duration of the degree.
Guide to admission points
| Complete this degree in: | If you meet the below or hold a recognised equivalent*: | Course structure: |
|---|---|---|
1 year (full-time, or equivalent duration if available part-time) | AQF level 7 bachelor's qualification in a related field or recognised equivalent plus minimum two years (full time equivalent) work experience relevant to chosen specialisation. | Core Zone (80 credit points) View course structure |
Related fields for prior qualifications
Education, Psychology, Speech and Hearing, Special Education, Disability Studies, Health Sciences, Allied Health
AQF levels
*'Bachelor’s qualification' relates to an AQF level 7 bachelor's qualification or recognised equivalent.
Relevant experience
Employment in classroom or itinerant teaching roles (early childhood, primary, secondary); disability support and social welfare; psychology and counselling; allied health professions (such as but not limited to orthoptics, speech pathology, occupational therapy, physiotherapy); health and medical sciences; research in disability.
Guide to University terminology
Use our handy guide to better understand common study terms.
View our guideComplete your degree sooner
Full degree duration
Admission point considerations
Credit for prior learning eligibility
You may qualify to complete your degree sooner!
Recognition of prior learning
With recognition of prior learning (RPL), you could get credit for your prior study and experience, reducing the duration of your studies. Credit is awarded for formal and informal or non-formal learning. You’ll need to apply for RPL once you receive your offer to study at Macquarie.
Find out moreYour prior learning may consist of:
- Formal learning
- Informal and non-formal learning
English language requirements
When applying to study at Macquarie University, you’re required to provide evidence of proficiency in English.
You may satisfy the English language requirements by:
- passing an approved English language test at the required level
- holding a qualification from an approved country with English as the language of instruction
Learn more about English language requirements for applications direct to Macquarie University
The required standard of English for this degree is:
| IELTS band | Minimum score required |
|---|---|
| Overall | 6.5 |
| Reading | 6 |
| Writing | 6 |
| Listening | 6 |
| Speaking | 6 |
Additional information and requirements
Assumed knowledge
Recommended studies
Inherent requirements
To be eligible to graduate from your course, you must satisfy the inherent requirements – essential activities, capacities and academic requisites – of that course.
View inherent requirementsFees and scholarships
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Fees
The estimated annual fee displayed is based on a standard full-time study load. Fees may increase each year. For courses longer than one year in duration, you'll pay the fee that is current for the year that you enrol.
Find out moreEstimated cost
The cost of your studies may vary based on:- units chosen
- government support received
- approved credit for prior learning or work experience.
Domestic Commonwealth supported place
Students can check the cost of commonwealth supported units at CSP Fees.
Domestic fee paying
AUD $26,400
Estimated annual fee
AUD $330
Fee per credit point
Government assistance
HECS‑HELP is a loan scheme that assists eligible students enrolled in Commonwealth supported places to pay their student contribution amounts. It can't be used for additional study costs, such as accommodation or text books.
FEE-HELP is a loan scheme that assists eligible students enrolled in Domestic fee-paying courses. It's used to defer full or part of your tuition fee and can't be used for additional study costs, such as accommodation or textbooks.
Student amenities fee
You’re required to pay the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) to Macquarie University in compliance with the Higher Education Legislation Amendment (Student Services and Amenities) Act 2011 (Cth). The fee contributes to services, support and facilities of a non-academic nature.
Learn about SSAFScholarships
Macquarie University offers a variety of scholarships that recognise a range of factors, including academic or athletic achievement, leadership experience and volunteer work, or financial need and hardship. Additional scholarships may be available for selected areas of study.
Scholarships available for eligible postgraduate students, studying the Master of Disability Studies
Aboriginal
Way-Soranson Family Indigenous Education Scholarship
Applications close: Application closed for 2026
Award value: $10,000 one-off for one-off award
Find out moreAll
Australian Defence Force PG Sponsorship
Applications close: No separate application
Award value: 10% of total tuition fees for standard course duration
Find out moreAcademic
Aboriginal
Disability
Financial
Leadership
Rural
Macquarie Advantage Scholarship (Postgraduate)
Financial support for postgraduate study.
Applications close: Nov Round: 13 November 2026; Dec Round 2: 10 December 2026; Jan Round 2: 8 January 2027
Award value: $12,000 per year for standard course duration
Find out moreAcademic
Macquarie University Postgraduate Loyalty Scheme 10% sponsorship
Supporting postgraduate studies for our alumni
Applications close: No separate application
Award value: 10% of total tuition fees for standard course duration
Find out moreHow to apply
I'm a
looking to start my course in
Course details
Course title:
Master of Disability Studies
Starting year:
2027
Application instructions
Apply online
New domestic applicants are required to apply directly through our Applicant Portal.
The Applicant Portal allows you to save your application and come back to it later. You can also track the status of your application.
Please note: If you are a current or previous Macquarie University student, you should submit your application through the my application and offers tab in eStudent. If you have forgotten your Student ID or password, please contact the IT Service Desk for assistance.
What you need to apply
Your application will require copies of the following documents:
- Proof of identity, citizenship, and/or permanent residency status (including proof of name change where applicable)
- Evidence of previous academic qualifications and transcripts (including translations if your qualifications are not in English)
- Evidence of English proficiency (where applicable)
- Current resume and workplace reference letter (where seeking entry through previous work experience)
In addition to the documentation outlined above, you're also required to demonstrate your work experience relevant to the chosen specialisation by providing a copy of your resume.
Additional application requirements
Please note: some units are only available in selected sessions. Therefore, the minimum duration for full-time students commencing the Master of Disability Studies in Session 2 only is 1.5 years.
Steps to apply
Decide on your course
Explore your entry options and check the requirements
Gather your documentation
Submit your application
Help with your application
For help with your application, or if you have any questions, contact our team.
Future Students
T: +61 (2) 9850 6767
E: futurestudents@mq.edu.au
Important dates
| Session/Year | Location | Applications open | Applications close | Session commences |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Session 1 | Off-campus | 2 September 2026 | 8 February 2027 | 22 February 2027 |
| Session 2 | Off-campus | 2 September 2026 | 12 July 2027 | 26 July 2027 |
Ask a question
If you’d like to know more about studying at Macquarie University, we’d love to hear from you.