Responding to the need for teachers to have access to world class, high profile postgraduate programs, Charles Sturt University and the University of Sydney have joined to form the Australian Graduate School of Education (AGSE).

The joint initiative will provide the teaching profession with access to world class resources, research and postgraduate education programs – a need highlighted in the recent NSW Ramsey Review of Teacher Education.

The combined strength of the two partner universities’ programs will provide a new critical mass in postgraduate education. Sydney and Charles Sturt University both have Faculties of Education that have been identified as national and international leaders in their respective fields.

“This is a significant partnership which will provide new opportunities for students and strengthen the research base for the education profession”, said Professor Gavin Brown, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sydney. “The combination of resources and our complementary strengths, Sydney’s quality research and PhD profile and CSU’s Masters program and Professional Doctorates, distance education expertise and strong emphasis on the teacher as practitioner, will have a significant impact on education at all levels,” he said.

Well recognised for their range of degree programs in education covering areas such as literacy, mathematics, curriculum studies, early childhood education, school, TAFE and Vocational Education and Training, both Sydney and Charles Sturt Universities have developed specialist postgraduate profiles that complement each other in key education fields. 

Professor Ian Goulter, Vice-Chancellor of Charles Sturt University, said: “The University has actively built on its strong heritage in teacher education and the Graduate School will position our quality programs and research on the world education stage. Sydney University’s city central location and Charles Sturt University’s lead role in distance education, as well as our regional locations across NSW, will enable the Graduate School to offer programs to every teacher in New South Wales, elsewhere in Australia, and internationally.”

The Australian Graduate School of Education will feature a combination of University of Sydney and Charles Sturt University postgraduate education programs. It will also focus on collaborative research and course development, and strengthening the high quality and extensive resource base of both universities.