Course description
MA Education
This programme is designed for teachers, lecturers or other graduates involved in education or in developing a career with a focus on learning. It caters for the interests and experience of different sectors as well as cross-sector issues. The core modules lay the foundations for the research element of the programme. Talk to us to find out which would be your best route.
More information
You will study three core modules, one option module and the dissertation module over one year (if you are a full-time student) or two years (as a part-time student). You can submit your dissertation at the end of the academic year in which you complete the taught programme, or a year later.
Core modules
Reflective Practice in Education
This module offers you the opportunity to actively engage with the theories and practices associated with reflective practice. You will be assessed through a reflective portfolio related to changing an aspect of your professional practice.
Educational Policy
You will consider the link between practice and policy in education. Assessment is through a small group presentation and a written assignment.
Researching Academic Practice
You will identify and develop the skills required for educational research. You will be assessed by your literature review and research proposal.
Dissertation
You will conduct independent research into an area of your professional practice, as agreed with your tutor, and produce a dissertation of 15,000-20,000 words.
Option modules
Negotiated Project
This module allows you to investigate an aspect of learning and teaching, agreed with your tutor and relevant to your context. You will be assessed by a learning contract, an annotated bibliography and a final report.
Educational Leadership
This module develops your skills in educational leadership. Assessment is by a written investigation of an aspect of leadership in your own workplace.
Research Supervision
This module is intended for higher education staff. It aims to provide you with the basic training you will need as a new supervisor of postgraduate research. You will be assessed by two written assignments - one is a reflection on practice and the other is an essay on a topic related to research supervision.
Learning Difficulties and Professional Practice
This module develops your understanding of learning difficulties and the related issues of educational responses, legal contexts and inclusion. You will be assessed by a written study that appraises your own practice in relation to learning difficulties within your workplace.
Course structure
This MA has a full-time and a part-time route. Both routes have taught sessions which are scheduled to enable working professionals to attend.
You will study 180 credits made up of four 30-credit modules (one of which is chosen from a list of options) plus a final dissertation, which is a 60-credit module. The emphasis throughout is on reflective practice and the application of your studies to your professional context.
Accreditation of Prior Learning
Accreditation of Prior Learning and Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning may be available to prospective students with appropriate previous master's level study or professional experience.
