MA Education

Teaching & Learning

Independent study is a crucial part of learning at university and you will be required to undertake many hours of self-directed research and reading, and preparation and writing of assessments. Your course is delivered through several modules, which will help you to plan your time and establish a study routine. Outside of your lectures, workshops and tutorials, a range of support is available to assist with your independent study. Our subject-specific librarians will be on hand to direct you to specialist learning and study-skill resources. You’ll also be assigned an academic advisor to give you tailored feedback and support.

Core Modules

What You'll Learn

Coaching & Mentoring

Develop a critical awareness of models of coaching and mentoring as applied in educational settings.

Contemporary Issues in Education

This module will introduce you to some key ideas, issues and theoretical debates in education. You'll engage in exploratory discussions about the ways that these issues relate to the right of citizens particularly children to education.

Research Methods

This module provides you with the tools to undertake methodological critiques and to interrogate research findings, with a key focus on the ethics of empirical research. Working within a community of practice, you’ll develop your lines of enquiry rooted in a critical understanding of current literature and you’ll design and evaluate a research project which will form the basis of your dissertation proposal.

Dissertation

You will undertake an extended piece of work in an area of your interest that is relevant to your professional practice.

Option modules

What You'll Learn

Leadership & Management (Leadership & Management pathway specialism)

Critically examine current and pervasive ideas of leadership and management, particularly about education and education-related contexts, and consider alternative perspectives that may challenge current notions.
Inclusive Pedagogy (Inclusive Practice pathway specialism)

Blending academic and professional knowledge, you'll identify, plan and critically evaluate an area suitable for small-scale development, based on the principles of inclusive practice.

Learning From Professional Development (Independent Study pathway specialism) or

An accreditation route for teachers and education professionals who have undertaken or are undertaking certificated or in-house professional learning courses, or similar professional development.

Independent Study (Independent Study pathway specialism)

Explore an area of particular interest about an aspect of education, methodology or professional development which will enhance professional understanding and practice.

Critical Ethnic Studies (Race & Decolonial Thought Pathway Specialism)

This module will bring a critical advanced perspective to bear on the fields of ethnicity, migration (forced and unforced) and diaspora studies. You'll engage with ethnicity, migration and diaspora as local state and global concerns across a variety of historical and contemporary case study contexts.

Race, Identity & Culture in the Black Atlantic (Race & Decolonial Thought Pathway Specialism)

Examine African descent decolonial viewpoints on race, culture, politics and identity, drawing on Black philosophical, political and social movement interventions from the Caribbean, the USA, Latin America and the UK.

Independent Study

Explore an area of particular interest about an aspect of education, methodology or professional development which will enhance professional understanding and practice.

Learning & Management

Critically examine current and pervasive ideas of leadership and management, particularly about education and education-related contexts, and consider alternative perspectives that may challenge current notions.

Inclusive Pedagogy (distance learning delivery only)

Blending academic and professional knowledge, you'll identify, plan and critically evaluate an area suitable for small-scale development, based on the principles of inclusive practice.

Learning from Professional Development or

An accreditation route for teachers and education professionals who have undertaken or are undertaking certificated or in-house professional learning courses, or similar professional development.

Independent Study

Explore an area of particular interest about an aspect of education, methodology or professional development which will enhance professional understanding and practice.

Critical Ethnic Studies

This module will bring a critical advanced perspective to bear on the fields of ethnicity, migration (forced and unforced) and diaspora studies. You'll engage with ethnicity, migration and diaspora as local state and global concerns across a variety of historical and contemporary case study contexts.

Literacy Difficulties & Dyslexia

Develop your understanding of different theoretical perspectives on literacy difficulties and dyslexia, including historical developments. Studying this module will provide you with a theoretical framework for understanding literacy difficulties and dyslexia within an inclusive context underpinned by social justice and equality of access. You'll be encouraged to critically analyse the factors thought to influence pupil learning and professional effectiveness from both child and adult points of view. You'll consider the wider implications of literacy difficulties and dyslexia within an inclusive and collaborative educational framework. This module will also enable you to critically consider a range of effective, research-based approaches and interventions that promote learning and participation among individuals with literacy difficulties and dyslexia. You'll examine strategies for making the curriculum more accessible.

Children's Cultural Worlds (distance learning delivery only)

Explore children's engagement with and participation in cultural phenomena and cultural texts produced by and for children.

Diverse Childhoods (distance learning delivery only)

Explore the ways that children develop concepts of social identities from early years to adolescence. You'll investigate how social, political and cultural forces influence children's identities and the extent to which identity is assumed or enforced.

Ethical Education (on-campus delivery only)

Deepen your understanding of the philosophy of ethics. You'll apply your understanding to practice to critically review education and leadership through an ethical framework. This will enable you to explore and illuminate the pressures placed on education providers/institutions and leaders in education settings, which can create conflict between self, society, and the system.

Race, Identity & Culture in the Black Atlantic

Examine African descent decolonial viewpoints on race, culture, politics and identity, drawing on Black philosophical, political and social movement interventions from the Caribbean, the USA, Latin America and the UK.

Autism & Learning

This module will enable you to reflect on current provisions and practices for individuals and groups with autism. You'll draw on a range of effective, research-based approaches and interventions to design and implement a small-scale development within your professional setting. Your idea will promote inclusive learning and participation amongst individuals on the autism spectrum.

Drama for Social Change (on-campus delivery only)

Learn to use dramatic stories and rituals to inspire possibilities for social change when working with young people in challenging educational / community settings.

At the end of the course, students will be able to:

1. Explore and critique educational theory, research, policy, and practice.
2. Take a critical and reflective approach to diverse problems and issues in education, including (but not limited to) issues of culture, race, gender, and class.
3. Develop and articulate their perspectives on education, informed by a critical evaluation of relevant theoretical and practical perspectives.
4. Make sound judgments and competently communicate or present their conclusions.
5. Demonstrate independence and originality in approaching and undertaking a research task in education and produce an extended critical account of such activity.

Whether you’re seeking to improve your working practices, advance your career or refine your understanding of education, we’ve designed this course to support your career development. You’ll have the opportunity to engage in further in-depth research by progressing on to our Professional Doctorate in Education.