Introduction
Studying the MEd Educational Studies programme is a great way to advance your career prospects in the Education sector. This course allows students with a background in Educational Studies to home in on their chosen research areas, whilst also taking a broad, international perspective on educational developments.
About the course
The MEd Educational Studies is a specialist programme aimed at building upon the skills of students with prior experience within the education sector. The course takes a global perspective – taking inspiration from the latest educational theory and practice.
Over the course of 1 year (full-time), students of the MEd Educational Studies course will get the chance to engage with, and get involved in, their own primary research.
The programme has three key principles at its core: a) Inclusion and Diversity; b) Education, Innovation and Technology; and c) Policy and Social Justice. These three principles are underlying themes that run through all modules. This innovative and inclusive approach takes a holistic lens of education, reflecting the diverse and ever-changing needs of society.
To achieve the MEd in Educational Studies you must complete 6 20 credit modules and one 60-credit module. There are three stages to the programme:
- Postgraduate Certificate (three 20-credit modules)
- Postgraduate Diploma (three more 20-credit modules)
- MEd (one more 60-credit module)
The PgCert stage comprises the core module, Research Design in Education, and two compulsory modules, Becoming Critical in Education, and Global Perspectives on Education.
Successful completion of the PgCert allows you to proceed to the Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip) where you’ll study one compulsory module, Research and Pedagogy, and two 20-credit modules, from the list below:
Compulsory
- Globalisation in Education
- Critical Thinking
Optional
- Education for Sustainability
- Philosophy of Education
- Sociology of Childhood
- Inclusive Educational Leadership
Successful completion of the PgDip allows you to proceed to the MEd stage where you’ll have the choice of either completing a research module of Master’s Dissertation (60 credits), or a taught module of Critical Discourse in Pedagogy and Practices (60 credits).
This programme will be taught through a combination of both online and in-person classes, using the virtual learning platform Aula.
Learning and teaching
- Scheduled learning: 50%
- Independent study: 50%
Delivery methods
- Lectures
- Tutorials
- Practical workshops
Assessment
Assessment methods include:
- Essays
- Reflective Journal
- Portfolio
- Presentation
- Case study response
- Group video with individual report
- Project Report
- Dissertation or Unit Plan
Why study MEd Educational Studies?
There are several reasons why this programme is advantageous to educational professionals.
The first, and perhaps most attractive, benefit of studying a postgraduate degree in Educational Studies is that it will significantly boost your career prospects. This programme streamlines the employment process by allowing students to specialise in their chosen area. Successful graduates of this programme have progressed to careers in primary/secondary education, education consultancy and even governmental positions.
Secondly, there is currently a high demand for teachers and education professionals on a global level. Graduating with a Masters degree in Educational Studies will give you a competitive edge and perhaps allow you to secure more senior roles.
Finally, the course structure has been developed to ensure graduates leave the course with a clear understanding of inclusive practice and leadership within the education sector.
Entry Requirements
As this is a postgraduate programme, applicants should have gained one of the following criteria:
- Possess a teaching qualification or equivalent
- Possess a first (bachelor’s) degree in the broad area of education
- Possess a first (bachelor’s) degree in another discipline but with substantial content relating to education
- Have relevant work or professional experience or completion of an appropriate programme of study for which prior knowledge and skills have provided an appropriate foundation, including a compulsory element of independent work
Otherwise, prospective students should be able to show they have gained substantial and relevant employment experience within the education sector.
While this course does of course welcome international students, applicants must be able to demonstrate a sufficient standard of English Language skills.
The most common English Language qualification is the IELTS qualification (should have been gained in the last 2 years). For entry to this course, applicants should have achieved a score of 6.0 and sub-test results should not be below 5.5.
Other accepted English Language tests include:
- Cambridge certificate of advanced English (CAE) and certificate of proficiency in English (CPE). Score: 176.
- Trinity College Integrated Skills in English. Score: ISEII.
- Pearson Academic English. Score: 61.
- TOEFL IBT. Score: 78.
You may also be permitted to take a supplementary English language programme prior to commencement of the programme.
Tuition Costs for 2023/24
This programme has a cost of £11,750 for UK students and £15,250 for international students.
Tuition Costs for 2024/25
This programme has a cost of £11,750 for UK students and £15,500 for international students.
Further Reading
