Education

Study options

Award

MA

Key facts

Location:
Stoke-on-Trent campus
Location:
Stoke-on-Trent campus
Study option:
Full-time
Study option:
Part-time, distance learning
Duration:
13 Months
Duration:
22 Months
Start date:
25 September 2023
School:
Institute of Education

Boost employability

Develop your skills for a range of professional roles

Flexible learning

Choice of two different study modes

Outstanding Research Impact

87% of our research impact is recognised as "very considerable" or "outstanding" (Research Excellence Framework 2021)

Successfully completing our MA Education will enhance your employability skills and ability to move within the education sector. The award will strengthen your understanding of educational issues and the knowledge required for a number of professional roles.

The MA Education is relevant to those who aspire to develop as outstanding, highly skilled, and knowledgeable professionals within the field of education. This innovative course provides a focused and critical examination of education practice, policy, and research, through a variety of modules relevant to the entire education sector. This might be in a nursery, school, college, local authority, public service, or community setting.

The course has a focus on developing your practice in relation to the needs of your professional setting. It will enhance your employability status and your flexibility to move within the education sector; broadening and strengthening knowledge of educational issues and the knowledge required for a range of professional roles within education.

Throughout each stage of the award, there is a strong emphasis on you becoming critically aware of your own learning as education professionals, and the achievement of educational outcomes for all learners.

If you have already achieved between 60-120 post graduate credits, and are looking to continue with your studies to gain a full Masters qualification, you can apply to our MA Education (Advanced Standing).

The MA Education is relevant to those who aspire to develop as outstanding, highly skilled, and knowledgeable professionals within the field of education. This innovative course provides a focused and critical examination of education practice, policy, and research, through a variety of modules relevant to the entire education sector. This might be in a nursery, school, college, local authority, public service, or community setting.

The course has a focus on developing your practice in relation to the needs of your professional setting. It will enhance your employability status and your flexibility to move within the education sector; broadening and strengthening knowledge of educational issues and the knowledge required for a range of professional roles within education.

Throughout each stage of the award, there is a strong emphasis on you becoming critically aware of your own learning as education professionals, and the achievement of educational outcomes for all learners.

If you have already achieved between 60-120 post graduate credits, and are looking to continue with your studies to gain a full Masters qualification, you can apply to our MA Education (Advanced Standing).

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: MA Education

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: MA Education

Work placements

Although not compulsory, you are encouraged to gain experience in a relevant educational setting for approximately one day per week. This could be an early years setting, a primary or secondary school, a college or university, or another educational environment.

Gaining first-hand experience in a sector linked to your professional aspirations will enhance your professional development and help provide context to your studies. The MA Education does not lead to Qualified Teacher Status.

We have a good range of contacts across the education sector. Tutors can support you in finding suitable placement opportunities.

Course content

The full-time course is designed to enable you to qualify with a Master’s degree in just one year. The part time course is designed to be completed in 22 months. You will study five modules over the course of the programme: 2 x 20-credit modules, 2 x 40 credit modules and a final 60 credit dissertation.

Each module draws on concepts, theory and published research that will be relevant to the decisions which practitioners in education have to make. These resources are also used to underpin your future practice with a broad and critical understanding of issues within the field of education. In addition, the module learning outcomes are designed to consistently facilitate the development of critical thought, reflection, and analysis. Module assessments enable you to apply your learning to a chosen professional context and systematically reflect on education practice in order to inform change and improvement.

The full-time course is designed to enable you to qualify with a Master’s degree in just one year. The part time course is designed to be completed in 22 months. You will study five modules over the course of the programme: 2 x 20-credit modules, 2 x 40 credit modules and a final 60 credit dissertation.

Each module draws on concepts, theory and published research that will be relevant to the decisions which practitioners in education have to make. These resources are also used to underpin your future practice with a broad and critical understanding of issues within the field of education. In addition, the module learning outcomes are designed to consistently facilitate the development of critical thought, reflection, and analysis. Module assessments enable you to apply your learning to a chosen professional context and systematically reflect on education practice in order to inform change and improvement.

Christine Shepherd - MA Education

Christine Shepherd - MA Education

Video

Christine discusses why she chose to study MA Education at Staffordshire University and how she think her degree is going to help her career long-term.

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Modules

The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module.

Year 1 compulsory modules
Dissertation 60 credits
Education For Social Justice 40 credits
Learning And Assessment 40 credits
Research Methods 20 credits
Thinking Critically 20 credits

Modules

The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module.

Year 1 compulsory modules
Dissertation (Dl) 60 credits
Education For Social Justice (Dl) 40 credits
Learning And Assessment (Dl) 40 credits
Research Methods (Dl) 20 credits
Thinking Critically (Dl) 20 credits

Entry requirements

You’ll need:

  • An Honours degree, classification 2:2 or above
  • GCSE English grade C or above, or equivalent
  • For all stages of the course, it is necessary for participants to be able to have access to the Internet (to allow Virtual Learning Environment access and e-mail contact for communication with course tutors and administrators)
  • Evidence of an Enhanced DBS check (We can process this application but you’ll need to pay the standard fee)

If your first language is not English, you’ll need at least one of the following:

  • a minimum score of 7 (with a minimum of 6.5 in the writing and listening modules) in IELTS (International English Language Testing System) as administered by the British Council in most countries
  • a minimum score of 550 in TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or 213 in the computer-based test. TOEFL results must include a minimum score of 4.5 for the TWE (Test of Written English)
  • Cambridge Proficiency Grade C

If you have already achieved between 60-120 post graduate credits, and are looking to continue with your studies to gain a full Masters qualification, you can apply to our MA Education (Advanced Standing).

You’ll need:

  • An Honours degree, classification 2:2 or above
  • GCSE English grade C or above, or equivalent
  • For all stages of the course, it is necessary for participants to be able to have access to the Internet (to allow Virtual Learning Environment access and e-mail contact for communication with course tutors and administrators)
  • Evidence of an Enhanced DBS check (We can process this application but you’ll need to pay the standard fee)

If your first language is not English, you’ll need at least one of the following:

  • a minimum score of 7 (with a minimum of 6.5 in the writing and listening modules) in IELTS (International English Language Testing System) as administered by the British Council in most countries
  • a minimum score of 550 in TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or 213 in the computer-based test. TOEFL results must include a minimum score of 4.5 for the TWE (Test of Written English)
  • Cambridge Proficiency Grade C

If you have already achieved between 60-120 post graduate credits, and are looking to continue with your studies to gain a full Masters qualification, you can apply to our MA Education (Advanced Standing).

For equivalent entry requirements in your home country, please see the information on our country pages.

Choose your country

Check our entry and English language requirements for your country.

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Facilities

Outreach

You will have the opportunity to train within a variety of schools based across the region, including Stoke, Crewe, Congleton, Stafford and Tamworth. Placements will aim to be arranged to minimise travel as much as possible

Careers

This award is focused on professional development and is therefore suitable if you’re planning to work in traditional or non-traditional educational settings including and not limited to galleries, museums, visitor centres and offender settings.

Once you’ve achieved your Master’s degree, you’ll have the opportunity to progress to our PhD and EdD awards – Doctoral-level programmes aimed at helping you develop your capabilities even further.

All students have access to Career Connect, our dedicated careers team.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

The content and structure of the modules are designed to enable delivery through either blended or distance learning mode.

Full time programme

This is offered as a full-time on campus mode of delivery.

A variety of learning and teaching methods will be used to help you to develop your critical thinking and evaluative skills. Teaching sessions will take place on a weekly basis, supported by further independent and collaborative tasks via the University’s online platforms.

Part time programme

This is offered as a distance learning mode of delivery.

For the distance learning programme, a variety of distance learning and teaching methods will be used to help students develop their critical thinking and evaluative skills. Via the University’s online platforms, students will engage in synchronous and asynchronous collaborative learning activities. Students will be required to attend up to four synchronous learning sessions for each module. These are scheduled to take place on Saturdays.

All applicants will need to have internet access and a suitable device that enables them to work collaboratively with others when completing synchronous and asynchronous tasks.

The content and structure of the modules are designed to enable delivery through either blended or distance learning mode.

Full time programme

This is offered as a full-time on campus mode of delivery.

A variety of learning and teaching methods will be used to help you to develop your critical thinking and evaluative skills. Teaching sessions will take place on a weekly basis, supported by further independent and collaborative tasks via the University’s online platforms.

Part time programme

This is offered as a distance learning mode of delivery.

For the distance learning programme, a variety of distance learning and teaching methods will be used to help students develop their critical thinking and evaluative skills. Via the University’s online platforms, students will engage in synchronous and asynchronous collaborative learning activities. Students will be required to attend up to four synchronous learning sessions for each module. These are scheduled to take place on Saturdays.

All applicants will need to have internet access and a suitable device that enables them to work collaboratively with others when completing synchronous and asynchronous tasks.

Assessment

Each module is assessed separately and contributes to the final grade for that course. All modules are assessed through a variety of approaches. Assessment tasks are designed to allow you to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding using a variety of different approaches. In addition to traditional formal written assignments, you will also be assessed through tasks which allow you to utilise their digital, presentation, investigative and problem-solving skills. Assessment tasks include:

  • Literature review
  • Essay
  • Presentations and discussion (synchronous and asynchronous)
  • Project proposals
  • Report

Opportunities for formative assessment are built into every module through a variety of formats. The approaches used for formative assessment are intended to facilitate students’ self-assessment in learning and to encourage teacher and peer dialogue about learning. Formative assessment opportunities typically employed include:

  • Reflective group discussion
  • Peer Feedback
  • Tutor feedback
  • Individual and collaborative tasks

Each module is assessed separately and contributes to the final grade for that course. All modules are assessed through a variety of approaches. Assessment tasks are designed to allow you to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding using a variety of different approaches. In addition to traditional formal written assignments, you will also be assessed through tasks which allow you to utilise their digital, presentation, investigative and problem-solving skills. Assessment tasks include:

  • Literature review
  • Essay
  • Presentations and discussion (synchronous and asynchronous)
  • Project proposals
  • Report

Opportunities for formative assessment are built into every module through a variety of formats. The approaches used for formative assessment are intended to facilitate students’ self-assessment in learning and to encourage teacher and peer dialogue about learning. Formative assessment opportunities typically employed include:

  • Reflective group discussion
  • Peer Feedback
  • Tutor feedback
  • Individual and collaborative tasks

Learning support

Your course tutors will provide lots of support. But you can also take advantage of our Academic Skills team, who can help you with:

  • Study skills (including reading, note-taking and presentation skills)
  • Written English (including punctuation, grammar)
  • Academic writing (including how to reference)
  • Research skills
  • Critical thinking
  • Revision, assessment and exam skills (including time management)

Additional support

If you have additional needs like dyslexia or a sensory impairment, then our Student Inclusion Services are here to help make sure nothing stands in your way.

Feedback

You’ll receive constructive feedback on all work submitted for assessment. Feedback is intended to help you learn and develop and you’re encouraged to discuss it with your module tutor.

Feedback is normally provided within 20 working days following submission of work.

You’ll receive constructive feedback on all work submitted for assessment. Feedback is intended to help you learn and develop and you’re encouraged to discuss it with your module tutor.

Feedback is normally provided within 20 working days following submission of work.

Your overall workload will consist of independent learning and assessment activity, with each credit taken equating to a total study time of approximately 10 hours. Your actual contact hours may depend on the option modules that you select.

Your overall workload will consist of independent learning and assessment activity, with each credit taken equating to a total study time of approximately 10 hours. Your actual contact hours may depend on the option modules that you select.

Independent learning

When not in lectures, seminars or other timetabled sessions, you’ll be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically, this will involve reading journal articles and books, undertaking research in the library, preparing for assignments and classwork, and planning for your dissertation.

Your independent learning will be supported by a range of excellent facilities, including the library and the learning zone. Self-instructional learning materials are delivered through our Virtual Learning Environment, Blackboard.

When not in lectures, seminars or other timetabled sessions, you’ll be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically, this will involve reading journal articles and books, undertaking research in the library, preparing for assignments and classwork, and planning for your dissertation.

Your independent learning will be supported by a range of excellent facilities, including the library and the learning zone. Self-instructional learning materials are delivered through our Virtual Learning Environment, Blackboard.

Staff

You'll be taught by staff who have a range of academic and industry experience. 

Dr Sharon Inglis

Senior Lecturer

My main teaching areas and interests learning and assessment, collaborative working in education, culture and society, and research and study skills.

Sharon's profile

Dr Jo Basford

Associate Professor Of Education

Education is transformative. It enables us to see the world differently, to challenge our thinking and to try new things. My ambition is that student’s learning with the Institute of Education will be a transformative experience.

Jo's profile

Tara Ball

Senior Lecturer

My interest for PSED stems from working in Early Years. My focus is now on supporting students to develop and apply social, emotional and reflective skills when supporting young children, in preparation for a smooth transition into the workforce.

Tara's profile

Amanda Tayler

Senior Lecturer

I am an early years specialist with a specific interest in our workforce. I take great pride in managing this course and educating the next generation of practitioners to lead practice and change the lives of young children.

Amanda's profile

Fees

For the course starting on 25 September 2023 the tuition fees are:

Study option UK / Channel Islands International
Full-time £8,490 per course £16,750 per course

For the course starting on 25 September 2023 the tuition fees are:

Study option UK / Channel Islands International
Part-time £8,460 per course £8,460 per course

If you would like to know more about the fees listed and what this means to you then please get in touch with our Enquiries Team.

Alumni discount

If you've previously completed a Staffordshire University undergraduate degree (excluding HND and foundation degrees) you may be entitled to a discount of up to 25% off your course fees for any subsequent postgraduate taught course (terms apply, see the alumni discount page for details). If you have any questions about how this relates to you, please contact feesandbursaries@staffs.ac.uk.

Accommodation and living costs

Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees. 

For more information on accommodation and living costs, please see: Accommodation

Sources of financial support

Providing you are studying towards a full Masters qualification you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan of up to £11,570 to help with tuition fees, maintenance and other associated costs. Student loans are available for many of our postgraduate degrees and are provided by the Student Loans Company (SLC). The loan can cover a wide range of postgraduate study options; part-time, full-time and distance learning. 

For more information and how to apply visit masters loan.

Scholarships and additional funding

You could be eligible for a Staffordshire University bursary when you choose to study one of our postgraduate Education courses. Visit our Fees and Bursaries page to find out more.

Our students

I loved being in the classroom as a learner and not the teacher.

I loved being in the classroom as a learner and not the teacher, reflecting on my practice as a professional and rising to the challenge of academic writing. Personally, I found the journey of discovering my own self-belief most rewarding; and something I could not have achieved without the support of the tutors.

Allie Campbell

MA Education

Apply

Location Award Study option Start date
Stoke-on-Trent campus MA Full-time 25 September 2023 Apply now

Rules and regulations

If you are offered a place at Staffordshire University, your offer will be subject to our rules, regulations and enrolment conditions, which may vary from time to time.

Students of Staffordshire University enter into a contract with us and are bound by these rules and regulations, which are subject to change. For more information, please see: University Policies and Regulations. 

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UK University

StudentCrowd University Awards 2022

for Job Prospects

StudentCrowd University Awards 2022

for Student Satisfaction

Complete University Guide 2022

for Social Inclusion

The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023

for Course Content

StudentCrowd University Awards 2022

of Research Impact is ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Very Considerable’

Research Excellence Framework 2021