Education MA

We encourage applicants to submit their application by 1^st July 2024, so we have enough time to review your application. However we will still accept your application after this date.

Education is a discipline, encompassing many elements including concepts of teaching, learning and pedagogy. Understanding how people learn and are educated is a subject of great depth and variety. In fact, learning and education is not uniformly understood worldwide and can vary from country to country, region to region and culture to culture.

Whether you’re an experienced teacher looking to acquire a higher academic qualification, and progress in the profession, someone with a keen interest in the subject of education or wishing to change to a more educational career route, this course will take you on a rich learning journey of your own.

The Education MA is designed to develop your knowledge, skills and confidence in the subject of education.  The programme will provide opportunities for you to develop knowledge and understanding of key theories, concepts and methodologies in the study of education.

The aim of the course is to help you understand the different disciplinary perspectives that inform the field of education, to engage in critical discussion on current issues and contemporary educational questions and to encourage global perspectives on educational policy and practice.

Along the way you will develop knowledge and understanding of a range of methodological approaches and the independence and confidence to undertake educational research for others or your own professional interests.

The course is available either as the Education MA or the Education MA with pathway choices in:

• Special Educational Needs and Disability and Inclusion
• Leadership and Management
• Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Education
• Professional Practice and Pedagogy

Classes for the one-year full-time course are taught over two to three evenings a week from 5pm – 8pm, while the two-year part-time study option is taught one to two evenings per week. 

The Education MA will equip you with knowledge and understanding of a range of methodological approaches and the independence and confidence to undertake educational research for your own professional interests.

Your learning is made up of a core set of study blocks, and compulsory/optional MA specialism assessment blocks depending on whether you wish to specialise.

Pathway options:

• Special Educational Needs and Disability and Inclusion
• Leadership and Management
• Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Education
• Professional Practice and Pedagogy.

The flexible structure of the course allows you to cover a range of core and specialist content tailored to your pathway.  If you decide not to select a pathway, you can select the assessments that most interest you.

The MA programme structure consists of study blocks and a dissertation module.  The study blocks include: 1. Disciplines of Education 2. Issues and Perspectives in Education 3. Theory and Methodology of Educational Research 4. Comparative and International Education. There are Assessment Blocks associated with each of the above mentioned Study Blocks, which students will normally need to complete, unless they have obtained exemptions. 

This course can be studied 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time, starting in September.

The Education MA will enhance your employment and career opportunities in complex professional environments that require sound judgement, personal responsibility and initiative.

If you successfully complete your Education MA, it will offer you a route into employment in a range of educational‑related fields either on graduation or via further professional study. If you  would like to consider further study in education, perhaps PGCE teacher training, a taught Doctorate of Education or a research based PhD, you will be warmly encouraged by the department with the opportunity of discounted fees as a Brunel graduate.

• A 2:2 (or above) UK Honours degree or equivalent internationally recognised qualification. Relevant professional experience is desirable.

Applicants who have previously been awarded a PGCE in Primary Education or Secondary Education by Brunel University OR have been awarded a PGCE through another institution at FHEQ7 and who wish to APL onto the MA Education or MA Education (with pathway) programme may apply for exemptions.  Applications for exemptions will need to adhere to the Brunel University London Policy and Senate Regulations.

• IELTS: 6.5 (min 6 in all areas)
• Pearson: 59 (59 in all subscores)
• BrunELT: 63% (min 58% in all areas)
• TOEFL: 90 (min 20 in all) 

Your learning will be assessed by coursework which is typically a 5,000 word assignment at the end of each module. To achieve your Education MA you will complete an 15,000 to 18,000 word dissertation under the guidance of an academic supervisor on an agreed topic of your choice related to your pathway choice.

You may be asked to submit formative assessments that don’t carry any marks towards your overall degree pass, to allow you to receive feedback and direction on how to improve the quality of formally marketed assessments.