MA Education (Evidence-based Practice) (fully online)

Program Overview

MA Education (Evidence-based Practice) (fully online)

Course Overview

An eighteen-month, part-time course for teachers and school leaders to develop expertise in the field of education.

Start and Duration

• Sep, 15 months

Level

• Postgraduate

Qualification

• Master of Arts

Campus

• Online

School

• School of Education

About the Course

Never has there been a time when the relationship between practice and research in Education has been under such scrutiny. This course enables students to complete a master’s dissertation and to link this study to the way evidence-based practice has been integrated into Education. It not only allows you to engage with Educational Research, it provides an opportunity to evaluate the application of key topics in schools today.

The MA in Education (Evidence Based Practice) will prepare you to critically analyse, engage in and reflect on educational research and evaluate the implications within your own educational setting. You will be expected to develop your ability to explore what it means to be a critically reflective practitioner.

By taking on this fresh challenge within your teaching career, you will acquire a new set of skills as you engage in a range of arguments and learn to become critical of them, synthesise arguments, and develop your own critical and authoritative voice. As you will be studying in an area that you have a genuine interest in, you will be making a valuable investment in yourself as a person, and your discoveries are therefore more likely have a positive and impactful affect in the workplace. In a sector where ideas are always evolving and new research is continuously coming into effect, this Master’s, will equip you with the latest insights and research.

Course Highlights

The MA in Education (Evidence Based Practice) provides a unique opportunity to reflect on your own practice and improve what you do. You will navigate the newest challenges in education and develop your critical reflection of your own practice.

By completing this course, you will be able to:

• Engage with issues in the application of research to practice.
• Develop a critical understanding of relevant literature.
• Understand what is expected of Level 7 Academic Writing.
• Learn how to navigate the topic of research methodology.
• Plan a piece of research that can contribute to debates.
• Understand the ethical implications of being a researcher.
• Become a desirable candidate within your workplace and to future employers as you appear driven with the latest research and ideas.

Course Breakdown

Throughout this course, you will complete a number of modules enabling you to develop your understanding both of the research process as well as your topic of interest relating to education. The second module will enable you to grapple with the discussions surrounding evidence based practice and you will be able to use this for your own work. Please view the Curriculum Handbook to see further details about the modules.

During this time, you will also critically engage with scholarship, which informs your dissertation, and you will learn about different research methods. You will be expected to read widely around your subject area.

The course culminates in the production of a 12,000-15,000-word dissertation with a suitable research focus.

Teaching and Assessment

All of our postgraduate courses are taught and delivered online, so no matter where you are in your teaching career, or the world, you can study with one of the most established teacher training providers in the UK.

Teaching Methods

Every master’s student is allocated a supervisor who you will be supported by for each module. Communication will take place at times that are suitable for you both, over channels such as Teams, Zoom or email. You will also have access to regular online study sessions throughout the course.

There are induction sessions to introduce you to how the course will run; on application you will receive a choice of dates where you will indicate when you will attend.

When the course starts, you will have access to MOODLE, the University’s online learning platform. You will then access the course handbook and all resources needed for successful completion of the course. In the handbook there is a week-by-week guide which will indicate what work is expected that week. This will either be:

• A recorded film to watch
• A reading
• A podcast with accompanying literature
• Independent study towards a module
• A live Twilight session

The Twilight sessions are recorded and shared on MOODLE once the session is complete. These Twilights are optional in terms of attendance as we know that many people struggle to be available at certain times. However, all these sessions are recorded and should then be watched after the live event. This means that as you progress through the course you end up having access to library of videos that you can re-visit, to support you to a successful outcome.

Assessment Methods

The course consists of a number of engaging modules, including one which questions the legitimacy of an evidence-based practice approach.

With a view to improving the candidate’s own professional practice or that of others, you will critically engage with literature, which goes on to inform a research project to explore an educational issue.

The study culminates in a dissertation involving a candidate’s own project in their school or research in a wider field of education. The focus of this dissertation will examine the research linked to an area of the student’s own interest.

It is important to understand that you, as a Master’s student, will be expected to work independently and you are expected to fully engage with the guidance provided to complete the required modules.

After Your Course

Upon completion of your master’s, you can put what you have studied, researched and learnt into practice. Many students use their research to develop their existing roles or to apply for specialist roles that allow them an opportunity to continue to work on their area of interest. A number of students also share their research through conferences and publications. Whichever route you choose your work is contributing to an area that is in need of research development.

Here are just some of the career opportunities and skills that can stem from studying on this degree:

Career Opportunities

• Progression to leadership
• Applying for specialist roles relating to your research
• Continued research on your area of interest
• Sharing your research with others through conferences and writing

Career Skills

• Leadership in research skills
• Developing your communication skills
• Ability to plan and complete a project
• Perseverance
• Resilience

Entry Requirements

For a list of course specific requirements, please see our typical offers below. To see our full list of general university requirements including information for flexible entry, mature students and alternative qualifications, see our University entry requirements.

UK Offers

The standard entry requirements for this course are:

• have a degree from a UK University (2.2 or above) or equivalent
• be working in a school

International Offers

Find out about our requirements and see useful information for international applicants:

• International entry requirements by country
• English language levels

If you are uncertain whether you will be eligible to apply for this course, please contact our Education Admissions team.

Course Fees

The fees for this course are:

• Start: Sep 2025
• Type: Part-time (15 Months)
• Total cost: £5,000 (UK), £5,000 (INT)

The University reserves the right to increase course fees annually in line with inflation linked to the Retail Price Index (RPI). If the University intends to increase your course fees it will notify you via email of this as soon as reasonably practicable.

Course fees do not include additional costs such as books, equipment, writing up fees and other ancillary charges. Where applicable, these additional costs will be made clear.

Applicants must also pay a non-refundable registration fee of £300.

Fees are invoiced for in September, at the beginning of the course, and can be paid in termly instalments or in one lump sum. Termly instalments can be arranged directly with the Finance department upon receipt of the invoice.

All staff at COBIS member schools get a 5% discount on course fees. To ensure discount is applied please select COBIS from the partnership box on your application form.

This is a 180 credit, 15-month, part-time Master’s course and so is eligible for a Postgraduate Master’s loan.

Program Outline

MA Education (Evidence-based Practice) (fully online) - University of Buckingham

Degree Overview:

• The MA Education (Evidence-based Practice) is a 15-month, part-time online master's program designed for teachers and school leaders who want to deepen their understanding of research in education.
• The program aims to enable students to complete a masters dissertation linking evidence-based practice with their area of interest, improving their professional practice or the field of education as a whole.
• This program explores the legitimacy of evidence-based practices in education and delves deeper into relevant literature to inform students' research projects.

Outline:

Program content:

• Establishing research focus
• Discovering relevant literature and writing a literature review
• Level 7 academic writing expectations
• Research methodology
• Dissertation planning
• Ethical considerations in research

Course delivery:

• Each student is assigned a supervisor for regular communication and support throughout the modules.
• Online study sessions are conducted throughout the year, including induction, twilight sessions (UK time), and additional dissertation support.
Most sessions are optional to attend live as recordings are provided.

What you will gain:

• New skill sets, including critical thinking, argument synthesis, and developing a critical voice.
• Renewed professional freshness and awareness of new ideas and research in education.
• An authoritative voice from research engagement, opening career opportunities.
• Connections with a global network of educators.
• Opportunity to delve into areas of personal interest and become an expert.
• Investment in personal and professional development.

Other:

• Eligibility:
• UK university degree (2:2 or above) or equivalent
• Currently employed in a school
• Fees:
• £4,000 for UK students
• £4,000 for international students
• 180 credit course eligible for a Postgraduate Master's Loan in the UK
• Start date:
September 2024
• Application deadline:
July 12th, 2024

• Start Type 1st Year Total cost
• Sep 2024 Part-time (15 Months) Masters in Education (EBP), Sep 2024
• UK N/A £4,000
• INT N/A £4,000
• N/A = Not applicable
• Course fees do not include additional costs such as books, equipment, writing up fees and other ancillary charges.
Where applicable, these additional costs will be made clear.
• Applicants must also pay a non-refundable £300 registration fee.
• Fees are invoiced for in September, at the beginning of the course, and can be paid in termly instalments or in one lump sum.
Termly instalments can be arranged directly with the Finance department upon receipt of the invoice.
• All staff at COBIS member schools get a 5% discount on course fees.
To ensure discount is applied please select COBIS from the partnership box on your application form.
• This is a 180 credit, 15-month, part-time Master’s course and so is eligible for a Postgraduate Master’s loan (www.gov.uk/masters-loan) for those living in the UK.