Education

Program Overview

MA Education

Introduction

Develop your critical thinking about educational issues in a community that shares your passion for teaching and learning. Study global approaches to education through research, theories and practice, and develop your career in the direction you choose.

Course Options

• 1 year full-time
• 1 year (Distance learning)
• 2 years part-time
• 2 years part-time (distance learning)
• 1 year with 60 APCL

Key Facts

• STUDY OPTIONS: 1 year full-time
• START DATES: January
• LOCATION: Chelmsford
• FEES:
  • £9,800 UK students starting 2025/26 (full-time, per year)
  • £16,700 International students starting 2025/26 (full-time, per year)

Teaching and Assessment

• Face to face: 1 year full-time
  • Whole course
• You will demonstrate your developing knowledge and theoretical understanding in your chosen area of expertise through a range of assessment methods.
• Instead of sitting exams you will prepare high quality written assignments that demonstrate you can meet the expectations postgraduate-level study, including fluent and accurate English.
• Depending on your pathway, you might also take part in both individual and collaborative assessments, including research projects and group presentations.

Pathway-Specific Modules

• MA Education:
  • Key Themes and Issues in Education
• MA Education with Early Childhood:
  • Early Childhood: Principles, Practice & Professionalism
• MA Education with Leadership and Management:
  • Leading Education
• MA Education with Montessori:
  • Montessori Method: Child, Adult and Environment
• MA Education with Special Educational Needs and Disability:
  • Intervention for SEND
• MA Education with Technology:
  • Education Technology: Design, Policy and Practice

Core Modules

• Professional Enquiry for Education (September only)
• Specialist Studies in Learning and Teaching (January only)
• Developing Educational Research
• Postgraduate Major Project in Education

Optional Modules

• Exploring Educational Research
• Key Themes and Issues in Education
• Early Childhood - Principles, Practice & Professionalism
• Leading Education
• Montessori Method: Child, Adult and Environment
• Intervention for Special Educational Needs and Disability
• Education Technology: Design Policy and Practice

Entry Requirements

• Normally applicants should have a first degree with honours at a minimum classification of 2:2 or equivalent.
• Exceptional entry is offered to professionals with extensive professional experience.
• Arrangements also exist to incorporate Accredited Prior Learning (APL).
• If English is not your first language you will be expected to demonstrate a certificated level of proficiency of at least IELTS 6.5 (Academic level) or equivalent English Language qualification, as recognised by Anglia Ruskin University.

Fees and Paying for University

• Tuition fees for UK students (2025/26): £9,800 UK students starting 2025/26 (full-time, per year)
• Tuition fees for international students (2025/26): £16,700 International students starting 2025/26 (full-time, per year)
• ARU graduates may be eligible for an Alumni Scholarship and get a 20% fee discount.

Facilities and Support

• With strong links to Local Authorities and schools, we’re experienced providers of in-house training for schools and academies locally, nationally and internationally.
• Our Education courses are practice-focused and relevant to today’s classroom.

Course Leaders

• MA Education: Dr Rebecca Clarkson
• MA Education with Early Childhood: Dr Paulette Luff
• MA Education with Montessori: Dr Michelle Wisbey
• MA Education with Special Educational Needs and Disability: Dr Eleni Lithari
• MA Education with Leadership and Management: Dr Gill Thomas
• MA Education with Technology: Dr Tarisai Chikomba

Careers

• If you're a teacher or lecturer at any level, or a leader or manager within the education system, our MA Education will enhance your impact and improve your career opportunities.
• As a recently qualified or early career teacher, it will broaden your knowledge while you develop your teaching practice, allowing you to put what you learn into immediate effect.
• This course can also be your first step towards working in research or university lecturing. When you graduate, you might choose to progress to doctoral studies, such as our School of Education PhD.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

This Master's Degree in Education aims to enhance professional skills and understanding of contemporary professional teaching practice for work in any role in any educational setting, and at any stage of your career. By studying content relating to educational settings, you'll have the opportunity to tailor your studies and research your particular interests in teaching and education. By linking the new theories you learn with your everyday practice, you can enhance and improve the pupil/student experience in your own place of work.

Outline:

• Course Schedule:
• Full-time face to face: Monday 10am-1pm and 4-5.30pm; Tuesday 5-8pm
• Part-time face to face: either Monday morning or Tuesday evening depending on module
• Distance learning: one drop-in session every other week for each module
• Modules:
• Key Themes and Issues in Education
• Professional Enquiry for Education
• Exploring Educational Research
• Developing Educational Research
• Postgraduate Major Project in Education

Assessment:

Instead of sitting exams, students prepare high quality written assignments that build up throughout each module, with opportunities for peer and tutor feedback as you learn. Students will develop core strengths in valuable appraisal methods, such as individual and collaborative critical reflections, as well as carrying out inquiries that apply directly to specific interests and work context. Each assignment will progress learning and the ability to communicate with clarity, both verbally and in written reports aimed at a range of audiences.

Teaching:

Students will be supported by a team of expert lecturers, who all have professional experience working in educational settings, and benefit from the links and research they are involved in through the Early Childhood Research Group.

Careers:

Graduates can work in a variety of roles in the education system, including as teachers, lecturers, leaders, or managers. This course can also be the first step towards working in research or university lecturing.

Tuition Fees and Payment Information:

Tuition fees for UK students (2023/24)

£8,800 UK students starting 2023/24 (full-time, per year) ARU graduates may be eligible for an Alumni Scholarship and get a 20% fee discount. Fees are payable upfront, in full or in instalments, but there's no need to pay until you've accepted an offer to study with us. Find out more about paying your fees.

Tuition fees for international students (2023/24)

£15,000 International students starting 2023/24 (full-time, per year) You can pay your fees upfront, in full or in two instalments. We will ask for a deposit of £4,000 or a sponsorship letter Find out about paying your fees. For postgraduate courses, international ARU graduates are automatically considered for an International Alumni Scholarship, worth £3,000 off first-year fees.

Tuition fees for UK students (2024/25)

£9,300 UK students starting 2024/25 (full-time, per year) ARU graduates may be eligible for an Alumni Scholarship and get a 20% fee discount. Fees are payable upfront, in full or in instalments, but there's no need to pay until you've accepted an offer to study with us. Find out more about paying your fees.

Tuition fees for international students (2024/25)

£15,900 International students starting 2024/25 (full-time, per year) You can pay your fees upfront, in full or in two instalments. We will ask for a deposit of £4,000 or a sponsorship letter Find out about paying your fees. For postgraduate courses, international ARU graduates are automatically considered for an International Alumni Scholarship, worth £3,000 off first-year fees.