Program Overview

Education (Early Years) MA

Overview

The MA Education (Early Years) pathway is designed to meet the interests and professional development needs of early years professionals working in education and related settings. This programme combines perspectives from early years education and other relevant disciplines to ensure you can deliver highly effective practice in today's multi-dimensional early childhood environment.

What you'll study

• Course content: The overall focus of the course is on equipping you with comprehensive, theoretical, research-informed knowledge and an understanding of differing educational perspectives and diverse contexts.
• Teaching and assessment: Key themes include the role of play in early years education, international perspectives on early years research and practice, and educational leadership. Supporting your personal professional development and enhancing your research skills are essential elements of the course.

Compulsory modules:

• Dissertation: Provides an opportunity for you to synthesise, in a synoptic way, the knowledge, skills and understandings developed through the preceding modules.
  • Module code: PRL4061
  • Credits: 60
  • Assessment: 100% Coursework
• Researching Education: Develops your understanding and critical appreciation of empirical and desk-based research methodologies.
  • Module code: PRL4060
  • Credits: 30
  • Assessment: 100% Coursework
• Theorising Education: Develops your understanding and critical appreciation of seminal and contemporary educational philosophy and theory.
  • Module code: PRL4059
  • Credits: 30
  • Assessment: 100% Coursework
• The Power of Playful Pedagogies: Provides an advanced overview of play and playful pedagogies within the field of early years education.
  • Module code: PRL4044
  • Credits: 30
  • Assessment: 100% Coursework
• Learning from International Perspectives in the Early Years: Places you at the cutting edge of contemporary debates, competing and contesting dominant discourses within early years education from an international perspective.
  • Module code: PRL4045
  • Credits: 30
  • Assessment: 100% Coursework

How you'll study

• The MA Education (Early Years) pathway is available in full-time and part-time modes of study.
• Taught sessions are built around dialogue, discussion and collaborative learning, with tutor support and expertise immediately at hand.
• Teaching is interactive, experiential and innovative, using a variety of technologies to enhance your learning.

How you'll be assessed

• You will be assessed through a combination of 5,000-word written assignments, project work, portfolios and presentations, as well as a 10,000 word research report and summary.
• Opportunities to receive formative feedback are embedded into each module.

Who will be teaching you

• The programme is delivered by a team of research-active academic staff who have extensive expertise in education and its related disciplines.
• Their research interests include early learning, educational policy and practice, educational leadership, educational philosophy, as well as research methods and methodologies.

Entry criteria

• An undergraduate degree (normally a 2.2 or above) in a field related to education or an equivalent qualification acceptable to Edge Hill University.
• Applicants who come from a different academic background, which is equivalent to degree level, or have 2 or more years of relevant work experience, are welcome to apply.
• English language proficiency minimally equivalent to overall 6.5 with no element below 6.0.

Facilities

• The Faculty of Education enjoys the enviable position of being one of the country’s leading providers of transformative education, training and research for the teaching and education workforce.
• Housed in a state-of-the-art £9m building, the Faculty of Education enjoys a stunning setting from both its lakeside and piazza buildings.

Finance

• Tuition fees:
  • UK Full-Time: £9,250 for the course
  • UK Part-Time: £51 per credit for 180 credits
  • International: £17,000 for the course

Your future career

• Preparing you for a wide variety of roles across the education workforce in the UK and internationally, this MA can enhance your professional career opportunities and employability.
• On successful completion of the programme, you will be equipped with the knowledge and skills required to make a significant and positive contribution to a range of early childhood education and care practice developments and enhancement initiatives.