Program Overview

MSc Education (Open Pathway)

Overview

The MSc Education (Open Pathway) allows you to design your own programme of study based on your areas of interest, rather than choosing one subject area from our specialist pathways.

Units can be taken from across the different specialisms and from our bank of available optional units to build a tailored programme of study. For example, if your interests span both educational policy and the use of technology in education, you might combine units from the Leadership and Policy pathway with units from the Learning, Technology and Society pathway.

A diverse range of students take the open pathway, attracted by the freedom that it offers. Many students have recently completed their undergraduate studies, with some experience of teaching, volunteering, or other work experience in schools or education more broadly. Others are returning to education after a longer period of work and wider experiences, looking to formalise their learning. Many of our students are international, from a range of countries around the world. This diversity creates a rich learning environment and encourages sharing of ideas among students and academics alike.

After completing the MSc, most students go on to work in education in some form. Some will use the master's year to develop their skills as educational researchers and go on to study for a PhD at Bristol or elsewhere.

Key Information

• Programme duration: One year full-time; two or three years part-time.
• Start date: September 2025
• Application deadline: Overseas applicants: 25 July 2025; Home applicants: 8 August 2025
• Delivery method: On-Campus
• Location: Clifton
• Awards available: MSc

Programme Structure

In this open pathway, a single core unit provides an introduction to the variety of methods used to conduct research in education. You will then choose a number of optional units from across the different specialised MSc Education pathways and from our wider bank of optional units (subject to availability and timetabling constraints). You will finish your master's by completing a supervised research dissertation project in an educational area you are interested in.

World-Leading Research

• The University of Bristol is ranked fifth for research in the UK (Times Higher Education).
• 94% of our research assessed as world-leading or internationally excellent.

Entry Requirements

• You will typically need an upper second-class honours degree or an international equivalent in any discipline.
• If you are currently completing a degree, we understand that your final grade may be higher than the interim grades or module/unit grades you have achieved during your studies to date.
• We will consider your application if your interim grades are currently slightly lower than the programme's entry requirements and may make you an aspirational offer.
• Specific module requirements would still apply.

English Language Requirements

• If English is not your first language, you will need to reach the requirements outlined in our profile level E.

Fees and Funding

• Home: full-time £12,300 per year
• Home: part-time (three years) £4,100 per year
• Home: part-time (two years) £6,150 per year
• Overseas: full-time £28,200 per year

Alumni Discount

• University of Bristol students and graduates can benefit from a 25% reduction in tuition fees for postgraduate study.

Funding and Scholarships

• Further information on funding for prospective UK and international postgraduate students.

Career Prospects

Our goal is to equip you with the tools to demonstrate impact, excellence and distinctiveness in your chosen field.

• Be equipped to demonstrate impact, excellence and distinctiveness in your chosen field;
• Be visionary, imaginative, innovative, reflective and creative;
• Have high ideals and values, including a strong sense of social justice;
• Be highly employable throughout the world;
• Be adaptable, with the potential to be a leader in work and in the community.

Graduates with an MSc in Education often advance into roles in:

• Teaching and educational leadership
• Education policy and administration
• Higher education and academic research
• EdTech and corporate training

How to Apply

• Apply via our online application system.
• Application deadline: Overseas applicants: 25 July 2025; Home applicants: 8 August 2025.

Contact

• Enquiries Team
• Faculty of Arts, Law and Social Sciences
• School of Education

Explore More

• Explore events
• Take a virtual tour
• Make an enquiry

Feedback

• Contact
• University of Bristol
• Beacon House
• Queens Road
• Bristol
• BS8 1QU
• United Kingdom

Information for

• New students
• Current students
• Current staff

Connect

• Twitter
• Facebook
• YouTube
• LinkedIn
• TikTok
• Instagram

Study at Bristol

• Undergraduate study
• Postgraduate study
• International students
• Accommodation
• Library
• Students' Union
• Sport, exercise and health

Research

• Find a researcher
• Faculty research
• Impact of our research
• Research quality and assessment
• Engaging with the public

About the University

• Maps and travel
• Tours and visits
• Events
• The University on film
• Explore the city of Bristol
• Board of Trustees

Support the University

• Alumni and friends
• Donate

Jobs

• Working at Bristol
• Job listing

A-Z of the University

• A
• B
• C
• D
• E
• F
• G
• H
• I
• J
• K
• L
• M
• N
• O
• P
• Q
• R
• S
• T
• U
• V
• W
• X
• Y
• Z
• See all

Site and Legal

• Help
• Terms and conditions
• Accessibility statements
• Privacy and cookie policy
• Cookie preferences
• Modern Slavery statement

Copyright 2025 University of Bristol. All rights reserved.

Back to top