MSc Education (Policy and International Development)
| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2025-09-01 | - |
Program Overview
MSc Education (Policy and International Development)
Overview
The Policy and International Development pathway focuses on the relationship between education policy and practice and international development. It probes the influence of global policy agendas on education and the contribution that education makes to social justice, economic growth and sustainable development.
In line with the sustainable development agenda, development is treated as an international issue, and the pathway considers case studies from countries around the world as well as from within Bristol. It examines formal and informal education through diverse institutions and organisations, including schools, universities and community organisations.
This MSc takes a critical look at ideas about social development – such as human rights, the capability approach, and peace building – and their implications for education policy and practice. There will be opportunities to explore how educational theories and practice travel between and are adapted to specific contexts. You will analyse the role of key organisations involved in the global governance of education, including civil society, international non-governmental organisations, development agencies and commercial bodies.
The Policy and International Development pathway develops your skills in using international and comparative research, both in education and in analysing education policy. You will be supported to develop your own reasoned position and distinctive critical voice for commenting on education policy and education's role within social development at international, national and local level. You will have access to first-class library and information services, allowing you to study the specific ideas, issues, initiatives and policies you are interested in.
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
Our education master's degrees give you the opportunity to select a programme of study tailored towards your interests and learning needs. The range of degrees we offer means you will be able to specialise and receive an award in a particular discipline area.
Visit our programme catalogue for full details of the structure and unit content for our MSc in Education (Policy and International Development). Please note that this pathway consists of core units that all students on the pathway must take and a range of optional units that students can choose from, within availability or timetabling constraints.
Alternatively, you can design your own pathway by opting not to specialise and to take those units that fit with your availability. Units can be taken from across the different specialisms and from our bank of available optional units to build a tailored programme of study, resulting in an award of MSc Education.
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. This offer would be at the standard level, so you would need to achieve the standard entry requirements by the end of your degree. 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.
- Further information about English language requirements and profile levels.
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
Fees are subject to an annual review. For programmes that last longer than one year, please budget for up to an 8% increase in fees each year.
Alumni Discount
- University of Bristol students and graduates can benefit from a 25% reduction in tuition fees for postgraduate study. Check your eligibility for an alumni discount.
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.
We will enable our graduates to display the following characteristics:
- 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. For further information, please see the guidance for how to apply on our webpages.
- Application deadline: Overseas applicants: 25 July 2025; Home applicants: 8 August 2025.
Please note that due to high demand, some programmes may close earlier than advertised. Early applications are advised to avoid disappointment. Places are limited and allocated on a continuous basis from September 2024 until all places are filled.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The MSc Education (Policy and International Development) program at the University of Bristol focuses on the relationship between education policy and practice and international development. It examines the influence of global policy agendas on education and the contribution that education makes to social justice, economic growth, and sustainable development. The program takes a critical look at ideas about social development, such as human rights, the capability approach, and peace building, and their implications for education policy and practice. Students will explore how educational theories and practices travel between and are adapted to specific contexts. They will also analyze the role of key organizations involved in the global governance of education, including civil society, international non-governmental organizations, development agencies, and commercial bodies.
Outline:
The MSc Education (Policy and International Development) program consists of core units that all students on the pathway must take and a range of optional units that students can choose from, within availability or timetabling constraints.
Core Units:
- Education and International Development
- Research Methods in Education
- Education Policy and Practice
- Comparative and International Education
Optional Units:
- Human Rights and Education
- Education for Sustainable Development
- Peace Education
- Gender and Education
- Education and Social Justice
- Education and Conflict
- Education and Technology
Careers:
Graduates of the MSc Education (Policy and International Development) program will be equipped to work in a variety of roles in the field of education, including:
- Education policy and research
- International development
- Teaching
- Non-profit organizations
- Government agencies
Other:
The program is offered full-time over one year or part-time over two or three years. Students have access to first-class library and information services, allowing them to study the specific ideas, issues, initiatives, and policies they are interested in.
UK: full-time£11,900 per year
UK: part-time (two years)£5,950 per year
UK: part-time (three years)£3,967 per year
Overseas: full-time£27,200 per year
Entry Requirements:
An upper second-class honours degree or international equivalent in any discipline. For applicants who are currently completing a degree, we understand that their final grade may be higher than the interim grades or module/unit grades they achieve during their studies. We will consider applicants whose interim grades are currently slightly lower than the programme's entry requirements. We may make these applicants an aspirational offer. Specific module requirements may still apply. We will consider applicants whose grades are slightly lower than the programme's entry requirements, if they have at least one of the following: evidence of significant (minimum of 1 year) relevant work experience in areas related to international policy and development. a relevant postgraduate qualification. If this is the case, applicants should include their CV (curriculum vitae / résumé) when they apply, showing details of their relevant work experience and/or qualifications.
