Program Overview

---

Overview

The International Education MSc gives students the opportunity to integrate and explore theory and practice in the field of International Education. You will have the flexibility to select modules of interest and of benefit to your future career and will interact online with students on education-related programmes in St Andrews and around the world.

Start date

• September 2025

End date

• Depends on your chosen qualification: MSc, PGDip or PGCert

Duration

• Depends on your chosen qualification: MSc, PGDip or PGCert

School

• International Education and Lifelong Learning Institute (IELLI)

Application deadline

• Thursday 7 August 2025

Choose your course

These flexible courses allow you to choose the path that best suits your ambitions. You can:

• achieve either an MSc, PGDip or PGCert qualification
• study 'on campus' in St Andrews or online
• start in September or January

You can enrol for one of three different types of qualifications.

Master of Science (MSc)

A one-year full-time taught course. The MSc requires you to take eight modules and complete a 15,000-word dissertation.

Course dates: September 2025 to September 2026

Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip)

A nine-month full-time taught course. The PGDip requires you to take eight modules over two semesters (nine months). Those on the PGDip do not undertake a dissertation.

Course dates: September 2025 to June 2026

Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert)

A flexible course that can be taken full time over one semester or part time over one to two years (subject to visa requirements). The PGCert requires you to take four modules of your choosing. Those on the PGCert do not undertake a dissertation.

Course start date: September 2025

Students with Home fee status may study any of these qualifications part-time depending on their individual circumstances.

In person or online

These programmes are delivered both in person at St Andrews and online. If you are interested in studying entirely online, see:

• International Education - online (September start)
• International Education - online (January start)

September or January

There are two different start dates you can choose from. This page has information for September entry. If you are interested in starting in January, see:

• International Education (January start)
• International Education - online (January start)

Entry requirements

Typically, you should have one of the following:

• A 2.1 Honours degree or 3.3 out of 4.0 Grade Point Average (GPA) in any discipline. Applications are welcomed from all education systems. If you studied your first degree outside the UK, see the international entry requirements.
• Significant professional or other relevant experience alongside evidence of prior alternative learning (such as professional qualifications or certifications).

Recognition of prior learning

Some students may be eligible for recognition of prior learning (RPL) based on their previous studies, such as DELTA. The International Education and Lifelong Learning Institute (IELLI) considers applications for RPL on a case-by-case basis in line with the University's recognition of prior learning policy.

English language requirements

You will need to be proficient in the English language. Information about English language entry requirements for these programmes is available on the postgraduate English language requirements page.

Application requirements

• CV that includes your personal details with a history of your education and employment (paid or voluntary) to date
• personal statement
• one original signed reference (this may be professional or academic)
• academic transcripts and degree certificates
• evidence of English language proficiency (required if English is not your first language)

Course details

International Education programmes are run by the International Education and Lifelong Learning Institute.

Highlights

• In addition to the five compulsory modules, choose three optional modules and a dissertation topic to explore your interests.
• Modules are taught by an interdisciplinary team from different parts of the University.
• Study modules in the applied management and organisational behaviour aspects of leading an organisation, as well as modules related to teaching and learning.
• Discuss theoretical concepts and frameworks and apply these through assessments, in small groups, and in writing in online forums.

Modules

• Compulsory modules (for MSc and PGDip)
• Optional modules
• Dissertation (MSc only)

The following modules are compulsory for those on the MSc and PGDip programmes. If you are studying for the PGCert, you can choose any four modules from this list or from the optional module list.

Compulsory modules

• Action Research and Reflection for Education Practitioners
• Education and Researching
• Leadership and Management in International Education
• Organisational Development in International Education
• Trends and Policies in International Education

Optional modules

• Assessment and Evaluation in Education
• English Medium Instruction (EMI)
• Language Teaching Methodology
• Online Programme Design
• Technology for Teaching

Optional modules are subject to change each year and require a minimum number of participants to be offered. Some modules may only allow a limited number of students.

Dissertation

Only those on the MSc programme are required to submit a dissertation.

For the dissertation, you will choose a topic of interest to you and to your future career. You will read related literature and conduct independent research on your topic.

Teaching

• Teaching format
• Assessment
• Support

You will take a variety of taught modules over the first two semesters of the programme, which are delivered through a mixture of:

• live lectures
• face-to-face seminars
• office hours
• out-of-class activities

Fees

MSc

• Home: £12,030
• Overseas: £25,900

PGDip

• Home: £8,020
• Overseas: 17,250

PGCert

• Home: £4,010
• Overseas: £8,650

Your future

International Education graduates are equipped with a range of skills and experiences which allow them to take on a variety of roles. The majority of International Education students work:

• in managerial and administrative roles in international education organisations such as schools, universities, and education-facing NGOs
• in educational agencies
• as educational policymakers
• as International Officers
• in education-related marketing roles

Awards

Members of the International Education and Lifelong Learning team and former students have been awarded various awards and prizes, including the following:

• Masters Dissertation Awards
• Elsevier-Stanford List 2023
• TOEFL New Scholar Award 2024
• McCall MacBain Foundation Outstanding Contribution to Teaching Excellence Awards 2020
• University of St Andrews Golden Dandelion Awards
• University of St Andrews Teaching Excellence Awards
• University of St Andrews Students' Association 1413 Teaching Excellence Awards
• University of St Andrews Start-Up Challenge