Program Overview

MA/PgD/PgC Education

Overview

The Master’s degree in Education, at the University of Suffolk, is underpinned by transdisciplinary teaching, research and practice. The MA Education provision is designed to enhance knowledge, skills and career progression in the broad fields of education across three key pathways: Leadership, Childhood and Inclusive Practice. It offers a curriculum focused on theory, research and policy evaluation to extend learners’ thinking and practice on contemporary ideas, issues and debates.

Course Structure

To attain the full MA you will need 180 credits, for the PgDip 120 credits and for the PgCert 60 credits.

The course utilises a blended learning approach and adopts a wide variety of learning, teaching and assessment strategies.

You have the option of one of following pathways:

• Pathway 1: Leadership
• Pathway 2: Childhood
• Pathway 3: Inclusive Practice

Course Modules

Reflective Practice and Ethics

This module enables you to pursue an area of interest and relevance in a chosen topic within the field of education. It provides you with the opportunity to negotiate, manage and present learning outcomes related to an area of particular interest or specialism that you have developed. The topic chosen must be different from that selected for the MA Dissertation.

• Pursue an area of interest and relevance within a chosen specialism.
• Have the opportunity to negotiate, manage and present learning outcomes.
• Present a critical appraisal of a selected topic, which demonstrates the application of theory to an area related to the education sectors.
• Engage in a course of student negotiated learning.

Critical Perspectives in Childhood Studies and Education

This seminar-driven module introduces you to the foundations of childhood studies before providing a critical lens on children’s diverse and disparate contexts, education and rights. This is undertaken with the aim to build your conceptual and theoretical understanding of childhood(s) and education, globally.

• Build your conceptual and theoretical understanding of childhood(s) and education, globally.
• Critically examine the key concepts, practices and policies that shape children’s everyday lives including the impact on education.
• Explore the tenuous relationships between adult-child binaries, dominant-marginalised knowledges, power and agency, and protection and participation of children.
• Critically analyse the role of the child’s voice in social, educational and political contexts.

Globalisation, Social Justice, and Children’s Rights

This module explores the theories, issues, and debates associated with social justice, children’s rights and globalisation. It aims to provide you with appropriate theoretical and analytical tools for analysing and understanding complex social situations, characterised by the necessity to mediate between different cultural perspectives.

• Analyse how current frameworks – including institutions, values, assumptions, and actions – affect the economic, political, and cultural structures shaping our lives.
• Investigate how decisions made locally may have global significance.

Inclusive Practice and Disability

Learning in this module focuses on building a deeper understanding of models of disability and their application in everyday practice in educational, health and social care settings.

• Build expertise in supporting individuals with physical, sensory, cognitive, learning, social-emotional and mental health needs.
• Critically analyse practice in light of theory and research, applying critical knowledge and understanding of disability, the rights and needs of individuals across a variety of settings and contexts.

Applying Theory in Research

This module offers the opportunity to critically evaluate the ways in which social sciences research, particularly in the fields of education and childhood studies, are informed and enriched by theory.

• Use theory as a tool in designing, implementing and interpreting research.
• Identify explicit or implicit theoretical framings used in published research.
• Critically assess the links between theory, methodology, interpretation of the findings and its future implications.

Neurodiversity – Learning and Mental Health

Inclusive practice requires understanding of diversity and neurodiversity in society as a starting point in moving towards creating physical and social environments where everyone can participate, thrive and achieve their full potential.

• Enhance skills in developing practical strategies for supporting children, young people and adults in a variety of settings.
• Build and extend knowledge and critical understanding of neurodivergent conditions and their intersections with gender, race, ethnicity, age, and socio-economic circumstances.

Leadership and Coaching

This module caters for those with ambitions to become leaders in education as well as those already established in leadership roles.

• Critically examine the benefits of different leadership models, the qualities, strategies and competences necessary for effective leadership.
• Explore the relationship between leadership and management and continuing improvement of teaching and learning outcomes.

Championing Children in Care – The Designated Teacher Award

This module has been developed in collaboration with the Suffolk Virtual School (VS) and Suffolk's Psychology and Therapeutic Services (P&TS) and would be appropriate for Designated Teachers and others working more broadly with children in care/looked after children.

• Develop a critical, theoretical understanding of person-centred educational provisions for children in care (CiC) and previously looked after children (pLAC).
• Rethink education practices within classrooms, promoting powerful change by breaking with individualistic approaches in education.

Independent Learning Project

The Independent Project is designed to provide you with an opportunity to undertake a significant and substantial research or work-based project to demonstrate the ability to work independently.

• Use critical and analytical skills to independently develop a dissertation in a relevant and appropriate topic.
• Identify and explore relevant theoretical and historical perspectives on this topic.
• Draw conclusion based on reflective and/or empirical work.

Entry Requirements

• An undergraduate degree with a minimum of 2:2 in a relevant subject.
• Other qualifications, relevant work and life experience may be taken into account.

Career Opportunities

The advanced knowledge and skills you acquire on the MA Education Studies course equips you to excel in various roles within the education sector. With an advanced degree, you will increase your eligibility for leadership roles, higher pay scales, and a range of job opportunities.

Fees and Funding

• UK Full-time Tuition Fee: £9,150 per year
• UK Part-time Tuition Fee: £1,525 per 30 credit module
• International Full-time Tuition Fee: £15,210 per year

Facilities and Resources

• State-of-the-art teaching facilities
• Open study areas with networked computers
• iMacs with dual function technology
• Lecture Theatre in the Waterfront building
• Paddy and Scotts café on campus

How to Apply

Applying for a postgraduate programme is simple, you can apply using the link below. You can also find out more about what to include on your application and how to contact us for support during the process on the Postgraduate Study link.