Program Overview

MA Education (Online) - 2026 entry

Overview

Critically examine educational theories, apply theory practically, and engage with the latest research in the field of education. Be taught by an outstanding faculty, ranked in the Top 150 in the world for Education. Tailor the programme to your area of interest and develop your skills within the education industry. Designed to suit the needs of students from a range of backgrounds including teachers, lecturers, administrators, education advisors, and other related professions.

Quick facts

• Duration: 24 months
• Study mode: Online, Part-time
• Credits: 180 Masters level credits
• Tuition fees: £10,000
• Flexible payment options: Available

Course content

Our MA Education programme has been thoughtfully designed to suit those with busy schedules. Fully online, you can access the course materials at your convenience.

Our programme integrates four core themes that underpin each module’s curriculum content:

• Theory: Critically examine educational theories such as learning and models of leadership.
• Practice: Put theory into action with practical learning activities, connecting what you learn to your professional context.
• Research: Engage with the latest research in the field and develop your skills as a researcher.
• Policy: Gain insights into the policies and regulations shaping education and learning in various settings.

Students will complete two 30-credit core modules, followed by two 30-credit optional modules and a final 60-credit dissertation.

Modules: Stage 1

• Compulsory modules:
  • EFPM003Z: Understanding Education: Global Perspectives (30 credits)
  • EFPM004Z: Understanding Learning: Global Perspectives (30 credits)
• Optional modules:
  • EFPM007Z: Education Leadership (30 credits)
  • EFPM008Z: Leading and Managing Education Change (30 credits)
  • EFPM378Z: Teaching Literacy: Understanding Writers and Writing (30 credits)
  • EFPM010Z: Critical International Perspectives on Special and Inclusive Education (30 credits)
  • EFPM011Z: Special Educational Needs: Learning, Teaching and Assessment (30 credits)
  • EFPM377Z: Teaching Literacy: Understanding Readers and Reading (30 credits)

Modules: Stage 2

• Compulsory modules:
  • EFPM013Z: Introduction to Educational Enquiry (60 credits)
• Optional modules:
  • EFPM007Z: Education Leadership (30 credits)
  • EFPM008Z: Leading and Managing Education Change (30 credits)
  • EFPM378Z: Teaching Literacy: Understanding Writers and Writing (30 credits)
  • EFPM010Z: Critical International Perspectives on Special and Inclusive Education (30 credits)
  • EFPM011Z: Special Educational Needs: Learning, Teaching and Assessment (30 credits)
  • EFPM377Z: Teaching Literacy: Understanding Readers and Reading (30 credits)

Pathways

Following the successful completion of two core modules, students select from a set of specialist modules, prior to undertaking the final dissertation.

If you select both modules from one specialism and ensure your dissertation is pathway-specific, you will be awarded a specialist degree. Alternatively, if you choose two modules from different pathways, you will emerge with a generalist MA Education.

Please note, in order to be awarded a specialist degree (MA Education: Leadership and Management, for example), the focus of your dissertation must be related to this specialism. The following pathways are available to choose from:

• Educational Leadership Pathway
• Language and Literacy Pathway
• Special Education Needs Pathway

Entry requirements

We will consider applicants with a 2:2 Honours degree with 53% or above, or who are coming from a different academic background (that is equivalent to degree level) but who also have relevant work experience.

Accreditation of Prior Learning

Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) is a process whereby students, who have already gained relevant skills and knowledge prior to the start of their course, may be granted a partial credit exemption from their programme instead of unnecessarily repeating work.

This can, for example, allow PGCE students who have completed relevant level 7 modules to complete the MA Education Online by taking fewer modules, reducing the cost and timeframe.

Pay as you study

Total fees for this programme is £10,000. To make it easier to budget, you don’t need to pay the total fee upfront. Instead, you can pay for each module as you are about to start studying it.

What opportunities does this programme lead to?

The online MA Education programme can be tailored to align with your career aspirations through our elective pathways. Upon graduation, you'll be well-equipped to secure positions in a wide range of traditional and non-traditional educational settings, including:

• Schools
• Colleges
• Universities
• Education departments
• NGOs
• Youth work
• Prisons
• Museums
• Consultancy
• Curriculum development
• Training and development
• Education policy development

As part of this programme, you will have full access to our dedicated Careers and Employability team who can offer support in terms of skills training, internship opportunities, job vacancies, employment fairs, and other events.