About the course

The programme is ideal for individuals looking to develop more critical and theoretical perspectives on a broad range of educational matters. The MA Education provides an excellent opportunity for you to develop both intellectually and professionally. 

Successful Masters level study will enable you to further develop and reflect on your practice. Our practice-focused modules, such as ‘Reflecting on Practice’, will allow you to reflect critically on aspects of your own practice, and widen your understanding of the latest teaching developments and education research at local, regional, national and international levels. For example, we believe our MA teaching fits well with the latest government strategies and policies published under the Teacher Recruitment and Retention Strategy and the Early Career Framework. We would anticipate that the programme will prepare you to make positive changes in your learning communities and to become an effective mentor for both, early career and more experienced colleagues.

Undertaking our MA will enable you to demonstrate to employers a level of critical and intellectual rigour, which can place you at the forefront of developments in practice. You will have the opportunity to demonstrate the capacity for sustained and systematic engagement with current evidence-driven curriculum, pedagogy, assessment and contemporary policy matters. This can potentially put you in a stronger position for progression, promotion and leadership in education.

FLEXIBLE STUDY

The programme is available on either a full-time (one-year - all taught modules and dissertation) or part-time (two-year - taught modules in year 1, dissertation year 2) basis, which allows you the opportunity to study flexibly around current work commitments without the need to give up your job. Students can also study for MA Education via a modular route. This means that they can accumulate their degree credits by taking individual modules over a period of maximum of 5 years. It depends on each individual student how many modules they would like to take in a given year, depending on their individual needs and capabilities.

Applicants who already hold a postgraduate qualification in Education may be considered for Accreditation of Prior Learning. 

AIMS OF THE COURSE

The aims of the programme will enable you to:

• Demonstrate systematic knowledge and critical awareness of a range of educational theories and issues that reflect your chosen specialisations;
• Communicate effectively to specialist and non-specialist audiences through higher level writing and presentation skills;
• Critically reflect upon an array of educational practices and policies (including your own practice, where appropriate);
• Draw upon appropriate theories, methodologies, practices and a wide range of evidence to design and undertake small-scale independent research on an educational issue of your choice.
  
  

BENEFITS

• Research-led teaching.
• Emphasis of robust theoretical understanding and strong practice and policy focus.
• Engage with highly qualified, experienced academics working at the forefront of their fields.
• Excellent student support and supervision.
• Opportunities to engage with policy and the wider social world through social media initiatives and public engagements.

Course structure

TEACHING

The MA is taught and assessed by Keele University staff who are highly qualified, experienced and respected academics, working at the forefront of their fields. The breadth and depth of this expertise brings a unique inter-disciplinary flavour to the programme, and enables us to offer you excellent support and supervision.

Taught elements of the programme are delivered through a mixture of lectures, seminars and small group tasks. Online support materials will also be available and comprise both text based resources and a range of electronic resources.  All sessions and activities are a key part of the programme, and this should allow you to fully immerse yourself in your studies (whether full or part-time study).  

Furthermore, as a postgraduate student, you are able to attend the School’s annual research seminar series, which will enable you to become involved in the School's research culture. You may also have the opportunity to engage directly with policy and the wider social world, through appropriate public engagement and social media initiatives. 

ASSESSMENT

Assessment is based on written work in the form of module assignments, blog posts, case studies, policy analyses/policy briefs, research proposals, followed by an end of course dissertation with a target word lenght of 15,000 words. 

Entry Requirements

Academic entry requirements

Undergraduate degree with second class lower (2:2) or it's equivalent.

Applicants with other qualifications and appropriate experience will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

English Language Entry Requirement for International Students

IELTS 6.5, with 5.5 in each subtest.

The University also accepts a range of internationally recognised English tests.

If you do not meet the English language requirements, the University offers a range of English language preparation programmes.

During your degree programme you can study additional english language courses. This means you can continue to improve your English language skills and gain a higher level of English.

Fees and scholarships

Fees (2020/21 academic year)

UK/EU students £7,750 per year

International students £14,750 per year

Candidates can receive a fees discount of approx. 30% if their application for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is successful. For more information, please see the RPL section below.

FEES FOR ENTRY 2020/2021

UK/EU  - MA Education (with RPL) - £5,150 (FT) or £2,850 (PT per year x 2)

Recognition of Prior Learning 

Where appropriate, a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) route is also available, subject to a successful RPL application.  This will include, but not be limited to, those who have satisfactorily completed a PGCE (60 credits), NPQH, NPQSL, NPQML and other certificates and diplomas related to Education.

Up to 60 Level 7 credits can be accredited through the University’s RPL procedure against the MA Education modules, with the exception of the Research Methods and Dissertation modules.

The University’s full RPL procedure can be found here 

Living costs

Keele University is located on a beautiful campus and has all the facilities of a small town. Student accommodation, shops, restaurants and cafes are all within walking distance of the teaching buildings. This is a very cost effective way to live and to reduce your living costs.

Scholarships and Funding

The University is committed to rewarding excellence and potential. Each year we offer a range of prestigious scholarships;

UK/EU students - more information on scholarships and funding

International students - more information on scholarships and funding

Our expertise

Academic staff specialising in Education include: 

Dr. Sally Findlow -  Subject Lead Education,  Program Director for the Professional Doctorates & Doctorate in Education (EdD) Education SSVC - s.findlow@keele.ac.uk

Dr. Aneta Hayes - Education Programme Director Assessments, QA and EC Officer for Education - a.m.hayes@keele.ac.uk

Dr. Sian Edwards - Admissions Officer Education - s.edwards1@keele.ac.uk

Dr. John Howlett  - Director of Internationalisation, Outreach and Recruitment - j.howlett@keele.ac.uk

Dr. Peter Jones - Director of PGCE Programmes SCITT Liaison - p.jones2@keele.ac.uk

Robert Stannard - MA HEP Programme Director  - r.a.stannard@keele.ac.uk

Careers

Our graduates have the skills to enter occupations in a variety of fields. This can include careers not only in schools but also in politics, the civil service, policy think tanks, business, national and international NGOs/ INGOs, local authority and creative industries.

With our MA Education, you will be well-equipped to develop a career as an educational practitioner, mentor and a school leader. You can also work in education administration, policy advising, social care, the health sector, advertising and marketing, the charity sector, youth services, the arts sector, museums and the local government. Some of our graduates choose to pursue further academic study, such as a PhD or a Professional Doctorate.