Education MA

Course overview

MA Education is a flexible course aimed at educators and leaders in education, which will improve your practice through a highly personalised programme of Masters level study.

The course will prepare you to be a thought leader in your specific area of educational interest by introducing you to a range of core and optional modules grounded in educational research and theoretical understandings of education.

The modules encourage and enable you to think deeply and critically about education. These stimulating modules support you in the process of beginning to articulate, explain and justify your own position within the complex and diverse field of education studies.

Course highlights

You will graduate with:

• a solid grounding in educational research methods and processes and experience in undertaking research in your professional context
• a critical understanding of current issues and ideas in education globally and how they connect with your local context
• critical insights into the nexus between education research, theory, policy and practice
• the skills to be able to design, implement, evaluate and reflect on education projects
• autonomous learning skills and the ability to engage in continuing professional development

This programme is taught in the School of Education.

Pre-sessional study at Leeds - watch our recorded talk

Course details

The course allows you to tailor your studies to your own interests, and undertake modules that draw upon core research strands from different areas of education such as Childhood Studies, Digital Education, Inclusive and Special Education, Language in Education, and Climate Change and Sustainability Education.

You will undertake three core modules, including a 30-credit Foundations of Educational Research module, a 30-credit Foundations of Educational Practice module, and a 60-credit Dissertation. You will also take another 60 credits of optional modules from a variety of options in specific areas of education.

Course structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Education MA in the course catalogue

Year 1 compulsory modules

Year 1 optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)

Candidates will be required to study 60 credits: 30 credits from the Semester 1 modules list, 30 credits from the Semester 2 modules list.

Learning and teaching

You’ll learn through a variety of learning and teaching methods, including weekly interactive seminars, group projects and tasks, tutorials, and fieldwork. The methods of teaching and learning that you’ll encounter depend on which specific modules you choose. Independent study, both individually and in groups, is also vital, as it allows you to pursue your interests and develop high-level skills, supported by our excellent library resources.

Our course is informed by research and current developments in the theory and practice of education in both global and local contexts and your tutors will bring insights from their own research and professional experience into learning activities.

Our MA Education course attracts students from a wide range of backgrounds and nationalities. Our teaching practices promote equality, diversity and inclusion and you’ll be part of an international community of education professionals and be encouraged to share insights from your context with your peers from other parts of the world.

Throughout the course, you’ll be supported by a personal academic tutor whom you can meet regularly to discuss any personal or career issues that might enhance your student experience and future plans.

On this course, you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Assessment

You will be assessed through a variety of methods, including written essays, presentations, poster presentations, reflective Vlogs and group projects. In some modules, you may be able to choose a topic for assessment that is relevant to your future professional needs.

Our range of assessment methods are designed to reflect skills that are vital for a career in the education sector, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, interpersonal communication, project planning and research.

In all assessments, you will be required to read widely and use evidence from theoretical and empirical research literature – alongside your own experience and contextual knowledge – to develop arguments which critique, support and/or expand knowledge in a particular area of education. You will be expected to show critical understanding of current trends and debates in the field of education and apply these to a specific context of relevance.

Applying

Entry requirements

A bachelor degree (hons) with a 2:1 or non-UK equivalent plus two years’ experience, after graduation, as a practitioner in education in any sector: for example, in a school, college, or within higher education. We will consider applicants with alternative qualifications and experience on an individual basis.

We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications.

Please note that meeting the entry requirements of this course doesn't guarantee an offer of a place.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English

International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read  Language for Education (6 weeks) and Language for Social Science and Arts: Education (10 weeks).

We also offer online pre-sessionals alongside our on-campus pre-sessionals. Find out more about our six week online pre-sessional.

You can also study pre-sessionals for longer periods – read about our postgraduate pre-sessional English courses.

How to apply

Application deadlines

International – Friday 28 June 2024

UK – Friday 16 August 2024

If you intend to apply for funding, you should submit an application for a place on your chosen course at least one month before any specific scholarship deadline.

The ‘Apply’ link at the top of this page will take you to information on applying for taught programmes and to the University's online application system.

If you're unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

Documents and information we will need include:

• Original or certified copies of your transcripts

• Original or certified copies of your degree certificate

• Original or certified copy of your IELTS/TOEFL results (if English is not your first language)

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Admissions policy

University of Leeds Admissions Policy 2025

This course is taught by

School of Education

Contact us

Postgraduate Admissions

Email: pgeduc@leeds.ac.uk
Telephone:

Fees

UK: £11,250 (Total)

International: £24,500 (Total)

Read more about paying fees and charges.

For fees information for international taught postgraduate students, read Masters fees.

Additional cost information

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more on our living costs and budgeting page.

Scholarships and financial support

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There may be help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government.  Find out more at Masters funding overview.

The School of Education usually offers a number of scholarships each year. Find out more on the School's scholarships page.

Career opportunities

Our graduates have gone on to work in a wide range of roles in their home countries in the UK and internationally, including as teachers, specialist subject leads, education project managers, course designers, education advisers and policy makers, in both state and private institutions. Others have been involved in careers within international and local NGO and Charities. 

The Careers Service and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more at the Careers website. 

Careers support

Our friendly Employability team based within the School of Education can provide a range of help and advice about employment or volunteering opportunities in the education sector.

You'll be able to enhance your career prospects and take advantage of the many paid and volunteering positions in schools and other education settings in and around Leeds. We strongly encourage volunteering as this enriches your experiences and transferable skills.

We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.

The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more about Careers support.