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Education (and pathways) MA

Start year

Information for 2024/25

About this course

Education unlocks potential, fosters innovation, and has the power to transform lives.

At NTU, the MA Education course is designed for those people with a desire to provide high-quality education and care. You’ll explore the importance of education over time.

You’ll challenge your thinking as you reflect on how settings can make a positive impact on education and community development. All the while, you’ll build on your understanding of the field and emerge as a reflective and inclusive practitioner.

This course is aimed at education professionals or graduates with a related degree who wish to advance their career prospects. You’ll already work in a leadership or management role in an education focussed setting or have ambitions to move into leadership.

The MA Education degree is increasingly seen as both academic enhancement and a means to facilitate career progress. Many graduates have gone on to successful careers in the education sector, pursuing senior roles, while others have continued studying to complete a Professional Doctorate, an MPhil or a PhD.

If you are looking for a course that provides a recognised teaching qualification with QTS status, please visit our PGCE Secondary Education or PGCE Primary Education course page.

The course is structured to allow you to study MA Education or a specialist pathway in MA Education in Organisation Leadership and Governance, Inclusive Pedagogy, Early Childhood or, Pedagogic Enquiry.

Why study this course?

  • Study education in its broadest sense as you explore a diverse range of subject areas from the sociological, psychological, policy and social justice perspectives.
  • Freedom to build your own Masters degree with a range of awards and modules in line with your specific interests and career aims.
  • Become part of our research-active community as you design and carry out your own research.
  • The course is designed and taught by experienced tutors and researchers with expertise in the sector.
96
%

of MA Education students are satisfied with the quality of the course (Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey 2024)

What you’ll study

You’ll study three core modules, in addition to three optional modules.

Full-time routes

The full-time route takes place over three terms.

During terms one and two, you will study two modules per term. Once completed, you will then undertake your dissertation in a topic of your choice. If you follow a specialist pathway, the dissertation is in this topic (e.g. Leadership and Management, Inclusion and Special Education or Early Childhood).

Part-time routes

The part-time route takes two to four years to complete. Most students study a module per term with the choice to ‘rest’ for a term and pick up a module in the next term until all four modules are completed. When studying the part-time route, you will have one year to complete your dissertation.

Offsite route

An offsite module is offered when there are five or more teachers in a school/academy wishing to complete the independent study module of the offsite offerings.

Select the pathways on the left to discover more about the associated modules for each route.

Core module

Social Justice (30 credit points)

  • This module critically analyses and evaluates sociological perspectives on justice, aspects of social identity, equality, inequality, inclusion and exclusion in education.
  • You'll be introduced to a range of contentious issues and challenges for justice in education, and different sociological perspectives and lenses through which these issues and challenges can be critically analysed.
  • You'll bring your own views and experience to these debates, while introducing you to new concepts, theories and methods.

Research skills (30 credit points)

  • This module will prepare you for undertaking empirical study independently and ethically and help you critique published work you study in subsequent modules.
  • It helps you understand how research has impact and is the start of your progression towards conducting research studies that will have impact.

Dissertation (60 credit points)

  • The dissertation module allows you to focus your research in an area of professional interest, deepening your knowledge and understanding in your chosen career area.

Optional modules

You'll study a selection of optional modules to add up to 120 credits.

Education Policy and Practice (30 credit points)

  • This module will develop your specialised knowledge of educational policy, taking into account current debates around education in the UK and beyond.
  • The focus will be on policy analysis and on processes of policy formulation, implementation and evaluation and the various influences on these processes at global, national, regional and local levels.

Coaching & Mentoring in Educational Contexts (30 credit points)

  • The focus of this module will be on the purposes, strategies and theories of coaching and mentoring, as they apply to individuals working to support colleagues in their role, and the institutional issues these raise in schools, colleges and universities.
  • Through a critical examination and application of the theory and an analytical exploration of the practice of coaching and mentoring, this module aims to enhance the professional development of the staff working in educational settings.

Curriculum Innovations (30 credit points)

  • This module provides opportunities for you to explore the fundamental theories of curriculum innovation. Through this exploration, you will start to consider how research evidence informs educational change.
  • Through a combination of desktop research, skills and project planning you will develop an innovative practice related to curriculum development, process or product, for future enactment in your chosen educational setting.

Leadership and Management Change (30 credit points)

  • In education there is significant externally-imposed change and consequent institutional change.
  • This module will prepare those aspiring to lead in such a context need to be able to lead and manage the process of change effectively.

Perspectives in Inclusive Practice (30 credit points)

  • The Perspectives on Inclusive Education module provides an opportunity to explore a wide range of perspectives on Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) and inclusion.

Partnership Working with Children and Families (30 credit points)

  • This module explores the importance of high-quality early childhood education.
  • You’ll learn how to investigate partnership - reflecting on how the setting can make a positive contribution to pedagogy and local community development within your local context.

The following optional modules are applicable for part-time routes only:

Early Career Teachers (30 credit points)

  • This module is an opportunity for recently qualified (<5 years) teachers to examine key learning experiences and the impact these have had on their professional practice. It will explore the knowledge and understanding that they have gained, and examine the skills they have developed.
  • You’ll learn more about the theory and skills of reflection.

Reflection on National Professional Qualifications (NPQ) (30 credit points)

  • This module provides an opportunity to reflect on the experience of an accredited National Professional Qualification (NPQML/Sl/H/EH) and the impact this has had on your professional practice.
  • You will explore the knowledge and understanding gained, and examine the skills developed. You will also learn more about the theory and skills of reflection.

Independent Study (30 credit points)

  • You will be able to select a small scale project to investigate an area of practice that is of current professional interest.
  • The focus will be negotiated and agreed with the module tutor through an initial proposal.
  • The investigation will include collection of information from both secondary and should you choose, primary sources, demonstrating knowledge and understanding through analysis, evaluation and reflection.

Core module

Leadership and Management Change (30 credit points)

  • In education there is significant externally-imposed change and consequent institutional change.
  • This module will prepare those aspiring to lead in such a context need to be able to lead and manage the process of change effectively.

Research skills (30 credit points)

  • This module will prepare you for undertaking empirical study independently and ethically and help you critique published work you study in subsequent modules.
  • It helps you understand how research has impact and is the start of your progression towards conducting research studies that will have impact.

Dissertation (60 credit points)

  • The dissertation module allows you to focus your research in an area of professional interest, deepening your knowledge and understanding in your chosen career area.

Optional modules

You'll study a selection of optional modules to add up to 120 credits.

Education Policy and Practice (30 credit points)

  • This module will develop your specialised knowledge of educational policy, taking into account current debates around education in the UK and beyond.
  • The focus will be on policy analysis and on processes of policy formulation, implementation and evaluation and the various influences on these processes at global, national, regional and local levels.

Coaching & Mentoring in Educational Contexts (30 credit points)

  • The focus of this module will be on the purposes, strategies and theories of coaching and mentoring, as they apply to individuals working to support colleagues in their role, and the institutional issues these raise in schools, colleges and universities.
  • Through a critical examination and application of the theory and an analytical exploration of the practice of coaching and mentoring, this module aims to enhance the professional development of the staff working in educational settings.

Curriculum Innovations (30 credit points)

  • This module provides opportunities for you to explore the fundamental theories of curriculum innovation. Through this exploration, you will start to consider how research evidence informs educational change.
  • Through a combination of desktop research, skills and project planning you will develop an innovative practice related to curriculum development, process or product, for future enactment in your chosen educational setting.

Social Justice (30 credit points)

  • This module critically analyses and evaluates sociological perspectives on justice, aspects of social identity, equality, inequality, inclusion and exclusion in education.
  • You'll be introduced to a range of contentious issues and challenges for justice in education, and different sociological perspectives and lenses through which these issues and challenges can be critically analysed.
  • You'll bring your own views and experience to these debates, while introducing you to new concepts, theories and methods.

Perspectives in Inclusive Practice (30 credit points)

  • The Perspectives on Inclusive Education module provides an opportunity to explore a wide range of perspectives on Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) and inclusion.

Partnership Working with Children and Families (30 credit points)

  • This module explores the importance of high-quality early childhood education.
  • You’ll learn how to investigate partnership - reflecting on how the setting can make a positive contribution to pedagogy and local community development within your local context.

The following optional modules are applicable for part-time routes only:

Early Career Teachers (30 credit points)

  • This module is an opportunity for recently qualified (<5 years) teachers to examine key learning experiences and the impact these have had on their professional practice. It will explore the knowledge and understanding that they have gained, and examine the skills they have developed.
  • You’ll learn more about the theory and skills of reflection.

Reflection on National Professional Qualifications (NPQ) (30 credit points)

  • This module provides an opportunity to reflect on the experience of an accredited National Professional Qualification (NPQML/Sl/H/EH) and the impact this has had on your professional practice.
  • You will explore the knowledge and understanding gained, and examine the skills developed. You will also learn more about the theory and skills of reflection.

Independent Study (30 credit points)

  • You will be able to select a small scale project to investigate an area of practice that is of current professional interest.
  • The focus will be negotiated and agreed with the module tutor through an initial proposal.
  • The investigation will include collection of information from both secondary and should you choose, primary sources, demonstrating knowledge and understanding through analysis, evaluation and reflection.

Core module

Perspectives in Inclusive Practice (30 credit points)

  • The Perspectives on Inclusive Education module provides an opportunity to explore a wide range of perspectives on Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) and inclusion.

Research skills (30 credit points)

  • This module will prepare you for undertaking empirical study independently and ethically and help you critique published work you study in subsequent modules.
  • It helps you understand how research has impact and is the start of your progression towards conducting research studies that will have impact.

Dissertation (60 credit points)

  • The dissertation module allows you to focus your research in an area of professional interest, deepening your knowledge and understanding in your chosen career area.

Optional modules

You'll study a selection of optional modules to add up to 120 credits.

Education Policy and Practice (30 credit points)

  • This module will develop your specialised knowledge of educational policy, taking into account current debates around education in the UK and beyond.
  • The focus will be on policy analysis and on processes of policy formulation, implementation and evaluation and the various influences on these processes at global, national, regional and local levels.

Coaching & Mentoring in Educational Contexts (30 credit points)

  • The focus of this module will be on the purposes, strategies and theories of coaching and mentoring, as they apply to individuals working to support colleagues in their role, and the institutional issues these raise in schools, colleges and universities.
  • Through a critical examination and application of the theory and an analytical exploration of the practice of coaching and mentoring, this module aims to enhance the professional development of the staff working in educational settings.

Curriculum Innovations (30 credit points)

  • This module provides opportunities for you to explore the fundamental theories of curriculum innovation. Through this exploration, you will start to consider how research evidence informs educational change.
  • Through a combination of desktop research, skills and project planning you will develop an innovative practice related to curriculum development, process or product, for future enactment in your chosen educational setting.

Social Justice (30 credit points)

  • This module critically analyses and evaluates sociological perspectives on justice, aspects of social identity, equality, inequality, inclusion and exclusion in education.
  • You'll be introduced to a range of contentious issues and challenges for justice in education, and different sociological perspectives and lenses through which these issues and challenges can be critically analysed.
  • You'll bring your own views and experience to these debates, while introducing you to new concepts, theories and methods.

Leadership and Management Change (30 credit points)

  • In education there is significant externally-imposed change and consequent institutional change.
  • This module will prepare those aspiring to lead in such a context need to be able to lead and manage the process of change effectively.

Partnership Working with Children and Families (30 credit points)

  • This module explores the importance of high-quality early childhood education.
  • You’ll learn how to investigate partnership - reflecting on how the setting can make a positive contribution to pedagogy and local community development within your local context.

The following optional modules are applicable for part-time routes only:

Early Career Teachers (30 credit points)

  • This module is an opportunity for recently qualified (<5 years) teachers to examine key learning experiences and the impact these have had on their professional practice. It will explore the knowledge and understanding that they have gained, and examine the skills they have developed.
  • You’ll learn more about the theory and skills of reflection.

Reflection on National Professional Qualifications (NPQ) (30 credit points)

  • This module provides an opportunity to reflect on the experience of an accredited National Professional Qualification (NPQML/Sl/H/EH) and the impact this has had on your professional practice.
  • You will explore the knowledge and understanding gained, and examine the skills developed. You will also learn more about the theory and skills of reflection.

Independent Study (30 credit points)

  • You will be able to select a small scale project to investigate an area of practice that is of current professional interest.
  • The focus will be negotiated and agreed with the module tutor through an initial proposal.
  • The investigation will include collection of information from both secondary and should you choose, primary sources, demonstrating knowledge and understanding through analysis, evaluation and reflection.

Core module

Partnership Working with Children and Families (30 credit points)

  • This module explores the importance of high-quality early childhood education.
  • You’ll learn how to investigate partnership - reflecting on how the setting can make a positive contribution to pedagogy and local community development within your local context.

Research skills (30 credit points)

  • This module will prepare you for undertaking empirical study independently and ethically and help you critique published work you study in subsequent modules.
  • It helps you understand how research has impact and is the start of your progression towards conducting research studies that will have impact.

Dissertation (60 credit points)

  • The dissertation module allows you to focus your research in an area of professional interest, deepening your knowledge and understanding in your chosen career area.

Optional modules

You'll study a selection of optional modules to add up to 120 credits.

Education Policy and Practice (30 credit points)

  • This module will develop your specialised knowledge of educational policy, taking into account current debates around education in the UK and beyond.
  • The focus will be on policy analysis and on processes of policy formulation, implementation and evaluation and the various influences on these processes at global, national, regional and local levels.

Coaching & Mentoring in Educational Contexts (30 credit points)

  • The focus of this module will be on the purposes, strategies and theories of coaching and mentoring, as they apply to individuals working to support colleagues in their role, and the institutional issues these raise in schools, colleges and universities.
  • Through a critical examination and application of the theory and an analytical exploration of the practice of coaching and mentoring, this module aims to enhance the professional development of the staff working in educational settings.

Curriculum Innovations (30 credit points)

  • This module provides opportunities for you to explore the fundamental theories of curriculum innovation. Through this exploration, you will start to consider how research evidence informs educational change.
  • Through a combination of desktop research, skills and project planning you will develop an innovative practice related to curriculum development, process or product, for future enactment in your chosen educational setting.

Leadership and Management Change (30 credit points)

  • In education there is significant externally-imposed change and consequent institutional change.
  • This module will prepare those aspiring to lead in such a context need to be able to lead and manage the process of change effectively.

Perspectives in Inclusive Practice (30 credit points)

  • The Perspectives on Inclusive Education module provides an opportunity to explore a wide range of perspectives on Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) and inclusion.

Social Justice (30 credit points)

  • This module critically analyses and evaluates sociological perspectives on justice, aspects of social identity, equality, inequality, inclusion and exclusion in education.
  • You'll be introduced to a range of contentious issues and challenges for justice in education, and different sociological perspectives and lenses through which these issues and challenges can be critically analysed.
  • You'll bring your own views and experience to these debates, while introducing you to new concepts, theories and methods.

The following optional modules are applicable for part-time routes only:

Early Career Teachers (30 credit points)

  • This module is an opportunity for recently qualified (<5 years) teachers to examine key learning experiences and the impact these have had on their professional practice. It will explore the knowledge and understanding that they have gained, and examine the skills they have developed.
  • You’ll learn more about the theory and skills of reflection.

Reflection on National Professional Qualifications (NPQ) (30 credit points)

  • This module provides an opportunity to reflect on the experience of an accredited National Professional Qualification (NPQML/Sl/H/EH) and the impact this has had on your professional practice.
  • You will explore the knowledge and understanding gained, and examine the skills developed. You will also learn more about the theory and skills of reflection.

Independent Study (30 credit points)

  • You will be able to select a small scale project to investigate an area of practice that is of current professional interest.
  • The focus will be negotiated and agreed with the module tutor through an initial proposal.
  • The investigation will include collection of information from both secondary and should you choose, primary sources, demonstrating knowledge and understanding through analysis, evaluation and reflection.

The following optional modules are applicable for part-time routes only:

Early Career Teachers (30 credit points)

  • This module is an opportunity for recently qualified (<5 years) teachers to examine key learning experiences and the impact these have had on their professional practice. It will explore the knowledge and understanding that they have gained, and examine the skills they have developed.
  • You’ll learn more about the theory and skills of reflection.

Reflection on National Professional Qualifications (NPQ) (30 credit points)

  • This module provides an opportunity to reflect on the experience of an accredited National Professional Qualification (NPQML/Sl/H/EH) and the impact this has had on your professional practice.
  • You will explore the knowledge and understanding gained, and examine the skills developed. You will also learn more about the theory and skills of reflection.

Independent Study (30 credit points)

  • You will be able to select a small scale project to investigate an area of practice that is of current professional interest.
  • The focus will be negotiated and agreed with the module tutor through an initial proposal.
  • The investigation will include collection of information from both secondary and should you choose, primary sources, demonstrating knowledge and understanding through analysis, evaluation and reflection.

Further information on what you'll study

Please be aware that modules are subject to availability, and NTU reserves the right to amend, change or withdraw modules at its discretion.

We regularly review and update our course content based on student and employer feedback, ensuring that all of our courses remain current and relevant. This may result in changes to module content or module availability in future years.

Don’t just take our word for it, hear from our students themselves

Student Profiles

Max Pownall - student profile

Education (and pathways)

It is the tutors who really make the course, with their knowledge and passion helping me to deliver my best.

Oluwadaunfunmi Emmanuel Adesanya

Education (and pathways)

I chose to study MA Education at NTU because of its outstanding teaching and learning. I was captivated by the programme’s modules and its impacts on global educational trends and current practices.

Roshani Dias

Education (and pathways)

Studying has allowed me to broaden my intellectual skills and autonomy to understand complex topics and solve problems.

Nabila Cuncheer

Education (and pathways)

This course has not only given me insight into teaching pedagogy but also credibility for my teaching career.

James Hardy

Education (and pathways)

Enjoy the journey, rather than the destination. It is not about the qualification, it is about what you do along the way.

Video Gallery

 

How you're taught

How will I learn?

You’ll benefit from a variety of teaching and learning approaches designed to help you achieve the course learning outcomes and support you in your career ambitions.

Teaching and learning methods include:

  • face-to-face learning
  • blended learning
  • virtual online learning environment (NOW)
  • teaching at your own institution (by prior arrangement)
  • study sets
  • guest lecturers.

Special Interest and Research groups

As a student on the MA Education and Early Childhood course, you’ll have access to NTU special interest and research groups.

How you're assessed

Your progress on the Masters course is assessed by 100% coursework.

A wide range of creative assessment strategies are used to develop the skills, knowledge and expertise you will need for your professional profile. These include:

  • seminar presentations
  • research posters
  • critical reviews of published research
  • research study in an area of your choice.

Staff Profiles

Gaye Tyler-Merrick - Senior Lecturer

School of Social Sciences

Dr Tyler-Merrick is the Course Leader for the MA Education. She supervises PhD/ EdD and Masters student projects.

Careers and employability

The MA Education degree is increasingly seen as both academic enhancement and a means to facilitate career progress. Many graduates have gone on to successful careers in the education sector, pursuing senior roles, while others have continued studying to complete a Professional Doctorate, an MPhil or a PhD.

The MA Education programme is not a teacher training course and will not give you Qualified Teacher Status.

If you’d like to know more about NTU’s groundbreaking Employability Promise, and the support you’ll receive both during and after your course, visit our Careers and Employability page.

Campus and facilities

Entry requirements

UK students

International students

Unfortunately, this course is not open to international students

Policies

We strive to make our admissions procedures as fair and clear as possible. To find out more about how we make offers, visit our admissions policies page.

Fees and funding

Additional costs

Your course fees cover the cost of studies and include loads of great benefits, such as the use of our library, support from our expert Employability team and free use of the IT equipment across our campuses. There are just a few additional things you may need to budget for:

Textbooks and library books

Most modules will recommend one or more core textbooks, which most students choose to purchase. Book costs vary and further information is available in the University’s bookshop. Our libraries provide a good supply of essential textbooks, journals and materials (many of which you can access online) - meaning you may not need to purchase as many books as you might think! There may also be a supply of second-hand books available for purchase from previous year students.

Printing and photocopying costs

The University allocates an annual printing and copying allowance of £20 depending on the course you are studying. For more details about costs for additional print and copying required over and above the annual allowance please see the printing and photocopying information on the Library website.

Fees and funding advice

For more advice and guidance, you can email our Student Money Team or phone us on +44 (0)115 848 2494.

Cost of living information and support

Managing your money can help you make the most of life at NTU. Here's how we can support you, and now you can make your funding go further.

How to apply

Ready to join us? Then apply as soon as you can. Just click the Apply button at the top of the page and follow the instructions for applying. Make sure you check the entry requirements above carefully before you do.

Please upload your 300-500 word statement with your application on: Explain why you selected MA Education (or particular pathway) and how do you see this developing your career?

This submission is required as well as your personal statement. Submissions over the word count will not be considered.

Writing your application

Be honest, thorough and persuasive in your application. Remember, we can only make a decision based on what you tell us. Make sure you include as much information as possible, including uploading evidence of results already achieved, as well as a personal statement.

Keeping up to date

After you’ve applied, we’ll be sending you important emails throughout the application process - so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.

Getting in touch

If you need any more help or information, please contact us at Ask NTU or call on +44 (0)115 848 4200.

Please read our notes on the University's commitment to delivering the educational services advertised.

Apply online through our NTU applicant portal.

Please upload your 300-500 word statement with your application on: Explain why you selected MA Education (or particular pathway) and how do you see this developing your career?

This submission is required as well as your personal statement. Submissions over the word count will not be considered.

Application advice

Apply early so that you have enough time to prepare – processing times for Student visas can vary, for example.  After you've applied, we'll be sending you important emails throughout the application process – so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.

Writing your personal statement

Be honest, thorough, and persuasive – we can only make a decision about your application based on what you tell us:

Would you like some advice on your study plans?

Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.

The University's commitment to delivering the educational services advertised.