Education, Full-time MA / PGCert; PGDip

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 this country and beyond.
• You'll consider the ideologies that drive reform in a range of contexts and the implications of their implementation.
• 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.
• You'll explore contemporary education reforms within the UK and internationally in terms of their origins, orientations and consequences for educational institutions.
• You'll critically examine the wider implications of policy enactment, including some of the other influences on educational establishments. The governance of educational institutions and the power of the state is a central element of this module and the issues which arise from international influences. Political, social, economic, technological and ethical issues around educational policy-making are examined and critically analysed. Global trends and their effects on educational policy will be considered.

Research Skills (30 credit points)

This module prepares you for the dissertation module (60 credit) and for continuing to conduct research within your chosen career. This module will:

• prepare you to conduct rigorous and ethical research
• extend your knowledge and critical understanding of research and of research strategies, methods and techniques
• develop your understanding of the methodological and epistemological aspects of educational research
• develop your philosophical approach to research
• develop a critical appreciation of the ethical and professional issues in educational research.

Social Justice and Education (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 bear in these debates, while introducing you to new concepts, theories and methods.

Curriculum Innovations (30 credit points)

• You will explore the fundamental theories of curriculum innovation.
• You'll 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.
• You will complete two modules in term 1 and term 2, with the dissertation started in term 3 and submitted at the end of August. The full time route has been designed over three terms to enable you to achieve 180 credits in an academic year.

Dissertation (60 credit points)

• This module is the final part of the Masters programme and available to those who have achieved 120 level 7 credits including those for either Research Skills (30 credits) or research in a professional context (20 credits).
• The Masters dissertation is a substantial piece of academic writing around a research focus that will be agreed once a research proposal has been submitted.
• You must satisfy criteria relating to skills, knowledge and understanding of an educational or training issue, and research engagement in pursuit of academic excellence.
• You'll have an opportunity to develop comprehensive knowledge and critical understanding of relevant theory, research, policy and/or practice through a substantial and sustained guided independent research project. This will develop confidence and competence in writing to academic standards and conventions.