Intro

Redesigned for the 2023–24 academic year, our Education MA will develop your understanding of educational debates and issues, national and international policy contexts, the challenges of social justice in education and the principles of educational research.

The degree is suitable for educational professionals from a range of contexts seeking to enhance or change their career, as well as those aspiring to employment in education, or seeking a progression route from an undergraduate degree.

Specifically designed to provide an accessible and inclusive learning experience for postgraduate, part-time students, our two-year degree offers a blend of in-person and online teaching and learning. Modules can be personalised to reflect your own areas of interest and career plans.

You will graduate with an in-depth and critical understanding of theory and research. The course also provides a springboard for further study at a doctoral level, either through our PhD or Professional Doctorate in Education routes.

Find out about postgraduate events

Key facts

Location Falmer

Study mode blended delivery: in-person and online learning

Part-time 2 years

Apply online

Please review the entry requirements carefully and if you have any questions do get in touch with us.

Apply now for your place

Entry criteria

Entry requirements

Qualifications
Provide evidence of prior study at IQF level 6, normally in the form of a good honours degree (usually an upper second class honours or above), or equivalent.

Demonstrate readiness and potential ability to study at master’s level.

The personal statement
In this section, you should explain your rationale, and motivation for studying the Education MA, and include details of your educational interests, and some relevant context about this.

You may include examples of your academic and professional interests in the field of education, of relevant professional experience, as well as examples of potential areas of interest and study related to the modules.

It is vital that this is written in an appropriate professional tone. Applications will only be considered if the personal statement is complete.

Making your application
You are strongly encouraged to submit your application as early as possible to ensure that pre-course preparations can be made. As the course begins in early September, applications should be received before the end of July.

In considering each individual applicant for admission to the course, tutors will seek evidence of academic qualifications alongside a strong rationale and capacity to engage with the course, and of personal and educational experiences that provide indications of ability to meet the demands of the two-year blended course.

If your application is successful, you will be invited to interview which will provide an opportunity to further explore your rationale for study and to discuss elements of your personal statement. Interviews are via Microsoft Teams.

Recognition of prior learning
Masters (level 7) credits which have been achieved through previous study may be used for entry to the course.

Postgraduate certificates studied at the University of Brighton (such as Autism, Dyslexia, and Primary Mathematics Specialist Teacher Programme) and other institutions can include 60 level 7 credits, some of which may be considered for entry to the course.

Credits must have been earned sufficiently recently for them to be deemed ‘current’. This will be judged in relation to their subject matter and disciplinary context but would normally have been awarded no more than five years prior to your application.

Claims for recognition of prior learning will be considered in line with university guidance and each applicant will be considered on their individual merits.

Prospective candidates will be asked to contact the Admissions Tutor to discuss these options.

English language requirements
IELTS 7.0 overall with 6.5 in writing and no less than 6.0 in all other components.

Course content

Course structure

In response to student feedback, our Education MA is a truly blended course. Expert tutoring and face-to-face on-site seminars are combined with pedagogically-led use of selected technologies.

The two-year part-time Education MA comprises of five modules delivered by blended learning. The MA is studied over 25 months from September to September.

Up to half of the course will be delivered face-to-face on our Falmer campus, and comprises of regularly scheduled Saturdays alongside a pedagogically-led programme of facilitated online learning including some Thursday evenings.

You will also engage in student and tutor-led critical study groups, seminars, academic tutorials and one-to-one meetings. You will learn from students already studying on the degree and graduates who will share examples of their work such as dissertations and assignment extracts.

Assessment methods vary for each module and include a literature review, academic poster and presentation, a written assignment (case study), a research proposal and the 60-credit dissertation.

As an Education MA student you'll also attend our annual Research Symposium.

people in an online meeting

Syllabus

Our Education MA can be tailored to meet your individual learning goals with all modules offering the flexibility to be applied to broad contexts and interests. Module outlines and learning outcomes have been written with ongoing market research and policy shifts in mind.

The degree comprises of five modules which are studied over the two years: 

  • Contemporary Education Policy (30 credits) – studied Sep to Nov in Year 1
  • Education for Social Justice (30 credits) – studied Nov to Jan in Year 1
  • Designing Your Research (30 credits) – studied Feb to May Year 1
  • Conceptualising Key Debates in Education (30 credits) – studied Feb Year 1 to Sep Year 2
  • Dissertation:  Independent research study (60 credits) – studied Oct to Sep in Year 2

All five modules offer the flexibility to personalise learning. Module outlines and learning outcomes have been written in light of the postgraduate student’s needs, ongoing market research and policy shifts.

You will benefit from a structured ‘transition’ pedagogy to support the development of academic and research literacy at level 7, and a subsequent personal academic tutoring programme integrated into each module.

If you already hold level 7 credits you may be eligible for ‘advanced standing’ – please see the entry requirements tab for information on Recognition of Prior learning (RPL). 

Should you wish to withdraw from the course after having successfully completed 60 masters-level credits, you may be eligible for a Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) in Education.

Should you wish to withdraw from the course after having successfully completed 120 masters-level credits, you may be eligible for a Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) in Education.

Inclusive module design offers built-in flexibility to ensure you can meaningfully engage with ideas that have true applicability to real-world situations, your academic interests and relatable professional issues.

The Contemporary Education Policy module centres on the dynamic nature of the contemporary education policy landscape. You will develop understanding of the macro, meso and micro nature of educational structures and policy responses to key educational issues. 

The Education for Social Justice will enable you to deepen your understanding of the interplay between education and social justice. Examining the purposes of education, you will explore issues of social justice and critically examine selected case studies.

The Designing Your Research module will support you for you forthcoming dissertation by providing an introduction to research design, methodology and methods, as well as related guidance and institutional requirements. 

For the Conceptualising Key Debates in Education module you will engage in critical dialogue as to how and why educational debates are conceptualised as significant, engaging with research to understand their provocations, and theoretical foundations.

For the Dissertation module you will gain an in-depth understanding of an issue through the formulation of a research question typically based on interests developed during previous modules and / or specific to an area of personal or professional interest.

Recent dissertation titles include:

  • The digitalisation of teacher work and professional identity during COVID-19 school dismissal: A UK secondary school case study
  • Strategies to enhance peer-to-peer and pupil-to-teacher dialogue to improve children’s inductive mathematical reasoning.
  • What factors do ‘first generation’ undergraduates perceive as contributory to their academic success?
  • How do pupils perceive the distinctively Christian nature of the Church of England primary school
  • Why do girls choose to study computer science at A-level? 

Aims

The aims of Education MA are:

  • to demonstrate advanced understanding of a range of educational debates and issues relevant to academic and professional interests
  • to develop a critical awareness of developments in education consequent to current and emerging national and international policy contexts
  • to engender an understanding of education inequity and knowledge of the interplay between education and social justice
  • to facilitate a thorough understanding of the principles of educational research and ethics appropriate to advanced scholarship and the successful completion of an independent research project
  • to relate key learning to an ethos of agency and responsibility for impact in personal and professional contexts
  • to develop skills, knowledge and understanding of the broader field of education and apply this learning to relevant academic, research and professional contexts.

 female student writing on post it note on wall

Who is this course for?

The variety of modules, flexibility to pursue your own area of interest, and the over-arching aims of the MA mean this is an ideal course for a range of applicants.

It is suitable as a progression route from a related undergraduate degree or PGCE as well as for those currently in employment and seeking to diversify interests in the broader field of education.

It offers enrichment and challenge for education professionals seeking professional learning and development opportunities. Candidates may have varied educational backgrounds and contexts, including:

  • schools and colleges / universities
  • education advisory and support
  • policy making
  • recruitment
  • local authority policy
  • development and governance
  • related professions such as health care.
mature students working around table

Meet the team

All course tutors are qualified to at least masters level with the majority holding or studying for doctoral qualifications.

Research and professional expertise and interests are hugely varied across the team and tutors harness their passion and enthusiasm in support of MA students.

The majority of our MA tutors also hold QTS and have significant experience of schools and educational settings.

Dr Soo Sturrock, course leader

Dr Sturrock leads the Education MA course and loves to work with students to extend their understanding and insights into the field of education.

Soo teaches on three of the modules and coordinates the Dissertation module in year 2 of the course. She works closely with a team of experienced supervisors who are allocated to support students’ research projects.

Soo enjoys supporting students as the individual research projects take shape, and celebrates the subsequent impact that practitioner research can have both personally and professionally.

Her own research focuses on teachers’ experiences of education policy and she draws upon her expertise and experience of effective research practices to support MA students’ academic and research literacy.

Read Dr Soo Sturrock's full profile.

Other key members of the teaching team:

Soo Sturrock

More about this subject at Brighton

Meet Education MA graduate: Phil Marsh  

Phil Marsh graduated in 2022 from our Education MA.

Brighton moves up to 6th for education!

The Guardian University Guide 2024 arrived this week and we’re thrilled that education courses at Brighton are now 6th in the UK in their rankings – a climb of two places!

Research Symposium returns to the Falmer campus

After two years of being held online the annual School of Education Post-Graduate Student Research Conference was revived as a face-to-face event.

Introducing our new and improved Education MA

We are pleased to announce the launch of our new Education MA which has been redesigned for the 2023/24 academic year.

Read more from our blog

Careers

For those already working in education, this course will further your professional development, allowing you to progress your expertise within the field of education and enhance your employability for leadership roles.

Students keen to advance their learning journey from undergraduate into postgraduate studies will develop an enhanced knowledge of educational issues, and specialist areas of interest will be attractive to a wide range of employers.

Our graduates have commented on the ways that the MA in Education has positioned them for senior and leadership roles, for making a career move and improving their skills and professional potential.

Typical career moves after graduation include promotion to senior leadership teams, advisory roles or promotion into a different education sector, including those with capacity to influence policy.

The course also provides a springboard for further study at a doctoral level, either through our PhD or Professional Doctorate in Education routes.

teachers in a staffroom

Fees and costs

Course fees

UK for each 60-credits of study2,622 GBP

Students have the opportunity of paying for fees in instalments.

The total fees you will pay to achieve the MA will be based on taking 180 credits, however this may be reduced if you have prior learning which can be accredited towards the qualification. Fees are calculated pro-rata according to the number of credits taken and charged annually.

The fees are fully inclusive. The course is modular in design, and structured in stages so if students need to suspend studies or leave and re-enter the course, it may be possible to accommodate this. There are some administrative costs associated with this option of course progression.

The fees listed here are for the first year of full-time study if you start your course in the academic year 2023–24.

You will pay fees for each year of your course. Some fees may increase each year.

UK undergraduate and some postgraduate fees are regulated by the UK government and increases will not be more than the maximum amount allowed. Course fees that are not regulated may increase each year by up to 5% or RPI (whichever is higher).

If you are studying part-time your fee will usually be calculated based on the number of modules that you take.

Find out more

What's included

You may have to pay additional costs during your studies. The cost of optional activities is not included in your tuition fee and you will need to meet this cost in addition to your fees. A summary of the costs that you may be expected to pay, and what is included in your fees, while studying a course in the School of Education are listed here.

  • You will have access to computers and necessary software, however many students choose to buy their own hardware, software and accessories. The amount spent will depend on your individual choices but this expenditure is not essential to pass any of our courses.
  • In most cases coursework submissions are electronic but you may wish to print notes and should budget approximately £30 for printing.
  • For courses which require a placement, you’ll be expected to pay for your travel expenses but you may be able to claim some travel costs back from the university, depending on where your placement is in relation to where you live.
  • Course books are available from the university but you may wish to budget up to £150 to buy your own copies
  • You may wish to consider budgeting up to £25 for stationery/teaching materials.

You can chat with our enquiries team through the Stay in touch panel at the end of this page if you require further information. Or check our finance pages for advice about funding and scholarships as well as more information about fees and advice on international and island fee-paying status.

Location and student life

Campus where this course is taught

Falmer campus

Set in the South Downs, our Falmer campus is around four miles from Brighton city centre. Students based here study a range of subjects – from 2024 these will include education studies, teaching, sport and exercise, nursing and midwifery, allied health professions and medicine. Brighton and Hove Albion's Amex stadium and beautiful Stanmer Park are right next door.

Falmer campus has two halls of residence on site, as well as a library, restaurant, cafes and the students' union shop and bar.

The campus sports centre has a fitness suite, activity studios and a sports hall. There is also a floodlit astroturf football pitch, netball and tennis courts.

Specialist learning facilities at Falmer include the curriculum centre used by teaching and education students, which houses over 30,000 teaching resources, and clinical skills and simulation suites used by health students. New facilities are being developed ready for September 2024 when all of our sport and health students will be based here. Learn more about the changes at Falmer.

Cycle lanes link Falmer with our other campuses and the city centre. There are regular bus services to the city centre and other campuses. Falmer train station is right next to campus and a nine minute journey to central Brighton.

Newly refurbished atrium in the Checkland Building

Accommodation

We guarantee an offer of a place in halls of residence to all eligible students. So if you applied for halls by the deadline you are guaranteed a room in our halls of residence.

Brighton: Falmer

Halls of residence
We have self-catered halls on all our campuses, within minutes of your classes, and other options that are very nearby.

  • You can apply for any of our halls, but the options closest to your study location are:
    • Paddock Field and Great Wilkins halls offer a range of rooms on our Falmer campus, minutes from your classes, and on the edge of the South Downs.
    • Varley Park is a popular dedicated halls site, offering a mix of rooms and bathroom options at different prices. It is around two miles from Falmer campus and four miles from the city centre, and is easy to get to by bus.

Want to live independently? We can help – find out more about private renting.

Outside views at Falmer accommodation

Outside views at Falmer accommodation

Extensive facilities at Falmer sports centre

Extensive facilities at Falmer sports centre

Students dining at Westlain

Students dining at Westlain

Local area

About Brighton

The University of Brighton is at the heart of our city's reputation as a welcoming, forward-thinking place which leads the way when it comes to the arts, music, sustainability and creative technology. Brighton is home to a thriving creative community and a digital sector worth £1bn a year to the local economy, as much as tourism.

Many of the work-based learning opportunities offered on our courses such as placements and guest lectures are provided by businesses and organisations based in the city.

You can also get involved with city festivals and events such as the Brighton Festival, the Fringe, Brighton Digital Festival, Brighton Science Festival, the London to Brighton bike ride, and the Great Escape festival of new music to name but a few. Other annual highlights include Pride, the Brighton Marathon, and Burning the Clocks which marks the winter solstice.

You'll find living in Brighton enriches your learning experience and by the end of your course you will still be finding new things to explore and inspire you.

It's only 50 minutes by train from Brighton to central London and less than 40 minutes to Eastbourne. There are also daily direct trains to Bristol, Bedford, Cambridge, Gatwick Airport, Portsmouth and Southampton.

Map showing distance to London from Brighton
Brighton Beach sunset

Maps

Falmer campus

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Support and wellbeing

Your course team

Your personal academic tutor, course leader and other tutors are all there to help you with your personal and academic progress. You'll also have a student support and guidance tutor (SSGT) who can help with everything from homesickness, managing stress or accommodation issues.

Your academic skills

Our Brighton Student Skills Hub gives you extra support and resources to develop the skills you'll need for university study, whatever your level of experience so far.

Your mental health and wellbeing

As well as being supported to succeed, we want you to feel good too. You'll be part of a community that builds you up, with lots of ways to connect with one another, as well having access to dedicated experts if you need them. Find out more.

Sport at Brighton

Sport Brighton

Sport Brighton brings together our sport and recreation services. As a Brighton student you'll have use of sport and fitness facilities across all our campuses and there are opportunities to play for fun, fitness or take part in serious competition. 

Find out more about Sport Brighton.

Sports scholarships

Our sports scholarship scheme is designed to help students develop their full sporting potential to train and compete at the highest level. We offer scholarships for elite athletes, elite disabled athletes and talented sports performers.

Find out more about sport scholarships.

Students playing frisbee

Meet our students  

Phil Marsh

"I had a positive experience at the University of Brighton for my PGCE. The blending of practical and theoretical expertise in the education department meant I started teaching with an interest in studying further later in my career. A group of colleagues at my school had expressed an interest in undertaking the MA programme as a cohort, enabling peer support in a shared context, so I felt it was perfect opportunity to enter the programme. 

"Studying the Education MA gave me a really rich understanding of research methodology and practice, as well as an in-depth opportunity to learn about areas of theory, policy and practice in my specific areas of interest within teaching. I feel like it has made me a more reflective and evidence-based practitioner, much more able to critically assess what I do and am asked to do as a teacher. 

"The course team are experts in their field and can relate to students as ex-teachers as well as academics. There was a huge amount of support available when we needed it and a genuine focus on student well-being. The blending of online and in person components of the course were matched to purpose and I enjoyed the variety.  

"It was a challenge to work full-time while studying part-time, but I would definitely recommend it. The course team are very aware of and supportive of working around your duties as a teacher; I felt able to plan my study around my school commitments, so didn’t feel overwhelmed. 

"I have had the opportunity to change roles once while studying and once after graduation; the MA has been a big focus in interviews. Employers not only appreciate the increased knowledge of pedagogy and methodology that come from postgraduate study, but also the ability to time manage and prioritise that you evidence when gaining a qualification alongside your employment."

Phil Marsh

Louise Tomlinson

"I chose to study an Education MA at Brighton because I wanted to engage with different stakeholders and gain different perspectives on various topics in education. I was also keen to develop my research skills, learn to develop a more critical approach to educational research and take on a challenge.  I thought it would be fun too! 

"I had previously completed my PGCE at the University of Brighton and had a wonderful experience, so it seemed the best place to continue with my educational journey.  

"Studying for the Education MA allowed me to develop my skills and knowledge, including how to research with young people ethically and look at the research I read with a critical eye. I also improved my academic writing. 

"The lecturers make you feel confident - they really are experts and have a wealth of knowledge. It is also a place to feel comfortable when discussing various topics free from judgement or worry about getting things wrong! 

"The whole team are supportive and have the best interests of the students at heart. They want you to do well and to be successful! The teaching styles are varied, and everyone brings interest to the topics that they cover. 

"My experience of studying alongside other commitments was one of the more challenging aspects of the MA. Working full-time with a young family and various in school responsibilities on top of teaching was tough and at times I wondered whether I could do it, but I had fantastic support from my lecturers and supervisor so managed to organise my time to do both! 

"Since graduating, I have shifted my focus from classroom to community. I now work as an education coordinator working with PGCE, ECTs and ITT. Part of my role involves research too, so the MA has certainly supported this!"

Louise Tomlinson Education MA graduate

Rebekah Golding

“I studied on the Education MA whilst teaching two days a week. I greatly enjoyed the challenge of the course, and the rate at which my learning and thinking developed, and could not have thrived without the support of the teaching staff, supervisors and my course colleagues.

“I discovered that engaging in masters-level study involved much greater independence, intellect and an intensity of reflection than I had previously encountered whilst studying. However, it was through these challenges that I grew as a critical thinker who sought to question first impressions, both in my research life and personal life. I feel that completing this course, and overcoming each challenge, has enabled me to become a person of more depth, open to a wider range of interests and perspectives.

“Discussions with course colleagues encouraged me to reflect on my own preconceptions and assumptions; something which I was continually challenged about during teaching sessions and independent reading.

“I feel that completing this course, has allowed me to become a person of more depth, open to a wider range of interests and perspectives. I thoroughly enjoyed my research project and would definitely like to take it further in the future.”

Lucy Breen 

“The Education MA gave me the opportunity to delve into research in an area that I am extremely passionate about and develop my own critical thinking and personal skills. The course structure complemented working full-time as a teacher so it never felt like too much was asked of me.

“The whole dissertation process has really developed me as a researcher and facilitator. It was by no means easy, but the learning and experiences along the way really challenge your thinking and enable you to successfully produce a research project. My tutor was extremely knowledgeable and supportive and really enhanced my thinking and my project as a whole.

“The senior management team at work were extremely interested in my studies, especially with my dissertation project, and during the final stage of my masters they interviewed me to be Year One Leader. The experiences gained from my masters studies really helped me with this interview and enabled me to answer the questions with more insight about education and I got the job!

“The rewards of this course stretch far beyond the qualification and I would definitely encourage anyone thinking about applying to go for it.”

Lucy Breen

Nadia Pashkevich

“I trained to be a teacher at the University of Brighton on the Primary Education (5–11) BA(Hons) with QTS. During the degree I was fascinated by the research side and so decided to continue my studies with the Education MA before starting in the classroom.

“I chose to study the Education MA at Brighton as the course looked exciting and has recently been updated and improved. I was also able to take advantage of the scholarships that Brighton offers its graduates alongside continuing to follow my passion.

“For my masters’ thesis I am carrying out research into the initial experiences of the UK education system with children from countries of conflict. The research will not only inform my own teaching but I hope it will also aid schools in preparing for the arrival of such children and helping them to settle in more easily.”

Nadia Pashkevich

Laura Fair

“I had a very positive experience at the University of Brighton studying Primary Education (5–11 years) BA (Hons) with QTS and always knew I wanted to continue my studies to support furthering my career.

“I chose to study the Education MA as it offered face-to-face sessions which allowed me to be able to discuss ideas with other students and share experiences. I found this to be invaluable and felt supported by other students and lecturers.

“The masters course wasn’t easy but it was well structured and the lecturers really do know what they are talking about, challenging you at every step. The university really promotes research and having this flexibility and openness to new ideas and findings really allowed me to research what I was really interested in.

“I am now working as a deputy head in a primary school that values my masters degree and have been keen to draw on my research in developing the school further.”

Laura Fair

Stay in touch

Find out about postgraduate events

If you have a question about this course our team will be happy to help.

School of Education
01273 643386
soe-office@brighton.ac.uk

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