Policy Studies in Education

The Policy Studies in Education MA will introduce students to ways of critically analysing education policy within a broad social, economic and political context, considering contemporary developments in education policy in institutional, local, national and global contexts. It will enable them to explore existing policy issues and practices, and apply the insights provided to their own experiences.

Students have the opportunity to engage with a broad range of perspectives and develop a comprehensive theoretical understanding of education policy. Students will study major and topical themes within social science (such as globalisation, markets and managerialism) with a particular emphasis on their effects on and relevance to education.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.

The programme consists of two core modules (60 credits), two optional modules (60 credits) and a dissertation (60 credits), or a report (30 credits) and a third optional module (30 credits).

Core modules

• Sociology of Education
• Understanding Education Policy

Optional modules

• Understanding Education Research
• Sociology of 'Race' and Education
• Rights and Education
• Gender, Sexuality and Education
• Theoretical Foundations of Educational Ideas
• Minorities, Migrants and Refugees in National Education Systems

Students can also choose from a wide range of Master's-level optional modules across the IOE offering.

Dissertation/report

All students undertake an independent research project which culminates in a 20,000-word dissertation or 10,000-word report.

Teaching and learning

This programme delivery includes face-to-face Saturday or evening sessions and interactive online learning. It is assessed by coursework assignments of up to 5,000 words and a 20,000-word dissertation or 10,000-word report.

A minimum of a second-class Bachelor's degree from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard in education or sociology or a cognate discipline is required. Some educational experience in either teaching or administration is considered an advantage.

Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme (CSSS)

Value:

Full fees, flights, stipend, and other allowances (1 year)

Eligibility:

Overseas students

Criteria:

Based on both academic merit and financial need