Teaching & modules
Modules
Course Structure
Courses are divided into modules. You will take modules totalling 180 credits.
Required Modules
You are required to take the following modules:
- Critical Perspectives on Education Policy (30 credits)
- Research Methods & Dissertation (60 credits)
Optional Modules
In addition, you are required to take 90 credits from a range of optional modules that may typically include:
- The Social Context of Education (30 credits)
- Social Justice & Education Policy (30 credits)
- International & Comparative Education (30 credits)
- Gender, Power and Inequality in Educational Leadership (30 credits)
- Education & International Development (30 credits)
- The Political Economy of Education in a Globalised World (30 credits)
- Education Leadership and Change in Context (30 credits)
- Psychology & Learning (30 credits)
- Language & Power (30 credits)
- Recent Developments in Digital Technologies in Education (30 credits)
- Education and Change: The Challenges of School Improvement (30 credits)
- Teacher Development (30 credits)
- Global Childhoods (30 credits)
- Child Protection (15 credits)
- Quantitative Methods in the Context of Education Research (30 credits)
You are permitted to take up to 30 of your optional credits from outside of the course, at the discretion of the Programme Director.
Part-time students will take the required taught module in Year 1 and the dissertation in Year 2. They will normally take one optional 30-credit module in Year 1 and two optional 30-credits modules in Year 2, and must take 90 credits of optional modules across the two years.
Please note: students who are transferring in Master’s level credits (e.g. from a PGCE) will be exempt from the corresponding number of optional module credits, but must take the 60- credit dissertation module, as well as the compulsory taught module. If your credit transfer is approved, you will also be eligible for a proportional fee reduction, which will be processed following your enrolment into the programme. Please get in touch with us if you would like some information about eligibility criteria for credit transfer.
Teaching methods - what to expect
We teach our modules through lectures, teacher- led class discussions and group work, typically for 20 hours of contact per 30-credit module.
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Lectures, seminars and feedback |
Self-study |
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Each 30-credit taught module |
Typically, 20 hours of class time. The sessions include lecturing, teacher- led class discussions and student-led group work. |
Each 30-credit taught module has 280 hours of self-guided learning time. |
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Dissertation module |
Contact time for the dissertation will typically include a mixture of lectures, seminars, workshops and 1:1 and /or group supervision. |
Approximately 567 hours. |
Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work.
Assessment methods vary, depending on the optional modules you select, and may include for example essays, blog posts, policy briefings, presentations, case studies and podcasts.
All students complete a 60-credit dissertation, which is assessed by an extended piece of writing based on independent research on a topic of your choice, related to the course. This dissertation will be supported by a programme of research methods and study skills classes, as well as individual and/or group supervision.
The study time and assessment methods detailed above are typical and give you a good indication of what to expect.
Application closing date guidance
Key Information
Course type:
Master's
Delivery mode:
In person
Study mode:
Full time / Part time
Duration:
One year full-time, two years part-time, September to September
Application status:
Open
Start date:
September 2026