National and international interest in encouraging STEM subject uptake and career pathways has increased over the last decade, driven by concerns about the shortfalls in filling technical and professional roles across a range of engineering, science and technology related sectors. These concerns are further amplified when we consider the skills likely to be needed by future generations in an increasingly technological society to address the challenges of environmental sustainability. Whilst urgent, the response required is complex, necessitating an understanding of international education systems, the separate STEM subjects, including their shared elements and processes as well as their distinctive features, policy directives, new pedagogical approaches such as project-based learning, computational thinking and the variety of STEM-related contexts.
The MA in STEM Education welcomes students seeking the knowledge and skills to drive educational change in response to our increasingly technological and science-rich world. The MA in STEM will provide a national, international and practically-oriented understanding of the ways in which core debates across formal and informal STEM education can shape responses to pressing social and environmental questions.
The MA educated me in how pedagogical practices within the science classroom should be more open, more interconnected and allow for development of critical thinking. Thus, I creatively implemented all of this together to make SnapGrade.
Our programme is designed to provide students with an advanced and comprehensive understanding of key contemporary debates concerning STEM-related education, including policy, curriculum, pedagogy and assessment issues alongside global concerns about equity, social justice, economic growth, climate change and sustainability. It provides both an international and national focus, looking at both formal educational systems and the wider context of education.
There are opportunities to develop qualitative and quantitative research skills. There is a strong emphasis on critiquing research literatures and policy documents and developing first-hand knowledge of research methodologies. The programme encourages collaborative working, building professional networks and asking research questions pertinent to your own contexts and challenges.
Course type:
Master's
Delivery mode:
In person
Study mode:
Full time / Part time
Duration:
One year full-time, September to September, two years part-time
Credit value:
UK 180/ 90 ECTS credits
Application status:
Open
Start date:
September 2026
Our Waterloo campus is home to the Florence Nightingale Faculty Nursing & Midwifery, and a vibrant hub for health, social science, and law students. Located moments from the iconic landmarks of South Bank and just a short walk to the Stand campus.