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Education MA

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The Education MA is a flexible course that combines interdisciplinary perspectives on education with the development of analytical and core research skills to enable students to pursue their own subject-specific interests in education. It emphasises the development of a critical understanding of education policies and practices to promote capacities for independent thought and action in the classroom and other settings.

The School of Education, Communication and Society is internationally recognised as a centre of research and teaching excellence in the field of education. Academics in the school are regarded as world- leading in the fields of sociology of education and critical pedagogy, many of whom continue to make a distinctive contribution to policy sociology and philosophy of education, as well as to educational practices, particularly to theories surrounding assessment. 

Visit our online hubs for content, news and events about the School of Education, Communication & Society here


Key Benefits

  • Flexible and interdisciplinary while supporting subject-specific learning.
  • Draws on contemporary research to develop a critical understanding of educational policies and practices.
  • Promotes analytical and research skills to enhance classroom practice.
  • Taught by staff with international reputations in their fields.
  • Promotes transferable abilities such as policy analysis and research, communication and presentation skills.
  • Provides opportunities to build a network of teachers, academics and educational policy figures that span local, national and international settings.
  • Suitable for educators across all sectors and others with an interest in education studies.
  • Located in the heart of London.

Key information

Application status Open

Duration One year FT, two years PT, September to September.

Study mode Full-time, Part-time

Credit value UK 180-190/ECTS 90-95

Course leaders Dr Ayo Mansaray

Further details

Course contact for further information Postgraduate Admissions Team, Admissions Office
tel: +44 (0)20 7848 7000
https://www.kcl.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/apply/enquiry-form.aspx

Course contact form Postgraduate admissions

Awarding institution King's College London

Faculty Faculty of Social Science & Public Policy

Department School of Education, Communication & Society

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Course detail

Description

The Education MA aims to enable students to develop an understanding of a range of critical perspectives on the social, political and philosophical trends underpinning contemporary developments in education. This course will enable students to critically reflect on their own educational roles, carry out independent research at their own schools, and acquire the skills and contacts that will enable them to progress in autumn term and will consist of a combination of highly interactive lectures and blended learning to support subject-specific learning and development. The extensive range of optional modules available makes the course highly flexible, enabling students to specialise in a particular area of educational research and to engage in an extended examination of their own practice. The course has been designed to support education professionals to develop critical perspectives and analytical research skills that promote a capacity for independent thought and practical innovation in the classroom, and an ability to analyse and evaluate contemporary developments in education policy.

Course format and assessment

Teaching

Typically, per 30 credit module you can expect 20-30 hours of teaching and 270-280 hours of self-study. For our academic study skills workshops you can expect 10.5 hours of contact time. For the Dissertation module, you can expect 9 hours of individual dissertation supervision and 24 hours of dissertation workshops, in additional to 567 hours of self-study. 

Typically, 1 credit equates to 10 hours of work.

We will use a delivery method that will ensure students have a rich, exciting experience from the start. Face to face teaching will be complemented and supported with innovative technology so that students also experience elements of digital learning and assessment. 

Assessment 

  • The required module is assessed by essay, participation in an online discussion forum and subject specific task(s) via a portfolio.
  • Most 30-credit modules are assessed through a 6,000 word essay, although assessment methods may vary depending on the optional modules chosen.
  • The dissertation module will be assessed by a 16,000 word dissertation.

The study time and assessment methods detailed above are typical and will give you a good indication of what to expect.

Location

This course is primarily taught at the King’s College London Waterloo Campus. Please note that locations are determined by where each module is taught and may vary depending on the optional modules you select. 

Structure

Year 1

Courses are divided into modules. You will normally take modules totalling 180-190 credits.

Part-time students will take the required taught module in Year 1 and the dissertation in Year 2. They will take the required 90-100 credits of optional modules across the two years.

Please note: you may transfer across PGCE Master’s level credits if taken within 10 years of your completion date of this MA course. If you do, you will only need to take the number of credits required to bring your total for the course to 180, including transferred credits. Fees will be proportionally reduced by the number of credits accepted for transfer e.g a student transferring 60 credits into the 180 credit MA will pay 2/3 fees.  If you work for a School accepting teacher training students from King’s College London you may be entitled to a fee reduction.

King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.

Required Modules

You are required to take the following modules:

Optional Modules

In addition, you are required to take 90 credits of optional modules, which may typically include:

Please note: students who are transferring in Master’s level credits (e.g. from a PGCE, if taken within 10 years of your completion date of this MA course) will be exempt from the corresponding number of optional module credits, but must take the 60 credit required dissertation research module, as well as the compulsory taught module.

Part-time students will take the required taught module in Year 1 and the dissertation in Year 2. They will take the required 90 credits of optional modules across the two years

With the approval of the Programme Director students taking at least 120 credits within the School may take 30 of their optional credits from level 7 modules offered across the College. Please note that the contact hours and assessment methods for these modules may vary.

King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to- date innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates. 

Entry requirements & how to apply

Education MA Entry Requirements
Minimum requirements  2:1

A 2:1 undergraduate degree (or international equivalent) in a subject area or discipline relevant to education (e.g. sociology, educational studies, psychology, pedagogy, history, philosophy etc). In order to meet the academic entry requirements for this programme you should have a minimum 2:1 undergraduate degree with a final mark of at least 60% or above in the UK marking scheme. If you are still studying you should be achieving an average of at least 60% or above in the UK marking scheme.

Practicing teachers are strongly encouraged to apply. Applicants with a PGCE or equivalent may be permitted to transfer credits, pending approval from the programme director.

Lower undergraduate grades may be considered in certain circumstances, for example if the applicant has a PGCE with master's level credits. It is strongly recommended that applicants have some relevant professional experience, either in teaching or in other educational practice or setting such as policy. However, applications from candidates who do not have any experience but who do have relevant academic qualifications will be considered.
International requirements   Visit our admissions webpages to view our International entry requirements.
English Language requirements Band B Visit our admissions webpages to view our English language entry requirements.

 

Application procedure

Applications must be made online using King’s online application portal apply.kcl.ac.uk and a non-refundable application fee of £70 applies.

Applications will be considered by the Programme Director and one other member of staff. We aim to process all applications within four to six weeks.

Personal statement and supporting information

You will be asked to submit the following documents in order for your application to be considered:

Checklist
Personal Statement  Yes

A personal statement is required. This can be entered directly into the online application form (maximum 4,000 characters) or uploaded as an attachment to the online application form (maximum 2 pages). Please give your reasons for choice of programme, choosing King's College and for wishing to study at MA level together with an explanation of what you hope to gain from the programme.
Previous Academic Study Yes  A copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing the subjects studied and marks obtained. If you have already completed your degree, copies of your official degree certificate will also be required. Applicants with academic documents issued in a language other than English, will need to submit both the original and official translation of their documents.
References Yes One academic reference is required. A professional reference will be accepted if you have completed your qualifications over five years ago. In some cases, we may request an additional reference from you.
Other Optional Applicants may wish to include a CV (Resume) or evidence of professional registration as part of their application.

Application closing date

We recommend that you submit your application as soon as possible. Our first application deadline is the 26th March 2021. After this date, the programme will remain open only if places are still available and will be closed as soon as it is full.

For programmes that remain open beyond this date, the final application deadlines for the following fee statuses are listed below:

  • EU or overseas (international) fee status: 30th July 2021
  • Home fee status: 27th August 2021

Please note, you will not be eligible for an application fee refund if you apply after the first application deadline in March, and we are unable to process more offers as places are filled before the final application deadlines above.

Help and support

If you don't have a suitable qualification for direct entry to a UK university, or if English isn't your first language, our academic preparation courses can help you get ready for study in the UK.

Preparation courses

Fees and funding

  • Full time Home fees: £9,240 per year (2021/22)
  • Full time overseas fees: £18,780 per year (2021/22)
  • Part time Home fees: £4,620 per year (2021/22)
  • Part time overseas fees: £9,390 per year (2021/22)

These tuition fees may be subject to additional increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King’s terms and conditions.

Please note: you may transfer across PGCE Master’s level credits if taken within 10 years of your completion date of this MA course. If you do, you will only need to take the number of credits required to bring your total for the course to 180, including transferred credits. Fees will be proportionally reduced by the number of credits accepted for transfer e.g a student transferring 60 credits into the 180 credit MA will pay 2/3 fees.
If you work for a School accepting teacher training students from King’s College London you may be entitled to a fee reduction.

Deposit

When you receive an offer for this course you will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit to secure your place. The deposit will be credited towards your total fee payment.

The UK deposit is £500.

The INTERNATIONAL deposit is £2,000. 

  • If you receive an offer on or before 31st March, payment is due by 30th April 2021.
  • If you receive an offer between 1st April and 30th June, payment is due within one month of receiving the offer.
  • If you receive an offer between 1st July and 31st July, payment is due within two weeks of receiving the offer.
  • If you receive an offer on or after 1st August, payment is due within one week of receiving the offer.
  • If you receive an offer from late August onwards, payment is due within 2 days of receiving the offer.

If you are a current King’s student in receipt of the King's Living Bursary you are not required to pay a deposit to secure your place on the programme. Please note, this will not change the total fees payable for your chosen programme.

Additional costs

In addition to your tuition fees, you can also expect to pay for:

  • books if you choose to buy your own copies
  • library fees and fines
  • personal photocopies
  • printing course handouts/binding costs
  • society membership fees
  • stationery
  • graduation costs
  • costs for travel to and around London and between campuses
  • clothing for optional course related events and competitions  

Financial help and support

Visit the fees and funding webpages to find out more about bursaries, scholarships, grants, tuition fees, living expenses, student loans and other financial help available at King's.

Career prospects

This course will enable students to critically reflect on their own educational roles, carry out independent research at their own schools, and acquire the skills and contacts that will enable them to progress in their careers. The course will enable participants to develop an in-depth understanding of educational policies and practices, focusing predominantly on the UK and also drawing on international contexts and perspectives.

Testimonials

Richard Fraser

Richard Fraser

"The Masters in Education has been central to my goal of continuing my professional development as a full-time teacher. When I enrolled on the course, I had nearly 10 years of teaching experience in England and abroad. Additionally, I had spent time as both a pastoral and curriculum middle leader. What appealed to me the most about the Education MA offered by Kings, was the freedom that I had in building the programme around my interests and fitting in with teaching life. The process has encouraged me to re-engage with education research and reflect on and improve my practice. I have enjoyed the sessions and am confident that they will play an important part in the next stage of my development."

Maths Teacher, St James Senior Boys' School

Hira Sultana Choudhry

Hira Sultana Choudhry

"As an international student from the United States, moving to London for my postgraduate degree in MA Education at the King’s College London was the best decision of my life. My time at King’s was more than just about academic achievement but rather the wonderful connections and experiences I made along the way. The course’s rigorous, intellectually stimulating modules could not have been more exciting without my brilliant professors who have both supported and challenged me throughout. I am overjoyed to have accomplished a really important milestone and am forever grateful to the institution of King’s. My success has brought me a long way as I know I will continue to thrive in my future professional endeavours in the field of education."

Beth

Beth

"I had reached a point in my teaching career when I wanted a new challenge and I wanted to learn and explore more about my subject and my profession. I enjoyed learning from those who had great passion for their subject and who were forward thinking and keen to share their knowledge and experience. I found their enthusiasm to be infectious - it made me to want to learn!”

Kate

Kate

“Taking time out from a career in management and leadership roles in government and NGOs I was re-inspired about education by the MA Education programme at King's. The course introduced me to wide-ranging perspectives and debates yet simultaneously allowed me to tailor my learning to the areas that I was most curious about. I found the year to be intellectually challenging and rewarding. “

Blue box with King's College London rankings. Starting with, 7th in the UK for research quality. Followed by, 6th in the UK for research power. Concluding with, 4th among multi-faculty universities for research Impact. The source is research excellence framework 2014

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