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Education MA

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The Education MA is a flexible course that combines interdisciplinary perspectives 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.


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 Please contact the Postgraduate Taught Programmes Officer: ecs-pgt@kcl.ac.uk

Course contact form Postgraduate admissions

Awarding institution King's College London

Faculty Faculty of Social Science & Public Policy

Department School of Education, Communication & Society

Locations

 

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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. 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. 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 but also drawing on international contexts and perspectives.

The module Critical Perspectives on Education, will be delivered on a weekly basis over the 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.

Further literature

Please contact the Postgraduate Taught Programmes Officer: ecs-pgt@kcl.ac.uk

Course format and assessment

Teaching

Typically, per 30 credit module you can expect 20-30 hours of teaching and 270-290 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.

 

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.

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.

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 90-100 credits of optional modules, which may typically include:

Please note that students transferring in up to 60 credits from a PGCE 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 required taught module.

With the approval of the Programme Director students taking at least 120 credits within the School may take 30-40 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.

Entry requirements & how to apply

Education MA Entry Requirements
Minimum requirements  2:1 A 2:1 undergraduate degree (or international equivalent). 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.

Lower undergraduate grades may be considered in certain circumstances, for example if the applicant has a PGCE with master's level credits. It is recommended that applicants have some relevant professional experience, either in teaching or in other educational practice 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 £60 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 of up to 4,000 characters (maximum 2 pages) is required. 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 Two references are required with at least one academic. Professional references will be accepted if you have completed your qualifications over five years ago.
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 29 March 2019.  Applications will remain open if places are available and programmes will be closed as soon as they are full.

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/EU fees: £8,100 per year (2019/20)
  • Full time overseas fees: £16,500 per year (2019/20)
  • Part time Home/EU fees: £4,050 per year (2019/20)
  • Part time overseas fees: £8,250 per year (2019/20)

Students starting their programme in 2019/20 who are eligible to pay EU fees will pay the same rate of tuition fees as UK students. This will apply for the duration of their programme, but may be subject to change by the UK Government for subsequent cohorts from 2020/21.

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

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/EU deposit is £500.

The INTERNATIONAL deposit is £2,000. 

  • If you receive an offer on or before 31st March 2019, payment is due by 27th April 2019.
  • If you receive an offer between 1st April 2019 and 30th June 2019, payment is due within one month of receiving the offer.
  • If you receive an offer between 1st July 2019 and 31st July 2019, payment is due within two weeks of receiving the offer.
  • If you receive an offer on or after 1st August 2019, payment is due within one week 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.

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 education policies and practices, carry out independent research, including at their own workplaces, and acquire the skills and contacts that will enable them to progress in their careers. 

Testimonials

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. “

Next steps

Upcoming events

Jul 6 Undergraduate Open Day | Health and Life Sciences | Guy’s Campus | Saturday 6 July
Sep 7 Undergraduate Open Day | Arts and Sciences | Strand Campus | Saturday 7 September

Full list of student events

View our postgraduate guide

Learn more about postgraduate degree programmes at King's. Download or view our guide in PDF format.

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