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Education, Policy & Society MA

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Our Education, Policy & Society MA is an interdisciplinary course which draws on sociology, political science, economics and history to address the challenges of education policy and provision. It will give you a deep understanding of educational policy and processes in relation to issues of race, social class, gender and changes such as globalisation and new managerialism.

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


Key benefits

  • Cutting edge policy analysis drawing on contemporary research.

  • Interdisciplinary and critical approach towards contemporary policy provision.

  • Explores models, skills and approaches in critical policy analysis and their relevance to practice. 

  • Enables students to follow their particular interests and passion in relation to education policy and social justice. 

  • Focuses on education in its widest sense, including schools, higher education, and informal and community education. 

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/ECTS 90

Course intake No set number.

Course leaders

Dr Tania De St Croix

Further details

Course contact for further information

King’s admissions team: Tel +44 (0)20 7848 7000 

You can email the admissions team directly via the King’s apply portal. You can also contact the admissions team via student services online.

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

This course provides an opportunity for policy text analysis and comparative policy study. The course will be suitable for you no matter the level at which you teach, lecture or organise educational provision. You will learn about significant current developments in contemporary pedagogical policy and practice, enabling you to reflect on your own practice and extend your knowledge.

Course purpose

For all those who teach, lecture or organise educational provision at any level. To enable professionals concerned with education to reflect on their practice and to inform such reflection by extending their knowledge. Students will be made aware of significant current developments in contemporary pedagogical policy and practice.

Further literature

https://www.kcl.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/apply/enquiry-form.aspx

Course format and assessment

Teaching

We teach our modules through lectures, teacher led class discussions and group work, typically for 20 hours of contact per module. We provide 10.5 hours of academic study skills workshops. In addition to this you will be required to complete 280 hours of independent study for each 30-credit taught module. For your dissertation, we will provide 9 hours of one-to-one supervision and 24 hours of lectures on research methods to complement your 567 hours of independent study.

Typically, one 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 30 credit taught modules are normally assessed by a 6,000 word assignment. However, assessment methods may vary, depending on the optional modules you select, and for the required module you will be asked to complete a 5,000 word essay and 1,000 word blog or policy briefing.

The 60-credit dissertation is assessed by an extended piece of writing of 16,000 words.

You are permitted to take up to 40 of your optional credits from outside of the course, at the discretion of the Programme Director. The contact time and assessment methods for those modules may vary.

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

Location

This course is primarily taught at the King’s College London Waterloo Campus. We enjoy an unrivalled location in the heart of London, which will give you access to the wealth of cultural resources and institutions on the South Bank and throughout the capital.

Structure

Year 1

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

If you are a part-time student, you will take two 30-credit modules in your first year, and two 30-credit modules in your second. You will also write your dissertation in your second year.

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 this course page for updates.

Required Modules

You are required to take the following modules:

Optional Modules

In addition, you are required to take 90-100 credits from a range of optional modules that 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.

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

EPS Entry requirements
Minimum requirements  2:1

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.

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.
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:

EPS 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 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/expenses

In addition to the costs above, 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 
  • Society membership fees 
  • Stationery 
  • Graduation costs
  • Costs for travel around London and between campuses 
  • Clothing for optional course related events and competitions  

Please visit our web pages on fees and funding for more information.

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

Over the duration of this course you will develop skills that will enhance your career and prospects of promotion. Our graduates have gone into a range of teaching, leadership, administrative and research roles in schools, higher education, government departments and non-governmental organisations, including becoming headteachers, university lecturers and education advisors. Some have set up their own social enterprises and many have continued their studies, completing doctorates or professional qualifications.

Testimonials

Oliver- Teacher, London, UK

Oliver- Teacher, London, UK

The Education, Policy and Society MA has given me the opportunity to think about and question the wider societal issues which affect my practice in the classroom. I have benefited from meeting a range of individuals from different education backgrounds to gain a wider perspective of education in different contexts and perspectives. Personally, I feel more empowered to engage with education policy issues from school level to national level and my school appreciate the academic perspective that I can add to school based concerns.

Natasha, India

Natasha, India

Undertaking the MA in Education, Policy and Society at King’s has probably been one of the best decisions of my academic career - I have been overwhelmed by the warmth and encouragement of the School of Education, Communication & Society. The modules have all been exceptional in their teaching quality, content, and open lecturer-student dialogue, focusing on matters beyond academia, that remain close to my heart as an international student.

Ámbar, Teacher

Ámbar, Teacher

The MA in Education, Policy and Society has not only given me the opportunity to critically analyse and challenge the way educational systems have developed but also the grounding to navigate the many challenges education involves today. Being part of this course has reminded me of the role I play in creating the changes I want to see and laid the foundations I needed to continue working for more socially just and inclusive educational environments.

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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