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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.


Key benefits

  • Cutting edge policy analysis drawing on contemporary research.

  • Interdisciplinary and critical approach towards contemporary policy provision.

  • Explores models and approaches in policy analysis as well as skills and approaches in undertaking critical policy analysis.

  • 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/ECTS 90

Course intake No set number.

Course leaders

Dr Tania De St Croix

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

Further details

Course contact for further information

Postgraduate Admissions Team, Admissions Office
tel: +44 (0)20 7848 7000
fax: +44 (0)20 7848 7200 

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 nine 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.

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.

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 Master’s level credits (e.g. from the PGCE) 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 180-190, including transferred credits.

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:

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 £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:

EPS 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 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/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 

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.

Next steps

Upcoming events

Jun 22 Undergraduate Open Day | Arts and Sciences | Strand Campus | Saturday 22 June
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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