This page details the units available on our MA Education (campus-based) course.
The units you will study will depend on the pathway you choose.
Conceptualisation of children, young people and childhood
Credits: 10
Explore the concept of childhood and youth, considering the role of education in children and young people’s lives.
Through engaging with questions such as ‘what is a child?’ and ‘what is childhood?’, you’ll critique different approaches to conceptualising the ‘child’ in the context of a range of disciplines, cultures and viewpoints.
You’ll then analyse how these considerations impact educational approaches, while also tracing the historical development around this topic.
Curriculum studies
Credits: 10
Enhance your understanding of the development and implementation of the curriculum. You will study various pedagogical traditions and theoretical approaches, and look at different educational contexts and levels.
Throughout the unit, you will identify and discuss key contemporary debates and their assumptions on the curriculum, locating them within specific subject disciplines.
Digital technologies and education
Credits: 10
Evaluate the impact of digital technologies in education and analyse opportunities, challenges, ethical dilemmas and risks in relation to sustainable development.
You will investigate how learning and collaboration are being transformed by digital media, and the rapid and dynamic growth of the internet, mobile and smartphone usage, big data, AI, VR, and other trends. You will explore the significant impact they have on education and challenges that need to be addressed.
Education and society
Credits: 10
Investigate the relationship between education and society, drawing on a range of social theories relevant to the sociology of education.
You will develop an understanding of key educational issues facing young people, teachers, and society, such as the impact of globalisation on education policy, the role of the state, social disadvantage, gender and feminism, and meritocracy.
You will be encouraged to explore these aspects in relation to your professional practice.
Educational dissertation or project
Credits: 30
With support from your supervisor, you will design and conduct a small-scale dissertation or professional development project.
Either choice will involve the examination of a specific educational issue, and will require the development and implementation of subject matter, research knowledge and skills.
The dissertation or project should focus on improving aspects of educational policy or practice, including addressing UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
English language curriculum and pedagogies for global contexts
Credits: 10
Reflect critically on your own understanding of the curriculum and pedagogy of language education.
You'll raise your awareness of the theoretical and practical issues of developing appropriate, sustainable curricula, pedagogies and materials to suit your specific social, political, economic and cultural context. You'll also consider local knowledges and decolonising approaches to international language education.
Globalisation and educational policy
Credits: 10
Analyse national and global policies related to international education and develop your understanding of its inter-relationship with globalisation.
You'll learn about historic and emerging policy developments and trends and assess the impact of globalisation on education policy. You'll engage with theories and contesting perspectives, develop your critical thinking and analytical skills, and gain insights into global educational reforms.
Language awareness
Credits: 10
Explore linguistic diversity through a systemic examination of language and how it is used in context.
You'll analyse and discuss issues surrounding language and its implications for the L2 classroom. This unit will help you develop a critical understanding and sensitivity of beliefs, attitudes and values related to whose English language we teach, how we teach it and why we teach it within a context relevant to you as a teacher of English.
Leading and managing schools and colleges
Credits: 10
Explore leadership and management in educational organisations. You will focus on issues of culture, gender, policy, power, accountability and social justice for middle and senior leadership roles.
Engaging more deeply with policy, theory and practice, you will gain an overview of key concepts and look at selected areas of practice to reflect on professional practice within educational organisations.
Policy and leadership in education
Credits: 10
Gain theoretical knowledge and practical insights to understand the dynamic world of educational policies and leadership.
You'll explore how global trends shape schools and universities, learning to effectively break down and understand the rules and structures that guide them. As well as this, you'll identify the uses of educational evaluation in effective leadership, learn to promote environmental sustainability, and craft strategies for inclusive leadership.
Professional placement
Credits: 30
In this placement, you will work within an educational organization to gain practical insights, develop professional skills, and apply theoretical understanding in real-world settings.
You’ll produce a research report and presentation on a relevant challenge faced by the organisation, as well as your own professional development.
Research design in education
Credits: 10
Learn how to conduct and design ethical and coherent educational research through the creation of a research proposal or professional development project.
You will develop skills critical to the advancement of educational research, policy, and practice in your own, and broader, contexts. The skills and knowledge you will gain will support your dissertation or final project.
Researching with children
Credits: 10
Explore the methodological, ethical and practical implications of researching with children.
You’ll develop your critical understanding and sensitivity of this topic, and explore how to innovate and adapt processes to engage children and young people in research.
You’ll also analyse the diverse ways in which children are positioned in research.
Shaping educational futures
Credits: 10
Explore the role of education in responding to current global and/or local issues and consider ways in which education might contribute to more sustainable, equitable and inclusive futures.
You will develop an understanding of key concepts in relation to education, such as:
- global citizenship
- decolonisation
- climate change
- inclusion
- social justice
Understanding international education
Credits: 10
Analyse concepts and theories related to international education and develop your understanding of its interrelationship with associated concepts such as global citizenship.
You'll learn about emerging developments and trends and critically analyse the theory and practice of international education in different educational institutions, curricula and contexts. You'll engage with contesting perspectives regarding values, inequalities, and sustainable educational models.
Understanding learners and learning
Credits: 10
Explore the process of learning from different psychological and social perspectives.
During this unit, you'll review your own and peer learning experiences as learners and educators, and develop personal and professional insights into how we learn.
You'll critically reflect on how learning occurs to consider implications for educational practice. This includes how knowledge about learners and learning can be used to improve inclusion, equity and adaptability for globally challenging times