Main details
Course overview
Module options
Our academics
Entry requirements
Fees & funding
Scholarships
Facilities
Future prospects
Next steps

Postgraduate Taught

Education

secondary students sat around a table in a marketing workshop

A student teacher playing with a child in early years education space

Education students working on laptops in the Brynmor Jones Library

Study the latest in education research, theory and practice along with the wider and issues and policies that shape education.

You could go on to a range of careers when you graduate – including educational research, policy development, administration and publishing, or train to be a teacher.

Gain insight into topics that suit your interests with a range of optional modules including early childhood development, inclusive education leadership and management, and more.

Our programme content is regularly updated to reflect the latest changes in this dynamic subject, so you gain the most up-to-date knowledge from the world of education.

Broaden your understanding of the academic landscape with our MA in Education.

If you're interested in the latest education research and want to expand your understanding of current educational practices, debates, and crucial issues facing the sector, this flexible Masters course is for you.

Throughout this course, we’ll develop your independence and problem-solving skills, allowing you to explore topics that truly inspire you.

Whether you’re a home or international student, you choose your pace: either one intense year full-time or two years part-time.

Tailor your Masters

with optional modules
Forest School

certification opportunity
Develop research skills

and explore topics you're passionate about
Study part-time

and learn alongside your career
Stay up to date with

evolving trends in education

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Course overview

Module options

About this course

Take the next step and gain the skills you need for the complex and ever-evolving educational landscape.

Our MA Education course will give you a real taste of educational theory and concepts in diverse contexts, deepening your understanding and broadening your horizons.

You’ll dive deep into the hot topics surrounding education, research methods, and international perspectives and cap it all off with a major research project where you get to explore a real-life topic you're passionate about.

Plus, we've got optional modules that cover areas like early childhood development, leadership and management, special and inclusive education, and the foundations of TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages).

We keep your learning experience dynamic by altering module content to match what's happening in the world of education.

Study your way, selecting to do a Postgraduate Certificate in Education after Stage 1 or a Postgraduate Diploma in Education at the end of Stage 2, all based on your earned credits.

We offer modules in both the daytime and evenings, so you can find a pattern of delivery that fits with your other commitments, whether you are working, volunteering or studying full time. In 2024-25 you can choose evening modules from: Coaching and Mentoring, Early Childhood, Leadership and Management or Social Justice and Community Engagement as well as the mandatory modules shared by all pathways.

A PGCE Science Student writing on a whiteboard

An education student in the classroom playing with two children

A Education Student working with children on placement in Kelvin School

Choose your modules

For a full Masters degree, you'll study 180 credits over the duration of your course. Some programmes offer a Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) qualification or a Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) qualification. For a PGDip, you'll study 120 credits, and for a PGCert, you'll study 60 credits.

Contemporary and Critical Issues in Education: Theory, Policy and Context

This module forms an essential component of your Masters programme. It supports the development of key skills necessary for study at Level 7 including the development of core and essential skills relating to critical reflection and critical analysis, alongside an introduction to critical theory. It allows engagement with issues relating to specialist areas relevant to your programme of study, whilst also opening up avenues for broader exploration. Drawing on diverse perspectives from a range of global contexts it ensures that education is explored across broad and diverse perspectives.

Core•30 credits

Research Methodologies (Education)

You will explore cutting edge research methodologies used in education, developing your critical understanding of how they can be used to address real world problems. An inquiry-based teaching approach will enable you to work with peers to weigh the merits of each in terms of their suitability for particular contexts and issues.

Core•30 credits

International and Intercultural Perspectives on Education

This module critically engages with the changing nature of education in an international and global context, with emphasis on different forms and formats of education. It draws on case study examples to bring learning to life, based on real-life contexts. The module also addresses how key global phenomena such as migration, environmental change and technological innovation affect educational policies and practices worldwide.

Core•30 credits

Extended Research Project (Education)

This module provides you with an opportunity to apply your knowledge and research skills in the field of education. Supported via dedicated course tutors, your dissertation supervisor and high-quality workshops and online content, you will undertake an independent research project on a topic related to your programme of study. This will allow you to apply your skills in real-world contexts and gain an understanding of conducting and reporting on research. This module will help you develop key transferable skills for both the workplace and further study.

Core•60 credits

Early Child Development in a Global Context

In this module you will develop an in-depth knowledge and understanding of children’s development, considering critical contemporary research and international and theoretical perspectives on child development and learning. You will be taught by experts in child development and will examine varying factors that contribute to early child development, including diversity and difference. Issues relating to culture, poverty, gender or disability and key questions such as nature/nurture, which relate to our understanding of children's development, will also be explored.

Optional•30 credits

Contemporary and Critical Perspectives on Leadership and Management

You will use a problem based learning approach to engage in activities to explore how social theories relate to educational leadership and to allow you to reflect to enhance your skills and abilities underpinning effective educational leadership. Guest speakers who are educational leaders will share and reflect upon their experiences in a meaningful and context relevant way. The module will prepare you to exercise leadership in educational contexts and to face the challenges this will bring.

Optional•30 credits

Debating Special and Inclusive Education: Implications for Pedagogy and Practice

This module provides underpinning knowledge about the key principles of inclusive education and will enable you to consider the challenges that can be faced in its implementation. Coupled with the second specialist module in this programme it will help you to consider how you might bring about change so that all ‘learners matter and matter equally’.

Optional•30 credits

Exploring Foundations of TESOL

Develop awareness of three ‘cornerstones’ of professional theory and practice to support your development as an effective, critical TESOL practitioner. First, teacher language awareness, developing your own ability to use, analyse and teach the systems of the English language (grammar, phonology, lexis, discourse) effectively. Secondly, language learning theory, exploring models from disciplines such as psychology, linguistics and education that have informed TESOL practice. Finally, language teaching methodology, looking at the history and contemporary range of classroom approaches in the TESOL profession.

Optional•30 credits

8 Modules

Our academics

You’ll receive excellent support from experienced academic staff who are both researchers and practitioners in education.

Our research is committed to combating societal inequalities, driving social and educational change to promote fairness, equity, and social justice.

See more academics for this subject

Featured academic

Dr Lee Fallin

Lee teaches various subjects within the School of Education, including on our Masters programmes. His research focuses on learning technology, accessibility, and the connections between education and geography, both in physical and digital contexts.

Featured academic

Professor Jonathan Glazzard

Jonathan is the Rosalind Hollis Professor of Education for Social Justice. He researches LGBTQ+ and disabled youth experiences, with recent work on mental health, educational transitions, and early reading development in children.

Entry requirements

UK
International

What do I need?

Typical offer

2:2 in relevant subject area

A minimum of 2.2 Honours degree (or international equivalent) in a subject relevant to the field of Education is generally required.

Additional entry requirements for this course

Appropriate professional experience will be taken into account if you have a 2.2 Honours degree in another subject area.

This degree is for anyone who is interested in Education in its widest sense; it will not qualify you to teach.

If you’re an undergraduate student at Hull, you’re guaranteed a fast-track route to this postgraduate degree, as long as you meet the entry requirements.

In order to ensure our students have a rich learning and student experience, most of our programmes have a mix of domestic and international students. We reserve the right to close applications early to either group if application volumes suggest that this blend cannot be achieved.

What do I need?

Typical offer

2:2 in relevant subject area

A minimum of 2.2 Honours degree (or international equivalent) in a subject relevant to the field of Education is generally required.

Additional entry requirements for this course

Appropriate professional experience will be taken into account if you have a 2.2 Honours degree in another subject area.

This degree is for anyone who is interested in Education in its widest sense; it will not qualify you to teach.

If you require a student visa to study or if your first language is not English you will be required to provide acceptable evidence of your English language proficiency level.

This course requires academic IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 5.5 in each skill. See other English language proficiency qualifications accepted by the University of Hull.

If your English currently does not reach the University’s required standard for this programme, you may be interested in one of our English language courses.

Visit your country page to find out more about our entry requirements.

Fees & funding

UK
International

How much is it?

Additional costs you may have to pay

Your tuition fees will cover most costs associated with your programme. There are some extra costs that you might have to pay, or choose to pay, depending on your programme of study and the decisions you make:

Books (you can borrow books on your reading lists from the library, but you may buy your own)
Optional field trips
Study abroad (incl. travel costs, accommodation, visas, immunisation)
Placement costs (incl. travel costs and accommodation)
Student visas (international students)
Laptop (you’ll have access to laptops and PCs on campus, but you may want your own)
Printing and photocopying
Professional-body membership
Graduation (gown hire and photography)

Remember, you’ll still need to take into account your living costs. This could include accommodation, travel, food and more.

How do I pay for it?

How much is it?

Additional costs you may have to pay

Books (you can borrow books on your reading lists from the library, but you may buy your own)
Optional field trips
Study abroad (incl. travel costs, accommodation, visas, immunisation)
Placement costs (incl. travel costs and accommodation)
Student visas (international students)
Laptop (you’ll have access to laptops and PCs on campus, but you may want your own)
Printing and photocopying
Professional-body membership
Graduation (gown hire and photography)

Remember, you’ll still need to take into account your living costs. This could include accommodation, travel, food and more.

How do I pay for it?

Our scholarships

We offer a number of awards, bursaries and scholarships for eligible students. They’re awarded for a variety of reasons including academic achievement and/or to help those on lower incomes.

Scholarships and bursaries are separate to student loans. And the best bit is, you don’t pay a penny back.

Find out more about our scholarships

Alumni Postgraduate Scholarship

University of Hull undergraduates progressing to a taught masters course may receive a 25% discount on the cost of their tuition fees.

Find out if you’re eligible by visiting the University of Hull Alumni Postgraduate Scholarship page.

International Scholarships and Bursaries

We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries for international students.

To find out more and see if you're eligible, please visit the International Scholarships and Bursaries page.

Take a look at our facilities

Education Lecture Room

Study the theory in our lecture rooms – before you put your learning into practice in the classroom.

Forest School Training Centre

You could access our Forest School Training Centre with outdoor classroom, gardens, wooded areas and wildflower meadows.

Group Lecture Room

Collaborate in group lecture rooms working as part of our vibrant community of students and staff who all share an interest in developing excellent learning opportunities for others.

Brynmor Jones Library

Our seven-story library is a superb learning space. As well as more than a million books, there’s a variety of study areas, over 400 open-access PCs and one amazing view.

See more in our virtual tour

Look around

Look around

Future prospects

As an MA Education student, you'll be exploring all the latest educational theories and concepts and digging deep into important issues and policies that shape the field. The best part? You won't just be building your knowledge, you'll also develop academic skills that will make you a valuable contributor to your chosen learning community.

On earning your MA Education degree, you could train to become a teacher, get into educational administration or even dive into research. But that's not all. You might find your calling working in education services in museums or arts organisations, educational publishing or policy development.

Your next steps

Like what you’ve seen? Then it’s time to apply.

Make your application online now, and our admissions team will get back to you as soon as possible to make you an offer.

Apply now

How to apply

Not ready to apply?

We regularly deliver virtual and on-campus events to help you discover your perfect postgraduate course, whether it’s a subject you already love or something completely different. Our events are an opportunity for you to chat to tutors and current students and find out about the career options a postgraduate degree could lead to.

Discover more

Education

About this course

Choose your modules