Entry requirements
To study for this masters degree course you must hold a bachelors degree from a UK university or other recognised degree-awarding body, or a qualification at equivalent level.
The small-scale inquiry option in Masters multi-disciplinary dissertation: education, childhood and youth (E822) is only available if you can fulfil the criminal record check requirement for the setting in which you intend to carry out your research. You will also need permission from your employer to undertake this work. If these conditions cannot be fulfilled then you should choose the extended literature review and research proposal option for this module.
Please note: It is a legal requirement in the UK, rather than an Open University requirement, that you must obtain Enhanced DBS clearance (or equivalent in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) in order to work with children on the module, Masters multi-disciplinary dissertation: education, childhood and youth (E822). This is the responsibility of you and your employer and not The Open University. If you are in doubt about your eligibility, or to find out more, you should contact the relevant agency in the country in which you are proposing to conduct your study for more information.
Your spoken and written English must be of an adequate standard for postgraduate study. If English is not your first language, we recommend that you will need a minimum score of 7 under the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Please see their website for details.
You will need some experience of working with learners, for example in either the teaching, tutoring or a professional development capacity, the education advisory service, educational administration or an allied field. This may include informal as well as more traditional formal learning settings.
You will be encouraged to relate the content of the modules to your own experiences therefore you will need experience of or access to an educational setting either through employment or other means such as volunteering and/or special arrangements undertaken for the purposes of your study. Apart from schools and colleges, other organisations providing educational services – such as health and care education environments, youth, play, or early years work, armed forces, business and commercial environments – all could provide suitable settings to apply your learning and later carry out your dissertation. The various activities embedded in the study guide and supporting examples and literature will help you develop skills of independent study and enquiry.
If you are not sure whether your qualifications and experience are suitable, please contact us for advice.
How long it takes
The minimum time to complete is 3 years, the maximum time to complete is 6 years.