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Masters degree in Education

This flexible qualification offers three specialist routes – applied linguistics, inclusive practice, or leadership and management – enabling you to engage with issues, concepts, and debates in an area that supports your professional development. Your investigative study will draw on your own and others’ experience and on appropriate literature, and will develop your understanding of the role and the limitations of research in informing educational practice. The qualification includes a literature review in a topic of your choice, and a substantial dissertation or research project situated in your own practice. You will need some experience of working with learners, either in teaching, the education advisory service, educational administration or an allied field, which may include informal learning settings.

Masters degree

Course code: F70
Credits: 180
How long it takes: 2–6 years
Read more about how long it takes
Study method: Distance learning
Find out more in Why the OU?
Course cost: Postgraduate loan available
See Fees and funding
Entry requirements: Find out more about entry requirements.

Course details Entry requirements Careers

Course details

Suggested routes to the degree

There are two options to studying the qualification, the fast track 2-year option or the standard 3-year option (with the flexibility to take up to six years). We recommend that you choose carefully and plan your work accordingly. You must start with a Stage 1 module in October (unless you are awarded credit transfer) and complete this qualification within six years. Please note that if you started the Applied Linguistics route in October 2015 the minimum time for completion is three years. Owing to the way in which the qualification is structured you cannot start two modules at the same time; the only way to complete the qualification in less than three years is to opt for the fast-track option as illustrated here:

Fast-track option

Modules

There are a number of possible routes through the Masters in Education, with specialisms in applied linguistics, inclusive practice, and leadership and management, which draw on the research strengths of the School of Education, Childhood, Youth and Sport.

Stage 1

This is the first stage of any route and introduces some of the big ideas in education and their specialist domain(s). You will engage with concepts, current debates and issues in the area of education relevant to your chosen route. It focuses on generic learning outcomes but retains a subject-specific focus. There is emphasis on collaborative learning and the development of digital information literacy. Course work encourages students to bring together their personal understanding of issues relating to specific aspects of education with the enduring and current body of professional and academic research publications relevant to their professional/personal agenda. It also provides for the development and consolidation of advanced scholarship through practice and refinement of independent learning inherent in the academic literacy and conventions of academic writing required for successful study at master’s level.

Stage 2

This stage offers you the opportunity to progressively broaden your knowledge and understanding of your chosen aspects of education. You'll explore the full range of educational research in current practice and develop an understanding of the role and limitations of research for informing educational practice. Part of the assessment will require you to conduct a literature review on a topic of your choice, culminating in a final paper that demonstrates your knowledge of the literature, ability to read and synthesize research, and write according to standard academic protocols. You will have opportunities to present your work to other members of the Masters and OU academic community through online seminars and poster days.

Stage 3

The final module is a one-year research enquiry or professional project which requires you to submit a 12,000-word dissertation/project report in a chosen area (based on what has been studied at Stage 2) which is situated in your practice and will contribute to organisational development and/or effectiveness.

To gain this qualification, you need 180 credits as follows:

Stage 1

60 credits from this list:

Optional modules	Credits	Next start
Addressing inequality and difference in educational practice (EE814) This module explores issues of equality within the professional practice setting by way of broad themes which apply internationally – for example, ethnicity, disability, religion and gender. See full description	60	No current presentation
Educational leadership: agency, professional learning and change (EE811) This module explores aspects of educational leadership and management, linking theory and practice. The focus is on models of leadership, leading professional development and management of change. See full description	60	No current presentation
Applied linguistics and English language (EE817) This module explores how the English language works in different professional contexts, and how knowledge about language can illuminate aspects of the social world. See full description	60	No current presentation

Optional modules

Credits

Next start

Addressing inequality and difference in educational practice (EE814)

This module explores issues of equality within the professional practice setting by way of broad themes which apply internationally – for example, ethnicity, disability, religion and gender.

See full description

No current presentation

Educational leadership: agency, professional learning and change (EE811)

This module explores aspects of educational leadership and management, linking theory and practice. The focus is on models of leadership, leading professional development and management of change.

See full description

No current presentation

Applied linguistics and English language (EE817)

This module explores how the English language works in different professional contexts, and how knowledge about language can illuminate aspects of the social world.

See full description

No current presentation

Stages 2 and 3

You will choose your specialism and study 120 credits as follows:

For the MA in Education (Applied Linguistics) or MEd (Applied Linguistics)

Compulsory modules	Credits	Next start
Language, literacy and learning (EE818) This module is for people interested in exploring English language,literacy learning and teaching in today’s world with its increasing linguistic and cultural diversity and rapid technological development. See full description Register	60	03 Feb 2018
MA Ed dissertation: applied linguistics (EE819) NEW This is the final module in the MA Ed applied linguistics study route in which you will carry out a research project and produce a 12,000-word dissertation. See full description	60	No current presentation

Compulsory modules

Credits

Next start

Language, literacy and learning (EE818)

This module is for people interested in exploring English language,literacy learning and teaching in today’s world with its increasing linguistic and cultural diversity and rapid technological development.

See full description

03 Feb 2018

MA Ed dissertation: applied linguistics (EE819) NEW

This is the final module in the MA Ed applied linguistics study route in which you will carry out a research project and produce a 12,000-word dissertation.

See full description

No current presentation

For the MA in Education (Inclusive Practice) or MEd (Inclusive Practice)

Compulsory modules	Credits	Next start
Understanding literacy: social justice and inclusive practice (EE815) This module focuses on literacy and literacy difficulties from different perspectives to develop inclusive pedagogies and practices for enhancing literacy development and supporting learners who experience literacy difficulties. See full description Register	60	03 Feb 2018
MA Ed dissertation: inclusive practice (EE816) This is a 12,000 word dissertation or professional project and the final module in the MA/MEd Inclusive Practice study route. See full description	60	No current presentation

Compulsory modules

Credits

Next start

Understanding literacy: social justice and inclusive practice (EE815)

This module focuses on literacy and literacy difficulties from different perspectives to develop inclusive pedagogies and practices for enhancing literacy development and supporting learners who experience literacy difficulties.

See full description

03 Feb 2018

MA Ed dissertation: inclusive practice (EE816)

This is a 12,000 word dissertation or professional project and the final module in the MA/MEd Inclusive Practice study route.

See full description

No current presentation

For the MA in Education (Leadership and Management) or MEd (Leadership and Management)

Compulsory modules	Credits	Next start
Educational leadership: exploring strategy (EE812) This module explores current thinking on educational leadership and its research evidence. Through effective integration of theory and practice it will develop your leadership skills. See full description Register	60	03 Feb 2018
MA Ed dissertation: leadership and management (EE813) This is a 12,000 word dissertation or professional project and the final module in the MA/MEd leadership and management study route. See full description	60	No current presentation

Compulsory modules

Credits

Next start

Educational leadership: exploring strategy (EE812)

This module explores current thinking on educational leadership and its research evidence. Through effective integration of theory and practice it will develop your leadership skills.

See full description

03 Feb 2018

MA Ed dissertation: leadership and management (EE813)

This is a 12,000 word dissertation or professional project and the final module in the MA/MEd leadership and management study route.

See full description

No current presentation

You should note that the University’s unique study rule applies to this qualification. This means that you must include at least 60 credits from OU modules that have not been counted in any other OU qualification that has previously been awarded to you.

The modules quoted in this description are currently available for study. However, as we review the curriculum on a regular basis, the exact selection may change over time.

Learning outcomes, teaching and assessment

The learning outcomes of this qualification are described in four areas:

Knowledge and understanding
Cognitive skills
Practical and professional skills
Key skills

Credit transfer

If you’ve successfully completed some relevant postgraduate study elsewhere, you might be able to count it towards Stage 1 of this qualification, by applying for credit transfer, reducing the number of modules you need to study. Credit transfer will impact the time you have to complete this qualification, and the six year time limit will start from the time your credit transfer was completed. So, for example, if you use credit transfer that you were awarded two years ago, you would need to complete the remaining 120 credits in four years.

We particularly welcome credit from those who hold a Cambridge Diploma in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (Delta) (course entry from September 2008) or the Trinity College London Licentiate Diploma in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (LTCL Diploma in TESOL) (course entry from March 2007). Credit from these diplomas may be counted towards Stage 1 of our MA in Education (Applied Linguistics)/MEd (Applied Linguistics).

You should apply for credit transfer as soon as possible, before you register for your first module. For more details and an application form, visit our Credit Transfer website.

On completion

On successful completion of the required modules you can be awarded a Master of Arts in Education or Master of Education entitling you to use the letters MA Ed (Open) or MEd (Open) after your name.

If you have successfully studied specific combinations of modules you can be awarded a MA in Education (Applied Linguistics) or MEd (Applied Linguistics), MA in Education (Leadership and Management) or MEd (Leadership and Management), MA in Education (Inclusive Practice) or MEd (Inclusive Practice). You will have the opportunity of being presented at a degree ceremony.

On successful completion of a Stage 1 module (60 credits of study) you will be able to claim a Postgraduate Certificate in Professional Studies in Education (K27). On successful completion of both a Stage 1 and Stage 2 module (120 credits of study) you will be able to claim a Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Studies in Education (E88).

Recognition in your country

If you intend to use your Open University qualifications to seek work or undertake further study outside the UK, we recommend checking whether your intended qualification will meet local requirements for your chosen career. Read recognition in my country.

Regulations

As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the qualification-specific regulations below and the academic regulations that are available on our Essential Documents website.

Masters degree in Education

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.

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 be encouraged to relate the content of the modules to your own experiences therefore you will need access to an educational setting either through employment or other means such as volunteering and special arrangements for purposes of your study. Apart from schools and colleges, other organisations providing educational services – such as nursing education, youth, play, or early years work – could provide suitable settings to apply your learning and later carry out your dissertation. The various activities embedded in the study guide 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 2 years, the maximum time to complete is 6 years. Most students study this qualification in 3 years. Please note that if you started the Applied Linguistics route in October 2015, the minimum time for completion is 3 years.

Career relevance

Throughout the world there is an increasing demand for creative, innovative education professionals who have highly developed skills and a deep understanding of learning; in many countries a masters degree is becoming essential for career advancement in education and training settings.

This qualification is designed to enrich your knowledge and improve your professional practice. On completing your studies, you should be able to:

demonstrate self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems at a professional or equivalent level
reflect critically and constructively, in the light of ideas and frameworks presented in the modules and how these apply to your practice and organisational context.

You will also acquire qualities and transferable skills that are highly prized by employers within education and related fields, such as:

exercising initiative and personal responsibility
the ability to make decisions in complex and unpredictable situations
the ability to draw on appropriate research and ethical understanding
the production of reports/outputs for academic and professional purposes.

Please note that this masters degree does not qualify you for teacher registration in any country.

There is more information about how OU study can improve your employability in the OU’s Employability Statement from our Careers Advisory Service. You can also look at our OU study and your career pages to find out about potential career opportunities related to OU subject areas.

Masters degree in Education

Masters degree

Course details

Suggested routes to the degree

Modules

To gain this qualification, you need 180 credits as follows:

Stage 1

Stages 2 and 3

Learning outcomes, teaching and assessment

Credit transfer

On completion

Recognition in your country

Regulations

Entry requirements

How long it takes

Career relevance

Bachelor degrees

Masters degrees

Degree subjects

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The Open University

Course details

Suggested routes to the degree

Modules

To gain this qualification, you need 180 credits as follows:

Stage 1

Stages 2 and 3

Learning outcomes, teaching and assessment

Credit transfer

On completion

Recognition in your country

Regulations

Entry requirements

How long it takes

Career relevance

Bachelor degrees

Masters degrees

Degree subjects

Change language

Connect with us

Grundständige Studiengänge

Masterstudiengange

Grad

Sprache ändern

Connect with us

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