Course details
Modules
To gain this qualification, you need 180 credits as follows:
You’ll choose ONE of four specialisms:
- applied linguistics
- inclusive practice
- leadership and management
- learning and teaching
And study one 60-credit module at each stage:
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.
Applied linguistics
180 credits from:
| Module |
Credits |
Next start |
| Stage 1 |
- Applied linguistics and English language (EE817) 1
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 |
| Stage 2 |
- 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
|
60 |
No current presentation |
| Stage 3 |
- MA Ed dissertation: applied linguistics (EE819)
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 |
| 1We strongly recommend you study this module if you intend to choose this specialism; however, you may choose any stage 1 module or count the discontinued module E805, E854, E855, E891, EE880, EXA884, EXC884, EXG884, EXL884, EXM884, EXN884 or EXP884. |
Inclusive practice
180 credits from:
| Module |
Credits |
Next start |
| Stage 1 |
- Addressing inequality and difference in educational practice (EE814) 1
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 |
| Stage 2 |
- 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
|
60 |
No current presentation |
| Stage 3 |
- Masters multi-disciplinary dissertation: education, childhood and youth (E822) NEW
Conduct an enquiry into an education, childhood or youth topic of personal and professional interest to complete your MA.
See full description
|
60 |
No current presentation |
| 1We strongly recommend you study this module if you intend to choose this specialism; however, you may choose any stage 1 module or count the discontinued module E805, E854, E855, E891, EE880, EXA884, EXC884, EXG884, EXL884, EXM884, EXN884 or EXP884. |
Leadership and management
180 credits from:
| Module |
Credits |
Next start |
| Stage 1 |
- Educational leadership: agency, professional learning and change (EE811) 1
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 |
| Stage 2 |
- 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
|
60 |
No current presentation |
| Stage 3 |
- Masters multi-disciplinary dissertation: education, childhood and youth (E822) NEW
Conduct an enquiry into an education, childhood or youth topic of personal and professional interest to complete your MA.
See full description
|
60 |
No current presentation |
| 1We strongly recommend you study this module if you intend to choose this specialism; however, you may choose any stage 1 module or count the discontinued module E805, E854, E855, E891, EE880, EXA884, EXC884, EXG884, EXL884, EXM884, EXN884 or EXP884. |
Learning and teaching
180 credits from:
| Module |
Credits |
Next start |
| Stage 1 |
- Learning and teaching: educating the next generation (EE830) 1
This Masters module will challenge you to think through the purposes of education and how it can be made fit for the future.
See full description
|
60 |
No current presentation |
| Stage 2 |
- Learning and teaching: understanding practice (EE831)
This module focuses on the fundamental concepts of learning, pedagogy, and assessment and explores them from the perspectives of learners, teachers and whole school issues.
See full description
|
60 |
No current presentation |
| Stage 3 |
- Masters multi-disciplinary dissertation: education, childhood and youth (E822) NEW
Conduct an enquiry into an education, childhood or youth topic of personal and professional interest to complete your MA.
See full description
|
60 |
No current presentation |
| 1We strongly recommend you study this module if you intend to choose this specialism; however, you may choose any stage 1 module or count the discontinued module E805, E854, E855, E891, EE880, EXA884, EXC884, EXG884, EXL884, EXM884, EXN884 or EXP884. |
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.
We regularly review our curriculum; therefore, the qualification described on this page – including its availability, its structure, and available modules – may change over time. If we make changes to this qualification, we’ll update this page as soon as possible. Once you’ve registered or are studying this qualification, where practicable, we’ll inform you in good time of any upcoming changes. If you’d like to know more about the circumstances in which the University might make changes to the curriculum, see our Academic Regulations or contact us. This description was last updated on 17 March 2020.
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 MAEd (Open) or MEd (Open) after your name.
If you have successfully studied specific combinations of modules you can be awarded:
- MA in Education (Applied Linguistics) or MEd (Applied Linguistics)
- MA in Education (Leadership and Management) or MEd (Leadership and Management)
- MA in Education (Learning and Teaching) or MEd (Learning and Teaching)
- 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 Student Policies and Regulations website.
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.
Careers and Employability Services have more information on how OU study can improve your employability.