EDUCATION
MA
Accredited by University College Birmingham
Award
MA
Duration
1 year FT / 18 months PT
Placement
Not compulsory - opportunities available
Entry
September 2025
Fees
View Fees
Master’s qualifications are highly regarded by employers and can be advantageous for job applications
In 2024-2025, 57% of jobs posts in education had level 7 as a qualifying factor
Are you currently working within the education sector or are you interested in education? Do you want to boost your career, qualifications and knowledge?
Our Education MA is designed to align with contemporary issues and movements within the education sector. Throughout your time on the course, you will develop a critical understanding of factors related to education which will challenge your perspectives.
Modules cover a wide range of subjects, including social justice and concepts such as inequality, gender, and socioeconomic status, and educational psychology, with a focus on theories of learning, approaches to behaviour and the role of cognition.
The variety of topics available provide depth of knowledge, alongside the analytical and research skills necessary to manage complex issues and oversight in educational organisations.
Why choose this course?
- ONE-TO-ONE SUPPORT – You will be allocated a personal tutor to support you through your studies on this course
- EXPERT TUITION – Study with industry professionals who are experts in their field and have a wide range of industry experience
- NO EXAMS - If you are not keen on exams, this course is for you. You will have no written exams during or at the end of the course and will be assessed through practical assessments and coursework only
- AWARD-WINNING UNIVERSITY – We were regional winners for student support, international and postgraduate in the Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2024, as voted for by students
- FLEXIBLE LEARNING – Blended delivery provides flexibility for you to weave your study around work commitments
Our facilities
Our state-of-the-art facilities, include spacious teaching and learning environments such as classrooms, lecture theatres and computer rooms. You will also have access to a range of independent learning spaces including our academic library, Thinkspace, learning pods and more.
Our £44 million Moss House campus includes an exhibition space to showcase your work to assessors and prospective employers, as well as our Enterprise Hive service which helps budding entrepreneurs with start-ups
Our campus buildings feature lecture theatres equipped with the latest technology, as well as comfortable tutorial and seminar rooms and private meeting rooms
Located in our McIntyre House campus, ThinkSpace features glazed study pods to discuss group projects and glass wipe boards to mind-map your ideas
Course Breakdown
Overview of the course
You will consider current challenges in education, and explore contemporary issues including gender and identity in education.
There will also be the opportunity to investigate education for sustainable development, teaching and learning in the media, and concepts in education linked to the digital world, inclusive practices, and present-day trends
Modules covering leadership are integral to this course, and include content related to the navigation of institutional complexities, alongside Special Educational Needs and inclusion, as you are equipped with knowledge on children’s rights, theory and legislation.
Your studies will be underpinned by research and further develop your skills in engaging with analytical educational research.
The modules listed above for this course are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up to date and informed by industry as well as the latest teaching methods. On occasion, we may need to make unexpected changes to modules – if this occurs, we will contact all offer holders as soon as possible.
Entry requirements
Education MA
Academic
- A grade classification of 2:2 is required, or international equivalent.
- A subject-related UK or International honours degree from a recognised institution.
Work-based
Relevant work experience will be considered if you do not hold a related degree. You may be asked for references detailing your role and responsibilities and a meeting with the programme team may be arranged to ensure your suitability prior to a place being offered.
Key information
Teaching and assessment
Note: Indicative information only – actual timetables and assessment regimes will be issued at your induction.
Teaching
TBC
Coursework/practical assessment
No written exams but a variety of assessment styles such as coursework and practical exams.
Our teaching and assessment is underpinned by our Teaching, Learning and Assessment Strategy 2021-2024.
Tuition fees for home students
If you are a home student enrolling on a bachelor's or foundation degree course at University College Birmingham, the 2024/2025 academic year tuition fee for full-time study is £9,250. For part-time study, the fee is £4,625.
In 2025/2026, the full-time fee will be £9,535 per year, while the part-time fee will be £4,767.50 per year.
Tuition fees for international students
If you are an international student (or have been fee assessed as an international fee payer) and are enrolling on a full-time bachelor's degree course in 2024/2025, the fee for the academic year will be £14,000. If you complete a placement year, there will be an administration fee of £500 for a full year or £250 for a half-year placement.
In 2025/26, the tuition fee for [Band 3] courses will be £19,750 per year.
Fee discount – it pays to stay with us
Undergraduate students progressing to postgraduate studies
For courses starting in 2025/26, University College Birmingham students who achieve a first class Honours degree will receive a 25% discount off their postgraduate fees. All other students will receive a 20% discount.
This applies to all alumni of University College Birmingham. No application is necessary. We will apply the discount at enrolment.
Unibuddy Community - meet other students on your course
Starting university is an exciting time, but we understand that it can sometimes feel a little daunting. To support you, you will be invited to join our Unibuddy Community, where you can meet other students who have applied for the same course at University College Birmingham, before you start studying here.
As soon as you have been made an offer, you will be sent an invitation email to complete your registration and join the Unibuddy Community. For more information, check out our Unibuddy Community page.
A career working in the education sector can be extremely rewarding. Each day presents a new opportunity to support individuals in a range of contexts. My MA provided me with a strong foundation to excel in my career in Higher Education after transitioning from several years as a primary school teacher and I truly value this aspect of my learning journey. The Education MA is specifically designed to build upon an undergraduate degree and to support individuals in developing level 7 knowledge and skills that can be applied to various educational contexts and support individual practice enhancement.
Career opportunities
Education consultant
Average Salary: £32,500
Director of education
Average Salary: £83,433
Ofsted inspector
Average Salary: £42,236
Further education teacher
Average Salary: £33,000
Higher education lecturer
Average salary: £35,211 – £43,367
Headteacher
Average Salary: £63,053
Alison's story
Alison has over a decade of experience in primary school settings, supporting learning and teaching and identifying children with additional support needs.
Meet your lecturers
