MA Education

Overview & facilities

This is a flexible, integrated course for educational practitioners to focus their scholarship, research and enquiry on developing more effective practice. Specialisms to choose from could include Teaching and Learning, Education Leadership and Management and Developing Professional Practice.

The course may be studied by individuals, or by a cohort of teachers (group) from a school, local authority or other agency.

Those registering on the course as an individual student would normally choose their modules from a list which broadly corresponds to the pathways mentioned above (see 'Content and Modules' tab). The modules may be available either online and/or on campus.

For those registering on the course as part of a group, the course pathway is developed by the University in partnership with schools, local authorities and other agencies, who may offer alternative module delivery at a convenient location.

All students will be enrolled on the MA course but may opt out at the Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma stage.

The course is designed so that assignments can be built into your working practice, and to maximise impact on standards of teaching, leadership and management in schools. All modules are based upon gaining knowledge of best practice through research and literature, implementing this and researching the effect or impact. You are encouraged to focus assignments on identified institutional and personal needs and to use practitioner action enquiry and reflective practice as a learning model.

Credit can be awarded for prior certificated learning, subject to conditions.

Further details are available at the Middlesex University Partnership for Professional Development website.

Programme leaflet

Content & modules

Assessment includes assignments, portfolios of evidence and action research projects. The learning process involves a combination of selective inputs, workshop activities, school based work, self-directed enquiries and research, and online learning. The modules can be undertaken at a distance from the University.

Modules

For students undertaking the programme as an 'individual' student, i.e. not part of a group, all students choose one of:

Developing Effective Teaching and Learning

This innovative module looks at student learning and ways to improve classroom practice. There are regular portfolio tasks plus an action enquiry. The module is delivered via blended learning via web resources and materials and learning conversations. There are also optional face-to-face sessions. You will explore the pedagogy, systems an structures of learning in the classroom, and investigate current research into learning in order to improve practice. You’ll reflect on your own practice and develop innovative approaches to learning.

Developing Effective Leadership and Management

The module is suitable for teachers and those working in educational organisations that have a formal or informal leadership role. You’ll develop effective leadership and management, and apply the leadership and management strategies you learn to an improvement project. 

Developing Effective Coaching and Mentoring in Education

This module enables you to become well grounded in coaching skills to use as a key leadership tool to support and develop colleagues, and build capacity within your organisation. You will develop theoretical understanding of mentoring and coaching models and apply these in your workplace, and develop and refine your personal mentoring-coaching skills with a focus on self-evaluation. The module is suitable for middle and senior leaders including headteachers, local authority advisers and consultants.

Developing Effective Foundation Stage Teaching and Learning

The module is suitable for you if you are working and teaching in early years and foundation stage settings and have three years’ experience. You’ll critically examine selected theory and practice of teaching and learning in early years education. You’ll develop and improve selected aspects of teaching and learning practice in order to improve educational outcomes, and experience professional development through practitioner action research. 

Developing Professional Practice

This module is suitable for anyone in education interested in developing practice. It provides high quality support, recognition and acknowledgement for teachers for you as your seek professional development and encourages you as a reflective practitioner and skilled self-managed learner. 

For students undertaking the programme as part of a group, you may, as agreed between your group leader and the University, choose one module from the list above, or:

Other specialist, subject or school-based modules as agreed with Middlesex University.

Subject specialist modules currently exist for Design and Technology, Global Dimension to the Curriculum, Physical education and Games, Primary Modern Foreign Languages, Foundation Stage, however generic module details may be adapted to meet other subject specialist requirements.

School-led modules are led by schools, focused upon their school priorities, and take place at the school. Some are open to teachers from other schools.

This is the step off point for the Postgraduate Certificate.

Postgraduate Diploma and MA students additionally take:

One of the modules above, or

Action Enquiry for Improvement

This generic action research module is designed for you to select your own practice-based project and use the research and enquiry model to develop your practice and provide evidence of impact. The syllabus includes the process of collaborative action enquiry, the use of action enquiry within school Improvement initiatives, planning action enquiry for improvement, and undertaking and sustaining an action enquiry for improvement. You’ll choose the focus of your enquiry based upon your own and institutional needs for improvement.

This is the step off point for the Postgraduate Diploma.

MA Students additionally complete:

Dissertation or independent school-based research project.

You will develop mastery of complex and specialised area knowledge and demonstrate critical and analytical reference to your own field of criticism and enquiry. You will be required to plan and conduct small-scale research, preparation phase, and research methods. You will create a literature review and select the appropriate research methods and methodology to apply. You will demonstrate expertise in conducting specialised and advanced skills of research, presentations, interpretation and analysis. You will display the ability to bring research ideas, enquiry and analysis into synthesis in written dissertation. You will accept accountability for related decision-making including use of supervision.

Programme specification

Entry & applying

Normally a first degree and working in Education. All programmes are in English language for instructions and assessment.

International entry requirements

We accept the equivalent of the above from a recognised overseas university, to find out more about the requirements from your country, see further information under support in your country.

English language requirements

You must have competence in English language and we normally require Grade C GCSE or an equivalent qualification. The most common English Language requirements for international students are IELTS 6.5 (with minimum 6.0 in all four components) or TOEFL paper based 575 (no less than 4.5 in test of written English) or TOEFL internet based 90 (with no less than 19 in each component) Middlesex also offers an Intensive Academic English course (Pre-Sessional) that ranges from 5-17 weeks, depending on your level of English. Successful completion of this course would meet English language entry requirements. For more information on applying for the pre-sessional please email english@mdx.ac.uk. For details of other equivalent English language requirements that Middlesex accepts see international entry requirements.

How to Apply

Please apply directly to the university for this course using the attached application form.
Joanna Sifonios
Programme Administrator
Email: J.Sifonios@mdx.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)20 8411 6587

Fees & funding

The fee per 60 credit module for new MA Education students with Qualified Teacher status in England (QTS) is £840. This fee is only applicable up to and including May 2012 entry.

The fee per 60 credit module for new MA Education students from the UK/EU without QTS is £1860 .Non-QTS - UK/EU £1860. This fee is only applicable up to and including May 2012 entry.

The fee per 60 credit module for new MA Education students from outside the UK/EU, and without QTS, is £2340. This fee is only applicable up to and including May 2012 entry.

Careers & placements

The course is designed to enable participants to enhance their career development. Many participants gain promotions. Others use evidence collected from the assignments as evidences for threshold and AST applications. Participants report a close connection between what they have studied and how their practice has improved.