| The award | How you will study | Study duration | Course start | Domestic course fees | International course fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MA | Full-time | 12 months | find out | find out | find out |
| MA | Part-time | 24 months | find out | find out | find out |
Our course provides you with social science research training and specialised education modules. You'll develop a critical understanding of research methods, educational issues, practice, evidence and theory. It is ideal preparation for doctoral research in education.
September 2021 entry– important application information
This course is only available if you’re applying through the Northern Ireland and North East Doctoral Training Partnership (NINE DTP). We are unable to accept applications from independent candidates. See here for NINE DTP application guidance information.
The course will enable you to relate debates and methodological principles in education research to broader issues in social science research and educational policy and practice.
It also provides you with opportunities to acquire the theoretical frameworks, knowledge, understanding, skills and aptitudes necessary to undertake advanced research in education.
You will be a member of the Research Centre for Learning and Teaching at Newcastle University (CfLaT). You are encouraged to contribute to our education research culture, participating in events such as seminars, research teas and project dissemination events.
We aim to produce graduates who can successfully proceed to research, education and teaching careers in Universities, the public sector, or the private sector.
The course is recognised by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) as the first training year for students wishing to go on to study for a PhD under their 1+3 arrangements (Master's degree plus PhD).
The School of Education, Communication and Language Sciences (ECLS) with the Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) are ESRC-accredited through our ESRC Northern Ireland/North East (NINE) Doctoral Training Partnership, one of the largest and most innovative centres of the ESRC's national network. These are centres of excellence for postgraduate social science scholarship, offering students a world-class, interdisciplinary environment for doctoral training and research.
Find out about our education research, and individual education staff and their current research interests, projects and publications. Staff in the education section work with staff in the the ESRC Northern Ireland/North East (NINE) Doctoral Training Partnership and HASS.
Delivery
The course structure combines compulsory and optional modules which help you to engage with and evaluate educational theory and research. You will also be taught how to prepare and carry out a research proposal. The optional module and the dissertation topic can be chosen to relate specifically to your professional situation.
A variety of forms of assessment are used, carefully chosen to reflect the form of training provided. There are written assignments of 4,500-5,000 words but other forms are used such as:
The dissertation is assessed through a thesis of 15,000 words maximum.
Module timetables are flexible. We repeat many taught sessions to allow for those with personal and professional commitments. You can choose from daytime and early evening (4-6pm) sessions as well as a combination of compulsory and optional modules.
Some of our students choose to study full time and some choose to complete study over two years part time. If you are concerned about fitting study around full time work commitments it is worth contacting us to find out how this might work for you.
The taught aspect of the course runs from the final week of September through to the end of March. After this, dissertation study is by tutorial arrangement between you and your supervisor. This can be face-to-face or remote, to allow you to continue your study at home, elsewhere in the UK or overseas.
Facilities
As a student in the School of Education, Communication and Language Sciences you'll have access to facilities and a growing collection of online resources, including:
See our course fees and funding webpage - http://www.ncl.ac.uk/postgraduate/courses/degrees/education-research-ma/#fees&funding
A 2:1 honours degree in a related subject and a real interest in education research. Related subjects include:
Some experience of teaching in a school, college, university or workplace is desirable but not essential.
We will consider applicants on an individual basis with lower or non-standard qualifications.
International Students
To study this course you need to meet our Band 4 English Language requirements:
Direct Entry: IELTS 6.5 overall (with 6.5 in writing and a minimum of 5.5 in all other sub-skills
If you have lower English Language scores, you may be accepted onto a pre-sessional English course.
Our typical English Language requirements are listed as IELTS scores but we also accept a wide range of English Language tests.
The equivalent academic qualifications that we accept are listed on our country pages.
Pre-sessional English Course Requirements
You can study a pre-sessional English course at our INTO Newcastle Centre.
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