September 2025

Master of Arts in Education

September 2025

Birmingham Newman’s MA Education is designed for educational practitioners, policy makers and those beginning their journey in educational research and evaluation. The programme has two distinct routes: a part-time, online route, studied in the evenings typically over 3 years, or a full-time on-campus route, studied in the daytime over 1 year.

It offers an inspiring programme designed to develop your understanding of contemporary educational issues, practice and policy.

Our programme will build your knowledge and skills and empower you to confidently undertake relevant research and evidence-based change in your own context.

We encourage you to think critically and draw on your own experience through a variety of learning opportunities and being part of a supportive community of educational practitioners and researchers.

By completing the Dissertation within an associated module/subject area the programme offers 3 named awards:

MA Education in Leadership and Management (online route only)

MA Education in Inclusive Practices

MA Education in Pedagogy and Practice

Birmingham Newman University’s MA Education provides a comprehensive and positive learning experience responsive to individual needs, interests, and enables collective reflection and analysis.

You’ll receive support through a range of teaching, varied assessment strategies and digital learning resources. Experienced, and research active, tutors provide tailored guidance that match your aspirations and circumstances, with a focus on inclusion, diverse learning environments and social justice.

We facilitate self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems, and the ability to act autonomously in designing, planning, implementing and critically analysing and evaluating at master’s level.

We encourage students to develop academic curiosity, providing opportunities for students to continue on to doctoral level study.

  • A varied range of modules that include; Pedagogy and Practice, Inclusive Practices, Educational Leadership, Critiquing Education, Coaching and Mentoring Theory and Practice, Critical Perspectives on Childhood and Youth, Social Justice in Practice and Contemporary Issues in Safeguarding and Vulnerability
  • Flexible delivery modes to suit various learner needs and preferences.
  • Assessments designed to develop communication skills in multiple formats.
  • Assessment options that allow students to choose their focus and preferred formats.
  • A strong emphasis on social justice and the transformative power of education.
  • A diverse student body with a wide range of professional and theoretical experiences.
  • Opportunities to engage in and share research through activities such as conferences, journals, and events organised by the Education and Childhood Research Centre.
  • Specialist awards that recognise the practice, research, and expertise of students and alumni.
  • Robust interpersonal support.

There will be arrange of assessments across the programme that include; essays, critical reflections, presentations, posters, reflective portfolio and dissertation or project.

Learning and teaching practices include informal feedback and formative assessments within and across modules. This approach allows students to practice skills and build confidence as Level 7 students, meeting the required academic criteria while assimilating knowledge and insights from peer and tutor feedback. Collaborative and independent tasks, set as preparation for specific sessions, will be developed within sessions to provide feedback for student understanding.

Additional support in writing skills will be available through group and one-to-one tutorials, as well as workshops led by tutors and our student success service. These sessions will cover aspects of Level 7 writing, particularly critical analysis, synthesis, and avoiding plagiarism. They will also help students understand the ethical and appropriate use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools.

The MA Education programme at Birmingham Newman University is highly regarded throughout Birmingham and the West Midlands. We have an excellent track record of student employment following course completion, with many alumni securing positions in school improvement, educational leadership and practice, doctoral study, inclusion and social justice, and policy development.

Entry Requirements

UK students

A degree from a UK university

International students

An overseas university degree agreed by UK-ENIC (formerly NARIC) as equivalent and;
An IELTS academic overall score of 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each component, or equivalent approved English Language test

Some examples of equivalent approved English tests are:

  • Cambridge English C1 or C2
  • Pearson Test of English (PTE) academic
  • TOEFL
  • Trinity ISE II or III or IV

Students joining from one of the countries identified by the government as not being required to prove their knowledge of the English language , will not be required to gain an IELTS score of 6.5, but the degree must still be regarded as equivalent by UK-ENIC.

At the discretion of the programme leader, consideration could be given to applicants who do not have a degree. However, the applicant must demonstrate all the following:

  • Level 3 recognised qualifications with transcripts to indicate length of study and modules completed
  • Level 4 recognised qualifications with transcripts showing all modules passed, and 120 credits in total
  • Level 5 recognised qualifications with transcripts showing all modules passed, and 120 credits in total
  • Level 6 recognised qualifications with transcripts showing all modules passed, and 120 credits in total
    OR
  • Level 6 recognised qualifications with transcripts showing modules passed (60 credits) and portfolio of evidence to apply for *RPeL for additional 60 credits equivalent.
    *RPeL process depends on approved evidence presented in the portfolio and comes with an additional RPeL fee charge

Recognition of Prior Certified Learning (RPcL) and Prior Experiential Learning (RPeL)

Applicants wishing to apply to transfer credits under either the RPcL or RPeL process should submit an application as soon as an offer is accepted.

RPeL and RPcL guidance and application form

*A PG loan cannot be claimed when transferring credits through either the RPcL or RPeL process.

Course Fees

MA Education Full Time on campus route

UK Students

  • Costs: £8,850 = £1,475 per 30 credit module

Payment Plan Options

  • Full Time route: Either 3 equal payments to coincide with a Postgraduate loan or 6 equal monthly payments.

International students

  • Published fees £13,500
  • Scholarship (automatic) £2,500
  • Scholarship enhanced £3,000
  • Net Fees £8,000

MA Education Part Time online route

UK

  • Costs: £8,850 = £1,475 per 30 credit module

Payment Plan Options

  • Part time routes:  All fees to be paid within 2 years, with 50% of the fees being due in year one, and the remaining 50% in year two.   Either 3 equal payments to coincide with a Postgraduate loan or 6 equal monthly payments per year.

International Students

  • Costs: £8,850 = £1,475 per 30 credit module

Payments:

50% before enrolment to year one with the remaining 50% before enrolling onto year two.

Additional Costs

  • RPeL, as appropriate

Postgraduate loans

Postgraduate loans are available, please see guidance on the UK.Gov website , applicants should bear in mind that they can not apply for a postgraduate loan and transfer credits via either the RPeL or  RPcL processes.

Modules

Students taking the on-campus full-time route will take modules in: Critiquing Education, Pedagogy and Practice, Inclusive Practices, Research Design: Methods and Methodologies and undertake a Dissertation / Research project. For example, students beginning in September 2025 will study Critiquing Education and Pedagogy and Practice in their first Semester. Students beginning in January 2026 will study Inclusive Practices and Research Design and Methods in their first semester (alongside students who began in September). All students will complete their dissertations in their third semester.

Students taking the online part-time route take one or two modules per semester from: Educational Leadership, Critical Perspectives on Childhood and Youth, Contemporary issues in Safeguarding and Vulnerability Research Design: Methods and Methodologies in Semester 1, Inclusive Practices, Pedagogy and Practice, Social Justice in Practice, Research Design: Methods and Methodologies, Coaching and Mentoring

Theory and Practice in Semester 2, Dissertation / Research Project (60 credits) in Semester 3. For example, a student with no prior credits, studying part-time for an MA Education online over two years, beginning in September 2025 will choose one 30 credits module from the options listed below in each semester in 2025/6 and again in 2026/7 completing their dissertation for September 2027.

  1. On-campus route
  2. On-campus route
  3. Online route (can be taken in Semester 1 or Semester 2)
  1. On-campus route
  2. On-campus route
  3. Online route (can be taken in Semester 1 or Semester 2)

Additional Information

Contact for admissions enquiries:
Tel: 0121 476 1181 (Ext. 2386)
Email: admissions@newman.ac.uk

Academic contact for course specific enquiries:

Sandra Cable

s.cable@staff.newman.ac.uk