September 2023

Education MA

Postgraduate, Master's Degree, Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma, September 2023

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Newman’s masters-level provision is specifically for educational professionals, teachers, lecturers and others working in educational settings in support roles in recognition of the importance of sustained professional development.

Our Masters provision will be run online.

We offer an MA in Education and also specialist named awards:

  • Education MA Learning and Teaching
  • Education MA Leadership and Management
  • Education MA Inclusion and Special Educational Needs and Disability
  • Education MA Early Childhood Education and Care
  • Education MA Mentoring and Coaching
  • Education MA Safeguarding
  • Education MA Higher Education
  • Education MA Social Justice (January 2024 entry)

All the above have a separate stand alone PG Cert named award.

Email ma-education@newman.ac.uk for more information.

Newman offers you the opportunity to enhance your professional knowledge, understanding and skills by developing and implementing systematic professional enquiry and research.

You can also expect to further develop your knowledge, understanding, and skills in curriculum development. The course promotes critical engagement in a range of contemporary issues pertinent to specific interests and needs and you are encouraged to explore your own personal and professional interests and expertise. If you wish to progress your studies even further then the course provides an appropriate academic platform for progression to PhD/EdD study.

The MA Education is mainly delivered online.

MA Education Full Time (1 – 1.5 years)

Year 1: 120 credits

Year 2: 60 credits (dissertation)

 

MA Education Part Time (2 or 3 years)

Year 1: 60 credits

Year 2: 60 credits

Year 3: 60 credits (dissertation)

You will experience a range of work-based assessment formats including portfolios, presentations, written reports and essays, work-based studies and practical tasks. The course will recognise your needs as a learner and develop independent study skills that are transferable to a range of learning situations and assessment tasks.

You will have access to all facilities at Newman including the library, which stocks a wide range of books, journals and e-books. Previous level 7 masters credits may be transferred (free-of-charge) through the accreditation of prior certificated learning (RPCL). Also, you can gain credits for other sustained CPD programmes you have undertaken, such as National College Programmes, by writing up your reflections against the assessment criteria for a comparable module via the accreditation of prior experiential learning (RPEL).

For further information regarding a Postgraduate Loan (PGL) for Master’s study click here

Newman University is located in Britain’s second city – Birmingham. With one of the youngest city populations in Europe, it is a vibrant and dynamic place to study.

Studying at Newman University, you have the advantage of being near to the city, but living in, or commuting to peaceful and comfortable surroundings on campus.

Dining out

Birmingham has lots of wonderful places to dine out with a range of different cuisines. Places where you can dine out include; Brindley Place, Mailbox and Hagley Road (just 10 minutes’ from Newman).

Entertainment

Whether you like to go to; the theatre, gigs or clubs, or enjoy: sports, shopping visiting art galleries or exhibitions – Birmingham will not disappoint and you will be spoilt for choice!

Location

Getting around Birmingham is easy via train, bus or by car. Birmingham has excellent transport links to the rest of Britain, making it easy for those weekend getaways!

Why not explore the city for yourself by visiting one of our Open Days?

Want to find out more about Birmingham? Then take a look at some Birmingham City Secrets.

Ask Us A Question

Clearing 2023

Call our Clearing hotline now to see if we can offer you a place to start this September. 

If on results day you wish to re-consider your choice and want to choose Newman University, you can apply to us over the phone (+44 121 476 1181) , on LiveChat or through Whatsapp.

You can also join us on Saturday 19th August for an Open Day to look around the facilities and talk with subject and support staff. No need to book, simply turn up.

 

 

Find out more

Entry Requirements

An Honours degree in a relevant subject area from a UK university or an overseas university agreed by NARIC as equivalent and subject to IELTS and EU requirements. Consideration will be given to students with lower level qualifications who have a relevant range of professional experience. Professional experience that equates to degree level will be considered by the Programme Leader.

Students may also transfer up to 90 level 7 credits via the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process.

Apply Direct for January 2024

 

Course Fees

The full-time and part-time course fee for 2023/24 is £6,300. All part-time masters courses are payable in the first two years of study, unless otherwise stated.

 

1.5 year full time route = 1 full payment

2 year part-time route = 2 equal payments

3 year part-time route = 2 equal payments 

 Any additional year e.g., for dissertation, is charged at half of a module rate for that year

 

Alumni discounts are available to students who have completed a full UG or PGCE with Newman. For non-Newman graduates, a 10% discount is offered to those enrolling onto a full masters degree programme and who are currently employed by a Newman University partnership school.

Postgraduate Loans

You can apply for a postgraduate loan of up to £11,222, when enrolling on a full Master’s degree (180 credits), to use as a contribution to the cost of studying and living expenses.

For further information visit the postgraduate loans website.

Modules

If you choose two of the three modules in the same academic discipline, your MA qualification will have the named award matching that field of study. If you do not wish to follow a named award pathway, your qualification will be MA Education. 

Some modules are compulsory, depending on the named award you choose. Your lecturer will advise you about this when you apply.

Please be aware that, as with any course, there may be changes to the modules delivered, for information view our Changes to Programmes of Module Changes page.

Timetables: find out when information is available to students

Below is an example of modules you could choose from during your studies.

  1. This module will provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate a critical understanding of the principles underpinning effective research designs in education and the social sciences at master’s level. Beginning with a reflective approach to their own ontological and epistemological positioning in relation to both their research design and established research paradigms, students will explore issues of research methodology, ethics and understanding in relation to a chosen field, to enhance and inform professional and/ or academic practice. Students will relate their chosen issue critically to current literature and need to critically analyse the validity, reliability and appropriateness of their research processes. Students will design a research project, which will include a framework for the collection and analysis/interpretation of primary data.
  2. The Dissertation module provides students with the opportunity to demonstrate a systematic understanding of research, and a critical awareness of current problems in professional practices, by designing and undertaking a small-scale research study.  Following ethical approval and justification of research methodology and methods, students will normally collect, analyse and interpret primary data and reflect on the ethical implications of their research. However, alternatively, students may develop a. systematic understanding of knowledge by undertaking a non-empirical study in consultation with their supervisor.
  3. The focus of this module is to offer students the opportunity to compare definitions of coaching and mentoring within an educational setting. Students will show evidence of developing their critical reflection on professional practice and the impact of educational theory and research on professional development. Students will be expected to demonstrate in their assignment, evidence of skills development in relation to educational research and professional development. This module will guide students to reflect, consolidate and enhance their coaching and mentoring skills further. Students will be expected to offer critical reflection on their personal experiences and develop their critical stance which is underpinned by a theoretical debate. The module requires students to reflect critically on theory and practice from an ethical and professional standpoint, explore the implications for professional practice, and ultimately provide opportunities for applied learning and continuous professional development.
  4. The focus of this module is to explore approaches to leadership and management, and the skills and qualities required to lead and manage a range of individual and professional groups within an educational setting. Current research, statutory requirements, legislation and policy will be drawn from in relation to leadership and management. Students will critically reflect on and evaluate the impact of different approaches to leadership and management, and models of leadership. Students will also be introduced to Appreciative Inquiry as a potential organizational development method to support leadership and management practice.
  5. This module examines the key characteristics of change management in educational settings. It considers those factors that affect change at the micro, mezzo and macro level of organisational endeavour, including personal, inter-personal organisational and strategic concerns. The module is underpinned by an analysis of common concepts in the evaluation of change management, including: complexity, capacity building, professional capital, professional learning communities, renewal, sustainability, leadership, and enquiry.
  6. This module encourages Students to make use of specialist information, texts, research and/ or practice relating to learning, teaching and assessment, and to critically analyse and reflect on theory in relation to their own practice and context.
  7. The thematic and analytical focus of this module is the impact of the digital media and new information and communication technologies upon culture, notions of identity and education / learning. Students will explore how new technologies, particularly web 2.0 tools, have impacted on learning and teaching, and how comfortably digital media sits within education. Students will be introduced to the perspective that the spread of the new IC technologies is the source of some profound cultural changes that have massive implications for both socialisation and educational processes. Students will also be expected to demonstrate that they can use the new technologies in their own creative educative production, in critiquing their use in the learning and teaching process.
  8. This module offers students the opportunity to explore the concepts of inclusion and special educational needs and disability and to critically engage with the debates surrounding the inclusion ‘agenda.’ They will gain a critical understanding of how SEND can affect pupils’ participation and learning and can cause barriers to learning that can lead to underachievement. They will explore strategies to promote a whole school culture of high expectations and best practice in teaching and learning to improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND.
  9. This module is designed to provide students with the opportunity to appreciate and develop the personal and professional qualities and leadership skills they need to promote inclusive practice and support the interests and needs of children, young people and pupils with SEND and disabilities. Students will be encouraged to critically reflect on the role of the SENCO and to critically evaluate their practice in the aspects of multi-agency working, meeting statutory responsibilities and deploying resources and systems to improve outcomes for pupils with a range of SEND and their families.
  10. This module aims to allow students to focus on the child development subject area in greater depth than they encountered in their previous courses or experiences. It will enable students to become more specialised in child development and allow them to apply their knowledge in practice. This module will allow students to advance their skills in observation and assessment of child development, supporting their planning of children’s next steps. Students will be encouraged to use the Statutory Framework (EYFS, DfE 2017) in a critical way.  Although the module will cover areas of development such as Language, Cognition, Physical and Personal, Social and Emotional, a holistic approach will be prominent throughout. The importance of safeguarding, particularly around safeguarding babies and young children will also be included within the module. Theories and current research around child development will be critically explored and applied to practical situations.
  11. This module will enable students to develop a critical understanding of children’s learning and development in relation to the role of the pedagogue. It will facilitate a critical awareness and understanding of what promotes effective practice and pedagogy in early childhood, making links to international comparisons as well as focusing on the role of leadership in developing practice. This module will also include reference to theory, research and, where appropriate, practice. There will be opportunities to examine current thinking and research in early childhood, encouraging students to analyse and critically evaluate links between personal principles, early childhood theory, and where appropriate, their developing practice.  Students will embark on a process of critical analysis and evaluation to enhance the quality of provision for young children and their families.
  12. This module encourages students to make use of specialist information, texts, research and/ or practice to substantiate arguments relating to the chosen issue and to critically analyse and reflect on theory within the area.
  13. This module encourages students to make use of specialist information, texts, research and/ or practice to substantiate arguments relating to the chosen issue and to critically analyse and reflect on theory within the area.
  14. The module encourages Students to make use of specialist information, texts, research and/ or practice to substantiate arguments and to critically analyse and reflect on theory within the chosen area. Students will also demonstrate an appropriate understanding of professional research and ethical issues. Students will undertake a self-directed study within the chosen specialist area and be encouraged to engage in professional discussion and collaborative dissemination of information. Following gaining ethical approval, students will undertake a small-scale, research project, which will normally include the collection and analysis of primary data. However, students may undertake a non-empirical study in close consultation with their tutor.