The published course and module descriptions were accurate when first published and remain the basis of the course, but the University has had to modify some course and module content in response to government restrictions and social distancing requirements. In the event of changes made to the government advice and social distancing rules by national or local government, the University may need to make further alterations to the published course content. Detailed information on the changes will be sent to every student on confirmation in August to ensure you have all the information before you come to Oxford Brookes.
Education
MA
Key facts
Start dates
September 2021 / September 2022
Course length
Full time: 12 months, Harcourt Hill Campus
Part time: Two / three years depending on your chosen trajectory - part-time on campus or distance learning
Department
Overview
Our MA Education course is ideal for those working in education across a range of contexts. And for those wishing to study and research in education.
Our flexible modular programme enables you to design your course according to your particular areas of interest. The course will draw on your intellectual and practice background; as well as providing you with opportunities to network with others.
You'll grow in professional knowledge and expertise. We will support you to improve and develop your professional organisation through:
- critical enquiry
- reflection
- the promotion of creative and innovative practice.
The School of Education is a focal point for stimulating and informed debate on education through a programme of seminars, lectures and school work. We work in close partnership in a range of educational settings and services. This means we can provide opportunities for placements as part of your studies. For example, carrying out commissioned work as part of your dissertation study.

How to apply
Entry requirements
Specific entry requirements
This MA course attracts students from a wide range of backgrounds and nationalities, who are graduates with a recognised teaching qualification, or other relevant educational experience.
Applicants normally have:
- a good honours degree
- QTS (Qualified Teacher Status), other equivalent professional qualification or relevant experience
Entry with credit
Credit can be made up of appropriate work completed outside the course, for example, M level credit from PGCE awards or Postgraduate Certificates in relevant educational courses.
Please also see the University's general entry requirements.
English language requirements
Candidates whose first language is not English should be able to demonstrate a satisfactory level of spoken and written English.
- IELTS level 6.5 or above with a minimum of 6.0 in reading and writing and 5.5 in speaking and listening.
Please also see the University's standard English language requirements.
English requirements for visas
If you need a student visa to enter the UK you will need to meet the UK Visas and Immigration minimum language requirements as well as the University's requirements. Find out more about English language requirements.
International applications
International students hold a conditional offer until payment of a deposit of £3,000 is received.
Pathways courses for international and EU students
We offer a range of courses to help you meet the entry requirements for your postgraduate course and also familiarise you with university life in the UK.
Take a Pre-Master's course to develop your subject knowledge, study skills and academic language level in preparation for your master's course.
If you need to improve your English language, we offer pre-sessional English language courses to help you meet the English language requirements of your chosen master’s course.
Terms and Conditions of Enrolment
When you accept our offer, you agree to the Terms and Conditions of Enrolment. You should therefore read those conditions before accepting the offer.
Application process
Tuition fees
Questions about fees?
Contact Student Finance on:
Tuition fees
Fees quoted are for the first year only. If you are studying a course that lasts longer than one year your fees will increase each year.
Financial support and scholarships
There are International Student Scholarships available for 2020 and other scholarships and funding options for postgraduate international students.
Additional costs
Please be aware that some courses will involve some additional costs that are not covered by your fees. Specific additional costs for this course, if any, are detailed below.
Learning and assessment
The MA Education follows a flexible modular programme. The 'open route' through this MA enables you to design your course according to your particular areas of interest.
You'll need to achieve 180 credits over the course of your studies. These include:
Compulsory modules (total 80 credits)
- Researching Methods (20 credits) will support your studies and prepare you for your dissertation
- Dissertation (60 credits).
Optional modules (total 100 credits)
You can choose five modules from the optional modules listed below.
Alternatively, six named routes give a specialist focus to the award as follows:

Study modules
Please note: As our courses are reviewed regularly as part of our quality assurance framework, the modules you can choose from may vary from that shown here. The structure of the course may also mean some modules are not available to you.
Learning and teaching
Teaching, learning and assessment draw on the different backgrounds, experience and knowledge of students. It also encourages critical reflection.
We use a range of teaching methods, including:
- lectures
- directed reading
- workshops
- discussion forums
- student and staff-led seminars
- project work.
Teaching is organised on a modular basis, each module involves approximately 24 hours of staff contact as follows:
- Part-time on campus – Modules are usually taught over eight weeks on Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays at 17:00 – 20:00.
- Full-time on campus – the main study day is Thursdays with students also joining part-time students in evening modules
- Distance learning - an MA Education can be achieved by part-time online learning through the use of our Moodle platform. For each module this usually requires about 12 hours a week plus time spent on assessment. The online route is usually taken part-time over 2 to 3 years.
Research
The School of Education is a thriving centre for educational research and teacher professional development. Students on master's level programmes therefore join a large research community comprising researchers at all levels of higher education study.
We hold two major research conferences each year - the School of Education Research Conference and the EdD Colloquium. All students are invited to attend our annual Research
Seminar Series (which attracts both internal and external speakers). We also organise a number of conferences, lectures, seminars and debates, some of which have an international reach.
The School's six research groups exist to encourage engagement in research, publication, conference presentations, seminars and workshops:
- Inclusion and Wellbeing
- Policy, Partnership and Leadership
- STEAM pedagogy and learning
- Humanistic Perspectives on Education
- Early Years
- Applied Linguistics

After you graduate
Career prospects
Completion of the course shows commitment to professional development and should lead to improved prospects for career progression.
Student profiles
Programme Changes: On rare occasions we may need to make changes to our course programmes after they have been published on the website.
For more information, please visit our Changes to programmes page.