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MA EDUCATION (RESEARCH METHODS)

  • Year of entry
    2022/23
  • Course duration
    Full Time:  12 months
    Other: Part-time: currently up to 63 months
  • Year of entry
    2022/23
  • Course duration
    Full Time:  12 months
    Other: Part-time: currently up to 63 months
View all

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Start date: September 2022 (full-time or part-time)

Examine advanced quantitative and qualitative research methods in the context of broader education-related topics, with our MA Education (Research Methods).

We are one of the leading providers of teacher training in the UK, and are ranked 12th in the UK for Education in the Guardian University Guide, 2020.

In this programme, you will develop your understanding of educational studies and academic skills, whilst also acquiring knowledge and skills in research methods, including statistics, qualitive and mixed methods.

Offered on a full-time and part-time basis, this course is designed to meet the needs of busy professionals and to reflect your own interests. 

This programme is ideal training for an aspiring education researcher, and provides the perfect background to anyone considering doctoral study in education. The course is underpinned by up-to-date research evidence and it examines the broader philosophical, sociological and psychological aspects and issues related to teaching and learning.

The Research Methods pathway will develop your knowledge of data collection and analysis across a range of research methods in education. You will review and appraise current trends and scholarship in education, develop analytical tools relating to education research, investigate research ethics, and learn to design research projects for a range of educational settings.

Alongside this, you can also choose modules from the wider MA Education programme, including:

  • expertise in teaching and classroom practice
  • early years and child development
  • inclusive education and special educational needs
  • leadership and management in education
  • mentoring
  • music education
  • sociology in education.

You will develop your research skills alongside internationally or nationally renowned tutors, whose research regularly has a direct impact on school curricula and learning techniques — both in the UK and abroad. As experts in their field, their research also directly informs the focus and content of your course, and you will benefit from the breadth of their expertise and backgrounds in educating and influencing policy.

This pathway is suitable for those planning to embark on doctoral study. It also meets the requirements for a research methods master's, allowing home students to apply for three years of doctoral funding from our SeNSS doctoral training partnership.

Facilities

The Institute of Education houses an incredible collection of teaching and research resources, called the Learning Hub. A treasure trove for teachers and researchers, the Learning Hub contains an extensive selection of teaching aids for loan or reference, from big books to puppets. A printing and binding facility, and technical equipment library are also available for your use.

Research

The quality of our research was recognised in the latest Research Excellence Framework 2014, the system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions, which placed the Institute of Education in the top quartile of education departments in the UK.

Over 80% of our research publications were rated as world leading or internationally excellent. The impact of our research on educational policy and practice in first and second language education was judged to be world leading.

Overview

Examine advanced quantitative and qualitative research methods in the context of broader education-related topics, with our MA Education (Research Methods).

We are one of the leading providers of teacher training in the UK, and are ranked 12th in the UK for Education in the Guardian University Guide, 2020.

In this programme, you will develop your understanding of educational studies and academic skills, whilst also acquiring knowledge and skills in research methods, including statistics, qualitive and mixed methods.

Offered on a full-time and part-time basis, this course is designed to meet the needs of busy professionals and to reflect your own interests. 

This programme is ideal training for an aspiring education researcher, and provides the perfect background to anyone considering doctoral study in education. The course is underpinned by up-to-date research evidence and it examines the broader philosophical, sociological and psychological aspects and issues related to teaching and learning.

The Research Methods pathway will develop your knowledge of data collection and analysis across a range of research methods in education. You will review and appraise current trends and scholarship in education, develop analytical tools relating to education research, investigate research ethics, and learn to design research projects for a range of educational settings.

Alongside this, you can also choose modules from the wider MA Education programme, including:

  • expertise in teaching and classroom practice
  • early years and child development
  • inclusive education and special educational needs
  • leadership and management in education
  • mentoring
  • music education
  • sociology in education.

You will develop your research skills alongside internationally or nationally renowned tutors, whose research regularly has a direct impact on school curricula and learning techniques — both in the UK and abroad. As experts in their field, their research also directly informs the focus and content of your course, and you will benefit from the breadth of their expertise and backgrounds in educating and influencing policy.

This pathway is suitable for those planning to embark on doctoral study. It also meets the requirements for a research methods master's, allowing home students to apply for three years of doctoral funding from our SeNSS doctoral training partnership.

Facilities

The Institute of Education houses an incredible collection of teaching and research resources, called the Learning Hub. A treasure trove for teachers and researchers, the Learning Hub contains an extensive selection of teaching aids for loan or reference, from big books to puppets. A printing and binding facility, and technical equipment library are also available for your use.

Research

The quality of our research was recognised in the latest Research Excellence Framework 2014, the system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions, which placed the Institute of Education in the top quartile of education departments in the UK.

Over 80% of our research publications were rated as world leading or internationally excellent. The impact of our research on educational policy and practice in first and second language education was judged to be world leading.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for 2022 entry have not yet been confirmed. Entry requirements for 2021 entry were:

IELTS: 6.5 overall with no element less than 6.0 (or equivalent) 

​Entry requirements: Normally a good undergraduate honours degree (2:1 or above), or equivalent from a university outside the UK, and a professional background in education/training – ideally at least two years' experience of teaching/training. In exceptional cases, a candidate with a slightly lower degree qualification may be allowed to present additional teaching experience to support their application. If you wish to take a specialist pathway, you may also need to demonstrate additional subject knowledge and qualifications.

Due to the popularity of this programme and the importance of teaching at the start of term, applications must be received by 01 August 2021 for entry in September 2021. Applications received after this date will only be considered for the following year.

Structure

Sample modules:

  • Investigating Education 
  • Education Dissertation
  • Quantitative Research Methods in Education
  • Designing Qualitative and Mixed Methods Research in Education
  • Developing Expertise in Teaching
  • Child Development and Education
  • Key Concepts in Educational Leadership and Management
  • Music Education

Please see our module guide for more information.

Please note that all modules are subject to change. Please see our modules disclaimer for more information.

Fees

New UK/Republic of Ireland students: £TBC (to be confirmed for 2022 entry) per year

New international students: £TBC (to be confirmed for 2022 entry) per year

Tuition fee information

Price per 10-credit module:

New UK/Republic of Ireland students: To be confirmed for 2022

New international students: To be confirmed for 2022

The fees listed are for full-time study, unless otherwise stated. Fee information will be confirmed in offer letters sent out to successful applicants. You can find further information, including information for part-time study, through our dedicated fees and funding page.

EU student fees

With effect from 1 August 2021, new EU students will pay international tuition fees. For exceptions, please read the UK government’s guidance for EU students.

Additional Costs

Some courses will require additional payments for field trips and extra resources. You will also need to budget for your accommodation and living costs. See our information on living costs for more details.

Financial support for your studies

You may be eligible for a scholarship or bursary to help pay for your study. Students from the UK may also be eligible for a student loan to help cover these costs. See our fees and funding information for more information on what's available.

Careers

Our master’s and professional programmes have allowed many teachers to gain promotion within their institutions.

A number of students also continue their studies on to EdD/PhD programmes to pursue a career in educational research.

Take the next step


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Related Courses

  • MA Education
    Full Time: 12 months | Part-time: currently up to 63 months
  • MA Education (Early Years)
    Full Time: 12 months | Part-time: currently up to 63 months
  • MA Education (Second Language Learning and Teaching)
    Full Time: 12 months | Part-time: currently up to 63 months
  • MA Education (Inclusive Education)
    Full Time: 12 months | Part-time: currently up to 63 months
  • MA Education (Leadership and Management)
    Full Time: 12 months | Part-time: currently up to 63 months
  • MA Education (Music Education)
    Full Time: 12 months | Part-time: currently up to 63 months
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  • Climate Science
  • Computer Science
  • Construction Management
  • Consumer Behaviour and Marketing
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  • International Foundation Programme (IFP)
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  • Pharmacy
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  • Physician Associate Studies
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Psychology
  • Real Estate and Planning
  • Spanish
  • Speech and Language Therapy
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Subjects U-Z

  • Wildlife Conservation
  • Zoology

Subjects A-C

  • Agriculture
  • Ancient History
  • Animal Sciences
  • Archaeology
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Business (Post-Experience)
  • Business and Management (Pre-Experience)
  • Chemistry
  • Classics and Ancient History
  • Climate Science
  • Computer Science
  • Construction Management and Engineering
  • Consumer Behaviour
  • Creative Enterprise

Subjects D-G

  • Data Science
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Energy and Environmental Engineering
  • Engineering
  • English Language and Applied Linguistics
  • English Literature
  • Environmental Science
  • Film, Theatre and Television
  • Finance
  • Food and Nutritional Sciences
  • Geography and Environmental Science
  • Graphic Design

Subjects H-P

  • Healthcare
  • History
  • Information Management and Digital Business
  • Information Technology
  • International Development and Applied Economics
  • Languages and Cultures
  • Law
  • Linguistics
  • Management
  • Medieval History
  • Meteorology and Climate
  • Microbiology
  • Nutritional Sciences
  • Pharmacy
  • Philosophy
  • Physician Associate
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Project Management
  • Psychology
  • Public Policy

Subjects Q-Z

  • Real Estate and Planning
  • Social Policy
  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Strategic Studies
  • Teaching
  • Theatre
  • Typography and Graphic Communication
  • War and Peace Studies
  • Zoology

Subjects A-B

  • Agriculture
  • Ancient History
  • Animal Science
  • Anthropology
  • Archaeology
  • Architectural Engineering
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Building and Surveying
  • Business and Management, Accounting and Finance

Subjects C-E

  • Chemistry
  • Classics and Classical Studies
  • Climate Science
  • Computer Science
  • Construction Management
  • Consumer Behaviour and Marketing
  • Creative Writing
  • Drama
  • Ecology
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Engineering
  • English Language and Applied Linguistics
  • English Literature
  • Environment

Subjects F-G

  • Film & Television
  • Food and Nutritional Sciences
  • Foundation programmes
  • French
  • Geography
  • German
  • Graphic Communication and Design

Subjects H-M

  • Healthcare
  • History
  • International Development
  • International Foundation Programme (IFP)
  • International Relations
  • Italian
  • Languages and Cultures
  • Law
  • Linguistics
  • Marketing
  • Mathematics
  • Medical Sciences
  • Meteorology and Climate
  • Museum Studies

Subjects N-T

  • Nutrition
  • Pharmacology
  • Pharmacy
  • Philosophy
  • Physician Associate Studies
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Psychology
  • Real Estate and Planning
  • Spanish
  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Surveying and Construction
  • Teaching
  • Theatre

Subjects U-Z

  • Wildlife Conservation
  • Zoology

Subjects A-C

  • Agriculture
  • Ancient History
  • Animal Sciences
  • Archaeology
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Business (Post-Experience)
  • Business and Management (Pre-Experience)
  • Chemistry
  • Classics and Ancient History
  • Climate Science
  • Computer Science
  • Construction Management and Engineering
  • Consumer Behaviour
  • Creative Enterprise

Subjects D-G

  • Data Science
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Energy and Environmental Engineering
  • Engineering
  • English Language and Applied Linguistics
  • English Literature
  • Environmental Science
  • Film, Theatre and Television
  • Finance
  • Food and Nutritional Sciences
  • Geography and Environmental Science
  • Graphic Design

Subjects H-P

  • Healthcare
  • History
  • Information Management and Digital Business
  • Information Technology
  • International Development and Applied Economics
  • Languages and Cultures
  • Law
  • Linguistics
  • Management
  • Medieval History
  • Meteorology and Climate
  • Microbiology
  • Nutritional Sciences
  • Pharmacy
  • Philosophy
  • Physician Associate
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Project Management
  • Psychology
  • Public Policy

Subjects Q-Z

  • Real Estate and Planning
  • Social Policy
  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Strategic Studies
  • Teaching
  • Theatre
  • Typography and Graphic Communication
  • War and Peace Studies
  • Zoology

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