Professional master’s programmeeducation studiesInternational Education and Global Citizenship80
Professional master’s programmeAn opportunity to studyeducational issues in depth,the programme covers policy,practice and education theory withinan international context. Educationis much more than the study ofteaching - our programmes aredesigned to get you questioningthe assumptions that lie beneatheducational policy and practice.Course structure and contentBoth the Education Studies andInternational Education and GlobalCitizenship awards form part of theProfessional Master’s Programmewithin the School of Education andoffer a mixture of theory and practicewith professional development withina global and international context.Students come from a widerange of countries - from Cyprus, theGambia, the United States, Germany,Indonesia, China, Japan, and so on,as well as the United Kingdom. Theyalso come from many backgrounds.Some have educational studies as afirst degree while others have beenmarine biologists, musicians orexperts in fibre optics. We welcomethis diversity. All come, however, witha good first degree and a thirst to knowmore about education:- What is the nature of learning andteaching in different countries andcultures?- What is the relationship betweeneducation and the economy?- How is education changing as itenters the market place?- How are education systemsmanaged?- Who takes decisions about thecurriculum and teaching?- How far do governments controleducation?- How far should they?- What is the role of professionaleducators?- What will be the role of schoolsand universities in the future?- What is the future for education in the knowledge economy?- Is education becoming an‘instrument’ of capitalism?ModulesCompulsory modulesThere are four compulsorymodules and a dissertation:- Education, Politics and Society- Learning and KnowledgeTechnology- Research and the ProfessionalPart 1- Research and the ProfessionalPart 2 (Research ProjectPreparation)Optional modulesYou also take two additionaloptional modules that allow forfurther in-depth study. In addition,because the programme operatesalongside the part-time programme,there is the opportunity to selectfrom other modules. While thesehave a strong professional applicationthey may still be relevant to yourintended career.- International Education and Globalisation- Global Citizenship- Education Policy- Language, Ideology and Education- Education in the Social andCultural Context of the UK- Cultural and Historical Roots of MathematicsBecause the programme operatesalongside the part-time Master’s,there is the opportunity to select fromother modules. While these have astrong professional application theymay still be relevant to your intendedcareer.Teaching methods and resourcesModules are taught through lecturesand small group seminars. There arealso individual tutorials and goodopportunities for extended discussionwith tutors. Analysis of ideas throughdiscussion is the key to teaching andlearning in the programme. Somelectures and seminars occur duringthe day. Others take place from lateafternoon.Tutors- Dr Howard Gibson- Dr Steve Coombs- Ms Christine Eden- Prof David CoulbyAssessment methodsThere are no written examsand each module is assessed bycoursework. This typically involvesan essay of 2,500 words for a 15credit module and 5,000 wordsfor a 30 credit module. Sometimesassessment is by verbal presentation.The dissertation is 15,000–20,000words and worth 60 credits. Itfocuses on an area mutually agreedwith a specialist tutor who alsooffers guidance and support in thewriting of the dissertation. Subjectsvary widely, from the nature andquality of Supply Teaching in theUK to the education of women in the Gambia, from the role of themodern Museum Educator to thetheoretical role of education in theunification of Cyprus. To achievethe award you will need 180 creditsin total.Entry requirementsStudents are expected to have anHonours degree from a recognisedHigher Education Institution in the UK,although we often accept applicantswith appropriate experience that weconsider sufficient and comparable, oran equivalent degree from overseas.Equivalence of overseas students’academic qualifications is assessed by NARIC (see www.naric.org.uk). The content and subject matter of astudent’s first degree is open. In somecircumstances, professional work ineducation (e.g. PGCE) or related fieldcan be assessed as appropriate creditfor ‘prior learning’ (APL) and areduction in the number of creditsrequired to pass the programmecan be negotiated. For overseasapplicants who are non-nativespeakers of English, a minimumlanguage level of IELTS 6.5, orequivalent, is required.81