The School of Education
Oxford Brookes University

Why Oxford?

With its global reputation as a city of great ideas and opportunities, Oxford has everything any student could want and more. It has an inspirational mix of culture, heritage and innovation and is buzzing with bars, shops, cafés, pubs and clubs. Because Oxford is one of the world's leading academic cities, it is a key centre of debate, with regular conferences, seminars and forums taking place across a range of fields including education. It is a region of high economic prosperity and opportunity with a central location and excellent links to London, its airports and the rest of the UK.

Why Oxford Brookes?

The School of Education at Oxford Brookes University is one of the largest and most successful schools of education in the UK. We combine high quality teaching and significant research and consultancy activity in an outstanding location, with superb sporting, recreational and study facilities. We are an internationally recognised centre for professional development and training located in one of the world's premier academic communities.

Based on a campus overlooking Oxford, you will have access to many of the city's world class resources. At the School of Education you will be part of a diverse and vibrant learning community that attracts students from all walks of life.

Postgraduate study

We offer qualifications to teach in primary, secondary or post-compulsory education, alongside an extensive range of postgraduate professional development courses. Courses are tailored to meet the needs of a wide range of home and international students and our high quality teaching and intellectual diversity enables you to develop your career according to your interests and ambition.

You can fit study around your family and work commitments. We offer flexible part-time, weekend and twilight courses, as well as online modes of study and delivery at school based centres to support the development of professional practice.

Primary PGCE

The Oxford Brookes PGCE Primary Programme is renowned nationally for a high standard of teaching and has been rated as outstanding (Grade 1) by Ofsted.

Secondary PGCE

The PGCE in secondary education is a highly practical initial teacher training programme for graduates, two-thirds of which is spent in school classrooms. This programme was recently recognised by Ofsted as good (Grade 2).  

Post compulsory PGCE

This PGCE course is the professional qualification for those who wish to teach in the post-compulsory sector.

MA Education

The MA Education course is designed for practicing teachers in primary and secondary schools and for FE and HE lecturers this course runs in full-time and part-time mode with the option to specialise in leadership and management and curriculum.

One of the best things about being a student at The School of Education at Brookes is that I could use the library at Harcourt Hill, not only for my referencing and reading but because it provided me with a quiet place to work at the weekends and in the evenings"

Kate Calnan
MA Education student

MA Education (TESOL)

Teaching English as a second or other language runs in full-time, part-time and distance learning mode. See more about the MA Education (TESOL)

MA Childhood Studies

The MA Childhood Studies is for practitioners working with children in a range of contexts, for example children's services, education (particularly teachers in the primary and early years) and health. It is also suitable those intending to work in, manage or research in those settings. Runs in full-time and part-time mode.

Research Degrees

Research Degrees: MPhil and PhD awards with a focus on specialist aspects of education. We also run a taught doctoral programme, the EdD in Education.

Professional Development course

The PGCAEP programme contains a variety of course units, rated at master's level, that can be combined to achieve a Postgraduate Certificate in Advanced Educational Practice (3 units) or can build to an MA in Education or an MA in Childhood Studies. All courses draw on your professional background, experience and knowledge and provide opportunities to carry out assignments embedded in your own working context.

Practical skills

Our programmes provide preparation and professional development for careers in education as well as other professions in the public and private sector, such as educational psychology, social work, human resources and the health service.

We work closely with a wide range of primary and secondary schools and early years organisations to deliver the school-experience and the practical dimension of the Initial Teacher Training programmes. The Oxford Brookes Teacher Education partnership ensures that our students achieve the highest standards, and enter the profession with the high levels of competence and commitment necessary to enhance pupils’ learning and experiences.

"We've had really good Brookes students. One who came on placement here is now a teacher in Year 1. Our current placements are working up to planning and delivering lessons and delivering them. They’re all first years so have come in very nervous but full of enthusiasm"

Lynn Knapp
Headteacher of Windmill Primary School

We are committed to providing the highest quality courses at all levels and our teaching is underpinned by leading research.

Research

We are committed to encouraging and supporting the development of a strong research culture and capacity. Our research is reflected in aims to enhance professionals' understanding and practice by critical research engagement with policy, and research-informed concerns and interests in professional and academic practices.

In addition to a number of funded projects, we provide opportunities for researchers and research students to meet and discuss their ongoing research. There is a varied programme of research events involving academic staff, postgraduate and research students, and individuals outside the School of Education with shared interests. An annual Research and Knowledge Transfer Conference provides a forum for staff to present and discuss their research.

Support

You will receive guidance and support from your course leader, personal tutor and postgraduate administrator. In addition, our student support co-ordinators can offer advice on your course, finance, accommodation or personal issues which may be affecting your studies and will regularly update you with information on visiting speakers, careers advice and course announcements.

Facilities

Harcourt Hill is an attractive 110 acre campus which overlooks the wider city, it provides a unique learning experience and offers the benefit of a complete community on one site. The campus has all the facilities you would expect to find in a modern university.

A state of the art lecture theatre includes multimedia facilities, writing boards, overhead display units, and sound and vision equipment. There is also a specialist education resource centre and well resourced media studio on site.

You will have access not just to the campus library but to all Oxford Brookes' main libraries. An inter-library loan service will enable you to borrow materials from elsewhere in the UK and abroad.

Harcourt Hill boasts fantastic sports and recreational facilities including a music studio, dance studio, theatre, squash courts, tennis courts, 25 metre swimming pool and 9 hole golf course.