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 and 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 contact education@brookes.ac.uk for more information.

Months of entry

September

Course content

This MA Education - Higher Education programme aims to critically enquire into the meanings and purposes of higher education.

Questions central to the course include:

What is the role and value of the university?
What does is mean for higher education to be 'authentic' and 'transformative'?
How are the 'facts' of higher education established?
What are the values of 'truth' and 'belief'?
How are roles enacted and personal identities developed within and against these roles?

We draw on the pioneering approach of the Educational Development Team in the Oxford Centre for Staff and Learning Development (OCSLD) at Oxford Brookes University, combining work and community based social learning and teaching with rigorous, evidence based and explanatory research, evaluation and development experience.

STAGE 1: Learning and Teaching in Higher Education

Consists of the following modules:

Inquiry and Reflection in Higher Education

Through this module, participants will explore a range of learning theories and the wider context of higher education policy. You will be expected to relate theory and policy to your practice both generally in the discipline and institution, and personally in your own work.

And 20 credits from the following options:

Learning and Teaching in Higher Education (20 credits)
First Steps into Learning and Teaching in Higher Education (10 credits)
Teaching Online, Open Courses (10 credits)
Designing and Developing an International Curriculum in Higher Education (10 credits)

If you have completed a 60 credit postgraduate award in teaching in higher education, you may be admitted directly into Stage 2 of the course.

STAGE 2: Researching and Enquiring into Higher Education

Consists of the following three modules:

Philosophy and Policy of Higher Education

This module explores higher education as one of the great institutions of society and examines contemporary contextual policy frameworks and their influences on higher education (HE), for example, social constructivism, neoliberalism, transformation, workforce attachment, and social capital. It aims to increase your repertoire and confidence in areas of your HE activity and foster engaged, participatory, critical, evidence based approaches, informed by and contributing to national and global debates.

Research Methods in Education, Childhood and Language

A further optional module from the MA in Education programme, including:

Leading and Managing People in Education

This module brings together a range of themes and concerns in the management of staff in educational organisations. Drawing on national and international examples, it combines theoretical perspectives with practical concerns about staff management and development.

Mind and Brain

This module explores previous and present developments within the field of educational neuroscience. It starts by exploring developmental changes that occur throughout the lifespan. Current insights from cognitive neuroscience are examined in relation to a number of specific educational issues which have implications for educational practice. This module engages with philosophical exploration and deliberation over the relationship between mind, brain, self and body.

STAGE 3: DISSERTATION

You will complete a 60 credit (triple module) dissertation focusing on a theme or issue in higher education. This can be literature based or an enquiry into your own practice.

Information for international students

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.

Fees and funding

Please see https://www.brookes.ac.uk/international/finance-and-fees/.

Qualification and course duration

MA

full time

12 months

part time

36 months

Course contact details

Name: Programme Administrator
Email: pgeducation@brookes.ac.uk

Phone: +44 (0)1865 488617

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