Education, International Development and Social Justice

Entry requirements

Months of entry

September

Course content

This MA equips you with the knowledge and skills you need to understand the complex relationship between education, international development and social justice within global contexts. This degree will help to prepare you for careers in international development, humanitarian assistance, research and consultancy with governments, NGOs, bilateral and multilateral organisations, research institutions and charities.

Why study Education, International Development and Social Justice

This MA equips you with the knowledge and skills you need to understand the complex relationship between education, international development and social justice within global contexts. This degree will help to prepare you for careers in international development, humanitarian assistance, research and consultancy with governments, NGOs, bilateral and multilateral organisations, research institutions and charities.

Access to quality education is a fundamental human right. However, many young people around the world are unable to access it or complete the full education cycle due to social, cultural, economic and political barriers.

This is particularly the case for girls, the poor and young people from rural and marginalised communities living in developing countries and societies affected by conflict. Even when education opportunities are available in these contexts, they often do not meet the needs of young people or those of their communities.

At best, education that is ill-conceived is of limited value. At worst, it can promote economic stagnation, socio-economic inequality, social exclusion and conflict.

The MA Education, International Development and Social Justice explores the sociology and political economy of education and learning within development, humanitarian and transnational contexts globally.

In particular, you will learn about:

• the social, political, cultural and economic contexts in which young people live their lives and education and learning take place around the world
• current theories, policies, practices and approaches to education and learning within these contexts
• challenges faced by governmental and non-governmental organisations in relation to planning and providing quality education for all (such as poverty, gender inequality, humanitarian emergencies, modern slavery, human trafficking)
• education policy and practice with reference to particular marginalised communities (such as working children, nomads, young people who have been trafficked, former child soldiers, refugees)
• education policy and practice with reference to life-long learning and adult education (such as higher education, adult literacy)

The programme critically addresses the relationship between education (formal, nonformal, informal) and issues of contemporary relevance, including:

• human rights
• poverty and economic development
• identities, inequalities and social exclusion
• colonialism and decolonisation
• gender (in)equality
• globalisation
• migration – voluntary and forced
• nation-building and postnationalism
• peace and conflict, divided societies, post-conflict reconstruction
• climate change and sustainable development
• health and pandemics
• livelihoods, vulnerabilities and organised crime.

Why St Mary's

The degree is part of our wider commitment to addressing issues of social justice through the work of the Centre for Research into the Education of Marginalised Children and Young Adults (CREMCYA) and the Bakhita Centre for Research on Slavery, Exploitation and Abuse (BCRSEA)

The wide-ranging and inclusive membership of the Centres, encompassing partnerships between academics, charities, governmental and non-governmental organisations and the business sector, provides an ideal environment to stimulate debate, influence public policy and improve professional practice.

The MA Education, International Development and Social Justice is also enhanced by our peaceful location in leafy West London; a short train ride away from global headquarters of international organisations working in the field.

Information for international students

International students should check our country-specific pages for equivalents. If English is not your first language you will need to achieve an IELTS score of 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in any section (or equivalent).

We now accept IELTS Indicator test results as proof of your English language level.