MA Education (Comparative and International Perspectives)

Entry requirements

A 2:1 or above (or international equivalent) Bachelor's degree in Education, Teaching or English (or related Social Science degree i.e. Anthropology, Economics, Geography, History, Law, Linguistics, Political Science, Philosophy, Psychology, and Sociology) is required.

Applicants without a 2:1 or a degree in Education, Teaching or English (or related Social Science degree as above) are welcome to apply, but should have a degree and a minimum of three years relevant professional experience post degree, in an education-focused setting.

Months of entry

September

Course content

On the MA Education (Comparative and International Perspectives) pathway you will focus on the similarities and differences between structures, processes, dynamics, policies and practices of different education systems.

You will explore and seek to explain similarities and differences across cultures, countries and regions and learn about theory, epistemology and methodology and participate in critical debate in the field of comparative and international education. One area of application on the MA Education (Comparative and International) pathway,will be around how concepts of human rights may be used to develop educational policies and practices.

A series of core modules on this pathway will equip you with an economic, historical, philosophical and sociological framework for understanding the field of education and the skills required for conducting critical research. A central theme of the degree is the extent to which, and how, ideas, practices and values can impact on educational inclusion and equity. A range of optional modules will enable you to develop knowledge and skills relevant to your interests and practice.

The course will be of particular interest to education practitioners and policymakers seeking a wider and deeper grounding in debates surrounding education equity. The focus on critical analysis will be especially attractive to those working in the field of equalities and diversity and those seeking new and innovative ways of improving educational outcomes for specific groups of learners within a fast-changing area of education reform.

The MA Education Masters degree attracts students from a wide range of backgrounds and nationalities, and welcomes applications from international students.

The University of Birmingham, which has over 10,000 international students from approximately 150 countries, provides support throughout the course for those that are new to, or less experienced in, studying in a UK context.

If you would like further information about studying in Birmingham, then you can visit our international students webpage.

MA Education pathways

You can choose from one of our other specialist focus pathways, based on the School of Education’s principle research areas or the broader MA Education:

• MA Education (Leadership)
• MA Education (Inclusion and Disability)
• MA Education (Social Justice)
• MA Education

Please note that like most Masters programmes, this programme does not confer qualified teacher status (QTS).

Modules

The MA Education (Comparative and International) programme consists of compulsory modules, two optional modules from the list below and a dissertation.

Unless indicated otherwise the modules listed for this programme are for students starting in 2023.

The following must be taken:

Compulsory Modules

• Education, Policy and Society
• Research methods in education
• Citizenship, Human Rights and the Environment
• Education as an International Issue
• Dissertation

Optional Modules

Choose two 20 credit modules from the list below. Find out more about each of the modules

• Education, Curriculum Design Planning and Social Justice
• Education Policy and Improving Schools
• Disability and Inclusive Development
• Special Educational Needs of Pupils with Autism
• Language, Discourse and Society

Information for international students

Standard English language requirements apply. Speakers of English as a second language will be required to hold an IELTs 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in each band or equivalent qualification.

Fees and funding