Education, MA / PGDip / PGCert

Enhance your career in education practice, policy, and research

pupils in classroom

Course Overview

The educational landscape is evolving rapidly on a global scale. Policy changes, and the needs of the learner, now cause a significant impact on the knowledge and skills required of the teaching workforce. The classroom environment is equally dynamic, and so teaching therefore requires the mastery of a complex set of skills and dispositions to guide, motivate and facilitate learning. 

Our MA in Education enables you to analyse the links between policy and pedagogy, and reflect on the underpinning philosophies of education to enhance your own professional practice, readying you to face these challenges as a knowledgeable and competent practitioner. 
 
The programme is flexible to allow those at different stages of their career to further develop their professional competence and interests in education.

As a student  our programme, you will learn how to undertake and use educational research, reflect on your own knowledge and expertise in education, and contribute to advancing knowledge in the sector.

Why Education at Swansea?

Based in the School of Social Sciences, on our stunning Singleton Park Campus, you will study on a programme that is designed to promote individual and collaborative research activity of an international standard.

The programme has also been designed to be multi-disciplinary, reflecting the nature of the education field. The modules available draw on philosophies of education, critical theory, sociology and psychology, as well as pedagogy. The programme is flexible to allow for education practitioners to further develop their professional competence and interests in education, as well as enabling graduates from a range of disciplines to progress on to postgraduate study.

This programme will provide you with opportunities to advance your knowledge, skills, experience and professional behaviour, enabling you to enhance your career in education.

You will be joining a high-performing programme:

  • Education is ranked in the Top 301-400 in the World (Shanghai Rankings (Academic Rankings of World Universities) Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2025)

Your Education Experience

You will complete 180 credits of modules; comprising 6 compulsory 20-credit modules and a compulsory 60-credit dissertation. Themes of study can include school and community, digital education and practice, and additional learning needs and inclusion. The dissertation element will enable you to undertake a supervised research project on a unique topic covered by the themes of childhood, play or education, enhancing your specialist research skills.

As a student following the MA Education, you will explore the key challenges, contemporary issues and the latest research in education, developing key knowledge and skills in curriculum development, teaching, learning and assessment, and conducting educational research in your own field of experience or expertise.

The syllabus also explores international debates, drawing on academic research and your own professional expertise of the issues facing education globally. This includes gender in/equity, sustainable development, the impact of migration and asylum, and the rise in digital technologies

This programme is professionally focused, but candidates are not required to be in a teaching post. The programme is flexible to suit those who are in full-time employment but also allows for a full-time option for those who are able to commit to a more intensive period of study.

Education Employment Opportunities

If you're working as a teacher, lecturer, educational leader, manager, or aspiring to a career in education, this MA will give you an insight into the latest trends and leading research, and how those impact policy and practice.

Where students do not have prior professional experience in educational settings, the programme supports individuals to develop appropriate and lifelong skills for employment. This is achieved through Graduate Attributes which run through the programme, by linking to School and Faculty employability events, and by bringing in guest speakers where possible.

This programme does not have a practical, placement element. However, we do have strong partnerships with schools in Southwest Wales, and a suite of Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programmes, so we are well placed to offer guidance for any MA Education graduates wishing to undertake further training to pursue a career in teaching.

Graduates of this programme will be well placed to enter careers in a variety of professional positions, including:

  • Further academic research or study within education and the wider social sciences
  • Professional learning for education practitioners, leading to career enhancement
  • The education sector (schools, local authority, colleges or universities)
  • Policy and advisory work with local and national government
  • Education and outreach within public and Third Sector organisations
  • Research and development

Modules

We're currently reviewing our curriculum to enhance your learning experience and embed skills that will benefit your future career. This means that some modules may be subject to change.

Entry Requirements

We consider all applicants on their own merits and welcome applications from students with a wide range of qualifications.