Education, MA / PGDip / PGCert

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Course Overview

The educational landscape globally is evolving rapidly with new policies and developing learner needs shaping the skills required of today’s teachers. The classroom environment is equally dynamic, and effective teaching now demands a sophisticated mix of skills, judgement, and reflective practice to guide and facilitate learning.

Our MA in Education enables you to explore the links between policy and teaching, examine the philosophies that underpin education, and strengthen your own professional practice.

Our programme is flexible and supports you at any stage of your career, helping you develop your expertise and pursue your interests.

As a student you will learn how to carry out and use educational research, to reflect on your own knowledge and expertise in education, and contribute to improving practice across the sector.

Why Education at Swansea?

Based in the School of Social Sciences, at 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 is 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 teaching. 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.

Your Education Experience

As a student 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.

Our syllabus also explores international debates, drawing on academic research and your own professional expertise of the issues facing education globally. Our programme is professionally focused and students 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, our degree will give you an insight into the latest trends and leading research, and how they impact policy and practice.

Students are not required to have professional experience in educational settings. Our programme is designed to help you develop strong, transferable skills for future employment. You will build these skills through the Graduate Attributes embedded throughout the programme, by engaging with School and Faculty employability events, and through opportunities to hear from guest speakers who bring valuable industry insight.

Our programme does not include a formal placement component. However, we have strong partnerships with schools across Southwest Wales and we offer a range of Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programmes. This means we are well positioned to offer guidance and support to MA Education graduates who wish to continue further training and work towards a career in teaching.

Graduates of our programme will be well prepared to move into a wide range of professional roles, 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.