Masters applications for 2025 entry are now closed.
Applications for September 2026 will open on Wednesday 24 September. Applications are now open for programmes with a January 2026 start. View our programmes »
Overview
- Our MA Education offers a flexible, dynamic pathway for educators and those interested in education, including those with a background or interest in education support, policy, charities, NGOs or education-related industries.
- Build a degree that matches your career goals with our flexible module structure, choosing modules from across our specialist areas including educational leadership, creative arts, technology and education, special educational needs, and international education.
- Gain valuable practical insights through our dedicated Education Placement module, with guaranteed placement opportunities available.
- Learn from leading researchers and practitioners who are shaping contemporary educational theory and practice.
- Join a diverse community of students from around the world, exploring education across cultural contexts and building worldwide professional networks.
Please note that this course does not provide Qualified Teacher Status.
82% of our Education research has internationally excellent impact
Top 150 in the world for Education
Home to one of the largest Education libraries in the UK
Top 150 for Education in the Shanghai Rankings of Academic Subjects 2024
82% of our Education research has internationally excellent impact
Top 150 in the world for Education
Home to one of the largest Education libraries in the UK
Top 150 for Education in the Shanghai Rankings of Academic Subjects 2024
Entry requirements
We will consider applicants with a 2:2 Honours degree or above (or equivalent). We welcome students from any academic background.
Please also see our guidance on essential documentation required for an initial decision on taught programme applications.
Entry requirements for international students
English language requirements
International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course. The required test scores for this course fall under Profile B1. Please visit our English language requirements page to view the required test scores and equivalencies from your country.
Course content
Are you passionate about making a difference in education? Our MA Education offers a flexible, practice-focused pathway to develop your knowledge, skills, experience and career in this dynamic field. Whether you're an experienced educator looking to enhance your practice or a recent graduate, this course provides the perfect foundation.
The programme is designed to be accessible to those who haven’t studied education before, while also offering deep knowledge and development for those with prior experience. Core modules give you a solid grounding in foundational concepts, issues and approaches to the study of education, while a placement module offers real-world experience. A wide range of optional modules lets you specialise in areas such as inclusive education, technology and learning, creative arts, leadership, social justice, and international policy.
You’ll critically engage with theory and practice, exploring how cutting-edge research applies to global challenges. For your dissertation, you can choose a traditional research project or a practice-focused portfolio, aligning your final work with your career goals.
Small group teaching, workshops and tutorials foster discussion and collaborative learning and debate, while expert staff support your growth in a research-driven environment.
The modules we outline here provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.
120 credits of compulsory modules, 60 credits of optional modules
Compulsory modules
*You must choose one of EFPM308 or EFPM642
| Code | Module |
Credits |
|---|
| EFPM914 |
Education Studies | 30 |
| EFPM379 |
Education Placement | 30 |
| EFPM308 |
Preparing for Educational Research and Dissertation * | 60 |
| EFPM642 |
Dissertation Portfolio * | 60 |
Optional modules
| Code | Module |
Credits |
|---|
| EFPM332 |
Technology, Learning and Pedagogy | 30 |
| EFPM375 |
Education for diversity | 30 |
| EFPM376 |
Contemporary Sociologies of Education | 30 |
| EFPM839 |
Transdisciplinary Collaborations for Creative Futures | 30 |
| EFPM907 |
Creativity in Education: Valuing, Facilitating and Assessing It | 30 |
| EFPM906 |
Arts Education Theory, Practice and Potential | 30 |
| EFPM910 |
Education Policy | 30 |
| EFPM911 |
Educational Leadership and Management | 30 |
| EFPM912 |
Perspectives on International Education | 30 |
| EFPM919 |
Critical Perspectives on Inclusive Education | 30 |
| EFPM920 |
Digital Education Futures | 30 |
| EFPM270 |
SEN: Teaching and Learning | 30 |
Fees
2026/27 entry
UK fees per year:
£11,000 full-time
International fees per year:
£25,550 full-time
Scholarships
The University of Exeter offers a wide range of scholarships to support your education, with £7 million available for international students applying to study with us in the 2026/27 academic year, including our prestigious Exeter Excellence Scholarships *. We also provide awards for sport, music and other achievements, as well as regional and partner scholarships with organisations such as Chevening, The Beacon Trust and the British Council. For more information on scholarships and other financial support, please visit our scholarships and bursaries page.
University of Exeter Alumni Scholarship
We are pleased to offer University of Exeter alumni beginning a standalone postgraduate programme in 2026/27 with us a scholarship towards the cost of your tuition fees. Full details can be found here.
*Terms and conditions, including deadlines, apply. See our website for details..
Teaching and research
Teaching and learning
Learning methods vary across our wide range of modules and may include:
- Lectures
- Seminars
- Personal tutorials
- Research supervision
Facilities and support
You'll be assigned a personal tutor and have access to module tutors via face-to-face and/or email or online tutorials. You'll also have access to a range of support including lecture notes, presentations, film clips and reading materials through our online learning environment.
Campus-based modules are taught at the School of Education at the St Luke's Campus in Exeter, which offers an excellent range of specialist facilities, including:
- Dedicated education libraries with extensive physical and digital collections
- Modern teaching spaces designed for collaborative learning
- Digital learning platforms providing flexibility to study anywhere
- Award-winning careers service to help you achieve your professional goals
Research-led teaching
You will join a vibrant postgraduate community at the School of Education, studying with some of the leading scholars in their disciplines.
You will benefit from our active research culture, which promotes the sharing of ideas and knowledge to encourage innovation. Our research centres provide a focus for research and discussion for academic staff, researchers and practitioners, and organise seminar series, visiting speakers, conferences and other events.
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Lauren Stentiford
Programme Director
Daniel Leyton
Programme Director
Caitlin Kight
Module lead for Education Placement
Lauren Stentiford
Programme Director
I am joint Programme Director of the MA Education programme. I am a sociologist with a PhD in Education, specialising in the study of social inequalities across compulsory and higher education. My research explores how gender, disability, social class and mental health shape educational experiences and opportunities, and I am passionate about working with students from diverse backgrounds to develop their critical perspectives. Our MA Education at Exeter is designed to empower both new and experienced educators to transform learning in today’s complex world. With a flexible module structure—including options in leadership, inclusion, sociology, technology, international policy and creative arts—you can build a course that aligns exactly with your aspirations. You’ll benefit from research-led teaching from world leading faculty, and a vibrant global peer community. By the end, you’ll not only deepen your theoretical insight, but also gain practical skills and professional networks that open doors into leadership, policy or further research.
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Daniel Leyton
Programme Director
I am a sociologist with a PhD in Education, with research interests spanning culture, identities, internationalisation and academic mobility in higher education, as well as social inequalities and the role of life sciences in new forms of teacher professionalism. It is a real pleasure to teach – and learn from – the diverse students who join this programme. After completing the course, our graduates apply their learning to leadership roles, specialist interests, or further doctoral research. As a programme director, I am delighted to lead the MA Education, a flexible and dynamic programme that enables students from different part of the world to tailor their studies to their career goals. Through specialist modules, placements, and engagement with leading researchers and practitioners, students gain the critical insights and global perspectives needed to shape and effectively work in contemporary education systems.
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Caitlin Kight
Module lead for Education Placement
Caitlin is module lead for the Education Placement module on the MA Education, and Senior Lecturer in Education Studies in the School of Education. She came to education via a circuitous and multidisciplinary route, starting in behavioural ecology (specializing in animal communication), then moving through science editing, communications and marketing, and academic development, before finally accepting an academic position. She now enjoys supporting students to connect theory to practice through reflection on real world experience in education placements.
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Careers
An MA in Education from Exeter opens doors to diverse and rewarding career opportunities:
- Teaching and Leadership - Progress in school teaching, leadership roles, or specialist educational positions
- Educational Innovation - Move into EdTech development, digital learning design, or educational consultancy
- Policy and Administration - Shape educational policy or excel in educational administration and management
- Further Study - Build foundations for doctoral research and academic careers
Dedicated careers support
You will receive support from our dedicated Career Zone team, who provide excellent career guidance at all stages of career planning. The Career Zone provides one-on-one support and is home to a wealth of business and industry contacts. Additionally, they host useful training events, workshops and lectures which are designed to further support you in developing your enterprise acumen. Please visit the Career Zone for additional information on their services.
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