Programme Specification for the 2024/5 academic year
MA Education (Part-Time, Online, 2-year)
1. Programme Details
| Programme name | MA Education (Part-Time, Online, 2-year) | Programme code | PNA2EDUEDU01 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Study mode(s) | Part Time Full Time Distance Learning |
Academic year | 2024/5 |
| Campus(es) | St Luke's (Exeter) |
NQF Level of the Final Award | 7 (Masters) |
2. Description of the Programme
The Masters of Arts Education (MA Ed) online at the University of Exeter gives you the opportunity to further your studies in education and emerge with either a generalist MA Ed degree or an award in one of three specialist pathways:
- Educational Leadership
- Special Educational Needs
- Language and Literacy
This fully online MA Education (Master of Arts Education) is an innovative programme designed to equip you with the skills to succeed in a wide variety of educational contexts. It offers a rich curriculum examining theory, research, policy and practice in the field of education globally, and provides a unique student experience, exploring education from a holistic perspective. Throughout the modules, students will be asked to reflect on and make links between the taught content and their own professional context/practice.
This part-time programme is ideally suited to students from a breadth of subject, professional and career backgrounds including: teachers; educators; lecturers; administrators; education advisors; education officers; education specialists working in NGOs; trainers; youth workers; mentors; and those involved or interested in leadership and management in education. It is also appropriate for students with limited prior experience but a keen interest in education and educational issues who are seeking employment/promotion in a wide range of educational settings.
3. Educational Aims of the Programme
1. To support your development as autonomous learners and/or professionals;
2. To provide the knowledge, understanding and skills for you to analyse educational policy, theory and practice and research;
3. To provide you with the procedural knowledge to develop conceptual understanding and analyse data;
4. To provide the organisational and transferable skills central to professional autonomy;
5. To support your ability to define and evaluate complex educational issues drawing on international perspectives;
6. To equip you with the methodological knowledge needed to select appropriate methods to conduct research;
7. To provide you with knowledge and skills needed to integrate theory and practice.
4. Programme Structure
Your MA Ed programme is a 2 year programme of study at National Qualification Framework (NQF) level 7 (as confirmed against the FHEQ). This programme is divided into 2 ‘Stages’. Each Stage is normally equivalent to an academic year. The programme is also divided into units of study called ‘modules’ which are assigned a number of ‘credits’. The credit rating of a module is proportional to the total workload, with 1 credit being nominally equivalent to 10 hours of work.
The MA Ed online programme consists of two core (compulsory) 30 credit modules; a suite of optional 30 credit modules; and a final core (compulsory) 60 credit module. Students will need to gain 180 credits in order to be awarded with an MA Education. All students will have the opportunity to receive a specialist award (should they wish) providing they complete two 30 credit optional modules in their selected pathway and ensure that the focus of their dissertation is pathway-specific in the final core module.
All students will be required to complete Core 1 and Core 2 modules prior to selecting any two modules from any of the three pathways. Two modules will be offered for each pathway but you can also select to take modules from two different pathways and would be awarded a MA Education without a specialism. In addition, all students will be required to complete the final Core 3 module.
|
Core module 1 |
Understanding education: Global perspectives |
|
Core module 2 |
Understanding learning: Global perspectives |
|
Educational Leadership pathway module 1 |
Education Leadership |
|
Educational Leadership pathway module 2 |
Leading and Managing Education Change |
|
Special Educational Needs pathway module 1 |
SEN: Learning, Teaching and Assessment |
|
Special Educational Needs pathway module 2 |
Critical International Perspectives on Special and Inclusive Education |
|
Language and Literacy pathway module 1 |
Writing Matters |
|
Language and Literacy pathway module 2 |
Reading Rights |
|
Core module 3 |
Introduction to Educational Enquiry |
Pathways:
Following the successful completion of two core modules, students select from a set of specialist modules, prior to undertaking the final dissertation.
If you select both modules from one specialism and ensure your dissertation is pathway-specific, you will be awarded a specialist degree. Alternatively, if you choose two modules from different pathways, you will emerge with a generalist MA Education
Please note, in order to be awarded a specialist degree (MA Education: Leadership and Management, for example), the focus of your dissertation must be related to this specialism. The following pathways are available to choose from:
- Educational Leadership Pathway
- Take EFPM007 and EFPM008
- Language and Literacy Pathway
- Take EFPM009 and EFPM012
- Special Education Needs Pathway
- Take EFPM010 and EFPM011
5. Programme Modules
The following tables describe the programme and constituent modules. Constituent modules may be updated, deleted or replaced as a consequence of the annual programme review of this programme.
https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/studyinformation/modules/?prog=education
Stage 1
60 credits of compulsory modules, 30 credits of optional modules
Compulsory Modules
Students will complete both of the first two core modules. One of these modules will be available in any given term. Please contact the Faculty for further information regarding availability.
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| EFPM003Z1 | Understanding Education: Global Perspectives | 30 | Yes |
| EFPM004Z1 | Understanding Learning: Global Perspectives | 30 | Yes |
Optional Modules
Students will also complete one module from a list of options available. One module for each of the specialist pathways will be available in any given term. Please contact the Faculty for further information regarding availability.
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| EFPM007Z1 | Education Leadership | 30 | No |
| EFPM008Z1 | Leading and Managing Education Change | 30 | No |
| EFPM009Z1 | Reading Rights | 30 | No |
| EFPM010Z1 | Critical International Perspectives on Special and Inclusive Education | 30 | No |
| EFPM011Z1 | Special Educational Needs: Learning, Teaching and Assessment | 30 | No |
| EFPM012Z1 | Writing Matters | 30 | No |
Stage 2
60 credits of compulsory modules, 30 credits of optional modules
Compulsory Modules
Students will complete a 60-credit Dissertation Module, which can have a specialist focus (see Pathway information).
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| EFPM013Z1 | Introduction to Educational Enquiry | 60 | No |
Optional Modules
Following successful completion of Stage 1, students will complete one further module from a list of options available. One module for each of the specialist pathways will be available in any given term. Please contact the Faculty for further information regarding availability. You will first take your optional module, followed by EFPM013Z.
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| EFPM007Z1 | Education Leadership | 30 | No |
| EFPM008Z1 | Leading and Managing Education Change | 30 | No |
| EFPM009Z1 | Reading Rights | 30 | No |
| EFPM010Z1 | Critical International Perspectives on Special and Inclusive Education | 30 | No |
| EFPM011Z1 | Special Educational Needs: Learning, Teaching and Assessment | 30 | No |
| EFPM012Z1 | Writing Matters | 30 | No |
6. Programme Outcomes Linked to Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods
Intended Learning Outcomes
A: Specialised Subject Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
1. Identify and evaluate educational concepts related to your specific field of study, context and professional practice. | Online seminars, lectures, resources and tasks Module Guides Recommended reading | Formative assignments (e.g. critical review literature, research plan, presentation, contribution to online discussion forum, concept map). Summative assessment through assignments (e.g. written, presentations, portfolios, and dissertation). |
Intended Learning Outcomes
B: Academic Discipline Core Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
4. Analyse the relationships between policy, theory, research and practice in a range of educational contexts | Online seminars, lectures, resources and tasks Module Guides Recommended reading | Formative assignments (e.g. critical review literature, research plan, presentation, contribution to online discussion forum, concept map). Summative assessment through assignments (e.g. written, presentations, portfolios, and dissertation). |
Intended Learning Outcomes
C: Personal/Transferable/Employment Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
6. Deploy a range of personal and professional skills relevant to the workplace. | Online seminars, lectures, resources and tasks Module Guides Recommended reading | Formative assignments (e.g. critical review literature, research plan, presentation, contribution to online discussion forum, concept map). Summative assessment through assignments (e.g. written, presentations, portfolios, and dissertation). |
7. Programme Regulations
Classification
Full details of assessment regulations for all taught programmes can be found in the TQA Manual, specifically in the Credit and Qualifications Framework, and the Assessment, Progression and Awarding: Taught Programmes Handbook. Additional information, including Generic Marking Criteria, can be found in the Learning and Teaching Support Handbook.
8. College Support for Students and Students' Learning
9. University Support for Students and Students' Learning
Please refer to the University Academic Policy and Standards guidelines regarding support for students and students' learning.
10. Admissions Criteria
Undergraduate applicants must satisfy the Undergraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.
Postgraduate applicants must satisfy the Postgraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.
Specific requirements required to enrol on this programme are available at the respective Undergraduate or Postgraduate Study Site webpages.
11. Regulation of Assessment and Academic Standards
Each academic programme in the University is subject to an agreed College assessment and marking strategy, underpinned by institution-wide assessment procedures.
The security of assessment and academic standards is further supported through the appointment of External Examiners for each programme. External Examiners have access to draft papers, course work and examination scripts. They are required to attend the Board of Examiners and to provide an annual report. Annual External Examiner reports are monitored at both College and University level. Their responsibilities are described in the University's code of practice. See the University's TQA Manual for details.
14. Awarding Institution
University of Exeter
15. Lead College / Teaching Institution
Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS)
16. Partner College / Institution
Partner College(s)
Not applicable to this programme
Partner Institution
Not applicable to this programme.
17. Programme Accredited / Validated by
0
18. Final Award
MA Education (Part-Time, Online, 2-year)
19. UCAS Code
Not applicable to this programme.
20. NQF Level of Final Award
7 (Masters)
21. Credit
| CATS credits | 180 |
ECTS credits | 90 |
|---|
22. QAA Subject Benchmarking Group
23. Dates
| Origin Date | 21/07/2017 |
Date of last revision | 01/03/2021 |
|---|
