Programme Specification for the 2023/4 academic year
MA Education (Part-Time)
1. Programme Details
| Programme name | MA Education (Part-Time) | Programme code | PTA3EDUEDU06 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Study mode(s) | Part Time |
Academic year | 2023/4 |
| Campus(es) | St Luke's (Exeter) |
NQF Level of the Final Award | 7 (Masters) |
2. Description of the Programme
The Masters of Arts in Education at the University of Exeter gives you the opportunity to further your studies in education. It is designed for individuals from varied educational backgrounds and establishments, and from related professions such as health care and law, who want to develop their understanding of the theory, research, practices and policy of education in their professional context. Our programme will support you to develop your knowledge and understanding, prepare you for further research and provide a firm foundation for developing your career in Education and associated disciplines.
If you are a teacher, for instance, it builds on the foundation of your teacher education course and gives you the opportunity to reflect critically on your own teaching and to investigate educational issues that interest you. By giving you a framework of study and academic support it will help you to become a more informed, more critical and a more independent teacher.
The programme is part-time and is delivered through blended learning (a mix of face to face and on campus teaching) to meet the needs of busy educational professionals.
To gain the Masters degree you need to build up 180 masters’ level credits either by completing a number of modules or by completing a number of modules in combination with accredited prior learning (APL). APL can take the form of accredited prior certificated learning (APCL, up to 60 credits in total) (e.g. from your PGCE or another approved course) or accredited prior experiential learning (APEL, up to 30 credits in total).
You will follow a course of 5 modules. All students undertake a final module on educational research with a dissertation. The programme is led and taught by specialist staff whose research is closely related.
You will learn and work in a variety of ways to further your understanding. This includes lectures, seminars, workshops, peer led activity, online resources and activities. For some modules some experience is preferred and/or you may need to be currently working in an education context. All modules are assessed through course work – there are no final examinations. Assessments are varied and include essays, online projects, portfolios and group or individual presentations.
Full details of the programme are provided below.
3. Educational Aims of the Programme
- The principal aims of the programme are:
- To support your development as autonomous learners and/or professionals;
- To provide the knowledge, understanding and skills for you to analyse educational policy, theory and practice;
- To provide you with the procedural knowledge to develop conceptual understanding and analyse data;
- To provide the organisational and transferable skills central to professional autonomy;
- To support your ability to define and evaluate complex educational issues drawing on national and international perspectives;
- To equip you with the methodological knowledge needed to select appropriate methods to conduct research;
- To provide you with knowledge and skills needed to integrate theory and practice.
4. Programme Structure
Your MA Education programme is a 3 year programme of part-time study at National Qualification Framework (NQF) level 7 (as confirmed against the FHEQ). This programme is divided into 3 ‘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 Education is a 180-credit programme which is accredited at National Qualification Framework (NQF) level 7 (as confirmed against the FHEQ).
Candidates registered on the MA Education programme are required to complete the programme within three years of initial registration.
Modules are offered in a combination of modes – online, face to face or blended (a combination of face to face and online). Some modules may require prior experience or require you to be currently working in an educational context.
All students are required to undertake the Dissertation module (60 credits). This module is exempt from condonement. It is normally expected that you would have completed 120 credits prior to commencing the Dissertation module.
APL procedures that meet national standards are also available to students. For students registering on the MA Education programme, a maximum of 90 credits can be accredited through APL including up to a maximum of 60 credits through APCL and a up to a maximum of 30 credits through APEL.
Interim Awards
The modular format of the Programme provides exit points in the form of Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits) and Diploma (120 credits) organised in line with the national framework established by the QAA. You may exit the programme with these qualifications provided you have obtained the requisite number of credits as shown below.
|
Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits) 2 x 30 credit modules OR 1 x 60 credit module |
Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits) 4 x 30 credit modules OR 2 x 30 credit modules plus 1 x 60 credit module |
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.
Stage 1
Compulsory Modules
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| EFPM914 | Education Studies | 30 | No |
| EFPM913 | Debating the Big Questions in Education | 30 | No |
Stage 2
Compulsory Modules
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| EFPM129 | Independent Study 2 | 30 | No |
Optional Modules
Choose 1 of the following
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| EFPM321 | Reading the World | 30 | No |
| EFPM318 | Writing: the Future | 30 | No |
| EFPM907 | Creativity in Education: Valuing, Facilitating and Assessing It | 30 | No |
| EFPM294 | Technology and Education Futures | 30 | No |
| EFPM327 | Independent Study | 30 | No |
Stage 3
Compulsory Modules
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| EFPM308 | Preparing for Educational Research and Dissertation | 60 | Yes |
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 and issues related to your specific field of study | Lectures, seminar, group activities, tutorials and directed activities in professional contexts and relevant to research. Use of study guides and readings. Some modules offered via blended and/or online learning delivery. Online resources are available to all students on the programme. | Formative assignments (e.g. critical reading of literature, research plan, presentation). Summative assessment through assignments (e.g. written, presentations, portfolios, annotated lesson plans) and dissertation (1-3) |
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 and practice in a range of educational contexts and contribute to policy, practice and curriculum development | Lectures, seminar, group activities, workshop tutorials and directed activities in professional contexts. Use of study guides and readings and/or online resources. | Formative activities (e.g. small scale enquiries and directed activities). Summative assessment through assignments (e.g. based on formative activities) showing interaction between theory and practice. (4-5) |
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 | Lectures, seminar, group activities, tutorials and directed activities in professional contexts. Use of study guides and readings and/or online resources. | Formative activities (e.g. small scale enquiries and directed activities). Summative assessment through a range of assignments showing interaction between theory and practice. (6-9) |
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)
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
[Honours] Education studies
23. Dates
| Origin Date | 25/04/2019 |
Date of last revision | 25/04/2019 |
|---|
