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Programme Specification for the 2023/4 academic year

MSc Educational Research (Part-Time Distance Learning)

1. Programme Details

Programme name	MSc Educational Research (Part-Time Distance Learning)	Programme code	PTS2EDUEDU01
Study mode(s)	Distance Learning 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 overall purpose of this MSc is to prepare you for the independent conduct of educational research. We have developed the programme to support research students and for students interested in a specific area of education.

It can be taken either as a stand-alone Masters or as a precursor to a PhD. The four taught modules of the MSc are required research training for all  Four-Year PhD and MPhil/PhD students.

The programme meets the current ESRC training guidelines for the preparation of doctoral students and allows students to apply for ‘1+3’ ESRC studentships (see information on funding for further details).

For doctoral students the programme is designed to provide high quality training, both to enable you to carry out doctoral research and to equip you to pursue other research activities. Other potential career opportunities include practitioner and academic educationists: your acquired general social science research skills can be used in different contexts and applied to a variety of problems.

You will be able to specialise in a particular field of education, within a research preparation framework or context and benefit from collaboration with fellow students in small online groups on directed activities.

3. Educational Aims of the Programme

1. a good grasp of the central ideas, concepts, debates, theories, philosophies and approaches employed by educational researchers;
2. a critical understanding of the main methodologies of educational research and strategies to decide which are appropriate to the problems they are investigating;
3. skills and understanding to conduct research projects independently using any of the main methodologies of educational research;
4. knowledge of and skills in the various forms of communicating and disseminating educational research.

The programme aims to equip you with:

4. Programme Structure

The taught course is designed to be equally accessible to both full, part time and distance students. The programme is made up of 4 taught modules and a dissertation:

ERPM000 The Nature of Educational Enquiry (NEE) 30

ERPM001 Interpretive Methodologies (IM) 30

ERPM002 Scientific Methodologies (SM) 30

ERPM005 Designing and Communicating Research (DCR) 30

ERPM004 Dissertation (15,000 words) (DI) 60

Students wishing to obtain the MSc award either as a stand-alone degree or as preparation for doctoral studies will have to complete all the 5 modules. However there are two options to those students intending to progress to doctoral studies.

Progression to PhD programme

The MSc can be undertaken as a stand-alone programme or as year 1 of the 4 year programme (see below) or the 4 modules are completed as a requirement for the 3-year MPhil/PhD programme (see below):

MSc as year 1 of 4-year PhD programme:

Students wishing to take the MSc in Education Research as year 1 of the PhD will use their dissertation to prepare a research plan for their PhD thesis (This will be the only option available to ESRC funded 4-year PhD programme 1 + 3 students). Progression from the MSc to the PHD is dependent on achieving 60% as an average mark overall but this should include an individual mark of 60% for the dissertation.

MPhil/PhD programme:

Students on this pathway undertake the 4 MSc taught modules. It is not possible to apply for this programme after unsuccessfully progressing from the MSc to the PhD detailed above. In order to progress to PhD students need to attain an average grade of 60% for their 4 modules. Additionally they need to submit a 5000 word conversion paper with a research plan for their doctoral study. This will be considered by a conversion committee. If they do not meet the criteria for conversion to PhD they can re-submit their plan on one more occasion only. If they do not convert to PhD, they exit the programme with a PG Diploma (for the 120 credits obtained by the successful completion of the 4 MSc modules – see below).  

Stopping-off Points

The programme is in modular format and has immediate exit points in the form of Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits i.e. 2 modules) and Diploma (120 credits i.e. all 4 modules), organised in line with the national framework established by the QAA.

Where appropriate there has been conformity with the Education studies benchmarks – although these are not always appropriate because they are concerned with undergraduate programmes.  These benchmarks have been reinterpreted to confirm to Masters (M) level qualifications.  The programme meets the ESRC 2005 research training guidelines.  There is also conformity with general principles (1A – 12A) outlined in the QAA Code of Practice for Postgraduate Research Programmes.

 

 

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.

The full list of modules is available (with module descriptions) at http://socialsciences.exeter.ac.uk/education/graduatestudies/masters/edresearchmsc/campus/structure/

Part-time students take one twilight session per week during term time and an occasional session on a Saturday.

Each module consists of ten sessions delivered through a  blended system of learning.

Stage 1

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Compulsory Modules

Code	Module	Credits	Non-condonable?
ERPM001	Interpretive Methodologies	30	No
ERPM002	Scientific Methodologies	30	No

Stage 2

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Compulsory Modules

Code	Module	Credits	Non-condonable?
ERPM000	The Nature of Educational Enquiry	30	No
ERPM005	Designing and Communicating Research	30	No
ERPM004	Dissertation	60	Yes

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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. Secure subject specific knowledge and a systematic understanding of knowledge / critical awareness	Lectures, seminars, workshops, group tasks and student presentations. You will have regular tutorials with your relevant module tutor and/or support from the supplementary programme – this is specifically designed for those needing academic support with the programme, for example, those for whom English is a second language. If you are studying the MSc as part of the doctoral programme, you will also have tutorial support from your research mentors, supervisory coordinator and/or supervisors during your first year.	Formative and summative assignments including practical application of research methodology to specific problems, poster and conference presentations and written reports. Each of the taught modules is assessed by a portfolio of work including a 5,000 word written assignment and a range of tasks and activities equivalent to 2,500 words. Your dissertation is assessed via a 15,000 word submission. If you are studying the MSc as year 1 of the PhD programme, you need to reach an average grade of 60% over all 4 taught modules and 60% for the dissertation. The usual pass mark is 50%. For details of the different teaching, learning and assessment methods used at Exeter  please  follow this link and click on any of the headings for further information.

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:
1. Secure intellectual and academic skills to deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively, make sense in the absence of complete data and communicate their conclusions to specialist and non-specialist audiences.	Lectures, seminars, workshops, problem-solving group tasks and student presentations, support for self-study and self-directed group and individual activities.	Formative and summative assignments including practical application of research methodology to specific problems, poster and conference presentations and written reports.

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:
1. Secure professional, personal and key / practical / transferable skills including an ability to exercise their initiative and personal responsibility, decision –making in complex and unpredictable situations; and the ability to learn independently.	Lectures, seminars, workshops, use of computer programmes, emails and the internet, problem- solving, group tasks and student presentations, support for self-study and self directed group and individual activities.	Formative and summative assignments including practical application of research methodology to specific problems, poster and conference presentations and written reports.

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

 

Campus Library. These suites are accessible by swiping your university card.  The majority of the College also has access to the university’s wireless network. Network access is available from the majority of rooms in University halls of residence through the ResNet system. All of these suites have the standard ‘palms’ printing systems in them (printing from credit held on your university card). At the St Luke’s Campus there is also a cash-based printing service at the GSE Print Unit based in South Cloisters.

Please see link below for further information on the IT Services facilities on the Exeter Campuses: http://www.exeter.ac.uk/media/universityofexeter/forum/public/Study_map_A4_2pp_Term3.pdf

Helpdesks are maintained on the Streatham and Cornwall campuses.

Student/Staff Liaison Committee enables students & staff to jointly participate in the management and review of the teaching and learning provision.

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.

(Quality Review Framework.

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

MSc Educational Research (Part-Time Distance Learning)

19. UCAS Code

N/A

20. NQF Level of Final Award

7 (Masters)

21. Credit

CATS credits		ECTS credits

22. QAA Subject Benchmarking Group

23. Dates

Origin Date		Date of last revision