Masters of Arts (Education Research) – the MA (Res)
The MA in Education Research is recognised by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) . It is a one year full-time or two years’ part-time programme that draws on expertise within the School of Education, Communication and Language Sciences and the wider Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) .
The course is designed to enable students to acquire an integrated set of key generic and subject-specific skills in their Masters year, giving them a firm basis for embarking on a doctoral programme, if required, and exposing them to the research techniques and issues raised in educational research.
The MA (res) in Education is closely linked to the Centre for Learning and Teaching (CfLaT) . As a student on this course you will be invited to participate in research events such as seminars, research teas and research project dissemination events held within the Centre and you will be encouraged to become integrated into the education research culture which has been developed.
The overall aims of the MA programme in education research are as follows:
- To offer a research-informed environment in which you can learn about in detail the discipline of educational from research active staff, your own study and from interaction with your fellow students.
- To enable you to acquire an advanced knowledge of the constituent areas of educational studies.
- To provide an opportunity for you to gain first-hand research experience by undertaking a major research project for your dissertation at Master’s level in education.
- To relate debates and methodological principles in education research to broader issues in social science research and educational policy and practice.
- To provide learning opportunities to enable you to acquire the knowledge, understanding, skills and aptitudes necessary to undertake advanced research in education in particular, and social science in general.
- To meet the aims of the Economic and Social Research Council’s (ESRC) postgraduate training guidelines by providing high quality research training at Master’s levels in educational research in particular and the social sciences in general.
- To contribute to the ESRC’s and the University of Newcastle’s objectives by providing high quality research training to an increasing number of graduates.
- To produce graduates who can successfully proceed to careers in research in Universities, the public sector, or the private sector.
Course Structure
The MA (Res) is designed to integrate generic research training in the social sciences, which is conducted at Faculty level, with subject specific research training in education, conducted at the School level. The programme aims to help you achieve a critical conceptual understanding of practice, thought, evidence and theory relating to recent developments in education. You will then be in a position to apply this understanding to your own professional context.
You will take compulsory modules, which help you gain the skills, knowledge and understanding to engage with and evaluate research and theory in education. These modules will also enable you to prepare a research proposal, and carry it out. In addition, you will take optional modules related to your professional situation. You also complete a research study, which can answer questions about an issue of professional concern or interest.
Coursework
The MA (Res) consists of taught modules (120 credits) and a research element, including a dissertation of 15,000-20,000 words (60 credits).
Compulsory Modules (Total 100 credits)
- Induction (no credit)
- Nature of Enquiry and Explanation in the Social Sciences (10 credits)
- Quantitative Methodology (20 credits)
- Qualitative Methodology (20 credits)
- Introduction to Information skills (10 credits)
- Investigating Learning in the Classroom (40 credits)
- Dissertation Workshop (no credit)
Optional Modules (Total 20 credits)
Optional modules may be taken from the following areas of study. Please note that not all modules may be available in any one year. The optional modules each carry 20 credits and so you may select one from the list:
- Policy and Practice of Assessment
- Developing Thinking Skills
- Curriculum Development and Learning
- Counselling Children and Young People
- Middle Management in Schools and Colleges
- Leadership and Strategic Management in Education
- Policy, Planning and School Effectiveness
- The Management of Change in Educational Organisations
Dissertation (60 credits)
All students will complete a research project leading to 15,000-20,000 word dissertation. The topic of which should fit within the range and interests of staff within the Centre for Learning and Teaching from which the supervisor will derive.
Assessment
A variety of forms of assessment are used in the programme, carefully chosen to reflect the form of training that is provided. In the generic research programmes, Nature of Enquiry and Explanation in the Social Sciences is assessed by a group oral presentation and a written report; Introduction to Information Skills is assessed by a detailed bibliography; Qualitative Methodology is assessed by a critical methodological review; Quantitative Methodology is assessed by either three data practical assessments or one data practical assessment plus a report. For the discipline-specific research training module Investigating Learning in the Classroom, assessment is through the creation of a portfolio. This also has the virtue of formally assessing many of the key skills identified. The optional modules are typically assessed by written assignments, usually of 4,500 - 5,000 words. The Dissertation is assessed through a thesis of 20,000 words maximum.
Selection
Candidates must ideally have a good degree (of either a first or 2:1 classification). Candidates who have a broad range of experience and expertise are welcomed as are applications from mature candidates who are planning a career change.
Fees and funding
For more information on fees, funding and how to apply for this programme Master Of Arts (Education Research)
Funding may also be available from the School of Education, Communication and Langauge Sciences.
For any other enquiries about this programme please contact:
Tel: 0191 222 6532
E-mail: ecls.ppd@ncl.ac.uk
Fees
Fees for the forthcoming academic year can be obtained at the following website http://www.ncl.ac.uk/regulations/fees/
As this course is ESRC recognised students are eligible to enter the ESRC open competition for a scholarship (see the ESRC website Society Today). If you are interested in this process then please contact us.