MA Education
Leeds Beckett University
Course Overview
The MA Education is a postgraduate programme designed for educators and education professionals who want to critically engage with contemporary debates, inequalities, and challenges in education. The course develops changemakers committed to social justice, equipping students with the theoretical insight and research skills needed to influence educational policy, practice, and innovation.
Students explore global and local educational issues, critically examine power and inequality, and develop a strong researcherly identity. The programme supports those seeking to deepen professional practice, contribute to educational knowledge, or progress into leadership or research roles.
Academic Structure and Learning Experience
The MA Education carries 180 Level 7 credits over one year, either via distance learning or on campus.
The course includes a combination of core modules and optional modules, allowing students to tailor their studies to their interests.
Core areas include:
- Global debates in education
- Theorising education
- Research methods
- An independent dissertation
Optional modules enable specialisation in areas such as diverse childhoods, neurodiversity, critical ethnic studies, and social justice.
Teaching is delivered through lectures, seminars, tutorials, and online learning environments. Distance learners engage through recorded content, online discussions, and virtual tutorials. Learning emphasises critical dialogue, collaborative enquiry, and independent research, with assessment primarily through coursework and a final 12,000–15,000 word dissertation.
Recognition, Accreditation and Value
The MA Education is awarded by Leeds Beckett University and is a Level 7 postgraduate qualification, recognised in the UK and internationally.
Students may also be eligible for Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma exit awards, offering flexibility and recognised milestones.
The qualification provides strong academic and professional value for educators, leaders, policymakers, and practitioners seeking to develop advanced critical insight, research capability, and influence within education systems.
Flexibility, Support and Progression
The programme is designed to support working professionals, offering flexible full-time study options and both distance-learning and campus-based delivery.
Students benefit from:
- Access to academic staff through tutorials and drop-in sessions
- Structured guidance in academic writing, research, and assessment
- An allocated supervisor for the dissertation
Graduates are well prepared for progression into senior educational roles, policy and advocacy work, consultancy, or doctoral study, with the dissertation providing a strong foundation for further research.