Description
Please note that this qualification is now only available until 31 December 2017. In order to claim this qualification you must have completed the required 180 credits by this time (unless the usual time limit for completion precedes this date), otherwise you could be transferred to a new version of our Masters degree in Education (F70) subject to your eligibility.
This taught masters degree course is a flexible modular qualification with a rich diversity of modules enabling you to choose those most appropriate to your own context and interests. The modules support your professional development through investigation of currently significant issues in the context of your own experience and appropriate literature. For this professional qualification you will need some experience of working with learners, either in teaching, the education advisory service, educational administration or an allied field – this may include informal learning settings. You will join a learning community of over 2500 students from varying educational contexts worldwide.
Planning your studies
To study for this masters degree course you must hold a bachelors degree from a UK university or other recognised degree-awarding body, or a qualification at equivalent level.
We strongly recommend that you begin your studies with the compulsory module Educational enquiry (E891)(now discontinued). It gives an overview of educational research, the concepts of which underpin study in subsequent modules.
There are additional entry requirements for EE880. Please see the module description by clicking on the links below for further details.
Your spoken and written English must be of an adequate standard for postgraduate study. If English is not your first language, we recommend that you will need a minimum score of 7 under the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Please see their website for details.
You will usually need to be able to work with learners, but not necessarily in a formal teaching situation. You will be encouraged to relate the content of the modules to your own experiences and to develop skills of independent study and enquiry. If you are not sure whether your qualifications and experience are suitable, please contact us for advice.
In your degree you may opt to study two modules that focus on a particular aspect of education, or you may prefer two unrelated modules to give your qualification breadth. If you have studied two modules in applied linguistics, educational leadership and management, or equality and diversity, you have the option to ‘badge’ your qualification and for example, be awarded a MA in Education (Leadership and Management).
We recommend you study one module a year, and you must complete this qualification within six years.
You should note that the University’s unique study rule applies to this qualification. This means that you must include at least 60 credits from OU modules that have not been counted in any other OU qualification that has previously been awarded to you.
Modules that are currently available for study worldwide are E807, E846, E852, H800, H809, H810, H817 and H818. These modules are available anywhere in the world (unless you are a resident of South Africa and may be restricted to studying through your Open University affiliate in your country).
Career relevance and employability
Across the globe there is an increasing demand for creative, innovative education professionals who have highly developed skills and a deep understanding of learning; in many countries a masters degree is becoming essential for career advancement in teaching and related careers. This qualification offers teachers and other education professionals working with learners of all ages the opportunity to develop professionally and academically. It is suitable for graduates working in formal education settings (nurseries, schools, colleges and universities), those supporting non-formal learning as well as education leaders and policy makers. Modules in this qualification are designed to enable you to update your knowledge and skills and give you the opportunity to reflect on your professional practice whilst developing your understanding of theoretical models and current debates.
Case studies and examples are from a worldwide context and this qualification will be relevant to educators across the globe.
This qualification does not qualify you for teacher registration.
Careers and Employability Services have more information on how OU study can improve your employability.
Modules
For this 180-credit masters degree you require:
60 credits from the following compulsory module:
| Postgraduate compulsory module |
Credits |
Next start |
- The discontinued module E891
|
60 |
|
And 60 credits from the following optional modules:
Or subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules E801, E804, E805, E831, E841, E844, E845, E846, E848, E849, E852, E855, E856, E859, ED840, EE880*, EE881, ME825, SEH806.
* EE880 is only available to those completing our Professional Graduate Certificate in Education (C71)
And a further 60 credits from the list above or from the following optional modules:
Or subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules B823, BZX823, ET821, H807, H808, H809, H812
Master of Arts in Education (Applied Linguistics) or Master of Education (Applied Linguistics)
If you included the following two modules in your degree, along with the compulsory module Educational enquiry (E891), you can be awarded a MA in Education (Applied Linguistics) or MEd (Applied Linguistics):
| Postgraduate modules |
Credits |
Next start |
- The discontinued module E852
|
60 |
|
- The discontinued module E854
|
60 |
|
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules E841, E844
Master of Arts in Education (Equality and Diversity) or Master of Education (Equality and Diversity)
If you included the following two modules in your degree, along with the compulsory module Educational enquiry (E891), you can be awarded a MA in Education (Equality and Diversity) or MEd (Equality and Diversity):
| Postgraduate modules |
Credits |
Next start |
- The discontinued module E801
|
60 |
|
- The discontinued module E805
-
|
60 |
|
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules E804, E831, E848
Master of Arts in Education (Leadership and Management) or Master of Education (Leadership and Management)
If you included the following two modules in your degree, along with the compulsory module Educational enquiry (E891), you can be awarded a MA in Education (Leadership and Management) or MEd (Leadership and Management):
| Postgraduate modules |
Credits |
Next start |
- The discontinued module E855
|
60 |
|
- The discontinued module E856
-
|
60 |
|
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules E849, E859
If you complete your studies before 31 December 2015
You can either follow the structure outlined above, or the previous structure of the qualification detailed below.
For this 180-credit masters degree you require:
60 credits from the following compulsory module:
| Postgraduate compulsory module |
Credits |
Next start |
- The discontinued module E891
|
60 |
|
And 120 credits from the following optional modules:
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules, B823, BZX823, E801, E804, E805, E831, E836, E841, E844, E845, E846, E848, E849, E854, E855, E856, E857, E859, ED840, EE880, EE881, ET821, EZX836, H807, H812, SEH806
* EE880 is only available to those studying our Professional Graduate Certificate in Education (C71)
The specialist degrees in applied linguistics, equality and diversity, and leadership and management are also available if you are completing your degree before 31 December 2015.
Learning outcomes
The learning outcomes of this qualification are described in four areas:
- Knowledge and understanding
- Cognitive skills
- Practical and professional skills
- Key skills
Read more detailed information about the learning outcomes, and how they are acquired through teaching, learning and assessment methods.
Credit for previous study elsewhere
If you have already completed some successful study at postgraduate level at another institution you may be able to transfer credit for this study and count it towards this Open University qualification. If you wish to apply to transfer credit you must do so as soon as possible as it may affect your choice of OU modules. If you are awarded credit for study completed elsewhere, you may find that you need to study fewer OU modules to complete your qualification with us.
Visit our Credit Transfer site for more information and details of how to apply for credit transfer.
We particularly welcome credit from those who hold a Cambridge Diploma in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (Delta) (course entry from September 2008) or the Trinity College London Licentiate Diploma in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (LTCL Diploma in TESOL) (course entry from March 2007). Credit from these diplomas may be counted towards our MA in Education (Applied Linguistics)/MEd (Applied Linguistics).
On completion
On successful completion of the required modules you can be awarded a Master of Arts in Education or Master of Education entitling you to use the letters MA Ed (Open) or MEd (Open) after your name.
If you have successfully studied specific combinations of modules you can be awarded a MA in Education (Applied Linguistics) or MEd (Applied Linguistics), MA in Education (Leadership and Management) or MEd (Leadership and Management), MA in Education (Equality and Diversity) or MEd (Equality and Diversity). You will be awarded the degree with distinction if you obtain 120 credits at distinction from the 180 credits required. You will have the opportunity of being presented at a degree ceremony.
On successful completion of one qualifying 60-credit module you will be able to claim a #Postgraduate Certificate in Professional Studies in Education [C27]#. On successful completion of Educational enquiry (E891) and one other qualifying 60-credit module you will be able to claim a #Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Studies in Education [D52]#. Not all 60-credit modules can be counted towards C27 and D52 and you should view the online descriptions to see which are included.
Regulations
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the qualification-specific regulations below and the academic regulations that are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.
How to register
If you want to study for this qualification, read the description and check you meet any specific requirements (for example, some of
our qualifications, require you to be working in a particular environment, or be sponsored by your employer). Then select the
module you wish to study first and ensure it is suitable for you before following the registration procedure for that module.
During the registration procedure you will be asked to declare which qualification you are studying towards.
See a full list of modules available for this qualification