MA Education Early Childhood Studies

at Teesside University

This MA has a full-time and a part-time route. Whichever route you choose you will study the same modules which are all scheduled on a Tuesday evening to enable working professionals to attend. You study 180 level 7 credits made up of four modules plus a final dissertation. The core modules 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. There is a strong emphasis on the application of your studies to your professional context.
You study two modules; Using the Literature to Inform Educational Research and the Dissertation. You choose your topics which should be around current debates and issues in early childhood studies.

Course structure
Core modules
Combining Professional and Academic Practice

You explore the role of professionalism in education. Through the problematisation of an educational issue of relevance to you, negotiated with the tutor, you will apply learning from contemporary academic theory and research to consider how the application of alternative approaches to the issue can enhance practice.

Contextualising Education

You explore contemporary education debates, examine the wider context of current education provision, and explore how this impacts on practice. You consider the relationship between ideas and processes in education, both nationally and internationally.

Educational Research: Practice and Planning

You gain an in-depth understanding of research methods in education, and the knowledge and skills required to develop an independent research study into an area of education which you conduct for your dissertation. The selection of research area and the method of enquiry will be decided in consultation with the module tutors.

MA Education Dissertation

You combine and enhance the skills and knowledge you have developed through other modules on this course. You work with an allocated supervisor to complete an independent research project in an area of professional education practice. You demonstrate your knowledge and skills in education research in the production of a research dissertation

Using the Literature to Inform Educational Research

You have the opportunity to develop the knowledge, skills and understanding necessary to undertake a literature search and plan an appropriate literature review, and to begin to develop your understanding of relevant contemporary research and possible gaps in knowledge.

Entry requirements

Standard Postgraduate criteria will apply, plus:

In exceptional cases applicants who can demonstrate suitable significant experience and/or further study in the education discipline may be considered for the course and may be asked to attend an informal interview to assess their suitability. This will include intellectual and academic suitability for the course.

A written record of the informal interview will be kept

IELTS requirement average of 6.5 with at least 5.5 in all components.

2022/23 entry

Fee for UK applicants
£6,100 a year

Fee for international applicants
£14,000 a year