MSc Educational Research

at University of Exeter

The overall purpose of this MSc is to prepare you for the independent conduct of educational research. You will acquire general social science research skills that can be used in different contexts and applied to a variety of problems, and also have the opportunity to specialise in a particular field of education within a research preparation framework.
 

As beginning educational researchers we will ensure that you understand the central and current ideas, concepts, debates, theories, philosophies and approaches employed in educational research. You will also develop a critical understanding of interpretive research, and competence in the planning and execution of such research.
 

Alongside developing your research skills you will also practise communicating research to an academic audience through a number of different media (oral and written). We aim to mirror the real world of educational research where we often work with others, be that other researchers, education professionals or our research participants.
 

As a full-time on campus student, you will take two sessions each week during term time. Part-time students take one session per week during term time.
 

If you are studying by distance learning, the online programme has set start and finish dates.
 

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

The modules we outline here provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.

Compulsory modules

• The Nature of Educational Enquiry
• Interpretive Methodologies
• Scientific Methodologies
• Designing and Communicating Research
• Dissertation

You will be expected to have obtained a first degree equivalent to at least a UK 2:1 Honours in a relevant area such as social sciences, humanities or management, and to have demonstrable interest in educational research.
 

If you have a high 2:2 or equivalent, are coming from a different academic background which is equivalent to degree level, or have relevant teaching experience, we would welcome your application.

English Language Requirements
 

• IELTS

  Overall score 6.5. No less than 6.0 in any section.
   

• TOEFL

  Overall score 90 with minimum scores of 21 for writing, 21 for listening, 22 for reading and 23 for speaking.

UK fees per year:
£9,000 full-time; £4,500 part-time
 

International fees per year:
£19,500 full-time

Our postgraduate programmes are designed to give you career progression in your specialist educational area of choice and completion of this programme can lead to a variety of research roles within educational and social science fields.