MA Language and Literacy in Education

at University of Exeter

The MA in Language and Literacy Education is designed to develop your understanding of the theoretical foundations of teaching reading and writing, and the pedagogical implications of this.  It focuses principally on language and literacy education in the compulsory school phases, but would nonetheless have relevance to post-compulsory educators, and to educators engaged in language and literacy education in non-school settings.

The core modules of the programme address reading and writing, and engage you in critical enquiry in your school, or other settings, with an emphasis on improving the outcomes of learners in reading and writing.  At the same time, however, a distinctive feature of the programme is that each of the core modules also focuses on your own personal development, looking at children’s literature and reading for pleasure, and engaging you in undertaking your own creative writing.

You must take 180 credits in total to qualify with an MA qualification. This will either consist of taught modules to the value of 120 credits and a dissertation worth 60 credits, or a combination of modules, dissertation and accredited prior learning or experience. For the MA Language and Literacy, a maximum of 60 credits can be gained through the APCL process or through a combination of APCL and APEL.

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.

Stage 1

• Education Studies
• Reading the World or
• Writing: the Future

Stage 2

• Reading the World or
• Writing: the Future
• Independent Study 2 or
• Independent Study

Stage 3

• Preparing for Educational Research and Dissertation

For admission to the programme we would normally expect that you hold a 2:1 Honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject area such as social sciences, humanities or education. While we normally only accept applicants who meet this criteria, 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 work 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.

2022/23 entry

UK fees
£3,000 per 60 credits

The flexibility of this programme means it is ideal for students from a range of subject, professional and career backgrounds including teachers, lecturers, administrators, education advisors, or other related professions.