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Postgraduate study
Education (Early Childhood Studies)

Education (Early Childhood Studies) MA

The MA Education (Early Childhood Studies) course aims to produce graduates who possess a sophisticated knowledge and understanding of early childhood relevant to their future careers and further learning.

 

Course overview

You develop your academic and professional skills and knowledge appropriate to an area of educational interest, so you can continue your professional, educational and/or personal development by consolidating, enhancing and extending your disciplinary expertise, experience and abilities.

You also develop a range of advanced research skills appropriate to postgraduate study and professional practice that will enable you to critically evaluate existing work and design research to further knowledge within education

The learning and teaching strategy of the course is designed to encourage an individualised and progressive acquisition of knowledge and skills required for postgraduate study. Learning is scaffolded by moving from study methods that have a greater degree of support and guidance gradually towards more independence and self-direction. From the start of the course you are supported to choose an area of education that is relevant to your own current or future professional practice which can form the focus of your learning.

You explore literature in your chosen topic, focus on education policies and practices and consider what education means to you. You reflect on your own position in current or potential future practice and consider how your own professional development can be enhanced, then develop a substantial research project to explore it further through your dissertation.

Study this course and you may be eligible for a £2,500 Sir Keith Skeoch postgraduate scholarship.

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Course details

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.

 

Modules offered may vary.

 

How you learn

You share experiences and perspectives on aspects of practice. You study with students from other programmes who are from a variety of educational settings and backgrounds – this sharing gives you the opportunity to develop a systematic and critical understanding of the breadth and depth of knowledge in educational research and practice. You can develop a sense of belonging to the programme while being able to discuss and explore your own area of interest.
Peer-led discussion on research and practice issues raised in sessions provides the opportunity for interprofessional discussion and debate, and the opportunity to consider relevant issues from the perspective of other professional educational groups which supports you to integrate and synthesise a diverse range of knowledge. You share taught sessions with the Education Doctorate, enhancing the range and type of discussions held within sessions as well as encouraging you to consider your progression after the programme.

How you are assessed

Staff have a wide range of educational backgrounds and specialist interests to support for your cross-disciplinary interests and multi-agency working. Another important element is how we support your transition to studying at level 7. You are offered academic support to help you understand the requirements of master’s level study; to develop your skills in academic writing and referencing, critical thinking and critical writing; and in the key IT skills such as literature searching. The assessment allows you to reflect on your own practice and context, and produce assessed work that benefits your working context. Student feedback on the programme has consistently highlighted the level of support from the staff as a major contributor to their success.

 

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.

For general information please see our overview of entry requirements

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Information for international applicants

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Full-time

2024/25 entry

Fee for UK applicants
£6,710 a year

More details about our fees

Fee for international applicants
£17,000 a year

More details about our fees for international applicants

  • Length: within 1 year
  • Start date: September or January
  • Semester dates

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Part-time

2024/25 entry

Fee for UK applicants
£750 for each 20 credits

More details about our fees

  • Length: 2 years
  • Attendance: Middlesbrough campus: Tuesday evenings
  • Start date: September or January
  • Semester dates

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UK students

Email: ssshladmissions@tees.ac.uk

Telephone: 01642 738801


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International students

Email: internationalenquiries@tees.ac.uk

Telephone: +44 (0) 1642 738900


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