Master of Education (Primary Education) PACES entry only

The part-time Primary Education route is intended for education professionals, policymakers and researchers at any stage of their career. Many students have relevant international experience and interests. We aim to fuse research and theoretical understandings about primary or elementary education with current priorities in policy and practice.

To apply to finish your Masters through the PACES route you will have already completed the Postgraduate Advanced Certificate in Educational Studies (PACES) at the Faculty of Education. You will then join the Primary Education route for a further year of study. On the Primary Education Masters course you will have the opportunity to:

• enhance your educational understanding and practice through critical reflection, study and research;
• critically engage with the best quality national and international educational research that has relevance to primary education;
• carry out an individual and collaborative critical enquiry into significant educational issues and practice; and
• develop your thinking in order to contribute to informed policy and practice analysis and improvement in the primary phase and your own work setting.

The educational aims are:

• to examine the theoretical frameworks used in the study of education and its constituent disciplines;
• provide training in research methods appropriate to education;
• advance students’ capacity for professional reflection and judgment;
• cater to a range of specialists interested within the field of education or one of its constituent disciplines.

Course modules:

• Critical perspectives on primary education policy and practice
• Creative approaches to the curriculum
• Pedagogy, talk and learning
• The school and communities

Note: Pairs of modules run on a rolling programme. In 2024-2025 the course modules will be the top two on the list.  (i.e. Critical perspectives on primary education policy and practice; and Creative approaches to the curriculum)

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the programme, students will have:

• a comprehensive understanding of research techniques, and a thorough knowledge of the literature applicable to their specific educational domain;
• demonstrated originality in the application of knowledge, together with a practical understanding of how research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in their field;
• shown abilities in the critical evaluation of current research and research techniques and methodologies;
• demonstrated self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems, and acted autonomously in the planning and implementation of research.

Continuing

Continuation to the PhD from Masters programmes within the Faculty of Education is not automatic, and students wishing to do so must submit a PhD application by the usual deadline.

Open Days

The Postgraduate Virtual Open Day usually takes place at the end of October. It’s a great opportunity to ask questions to admissions staff and academics, explore the Colleges virtually, and to find out more about courses, the application process and funding opportunities. Visit the Postgraduate Open Day page for more details.

See further the Postgraduate Admissions Events pages for other events relating to Postgraduate study, including study fairs, visits and international events.