Education - Professional Studies in Education

This professional postgraduate qualification explores education through the lens of your chosen specialism and you will be encouraged to relate your learning and theoretical content to your own experiences and context. You'll also have the flexibility to change your specialism at Stage 2 if you want to diversify your study area. On completion of this diploma you can choose to continue studying and complete the MA or MEd in Education.

Key features of the course

Offers a rich diversity of specialisms to choose from to suit your professional requirements, experience, and interests.

Has an emphasis on professional development through collaborative learning, though alternate ways of working can be facilitated.

Develops and consolidates advanced scholarship and independent learning in the context of your own practice.

Is a stepping stone towards the MA or MEd in Education

Gives you the option to count your previous study towards this qualification, helping you pay less and finish sooner.

To gain this qualification, you need 120 credits.

For module details go to https://www.open.ac.uk/postgraduate/qualifications/e88#course-details

To study for this postgraduate diploma course you must hold a bachelors degree from a UK university or other recognised degree-awarding body, or a qualification at equivalent level.

Your spoken and written English must be of an adequate standard for postgraduate study. If English is not your first language, we recommend that you will need a minimum score of 7 under the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Please see their website for details.

In order to study this qualification you do not need to be employed in an educational setting. However, it is important that you have some experience of engaging or working with learners, children or young people as our pathway disciplines (Learning & Teaching, Inclusive Practice, Applied Linguistics and Leadership and Management) are all explored through the lens of education. Therefore you will need to be able to apply your learning to a relevant context or learning environment.

This can be through employment or other means such as volunteering and/or special arrangements undertaken for the purposes of your study. Apart from schools and colleges, other organisations providing educational services – such as health and care education environments, youth, play, or early years work, armed forces, business and commercial environments – all could provide suitable settings to apply your learning and later carry out your dissertation should you decide to continue towards a full masters degree.

If you are not sure whether your qualifications and experience are suitable, please contact us for advice.

1–4 years.

How long it takes
The minimum time to complete is one year, the maximum time to complete is four years.

Career relevance
Throughout the world there is an increasing demand for creative, innovative education professionals who have highly developed skills and a deep understanding of learning; in many countries a masters degree is becoming essential for career advancement in education, training and professional development settings.

This qualification is designed to enrich your knowledge and improve your professional practice. On completing your studies, you should be able to:

•demonstrate self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems at a professional or equivalent level

•reflect critically and constructively, in the light of ideas and frameworks presented in the modules on how these apply to your practice and organisational context

•be ready to continue your studies and complete the Masters in Education (F70) with The Open University.

You will also acquire qualities and transferable skills that are highly prized by employers within education and related fields, such as

•exercising initiative and personal responsibility

•the ability to make decisions in complex and unpredictable situations

•the ability to critically draw on appropriate research

•have an understanding of ethical considerations in research

•the ability to produce reports/outputs for academic and professional purposes.

You will be guided through the materials on how you can recognise and acknowledge these additional skills.

Please note that this postgraduate qualification does not qualify you for teacher registration in any country.

There is more information about how OU study can improve your employability in the OU's Employability Statement from our OU Careers Advisory Service. You can also look at our OU study and your career pages to find out about potential career opportunities related to OU subject areas.