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.

To gain this qualification, you need 120 credits.



For module details please see "Course Web Page".

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 an 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 in engaging or working with learners, children or young people as our pathway disciplines (Learning and Teaching, Inclusive Practice, 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.

2 years part-time study



How long it takes

Most students study the Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Studies in Education part-time, completing 60 credits a year over two years. Typically, this means 13–19 study hours each week.



You must complete the Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Studies in Education within four years.

See Course Web Page link for next start date.

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.