Education - Professional Studies in Education

Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Studies in Education
This professional postgraduate qualification explores deeper the field of education within your chosen specialism. You'll choose from a selection of modules that encourage you to draw on your own experiences and undertake enquiry in your own context. You'll have the flexibility to change your specialism at Stage 2 if you want to diversify your study area. This diploma is also the second stage of a study programme that progresses to a masters degree; this gives you a choice to step off with a Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Studies in Education or continue studying towards 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 and interests.
• Has an emphasis on professional development through collaborative learning.
• 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.

Modules
To gain this qualification, you need 120 credits as follows:
Stage 1, 60 credits from:
Module
• Addressing inequality and difference in educational practice (EE814) 60
Next start: 01 Oct 2022
• Educational leadership: agency, professional learning and change (EE811) 60
Next start: 01 Oct 2022
• Applied linguistics and English language (EE817) 60
Next start: 01 Oct 2022
• Learning and teaching: educating the next generation (EE830) 60
Next start: 01 Oct 2022

Or, if you have successfully completed either EE806 or H880, you may count these modules towards Stage 1 of this qualification.

Stage 2, 60 credits from:
Module
• Language, literacy and learning (EE818)* 60
Next start: 01 Oct 2022
• Educational leadership: exploring strategy (EE812)* 60
Next start: 01 Oct 2022 FINAL
• Understanding literacy: social justice and inclusive practice (EE815)* 60
Next start: 01 Oct 2022 FINAL
• Learning and teaching: understanding your educational practice (EE831)* 60
Next start: 01 Oct 2022

*At Stage 2, you may choose to study the same specialism as you chose in Stage 1, or you can change to a different specialism. However, if you intend to progress to the MA, your choice at Stage 2 here will commit you to that specialism as your Stage 3 dissertation topic.

You should note that the University's unique study rule applies to this qualification. This means that you must include at least 40 credits from OU modules that have not been counted in any other OU qualification that has previously been awarded to you.

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.

You will be encouraged to relate the content of the modules to your own experiences therefore you will need access to an educational setting either through employment or other means such as volunteering and special arrangements for purposes of your study. Apart from schools and colleges, other organisations providing educational services – such as nursing education, youth, play, or early years work – could provide suitable settings to apply your learning and later carry out your dissertation. The various activities embedded in the study guide will help you develop skills of independent study and enquiry.

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.