Educational Studies

Overview
This programme offers teachers and educational professionals opportunities to learn across a range of areas within the broad field of education.

Education professionals in the twenty-first century are expected to have strong knowledge and skills in core areas as well as an ability to move flexibly in and out of a variety of specialist areas. This Educational Studies programme is designed to meet these diverse needs by offering students the opportunity to select modules from a wide range of topics including: learning and teaching, assessment, educational leadership, inclusion and special educational needs.

The programme offers students an opportunity to familiarise themselves with current research on these topics. In addition, students are encouraged to consider and reflect on the practical implications of theoretical perspectives and research findings.

The MEd in Educational Studies is open to teachers in primary-, secondary- and tertiary-level institutions as well as to professionals in other fields of education.

Core Modules
• An Introduction to Research Methods: Children, Young People and Education (20 credits)
• Dissertation (60 credits)

Optional Modules
• The Role of Education in Ethnically Plural Societies (20 credits)
• Understanding Children with ASD (20 credits)
• Understanding Adults with ASD (20 credits)
• Contemporary Perspectives on Learning and Teaching (20 credits)
• Leadership: Theoretical Perspectives (20 credits)
• Leadership in Practice (20 credits)
• Bilingualism, Literacy and Disciplinary Literacy Development (20 credits)
• Engaging difference in divided & multicultural societies: concepts & practices for educational conte (20 credits)
• Social Justice in Special Needs Education and Inclusion: A Capability Approach (20 credits)
• Leadership for School Improvement and Change (20 credits)
• Transforming Higher Education (20 credits)
• Digital Literacy and Communication (20 credits)
• Epistemic Injustice: The Ethics of Knowing in Special Educational Needs/ Inclusion (20 credits)
• Fundamental elements of behaviour change (20 credits)
• Behaviour Change in Education and Supervising Others (20 credits)
• Deconstructing Special Needs Education and Inclusion (20 credits)
• Reflective Practice and Action Research (10 credits)
• Curriculum: Theory, Policy and Practice (20 credits)
• E-learning: Concepts and Pract (20 credits)
• Behaviour Analysis for Effective Teaching (20 credits)

Course Structure
Students may enrol on a full-time (1 year) or part-time (3 years) basis. Individual modules may be studied as a short course. Part-time students typically complete one or two modules per semester. Full-time students typically complete three modules per semester.

Dissertation – 60 CATS points (15,000 words max.). Students choose to work on a topic of interest under the supervision of an academic member of staff.

The MEd is awarded to students who successfully complete six taught modules (120 CATS points) and a 15,000 - 20,000 word research dissertation (60 CATS points).

Exit qualifications are available: students may exit with a Postgraduate Diploma by successfully completing 120 CATS points from taught modules or a Postgraduate Certificate by successfully completing 60 CATS points from taught modules.

Graduate
A 2.1 Honours degree or above or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University in any subject discipline.

Applicants with a 2.2 Honours degree or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University may also be considered if they have at least two years of professional experience in an education, training or relevant context.

Closing date for applications: Friday 28th June 2024 at 4pm.
Late applications may be considered.

How to Apply
Apply using our online Postgraduate Applications Portal and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply.

There are no written examinations. Modules are assessed by coursework. Modules with an online element use a variety of assessment methods, eg multiple choice tests and contributions to an online forum.

1 year (Full Time)
3 years (Part Time)

Teaching Times
The majority of sessions are in the evenings. Attendance at weekend workshops is occasionally required.

Entry Year: 2024/25

Career Prospects
Graduates from this degree have found the skills and knowledge learned to be beneficial in their workplace by improving their professional practice. In the case of teachers this has meant the development of research-informed practice and the ability to lead professional development within their schools.

Furthermore, a higher degree can enhance employment prospects to help secure future promotion. Having deepened their knowledge in a specific area, other students have chosen to continue academic study to doctoral level.

Queen's postgraduates reap exceptional benefits. Unique initiatives, such as Degree Plus and Researcher Plus bolster our commitment to employability, while innovative leadership and executive programmes help our students gain key leadership positions both nationally and internationally.