Education Studies (with Professional Experience) (Taught)

Overview
Explore what shapes the learning experience on this Master's in Education Studies, and put theory into practice on a year's work placement in an educational setting.

You'll spend your first year at University, studying issues and theories related to the lived experience of education wherever it takes place, including schools, colleges, universities and professional training programmes. Guided by an expert team with direct sector experience, you'll assess the elements that influence educational outcomes for students of all ages, from teaching to family dynamics, plus sociological, political and cultural factors.

In Year 2, it's time to apply what you've learned on a professional experience placement, such as at a school, college, early years setting, local authority or private enterprise delivering learning and teaching.

If you're new to education, you'll gain invaluable experience for the next stage of your career. As a teacher, manager or researcher already working in the sector, you'll strengthen your skills and develop new ones in a fresh practice environment.

You'll graduate with the high-level academic skills and real sector expertise to work towards educational reform in a senior role, such as in educational policy and services, pedagogy, learning support or research.

Course highlights

• Spend 12 months working in a real educational setting, such as a school, early years environment or local authority team, applying your learning and building a professional network

• Learn to demystify the practices and experiences surrounding education, learning and teaching – from the changing purpose of education and educational - psychology, to the ways in which policy and practice influence the lives of students

• Be taught and supported by an expert academic team active in educational research and education practice, from early years to further and higher education

• Join a diverse cohort of students from the education sector and share perspectives on international approaches and attitudes to teaching and learning

• Boost your transferable skills, including critical thinking, research, anti-discriminatory practice, and project management

• Maximise the impact of your research dissertation by relating it to an area meaningful to you, such as your own educational institution and role, special educational needs (SEN), or a social issue that affects the way students learn

Careers and opportunities

Education is one of the most effective routes to worldwide social mobility and economic growth, yet many factors and inequalities still affect students' experience. This Master's in Education Studies (with Professional Experience) will prepare you to become a thought leader in the sector with the capacity and agility to respond to these issues.

Once you graduate, you'll have the theoretical knowledge and educational practice experience to pursue leadership or senior roles in social and community education, private enterprise, school improvement, policy-making, pedagogy, mentorship, consultancy, research or learning support.

Graduates of this course have gone on to roles such as:

• Education mental health practitioner

• Lecturer in Education

• Research assistant

Placement year
You'll do either a 12-month work placement or a 12-month professional experience programme, after you've completed your year of taught studies.

Work placement opportunities are likely to be in the following areas:

• schools and non-mainstream schools

• early years settings

• local authority school improvement and advisory teams

• private enterprises delivering additional resources to schools and educational settings

• charities or not-for-profit organisations delivering community-based learning to adults

• early help services

Examples of likely placement roles include:

• support worker

• teaching assistant

• teacher (if already qualified)

• family support worker

• volunteer

The University of Portsmouth is passionate about creating career-focused modules that do more than support your studies, they empower your academic journey and prepare you for what comes next.
 
We design modules that have:
 
• Clear themes and skills development as you progress through each year
• Assessments that feel meaningful, often based on real-world tasks rather than isolated exams
• Career-enhancing opportunities such as placements, live projects, enterprise and volunteering
 
For a full list of the modules you will study on this course, please visit the link to the course page.

https://www.port.ac.uk/study/courses/postgraduate-taught/ma-education-studies#modules

You'll be assessed through:

• essays
• presentations
• blogs
• dissertation / research project

You'll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark.

You can get feedback on all practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future.