Education Studies (with Professional Experience) MA

**Overview**<br/>Explore what shapes the learning experience on this Masters in Education Studies, and put theory into practice on a years work placement in an educational setting.<br/><br/>Youll 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, youll assess the elements that influence educational outcomes for students of all ages, from teaching to family dynamics, plus sociological, political and cultural factors. <br/><br/>In Year 2, its time to apply what youve learned on a professional experience placement, such as at a school, college, early years setting, local authority or private enterprise delivering learning and teaching.<br/><br/>If youre new to education, youll gain invaluable experience for the next stage of your career. As a teacher, manager or researcher already working in the sector, youll strengthen your skills and develop new ones in a fresh practice environment.<br/><br/>Youll 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.<br/><br/>**Course highlights**<br/><br/><br/>- 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<br/><br/><br/>- 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<br/><br/><br/>- Be taught and supported by an expert academic team active in educational research and education practice, from early years to further and higher education<br/><br/><br/>- Join a diverse cohort of students from the education sector and share perspectives on international approaches and attitudes to teaching and learning<br/><br/><br/>- Boost your transferable skills, including critical thinking, research, anti-discriminatory practice, and project management<br/><br/><br/>- 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<br/><br/><br/>**Careers and opportunities**<br/><br/>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 Masters 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.<br/><br/>Once you graduate, youll 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.<br/><br/>Graduates of this course have gone on to roles such as:<br/>- Education mental health practitioner<br/><br/><br/>- Lecturer in Education<br/><br/><br/>- Research assistant <br/><br/><br/>**Placement year**<br/>Youll do either a 12-month work placement or a 12-month professional experience programme, after youve completed your year of taught studies.<br/><br/>Work placement opportunities are likely to be in the following areas:<br/>- schools and non-mainstream schools<br/><br/><br/>- early years settings<br/><br/><br/>- local authority school improvement and advisory teams<br/><br/><br/>- private enterprises delivering additional resources to schools and educational settings<br/><br/><br/>- charities or not-for-profit organisations delivering community-based learning to adults<br/><br/><br/>- early help services<br/><br/><br/>Examples of likely placement roles include:<br/>- support worker<br/><br/><br/>- teaching assistant<br/><br/><br/>- teacher (if already qualified)<br/><br/><br/>- family support worker<br/><br/><br/>- volunteer<br/>