Our new MA in Education aims to create reflective, research-driven educators who can apply their knowledge skills and experience to real-world challenges in educational settings. It promotes a holistic understanding of education, emphasising both theory and practice, and encouraging lifelong professional growth. Through the study of carefully selected compulsory and optional modules, you will explore the relationship between theory, practice and contemporary developments within regional, national and international educational contexts.
Introduction
Who is this course for?
The MA in Education is suitable for graduates from any subject background who have a professional interest in education, whether through working in educational administration or business, or the cultural or charity sectors or those interested in progressing towards furthering their academic expertise in educational policy and practice through future doctoral studies.
What you'll learn
How to identify and critically analyse the issues affecting a range of different educational contexts and countries and learner characteristics from local, national and international perspectives.
Critical application of advanced scholarship and innovative practices that address the challenges in diverse educational contexts.
How to critically evaluate how ways of knowing and thinking shape research and practice within a range of educational settings, framing professional actions in the light of this understanding.
The synthesis and critical evaluation of ways in which personal, local, organisational, national, cultural, technological and international factors influence research and the transformation of education practice and policy.
Critical evaluation of the effectiveness of approaches and techniques used by change agents to affect educational change within their spheres of influence
Application of inclusive, responsible and ethical principles in the development and evaluation of educational practices and policies appropriate to a given context.
How to critically reflect on and evaluate your own professional practice and understanding, demonstrating self-awareness, framing insightful questions, and applying systematic patterns of critical thinking.
How to systematically plan and independently conduct theoretically informed research of educational topics and or businesses and themes based on appropriate methods/methodologies and/or project management practice to inform educational policy and practice.
By the end of the programme, you will be able to analyse and evaluate the contemporary challenges facing educational theory and practice and formulate strategies to address them effectively.
Course content
Discover what you'll learn, what you'll study, and how you'll be taught and assessed.
Semester one
Compulsory modules:
MAED401 – Fundamentals of Education: Teaching, Learning, Knowledge, Assessment
MAED402 – Contemporary Issues in Global Education
MAED403 – Introduction to Educational Research and Enquiry
MAED404 – The Reflective Practitioner
Any optional modules listed above are illustrative only and may vary from year to year. Modules may be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved and staff availability. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed.
Semester two
Compulsory modules:
MAED403 – Introduction to Educational Research and Enquiry
MAED404 – The Reflective Practitioner
Optional modules:
MAED405 – Digital Perspectives in Education
MAED406 – Critical Studies in University Education
MAED407 – Entrepreneurial Thinking and Innovation
MAED408 – Leadership, Policy, and Institutional Change
Any optional modules listed above are illustrative only and may vary from year to year. Modules may be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved and staff availability. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed.
Final project
MAED409 – Capstone Project
Any optional modules listed above are illustrative only and may vary from year to year. Modules may be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved and staff availability. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed.
How you'll learn
Overall, the learning and learning approach in an MA in Education aims to create reflective, research-driven educators who can apply their knowledge to real-world challenges in educational settings. It promotes a holistic understanding of education, emphasising both theory and practice, and encouraging lifelong professional growth. Specifically, it provides authentic learning experiences; designed and delivered to reflect the issues and challenges of education and educators, is shaped by the LCF hallmarks of active learning, research-connected teaching and acknowledges and accommodates our diverse student cohort via:
Tutor led lectures with active learning features
Tutor led seminars
Student led seminars
Independent learning
Leadership and teamwork
Individual supervision
Liverpool Hallmarks
We have a distinctive approach to education, the Liverpool Curriculum Framework, which focuses on research-connected teaching, active learning, and authentic assessment to ensure our students graduate as digitally fluent and confident global citizens.
Your experience
The MA in Education sits within the School of Histories, Language and Cultures, although teaching will take place across the campus. Within the School and associated departments, there is a diverse student population consisting of a wide ethnic mix, home/EU and international students and a number of mature students. We provide a safe place where staff and students can be their authentic selves in the workplace and their everyday lives. We do this by being an inclusive and supportive environment where our diverse community of scholars and students offer support through allyship and support for all.
Supporting your learning
From arrival to alumni, we’re with you all the way:
Careers and employability support, including help with career planning, understanding the job market and strengthening your networking skills
A dedicated student services team can help you get assistance with your studies, help with health and wellbeing, and access to financial advice
Support for students with differing needs from the Disability advice and guidance team. They can identify and recommend appropriate support provisions for you.
Why History at University of Liverpool?
we have a breath of expertise and knowledge that spans the medieval, early modern and modern periods and research across Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia and the Americas. We are here to support you in your specific research interests.
We have active seminar programmes, linked to our research centres and MA programmes, enabling staff and postgraduates to present their work and listen to eminent visiting speakers.
Dedicated small group teaching in seminars or workshops and through one-to-one tutorials, we believe this leads to the best collaboration between students and staff
Students have a voice here and are represented on the School Postgraduate Committee. There is also a dedicated staff – student liaison committee to oversee our MA and PhD programmes.
The MA in Education aims to prepare graduates for roles in education, research, administration, and policymaking, as well as further academic pursuits such as doctoral studies in education. The programme’s emphasis on digital contexts and entrepreneurship within education offer a point of differentiation for students seeking to influence change in educational practice and innovation. Through the incorporation of themes of sustainability, the programme provides students with the knowledge, skills and experience to shape future generations. Possible career opportunities include administration, education-related business startups, curriculum design, consultancy, charities and non-profit organisations, policy development, teaching or training. In addition, the generic skills it cultivates (such as adaptability, problem solving, leadership, research and digital proficiency) also mean that employment beyond the education sector is also possible.
Career support from day one to graduation and beyond
Your tuition fees, funding your studies, and other costs to consider.
Tuition fees
UK fees (applies to Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Republic of Ireland)
Full-time place, per year
£11,700
International fees
Full-time place, per year
£24,100
Fees stated are for the 2025-26 academic year.
Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching and assessment, operating facilities such as libraries, IT equipment, and access to academic and personal support.
If you're a UK national, or have settled status in the UK, you may be eligible to apply for a Postgraduate Loan worth up to £12,167 to help with course fees and living costs. Learn more about fees and funding.
Additional costs
We understand that budgeting for your time at university is important, and we want to make sure you understand any course-related costs that are not covered by your tuition fee. This could include buying a laptop, books, or stationery.
We accept a 2:2 honours degree from a UK university, or an equivalent academic qualification from a similar non-UK institution. There is no specification of degree subject.
International qualifications
If you hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, but don’t meet our entry requirements, you could be eligible for a Pre-Master’s course. This is offered on campus at the University of Liverpool International College, in partnership with Kaplan International Pathways. It’s a specialist preparation course for postgraduate study, and when you pass the Pre-Master’s at the required level with good attendance, you’re guaranteed entry to a University of Liverpool master’s degree.
International applicants who do not meet the minimum required standard of English language can complete one of our Pre-Sessional English courses to achieve the required level.
English language qualification
Requirements
IELTS
6.5 overall, with no component below 6.0
TOEFL iBT
94-101
PRE-SESSIONAL ENGLISH
Do you need to complete a Pre-Sessional English course to meet the English language requirements for this course?
The length of Pre-Sessional English course you’ll need to take depends on your current level of English language ability.
Liverpool bursts with diversity and creativity which makes it ideal for you to undertake your postgraduate studies and access various opportunities for you and your family.
To fully immerse yourself in the university experience living in halls will keep you close to campus where you can always meet new people. Find your home away from home.
Discover what expenses are covered by the cost of your tuition fees and other finance-related information you may need regarding your studies at Liverpool.
Contact us
Have a question about this course or studying with us? Our dedicated enquiries team can help.
