The Sociology of Education MA will guide students through the latest theories, concepts and research in the sociology of education, exploring the wider political, social and cultural contexts of policy and practice in education. It will encourage them to use sociological research to reflect on their current and future roles in education and provide them with a grounding for evaluating education practice.
Key information
Programme starts
September 2021
Modes and duration
Full time students usually take two modules (Understanding Education Research and Sociology of Education) in the Autumn term, then the remaining two or three modules in the Spring or Summer terms depending on their choices. Part time students are advised to take no more than one module per term.
Application dates
Tuition fees (2021/22)
Note on fees:
The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees. Fees for flexible, modular study are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session.
Entry requirements
A minimum of a second-class Bachelor's degree from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard in sociology or a related discipline is required. Some educational experience in either teaching or administration is considered an advantage.
English language requirements
If your education has not been conducted in the English language, you will be expected to demonstrate evidence of an adequate level of English proficiency.
The English language level for this programme is: Good
UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level. International Preparation Courses
Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.
International students
Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.
Visa information
This programme is suitable for international students on a Tier 4 visa - study must be full-time, face-to-face, starting October.
International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below.
Select your country:
About this degree
Students will develop critical theoretical, methodological and analytical skills in educational research in the sociology of education field and learn to apply them in their own professional context.
Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.
The programme consists of two core modules (60 credits), two optional modules (60 credits), and a dissertation (60 credits) or a report (30 credits) plus one further optional module (30 credits).
Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded a MA in Sociology of Education.
Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability is subject to change.
Compulsory modules
Optional modules
Students can choose optional modules from the list below and from a wide range of Master's-level optional modules across the IOE offering, subject to availability.
- Sociology of Race and Education
- Gender, Sexuality and Education
- Rights and Education
- Theoretical Foundations of Educational Ideas
- Understanding Education Policy
- Minorities, Migrants and Refugees in National Education Systems
- Higher Education: Comparative and International Perspectives
- Philosophy of Education: Values, Aims and Society
- Social Theory and the Study of Contemporary Social Problems
- Education, Values and Identities
- Philosophy of Education: Knowledge, Mind and Understanding
Dissertation/report
All students undertake an independent research project which culminates in a dissertation of 15,000 words or a report of 7,500 words.
Fieldwork
Some fieldwork is normally undertaken in relation to research for the dissertation module.
Teaching and learning
The programme is delivered through a mix of face-to-face evening sessions and interactive online learning. Sometimes a conventional lecture-based approach is taken, with the aim of providing an overview of the field. Lectures are usually followed by open discussion or group work. At other times a seminar format is adopted involving, for example, group discussion of set reading, a video or an introductory presentation.
Assessment is through coursework essay assignments, plus submission of a report or dissertation.
Additional costs
You may be required to apply for Disclosure and Barring Service clearance if your research requires work with children or vulnerable adults.
For more information on additional costs for prospective students please go to our estimated cost of essential expenditure at Accommodation and living costs.
Accessibility
Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble accessable.co.uk. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support & Wellbeing team: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees-and-funding.
Funding
Scholarships relevant to this department are displayed below.
Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme (CSSS)
- Note:
- Applications for this scholarship are now closed for 2020/21
- Value:
- Full fees, flights, stipend, and other allowances (1 year)
- Eligibility:
- Overseas
- Criteria:
- Based on both academic merit and financial need
IOE Centenary Masters Scholarships
- Value:
- Full tuition fees and accommodation (1 year)
- Eligibility:
- Overseas
- Criteria:
- Based on both academic merit and financial need
IOE-Clarke Scholarships
- Value:
- Tuition fees, stipend, flights (1 year)
- Eligibility:
- Overseas
- Criteria:
- Based on both academic merit and financial need
GREAT Scholarship
- Value:
- £11,000 (1 year)
- Eligibility:
- Overseas
- Criteria:
- Based on academic merit
IOE Windle Trust Scholarship
- Eligibility:
- Overseas
For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.
Careers
Graduates of this programme are currently working as lecturers and teachers, local authority officers, government department officers, members of education think tanks, or as research students (MPhil/PhD, EdD).
Employability
Students develop a capacity to critically engage with and conduct educational research on issues relating to sociology and education.
Why study this degree at UCL?
The Department of Education, Practice and Society at UCL Institute of Education (IOE) is home to an interdisciplinary grouping bringing together high-quality teaching and research in the history, sociology and philosophy of education, international development, post-compulsory and vocational education and higher education.
Sociology of Education, along with the MAs in Social Justice and Education and Policy Studies in Education, is part of the Department’s Sociology MA cluster. The three ‘pathways’ share some modules and the MA Programme Leaders and Module Leaders work closely together as a team. Students therefore study not only with leading scholars but also with students across these MA cluster pathways.
The Sociology of Education MA is taught by world-leading sociologists and philosophers within the department who have expertise in theory, research methods, policy analysis and impacting social change. Those teaching are active researchers in areas such as equality and human rights, gender, 'race', sexuality, youth, disability and social class. In their teaching they introduce the latest research and developments in their fields.
The course creates a powerful learning community involving both academics in the Department and beyond in the IOE, and a cohort of internationally diverse students across UCL Institute of Education's MA cluster in sociology, social justice and policy studies in education.
Department: Education, Practice & Society
Application and next steps
Applications
Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.
This programme requires two references. Further information regarding references can be found in our How to apply section.
There is an application processing fee for this programme of £90 for online applications and £115 for paper applications. Further information can be found at: ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/graduate/taught/application.
Who can apply?
This programme is suited to social science and humanities graduates, policy analysts, teachers (including newly qualified teachers), community or adult educators, and others with an interest in the sociology of education.
Application deadlines
- All applicants
- 30 July 2021
For more information see our Applications page.
Apply nowWhat are we looking for?
When we assess your application we would like to learn:
- why you want to study Sociology of Education at graduate level
- why you want to study Sociology of Education at UCL
- what particularly attracts you to the chosen programme
- how your academic and professional background meets the demands of this challenging programme
- where you would like to go professionally with your degree.
Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate whether your reasons for applying to this programme match what the programme will deliver.
We look for a strong academic background in general, since the course is intellectually demanding. We particularly look for some background in Sociology, as its concepts are key to the Programme, or in Education and other cognate fields, and/or experience as an educator. Your application will still be considered if you do not have these, but you would need to address this explicitly in your Personal Statement.
UCL is regulated by the Office for Students.
Page last modified on 25 February 2021