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Comparative Education MA

London, Bloomsbury

Are you passionate about shaping the future of education? Do you want to delve into the intricate world of policy and politics that drive change? Our cutting-edge Master's course in Comparative Education is designed to provide you with profound insights into the dynamics of education policy and politics across OECD (the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) countries and beyond. Uncover the factors driving change, the forces shaping education systems, and the dynamics of stakeholders. With our course, you will grasp the nuances of evidence-based strategies, change management, innovation, and sustainable progress in education.

UK students International students
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2026/27)
£14,200
£7,100
Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Overseas tuition fees (2026/27)
£32,000
£16,000
Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Duration
1 calendar year
2 calendar years
5 calendar years
Programme starts
September 2026
Applications accepted
Applicants who require a visa: 20 Oct 2025 – 26 Jun 2026
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Applicants who do not require a visa: 20 Oct 2025 – 28 Aug 2026
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Apply for this course

Entry requirements

Normally a minimum of an upper second-class Bachelor's degree from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard is required.

The English language level for this course is: Level 2

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.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

This course is suitable for international students on a Student visa – study must be full-time, face-to-face, starting September.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree

Our rigorous MA course offers a comprehensive multidisciplinary foundation in the comparative analysis of the intricate relationship between education, society, and communities. Through this course, you will gain a profound understanding of education policy and the political dynamics that shape it on an international level, including influential organisations like the OECD and the EU, as well as national governments across the UK, Europe, and southeast Asia. Focussing primarily on the developed world, you will delve into the politics driving educational reforms, assess their effects, and analyse their impact on economic growth, skill formation, and social inclusion.

With a comparative focus, our course transcends borders. Engage with peers from diverse backgrounds, sharing insights and experiences from around the world. Expand your horizons, broaden your cultural understanding, and cultivate a global network of like-minded change-makers.

Who this course is for

This course is suitable for anyone working or intending to work in education who wishes to understand education policy and politics and outcomes in a global context.

Read about what it takes to study for a Master's at UCL

What this course will give you

UCL Institute of Education (IOE) is one of the world's leading centres for education and related areas of social science. For the twelfth year in succession IOE has been ranked as the world's leading university for Education (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025).

Students benefit from joining the Department of Education, Practice and Society, a dynamic, interdisciplinary department at IOE. The department brings together a diverse community of researchers with expertise in the social sciences who have a common interest in exploring education in all its guises: formal, non-formal and informal.

Students will also benefit from the department's extensive expertise and experience in research, knowledge transfer and consultancy in the UK, Europe and Asia. Staff in the department work closely with transnational bodies, such as, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, government departments, as well as with regional organisations, employer organisations, national institutes, and international organisations.

Read about what you'll get out of a graduate programme

The foundation of your career

Recent career destinations for this degree:

  • internships in the OECD, UNESCO, and the EU
  • policy analysts the OECD and the European Commission
  • researchers at think tanks, education businesses, and consultancies in Europe, Asia, and the USA. 
  • government bodies and agencies
  • PhD scholarships

Employability

The Comparative Education MA will help you to develop key employability skills, which will make you attractive in both the public and private sector, e.g., international organisations, government departments, think tanks and consultancies, education businesses, and in research and teaching. We also offer MPhil/PhD course in the Department of Education, Practice, and Society, which provide opportunities to explore the field of Comparative Education in greater depth.

Networking

There are opportunities to connect with the global community of researchers and policy analysts in the field of comparative education and education politics.

Teaching and learning

The course adopts an inclusive approach that emphasises collective learning. All students are encouraged to participate in discussions and activities, and to collaborate in supporting one another's learning throughout the course.

Most teaching on the course is delivered via face-to-face evening sessions, although the timetable may vary depending on your choice of modules.

A range of forms of assessment will be used across the course. Depending on the module, these may include essays, presentations, and other coursework assignments. All students are also required to complete a dissertation or a report. If the report is opted for, an additional optional module is required. 

You can expect around 6 to 10 contact hours per week, depending on your module selections, which involve attending lectures, seminars, workshops, and discussions led by faculty members and guest experts. These interactive sessions foster intellectual exchange and provide a platform for clarifying concepts and addressing questions. In addition to contact hours, students are encouraged to dedicate at least 20 to 25 hours per week to self-directed study. This entails reading recommended literature, conduction research, completing assignments, and preparing for assessments. Self-directed study empowers you to delve deeper into topics of interests, cultivate critical thinking skills, and develop a comprehensive understanding of comparative education.

Modules

The course consists of two core modules (60 credits), two optional modules (60 credits), and a dissertation (60 credits) OR two core modules (60 credits) and three optional modules (90 credits) and a report (30 credits). 

Over the two years, you will take two compulsory taught modules (60 credits), two optional modules (60 credits), and a dissertation (60 credits) OR three optional modules (90 credits) and a report (30 credits).

The first year of the course introduces you to the foundation of doing comparative education research through the term 1 module, Comparative Education: Theories and Methods. In addition, you select a further one or two taught modules (compulsory and/or optional modules). In the second year, you will take the remaining modules (bringing the total number to four). You also begin work on your final research project, the dissertation or the report, with a submission date in early September.

It is expected that you will begin your studies with the compulsory module Comparative Education: Theories and Methods and that you will sit the Dissertation or Report module in your final year of study. The remaining compulsory and optional modules can be taken in Years 1-5 depending on your own study plan that you will discuss with your personal tutor.

Compulsory modules







Optional modules








Minorities, Migrants and Refugees in National Education Systems







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 are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MA in Comparative Education.

Placement

We provide assistance for applying internship at the OECD and UNESCO.

Accessibility

The department will endeavour to make reasonable adjustments for students with disabilities, including those with long-term health conditions, neurodivergence, learning differences and mental health conditions. This list is not exhaustive. If you're unsure of your eligibility for reasonable adjustments at UCL, please contact Student Support and Wellbeing Services.

Reasonable adjustments are implemented on a case-by-case basis. With the student's consent, reasonable adjustments are considered by UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services, and where required, in collaboration with the respective department.

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information about support available can be obtained from UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services.

For more information about the department and accessibility arrangements for your course, please contact the department.

Visit us

All open days and events

Online - Open day

Graduate Open Events: Comparative Education MA

Are you interested in furthering your career in education and making a difference in the UK or worldwide? We welcome you to book your place at our Virtual Open Event. You will meet our academics, hear about the courses you are interested in and have the chance to ask any questions you might have. These sessions are free and open to all. Be inspired by our wide-ranging and flexible courses run by leading academics.

Watch on demand event

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time Part-time
Tuition fees (2026/27) £14,200 £7,100
Tuition fees (2026/27) £32,000 £16,000

Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.

Postgraduate Taught students benefit from a cohort guarantee, meaning that their tuition fees will not increase during the course of the programme, but UCL reserves the right to increase tuition fees to reflect any sums (including levies, taxes, or similar financial charges) that UCL is required to pay any governmental authority in connection with tuition fees.

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Where the course is offered on a flexible/modular basis, fees are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees.

Additional costs

For full-time and part-time offer holders with a fee status classification of UK, a fee deposit will be charged at 2.5% of the first year fee.

For full-time and part-time offer holders with a fee status classification of Overseas, a fee deposit will be charged at 10% of the first year fee.

For modular/flexible offer holders with a fee status classification of UK, a £350 deposit will be charged.

For modular/flexible offer holders with a fee status classification of Overseas, a £500 deposit will be charged.

Further information can be found in the Tuition fee deposits section on this page: Tuition fees.

Students are responsible for covering any travel, accommodation, and other expenses involved in conducting research for their dissertation or report, and should account for these costs when planning their finances.

For in-person teaching, UCL’s main teaching locations are in zones 1 (Bloomsbury) and zones 2/3 (UCL East). The cost of a monthly 18+ Oyster travel card for zones 1-2 is £119.90. This price was published by TfL in 2025. For more information on additional costs for prospective students and the cost of living in London, please view our estimated cost of essential expenditure at UCL's cost of living guide.

Funding your studies

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

See all the ways you can fund your studies

GREAT Scholarship

Deadline: 7th May 2026
Value: £10,000 towards tuition fees (1 year)
Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need
Eligibility: EU, Overseas

Next steps

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.

There is an application processing fee for this course of £90 for online applications. Further information can be found at Application fees.

When we assess your application we would like to learn:

  • why you want to study Comparative Education at graduate level
  • why you want to study Comparative Education at UCL
  • what particularly attracts you to the chosen course
  • how your academic and professional background meets the demands of this challenging course
  • 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 course match what the course will deliver.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate courses (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.

Year of entry: 2026-2027

Apply for this course

Got questions? Get in touch

Education, Practice and Society
Education, Practice and Society

n.kersh@ucl.ac.uk

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