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Education (Advanced Practice) MA

Distance learning programme

The Education (Advanced Practice) MA will support you in solving the challenges you have identified in your own practice settings. It has been designed to help you respond to professional needs and develop leadership skills.

UK students International students
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2025/26)
£13,500
£6,750
Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Overseas tuition fees (2025/26)
£33,000
£16,500
Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Duration
1 calendar year
2 calendar years
5 calendar years
Programme starts
September 2025
Applications accepted
All applicants: 14 Oct 2024 – 29 Aug 2025
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Apply for this course

Entry requirements

Normally a minimum of a second-class Bachelor’s degree from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard, or a teaching qualification (Qualified Teacher Status or equivalent) with two years’ practical experience is required. Applicants with alternative qualifications may wish to consider the Graduate Diploma route.

The English language level for this programme 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.

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

The Education (Advanced Practice) MA focuses on learning and the relationship developed between professionals and their learners. You will examine current knowledge about theories and practices in education. You will also be encouraged to explore, enhance and innovate in education.

During the programme, you are able to explore any subject (e.g. PE, the Arts) or dimension (e.g. special needs, leadership). You will study educational practice through a variety of lenses. This includes learning, assessment, the curriculum and action research.

The programme responds to the needs of educational practitioners in both UK and international settings. Skills developed are fully transferrable to different contexts and settings. Therefore, it is relevant for teachers as well as other education professionals.

Who this course is for

The award has been developed for those who work in settings that have some educational element. This could include teaching a subject, mentoring a colleague, managing a placement or working alongside colleagues to support learning. It is therefore relevant to a variety of careers. For example, teaching and lecturing as well as those in other professions such as medicine, the police force and librarians.

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

What this course will give you

Understanding best practice in teaching and learning is important for all professionals, especially if your work has an educational element. This programme emphasises the practical application of educational research in your practice. It will advance your career through providing you with communication, leadership and problem-solving skills. You will learn how to effectively explain research outcomes to non-experts and apply these insights to address challenges in your setting.

The Education (Advanced Practice) MA is particularly flexible and can be tailored to your career. For example, you can:

  • Explore any subject, however obscure
  • Examine Special Needs or Leadership in your subject
  • Focus on supporting colleagues in their learning. It is the only Master’s that does this.

The online format offers you the same educational quality as a campus-based programme but with added flexibility. You can study from anywhere, balance learning with work and benefit from collaborating with peers from diverse settings.

With this programme, it may be possible to reduce the cost of studying to two-thirds of the total if you already have PGCE Master’s credits. Up to 60 of these can usually be put towards your final degree. This is valid for up to 5 years since the completion of your PGCE. For more information, please contact ioe.aep@ucl.ac.uk. To discuss academic content, please contact Kim.insley@ucl.ac.uk

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

The foundation of your career

Many of our part-time and flexible participants are already in their graduate destinations when they join us. The programme offers an excellent opportunity to support current work and advance your career. Previous graduates of this MA have become leads in their settings. Some choose to continue to doctoral study (PhD or the EdD). The programme, and this route in particular, is designed to empower participants as education practitioners through development of transferable academic skills in practitioner research and engagement with literature.

Employability

This programme will empower you as an educational practitioner. You will develop both transferable and academic skills, including how to:

  • Engage in discussion and argument
  • Explain theory and practice to non-specialist audiences (parents. governors, policy makers)
  • Make connections
  • Enhance and research your practice

Networking

You will meet virtually with other participants who are working in the same or similar areas. As the programme is taught online, this networking will be through module forums and optional live discussion groups.

You will also be taught by academics who specialise in a range of areas. This includes Maths, English, Arts, Religious Education (RE), Special Educational Needs (SEN), Nurture Group provision, Primary and Futher Education (FE) teaching/tutoring, international teacher education and mentoring.

Teaching and learning

Modules are normally taught online through a virtual learning environment. This means you can undertake activities at a time that suits you. Each module includes ‘Keep In Touch' (KIT) activities which are spread over 10 weeks. Attendance is measured through responses to KIT tasks.

The programme team use distance and online learning strategies to ensure that you are supported. Distance learning tends to involve ‘self-study’. It includes engagement with texts written by the team, readings and online forums. It can also include links to videos and other online resources. Online learning involves lectures, seminars and opportunities for tutorials.

All modes use a range of tools to support learning and teaching, such as 'Padlet' or 'Zoom'. There are no compulsory ‘live’ sessions.

The Dissertation is not considered a ‘taught’ module but is fully supported with activities and distance learning materials and you will have the opportunity to discuss your research plans with participants studying within Education MA and all its routes. You will be supervised by a member of the Advanced Practice team, including up to 5 supervisions during the academic year. These can be through virtual face-to-face meetings or via written feedback to a submitted chapter. You will be offered feedback on a full draft of your Dissertation in July. This means you can work on it during the summer break before final submission in September.

You will have a variety of non-graded assessments throughout module teaching. These activities support your learning and provide opportunities for feedback from tutors and peers. Examples include:

  • Quizzes
  • Keep in Touch activities
  • Forum discussions
  • Opportunity for virtual face to face tutorials and seminars. These develop understanding further through discussion and dialogue
  • A full draft of the final assessment for formative feedback. This includes up to three strongly advised actions in the final assignment

All modules have an essay as the standard graded assessment. In addition, two modules offer alternative assessments of presentation (Teacher as Author) and portfolio (Independent Study Module). There are no examinations in this programme.

Please note that the dissertation module listed below will change its name to 'Dissertation in Education with Integrated Research Methods' starting in 2025/26. This module supports participants in undertaking an original, independent scholarly investigation in the field of education. Participants often choose a dissertation topic relevant to their personal and professional interests, typically involving some fieldwork or empirical data collection.

All participants are expected to study for the same amount of time in total. However, how long you spend studying per week will depend on whether you are a full-time, part-time or a flexible/modular participant.

Full-time participants will study up to 40 hours per week. Participants are therefore not advised to study this route if they are in full-time employment.

Part-time participants will usually study up to 20 hours per week.

Flexible/modular participants may study between 10-30 hours per week depending on the modules they have chosen. We strongly discourage participants from doing more than two modules a term. Most modules will require 10 to 15 hours study each week. As this programme is fully online, there is no requirement of ‘contact’ hours, i.e. synchronous teaching hours

Modules

The programme consists of two compulsory modules (30 credits each), and two optional modules (30 credits each) and a dissertation (60 credits).

As most participants are full-time teachers it is not recommended that the programme is studied full-time in one year. Only participants who are working part-time may be able to study full-time. In that case, you will be advised to follow this pattern of study:

  • Autumn term: 'What is Education?' and 'Action Research' (both compulsory)
  • Spring term: Option 1 and Option 2

OR

  • Spring term: Option 1
  • Summer term: Option 2

Full-time participants will normally begin the 60-credit dissertation during the autumn term, with supervisions during spring and summer terms.

The programme consists of two compulsory modules (30 credits each), and two optional modules (30 credits each) and a dissertation (60 credits).

On the part-time mode, participants are expected to study 90 credits in each year. We recommend that in the first year participants study:

  • Autumn Term: 'What is Education' (compulsory module)
  • Spring Term: Option 1
  • Summer Term: 'Action Research' (compulsory module) OR Option 2

In the second year, participants study:

  • Autumn Term: 'Action Research' (compulsory module) OR Option 2

They will also work towards completion of their 60-credit dissertation in all three terms.

The programme consists of two compulsory modules (30 credits each), and two optional modules (30 credits each) and a dissertation (60 credits).

The flexible/modular option allows participants to structure study to suit their own needs. Participants will have up to 5 years to complete the degree and can study 0-180 credits in any year. This is the most popular option for those who are working full-time. Most participants study two modules a year and complete with their dissertation.

Participants should note that the core module 'What is Education?' is currently only available in the Autumn Term of any year, and the core module 'Action Research' only in Autumn or Summer Terms of any year.

Participants cannot study the dissertation module until they have studied at least 3 other modules. The fourth module can be studied alongside the dissertation but if it is the Action Research core module, this must be studied alongside the dissertation in the Autum term.

Compulsory modules





Optional modules






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 Education (Advanced Practice).

Fieldwork

Participants are expected to be working in educational settings or have access to educational settings as a volunteer. Some modules have an expectation that participants will carry out an inquiry or project in their educational setting. This can be as a volunteer but the team do not make placements or arrange field opportunities. Those studying full-time may volunteer in a local setting or reflect on previous experiences if necessary.

Placement

All participants should normally have access to an educational setting either as paid work, or as a volunteer. Placements are not arranged by the programme team.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services team.

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Graduate Open Events: Education MA (all routes)

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 Programme Leaders, hear about the programmes 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 programmes 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 (2025/26) £13,500 £6,750
Tuition fees (2025/26) £33,000 £16,500

Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Where the programme 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 a fee deposit will be charged at 10% of the first year fee.

For flexible/modular offer holders a £500 fee deposit will be charged.

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

Participants should take into account any travel, accommodation and expenses involved in their dissertation.

Participants must have access to a reliable device with good internet connectivity. While a smartphone may be useful for some tasks, it is not suitable for typing long essays or documents. Therefore, participants are required to use a standalone computer or laptop, and should plan to cover the cost of this device in their budget.

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 £114.50. This price was published by TfL in 2024. 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

IOE-Clarke Scholarships

Deadline: 5 May 2025
Value: Tuition fees, return flights and stipend (1 year)
Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need
Eligibility: EU, Overseas

IOE-ISH Centenary Masters Scholarships

Deadline: 5 May 2025
Value: Tuition fees and accommodation at International Students House (1 year)
Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need
Eligibility: Overseas

Next steps

There is an application processing fee for this programme 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 Education (Advanced Practice) at post graduate level
  • why you want to study Education (Advanced Practice) 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.

Normally applicants for the Advanced Practice route are working in educational settings. This may be full-time, part-time, or as a volunteer.

Most applicants are teachers or tutors, but we welcome applicants from other professions who support learning in their settings. Currently we have medical doctors, nurses and physiotherapists studying alongside teachers and tutors.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes (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: 2025-2026

Apply for this course

Got questions? Get in touch

Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment
Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment

ioe.aep@ucl.ac.uk

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