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Education and International Development MA

London, Bloomsbury

The Education and International Development MA introduces the concepts of development and educational development, and enables students to assess the role of education in the development process by engaging critically with theory and research. It explores questions posed by social and economic divisions, sustainable development, and the impact of globalisation, and examines relevant contemporary policy issues, with a particular focus on low- and middle-income countries.

UK students International students
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2024/25)
£12,700
£6,350
Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Overseas tuition fees (2024/25)
£28,100
£14,050
Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Duration
1 academic year
2 academic years
5 academic years
Programme starts
September 2024
Applications accepted
Applicants who require a visa: 16 Oct 2023 – 28 Jun 2024
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Applicants who do not require a visa: 16 Oct 2023 – 30 Aug 2024
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Apply for this course

Entry requirements

A minimum of a second-class Bachelor's degree from a UK university or overseas qualification of an equivalent standard is required together with relevant experience in low or middle-income countries (normally a minimum of six months). Applicants should demonstrate commitment and genuine interest in issues relating to education and international development.

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.

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

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

This programme provides students with the opportunity to develop a critical understanding of key aspects of theory, policy and practice in relation to education and international development, and skills and knowledge in research methods and analysis. Students benefit from being taught by renowned researchers of education and international development, as well as international guest speakers. Students will also meet and study alongside a diverse student group: our alumni are from more than 80 countries.

There will be opportunities for students to be introduced to a number of key international development organisations involved in education and learn more about the nature of their work, as well as to find out about professional development opportunities. In previous years, students have organised career development events and benefited from volunteering opportunities via the Students' Union UCL Volunteering Service.

The programme can be taken on campus, online (distance), or a combination of both (mixed mode). Please select the relevant mode of study at point of application. Note that distance and mixed mode options are not available to students applying for a student visa.

Who this course is for

This programme is suited to professionals working in the formal and non-formal sectors in education and international development who would like to reflect and build on their experience in these areas.

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

What this course will give you

The department of Education, Practice and Society at IOE, UCL’s Faculty of Education and Society is the well-established home of an interdisciplinary grouping bringing together high-quality teaching and research in the history, sociology and philosophy of education and international development. It houses the Centre for Education and International Development (CEID), which comprises a team of internationally recognised experts in international development, education, and international educational policy, and which has nurtured world leaders in educational practice and research for over 85 years.

The department has extensive experience and expertise in: education planning and policy; health; education in Africa, Asia and Latin America; education, equality and human rights; issues of gender, migration, race, sexuality, disability, and social class; and education in conflict and emergencies.

Linking research, policy and practice, the result is an extraordinarily powerful learning community.

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

The foundation of your career

It is intended that students who participate fully in the programme will develop the following:

  • the ability to reflect critically on a wide range of contemporary debates and issues concerning education and international development
  • their knowledge of and understanding in the field of education and international development and the implications of published research in this area for their own practice.
  • their skills in oral presentation and discussion, critical reading and reflective and analytical writing
  • an understanding of the processes entailed in research and the experience of conducting their own small scale research study 

Employability

Graduates of this programme are currently working across a broad range of areas and sectors in relation to education and international development worldwide. These include local and international NGOs, donor and multi-lateral agencies, national and local education departments, schools and universities. Some students continue on to doctoral study.

A number of students are mid-career professionals (including teachers, ministry staff and NGO professionals), for whom the programme forms part of their wider professional development, providing access to more senior roles or to a change of career direction.

Networking

During your time at UCL, you will be able to build networks with fellow students on this programme and the other programmes in the Education and International Development cluster, academic staff and alumni in the Centre for Education and International Development, as well as the broader UCL community.

Teaching and learning

Teaching on the Education and International Development MA is intended to provide learners with a critical perspective on a range of different frameworks through which they can understand their experiences and practice. A range of teaching and learning methods are used including lectures, participant-led presentations, group work, workshops, online activities.

Most taught modules are assessed through a piece of written coursework, usually of 5000 words in length. Depending on the module, this may take the form of a discursive essay, critical analysis of empirical research, review of literature, or a project or research proposal.

For each 30 credit taught module students are expected to contribute 300 learning hours (a little over 37 days at 8 hours per day). Direct teaching/contact hours (either online or face-to-face) accounts for 30 hours, assignment tutorial(s) 1 hour, and the remaining hours consist of your own self-directed study such as, preparation for classes and online learning activities, reading (individual and with other students), searching for new literature related to your area of interest, assignment preparation and completion.

Modules

The programme is designed to give you the coherence of a Master's degree in the area of education and international development and some flexibility to design the degree that best meets your needs and accords with your interests as they relate to this field. The programme consists of one compulsory module, a dissertation and optional modules. Students will be given the freedom to select one of their optional modules from the wider range of MA level modules relevant to this field offered across IOE/UCL subject to availability, if this in some way helps to develop their specialisation in education and/or international development. At least two optional modules must be chosen from within the Education and International Development cluster modules, but in practice most students will take all of their modules within the cluster.

The programme is designed to give you the coherence of a Master's degree in the area of education and international development and some flexibility to design the degree that best meets your needs and accords with your interests as they relate to this field. The MA is designed to be completed over two years, and you can tailor your modules to either study consistently over that time, or to have intense study terms followed by terms off. The programme consists of one compulsory module that you must take in the first year, a dissertation that you must take in your second year and optional modules. Students will be given the freedom to select ONE of their optional modules from the wider range of MA level modules relevant to this field offered across IOE/UCL subject to availability, if this in some way helps to develop their specialisation in education and/or international development. At least two optional modules must be chosen from within the Education and International Development cluster modules, but in practice most students will study all of their modules within this cluster.

The programme is designed to give you the coherence of a Master's degree in the area of education and international development and some flexibility to design the degree that best meets your needs and accords with your interests as they relate to this field. The MA is designed to be completed within five years, and you can decide when to complete your modules in your degree. The programme consists of one compulsory module that you must take in your first year, a dissertation that must be taken in your final year and optional modules. Students will be given the freedom to select ONE of their optional modules from the wider range of MA level modules relevant to this field offered across IOE/UCL subject to availability, but only if this in some way helps to develop their specialisation in education and/or international development. At least two optional modules must be chosen from within the Education and International Development cluster modules, but most students take all of their modules from within the cluster. You must complete 180 credits within five years to be awarded your degree. 

Compulsory modules




Optional modules



Development Education in the Era of Globalisation


















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 and International Development.

Fieldwork

Students may choose to organise and undertake fieldwork in relation to their research for their dissertation, but this is not a requirement. If undertaken, fieldwork must be self-funded.

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 and Wellbeing team.

Visit us

All open days and events

Online - Open day

Graduate Open Events: Education and International Development

Are you passionate about shaping global contemporary practice and policy? 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 part of a world-leading centre for research and teaching working to make a difference in the world.

Watch on demand event

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time Part-time
Tuition fees (2024/25) £12,700 £6,350
Tuition fees (2024/25) £28,100 £14,050

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

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

If Students decide to undertake the fieldwork, it must be self-funded.

For more information on additional costs for prospective students please go to our estimated cost of essential expenditure at Accommodation and living costs.

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

Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme (CSSS)

Deadline: 14 December 2023
Value: Full fees, flights, stipend, and other allowances (1 year)
Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need
Eligibility: EU, Overseas

GREAT Scholarship

Deadline: 14 May 2024
Value: £10,000 towards tuition fees (1 year)
Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need
Eligibility: EU, Overseas

IOE-Clarke Scholarships

Deadline: 3 May 2024
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: 3 May 2024
Value: Tuition fees and accommodation (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 programme of £90 for online applications and £115 for paper 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 and International Development at graduate level
  • why you want to study Education and International Development 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 place considerable value on the knowledge and experience that students bring with them to the course, and expect successful applicants to have relevant prior experience. Please make sure that your personal statement clearly outlines the nature and length of your relevant experience, particularly any experience that you have working in low or middle income country contexts.

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: 2024-2025

Apply for this course

Got questions? Get in touch

Education, Practice and Society
Education, Practice and Society

ioe.ma.eid@ucl.ac.uk

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