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Education (Assessment) MA

London, Bloomsbury

The Education (Assessment) MA route investigates theories, practice, policies and use of assessment in all phases of education. Our modules offer opportunities to explore assessment from a range of perspectives by applying theory related to policy research, sociology, philosophy, psychology and more. Students who take this MA learn with world-leading experts in the field of assessment and leave with key research skills that they are able to use in a range of educational workplaces or take on to further study at doctoral level.

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
Applicants who require a visa: 14 Oct 2024 – 27 Jun 2025
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Applicants who do not require a visa: 14 Oct 2024 – 29 Aug 2025
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Apply for this course

Entry requirements

Normally applicants are expected to have a second-class Bachelor's degree from a UK university, or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard, and a clearly expressed interest in educational assessment, gained largely through experience. Teaching, assessment development and implementation, and/or policy experience is welcomed, but not a requirement.

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 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

Students who complete the Education (Assessment) MA are able to interrogate assessment from policy positions, practice-based, philosophical, historical and sociological perspectives. Our students learn to think critically, to engage with a range of assessment resources and understand principal concepts in educational assessment so they can engage effectively with policy and practice in assessment locally, nationally and globally. The programme helps to develop strong writing skills applicable to research, policy authorship and other roles in assessment organisations or educational settings.

The Education (Assessment) MA has a teaching and research group: EAG@IOE. The Group runs regular assessment-related seminars and events open to all staff and students.

Who this course is for

This programme is suited to teachers, educational administrators, examinations officers, inspectors, educational researchers and education policymakers. We recommend that applicants have some knowledge and experience of assessment practice either in a classroom setting or through working in policy/research.

We welcome applicants who want to improve their skills and understanding about assessment issues and practices including themes such as assessment for learning, formative and summative assessment, educational measurement, equity and fairness in assessment, and assessment research.

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

What this course will give you

The Department of Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment (CPA) at IOE, UCL’s Faculty of Education and Society is a world-leading centre for the study of curriculum, teaching and learning and assessment.

Our students come from around the world and include full-time students who are learning alongside part-time peers who might include practising teachers and lecturers, awarding body staff members, education policymakers and educational researchers. This diverse student body ensures a rich and engaging learning experience for all.

The department provides an impressive range of cutting-edge MA and Continuing Professional Development programmes (some of which are certified), variously presented in face-to-face, distance learning or mixed mode formats. In addition, we offer a first-class doctoral programme and staff members are actively involved in an extensive range of innovative, nationally and internationally acclaimed, research and development projects.

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.ma.assessment@ucl.ac.uk. 

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

The foundation of your career

Graduates of this programme are employed in a diverse range of roles and educational settings, for example, as teachers, heads of department in schools and colleges, as staff in awarding organisations, education policy makers and as educational researchers. Recent graduates from our programme have used their new professional expertise to secure promotions at work, to develop a new role focused on assessment and others have gone on to undertake a doctorate focused on assessment. 

Throughout my studies, the academic support from course tutors was excellent. Sessions were planned to encourage you to challenge your thinking on a variety of topics, with tutors sharing their expertise and experiences to further enhance your knowledge and understanding. Readings were carefully considered to complement, reflect and form links to the the taught content and assignments were constructed to further reflect and enhance this.

Seb Rowland, Education Assessment MA

Seb Rowland

Education (Assessment) MA

Q&A with Seb Rowland

Employability

Our graduates leave with strong skills set applicable to a range of workplace settings; their professional in-depth knowledge of assessment systems and policies enhance any role in a school or education workplace. Our students learn to work in teams and develop key skills in time management working to a demanding set of individual deadlines. Graduates will demonstrate a genuine commitment to learning and, along with sound problem solving skills, are able to think critically about key educational issues and articulate their theoretical expertise through a range of excellent written and spoken communication skills.

Networking

IOE has a vibrant research community, and students are encouraged to attend public seminars and events to network and meet others in a range of educational disciplines and settings.

The Assessment team in CPA has its own research group that run regular seminars and all students are welcome to attend these to meet experts, engage in discussions and learn about working in assessment. 

Guest tutors feature in all of the modules run through the Assessment route and these provide opportunities to meet and discuss current assessment theory, research and practice. Our guests are very friendly and happy to talk to students about their aspirations or ideas for working in assessment contexts.

Teaching and learning

At IOE, we draw on the breadth of expertise in teaching and learning so that students can expect to be challenged, engaged and motivated through taught sessions, group work and independent study. Students are likely to experience teaching methods and assessments that are unfamiliar, and we expect students to embrace these new experiences as they are designed to enhance your Master's level learning. Students will learn how to write at Master's level, how to engage in critical and analytical thinking and how to source and read a range of texts. Tutors expect students to be proactive in searching out resources; to ask questions and be curious - these skills will add depth to your learning experience at IOE. Teaching sessions are rarely didactic lectures - we know that students learn best when they are involved so you will be expected to participate, you might have to present ideas to a class or group, you might be asked to prepare work to share in a seminar, or to post comments and feedback in the Virtual Learning Environment. You will be joining a learning community; your participation is part of what makes the community successful.

Depending on the modules taken, the programme is taught through face-to-face evening sessions, occasional weekend daytime sessions, and/or online.

A typical face-to-face session consists of about two to three hours of lectures, dialogue, small group discussions, presentations and/or a range of other activities.

Students will have a dissertation supervisor to support them through the development, execution, and writing of their dissertation project. The module includes workshops, lectures, and seminars that provide a foundation in research skills and methods.

Students in this programme will experience a variety of assessment methods, helping them to learn and understand assessment in all its forms.

Modules are assessed in a variety of ways, often through coursework which may take various forms, such as a written assignment, report or presentation. Your tutors will include multiple assessment 'points' throughout your programme so you can receive formative feedback and reflect on your learning as you work towards your Master's degree.

Our aim is to create and use assessments that are relevant to your life at IOE and beyond. Summative and formative assessments might include some or all of the following: a critical review of your reading, a traditional essay, a policy report, a presentation, short patchwork text assessments, tests and quizzes, group writing tasks and much more.

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 students in undertaking an original, independent scholarly investigation in the field of education. Students often choose a dissertation topic relevant to their personal and professional interests, typically involving some fieldwork or empirical data collection.

For full-time students, typical contact hours are around 12 hours per week. Outside of lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials, full-time students typically study the equivalent of a full-time job, using their remaining time for self-directed study and completing coursework assignments.

For part-time students, typical contact hours are around 6 hours per week. Outside of lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials, full-time students typically study the equivalent of a part-time job, using their remaining time for self-directed study and completing coursework assignments.

Modules

The programme can be studied full-time within one academic year.

Teaching is blended: with face-to-face lectures/seminars/tutorials combined with resources and activities in a Virtual Learning Environment.

The programme consists of two compulsory modules (30 credits each), and two optional modules (30 credits each) and a dissertation (60 credits). The overall structure of the programme is as follows:

  • Assessment: Issues and Practice (compulsory)
  • What is Education? (compulsory)
  • Dissertation (compulsory)
  • Optional module 1
  • Optional module 2

A range of optional modules focusing on Assessment are available (Educational Testing, Assessment for Learning, International Perspectives in Educational Reform), or you choose from other optional modules offered across IOE subject to availability.

The programme can be studied part-time (2 years). You can discuss your schedule for completion with the Programme Team. 

Teaching is blended: with face-to-face lectures/seminars/tutorials combined with resources and activities in a Virtual Learning Environment.

The programme consists of two compulsory modules (30 credits each), and two optional modules (30 credits each) and a dissertation (60 credits). The overall structure of the programme is as follows:

  • Assessment: Issues and Practice (compulsory)
  • What is Education? (compulsory)
  • Dissertation (compulsory)
  • Optional module 1
  • Optional module 2

A range of optional modules focusing on Assessment are available (Educational Testing, Assessment for Learning, International Perspectives in Educational Reform), or you choose from other optional modules offered across IOE, subject to availability.

The programme can be studied as modular/flexible (up to 5 years). Your schedule for module completion will depend on the length of time that you have to complete the MA programme - you can discuss this with the Programme Team. 

Teaching is blended: with face-to-face lectures/seminars/tutorials combined with  resources and activities in a Virtual Learning Environment.

The programme consists of two compulsory modules (30 credits each), and two optional modules (30 credits each) and a dissertation (60 credits). The overall structure of the programme is as follows:

  • Assessment Issues and Practice (compulsory)
  • What is Education? (compulsory)
  • Dissertation (compulsory)
  • Optional module 1
  • Optional module 2

A range of optional modules focusing on Assessment are available (Educational Testing, Assessment for Learning, International Perspectives in Educational Reform), or you choose from other optional modules offered across IOE, subject to availability - see the UCL Module Catalogue for details.

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 (Assessment).

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.

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

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 - Aziz Foundation Scholarships

Value: Full tuition fees (1 year)
Criteria Based on academic merit
Eligibility: UK

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.

The programme welcomes students with a range of experiences (teachers, students, policymakers, exam board staff and more). Our teaching is underpinned by the sharing of ideas and expertise in order to develop as learners. You should be willing to be an active and involved learner and ready to participate both face-to-face and online to benefit from participation in the programme. E.g., you will be expected to speak and present in front of others, to take part in discussions and debates and to actively contribute to the programme.

When you write your statement, you need to explain why you wish to focus on assessment. Avoid writing broad, descriptive statements about education, instead you should focus on addressing the following:

  • why you want to study Education (Assessment) MA at graduate level
  • what aspect(s) of educational assessment are of interest to you
  • how your academic and professional background meets the demands of the programme
  • where you might like to go professionally with your degree

If you have substantial experience (3+ years) of working in assessment and/or teaching but don't meet the standard admission requirements, please contact the Programme Leader (Dr. Catarina F. Correia at a.correia@ucl.ac.uk) to talk about your interest. We are willing to consider skills and experience beyond academic qualifications on a case-by-case basis.

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.ma.assessment@ucl.ac.uk

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