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Education, Gender and International Development MA

London, Bloomsbury

The MA Education, Gender and International Development will develop your understanding of the gender dimensions of research, analysis, policy and practice in relation to education in low- and middle-income countries. It will encourage you to consider the relationships and power dynamics between poorer and wealthier regions of the world.

UK students International students
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2023/24)
£11,800
£5,900
Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Overseas tuition fees (2023/24)
£26,200
£13,100
Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Duration
1 calendar year
2 calendar years
5 calendar years
Programme starts
September 2023
Applications accepted
All applicants: 17 Oct 2022 – 30 Jun 2023
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Apply for this course

Entry requirements

The minimum requirement for entry to this programme is a second class Bachelor’s degree from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. As the academic content on this MA programme is demanding, we are particularly looking for applicants who can demonstrate commitment to, knowledge of and genuine interest in issues relating to gender, education and international development. Applicants will normally have a minimum of six months’ relevant work experience in a low- or middle-income country. Applicants who do not meet these criteria will occasionally be considered on the basis of an excellent personal statement that clearly demonstrates how other experience relating to gender, education and/or international development supports their application.

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. International Preparation Courses

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

The programme provides you with the opportunity to follow a course of study unique in the UK. You will explore a range of current issues and debates, including:

  • discussions about gender inequalities in access to schooling, and in experiences and achievements within and through school and other forms and sites of education
  • femininities, masculinities and gender relations within education
  • links between gender, education and work
  • ways in which the state and society (historical and contemporary) shape the politics of gender, education and development
  • approaches to social justice, gender and education

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 with an interest in gender, education and development, who would like to reflect and build on their experience of working 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.

The department has extensive experience and expertise in education planning, health and gender in Africa, Asia and Latin America; 'policy sociology'; education, equality and human rights; issues of gender, 'race', sexuality, disability and social class. Policy seminars and a vibrant student/alumni group provide excellent networking opportunities.

Students benefit from an extraordinarily powerful learning community which links research, policy and practice.

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

The foundation of your career

If you participate fully in the programme, you should be able to:

  • reflect critically on debates concerning education, gender and international development
  • understand the ways in which knowledge both forms and is formed by education politics, policy, practice and research in national settings in low- and middle-income countries, and in transnational organisations
  • consider the implications of theory, research and analysis for your own future practice and professional development
  • use oral and written communication skills in order to make arguments, examine evidence and creatively advance this field of inquiry
  • understand processes entailed in research, and conduct a small, independent research study.

Employability

Graduates of this programme work across a broad range of areas and in a range of contexts worldwide. Some graduates work as specialist professionals in NGOs and international development organisations, while others have jobs as teachers and education managers. Graduates also work as government officials, civil servants and university lecturers.

Teaching and learning

Teaching is delivered by lectures or other structured inputs by staff; participant-led presentations and discussions based on selected readings or a clearly specified project; tutor-led seminars; workshops; problem/issue-based individual, paired and small-group work; occasional debates and occasional invited speakers; reflections on film and video inputs. Assessment is via various forms of coursework including discursive essays, critical analysis of empirical research, reviews of literature, and the dissertation.

For each 30 credit taught module you are expected to contribute 300 learning hours (8 hours a day for just over 37 days). Direct teaching 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

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

If you study the programme full time, you will need to undertake modules to the value of 180 credits within a one-year period (Sept - Sept).

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

Compulsory modules are:

  • Education and International Development: Concepts, Theories and Issues
  • Gender, Education and Development

You can select your compulsory modules in either term 1 or term 2.

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

If you study the programme part time, you will need to undertake modules to the value of 180 credits split over the two year period, e.g., 90 credits in each year.

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

Compulsory modules are:

  • Education and International Development: Concepts, Theories and Issues
  • Gender, Education and Development

We advise you to select the compulsory modules in your first year. You must select the Dissertation module in your second year.

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

If you study the programme on the modular flexible route, you will need to undertake modules to the value of 180 credits split over a maximum of 5 years.

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

Compulsory modules are:

  • Education and International Development: Concepts, Theories and Issues
  • Gender, Education and Development

We advise you to select the compulsory modules first. You must select the Dissertation module in your final year of study.

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.

You will need to undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MA in Education, Gender and International Development.

Fieldwork

You may undertake fieldwork in relation to your research for your dissertation, but it is not a requirement. If you do undertake fieldwork, it 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 & Wellbeing team.

Visit us

All open days and events

Online - Open day

Graduate Open Events: Education and International Development programmes

Our Education and International Development programmes are led by a team of globally recognised experts in international development, education, and international educational policy. Watch the recording of our open event to find out more about our EID programmes and what it is like to study at UCL.

Watch on demand event

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time Part-time
Tuition fees (2023/24) £11,800 £5,900
Tuition fees (2023/24) £26,200 £13,100

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.

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: 13 December 2022
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: 23 May 2023
Value: £10,000 towards tuition fees (1 year)
Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need
Eligibility: EU, Overseas

IOE - Aziz Foundation Scholarships

Deadline: 30 June 2023
Value: Full tuition fees (1yr)
Criteria Based on financial need
Eligibility: UK

IOE - Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships

Deadline: 28 March 2023
Value: Tuition fees (2-5yrs (online study))
Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need
Eligibility: EU, Overseas

IOE Centenary-Windle Trust Scholarship

Value: Full tuition fees and stipend (online study only) (1 year)
Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need
Eligibility: EU, Overseas

IOE Windle Trust Scholarship

Value: Full tuition fees and stipend (1 year)
Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need
Eligibility: EU, Overseas

IOE-Clarke Scholarships

Deadline: 2 May 2023
Value: Tuition fees and a stipend of £17,609 (1 year)
Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need
Eligibility: EU, Overseas

IOE-ISH Centenary Masters Scholarships

Deadline: 2 May 2023
Value: Tuition fees and accommodation at International Students House (1 year)
Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need
Eligibility: UK, 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 would like to study Education, Gender and International Development at graduate level
  • why you would like to study this programme at UCL
  • 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.

Please make sure that your personal statement also clearly explains the nature and length of your relevant experience of living/working in a low- or middle-income country.

Early applications are strongly encouraged.

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: 2023-2024

Apply for this course

Got questions? Get in touch

Education, Practice and Society
Education, Practice and Society

ioe.ma.egid@ucl.ac.uk

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