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Education (Literacy) MA

London, Bloomsbury

The Education (Literacy) MA gives students a unique opportunity to explore how literacy operates in a diverse and changing world. Our modules focus on the various ways in which literacy is perceived, valued, used and appraised, across a range of life domains and cultural contexts. As a result, this MA explores how literacy links with constructions of power, agency and gender and considers the implications of this for all. Students who take this MA learn with world-leading experts in the field of literacy and leave with key skills that can be used in a range of workplace contexts or to 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 closed

Applicants who do not require a visa: 14 Oct 2024 – 31 Aug 2025

Applications closed

Find similar courses still open

Entry requirements

A minimum of a second-class Bachelor's degree from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. (Please note: one or two optional modules may have additional, specific entry requirements).

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

Students who complete the Education (Literacy) MA will have the skills and knowledge to reflect critically on the role of literacy within a variety of contexts, including schools, the home and the workplace.  Using a primarily socio-cultural perspective, this MA explores literacy use and learning across the life span and across a range of life domains and cultural contexts. Having engaged with a range of different theoretical approaches in the study of literacy, this MA gives students an opportunity to conduct a small-scale study of their own into an aspect of literacy that is relevant to the student.

Who this course is for

The Education (Literacy) MA is a broad based, generalist programme, appropriate for all those who have a serious interest in literacy education, practice, policy and research. It suits those aiming to work in education policy, development, research or leadership, as well as educators who are looking to develop their careers in a wide variety of contexts. As such the course will appeal to those who have recently completed a first degree in a related field, as well as others such as teachers, health care professionals, librarians, early childhood practitioners and family support workers. The Education (Literacy) MA is not a teacher training programme and, since it does not include a practice component, is unlikely to satisfy teacher certification requirements.

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

What this course will give you

As well as the subject knowledge and skills mentioned above, this course will also give you access to the International Literacy Centre at IOE, UCL’s Faculty of Education and Society, which is a world-leading centre for the study of literacy learning and teaching. Our students come from around the world and their input and experiences ensure a learning experience that is rich and diverse. Students on the Education (Literacy) MA 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. Should you decide to continue your studies to doctoral level 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.literacy@ucl.ac.uk.

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

The foundation of your career

Our graduates will leave with a strong skill set applicable to a range of workplace settings; their professional in-depth knowledge of literacy practices will 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.

Employability

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 the Education (Literacy) MA may use their new professional expertise to apply for promotions at work, to develop a new role focused on literacy or go on to undertake a doctorate focused on literacy.

Networking

The 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. You will work with other students and tutors drawn from across the faculty and university.

Teaching and learning

Teaching on Education (Literacy) MA takes place on a blended basis with the options to study mostly face to face but with some online provision.

Our pedagogy is based around discussion and debate which takes place face to face or online in seminars and tutorials, or online through discussion forums. We use a mixture of group seminars, group tutorials and individual tutorials to support student learning.

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.

Module assessments on the programme vary, and may include coursework (for example, essays and written assignments), presentations, or a form of examination. You may be expected to complete both individual and group assessments. UCL’s module catalogue details individual module assessments, but please note these may be subject to change on an annual basis.

The dissertation will allow you to conduct a small-scale study in a literacy-related topic of your choice. The module will enhance your ability to read research in your chosen field, to devise investigative strategies, to develop knowledge in your field and to communicate this through scholarly writing and argument. In the module you will learn how to conceptualise and write a coherent research proposal. You will be supported in formulating relevant research questions on the basis of relevant literature and/or observations of practice. Based on this you will develop your plans for data collection and analysis strategies that will allow you to answer your questions. Later in the year, you will implement your research proposal, gathering and analysing data and presenting your conclusions systematically.

Students are free to select one of their optional modules from the wider range of MA level modules offered across IOE/UCL subject to availability.

Please note that the dissertation module listed below will change its name to 'Dissertation in Education with Integrated Research Methods' starting in 2025/26.

Full-time students can expect to spend about 26-30 hours of each week preparing for and participating in seminars/lectures, and engaged in independent study and research.

Part-time students (depending upon their choice of modules) can expect to spend about 10-12 hours per week on preparation attendance at lectures and seminars, and independent study.

Modules

Teaching is blended: some lectures/materials online, some face to face seminars/tutorials and resources/task work via 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). Full-time students complete the programme over one year and therefore choose:

  • Literacy in a Changing World (compulsory)
  • What is Education? (compulsory)
  • Dissertation in Education with Integrated Research Methods (compulsory)
  • Optional module 1
  • Optional module 2

Teaching is blended: some lectures/materials online, some face to face seminars/tutorials and resources/task work via 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). Part-time students complete the programme over two years and therefore choose:

  • Literacy in a Changing World (compulsory)
  • What is Education? (compulsory)
  • Dissertation in Education with Integrated Research Methods (compulsory)
  • Optional module 1
  • Optional module 2

In year one, you choose 3 modules (90 credits) and in year two you choose one module (30 credits) and a dissertation (60 credits). The dissertation must be completed in the second year of study.

Teaching is blended: some lectures/materials online, some face to face seminars/tutorials and resources/task work via 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). Modular/flexible students complete the programme up to five years and therefore choose:

  • Literacy in a Changing World (compulsory)
  • What is Education? (compulsory)
  • Dissertation in Education with Integrated Research Methods (compulsory)
  • Optional module 1
  • Optional module 2

If you complete the programme on a flexible basis, you will have up to five years in which to complete the 5 modules (180 credits) needed for the MA award. It is up to you how you distribute these modules over your five years of study. You must remain enrolled throughout the five years but you are free to decide whether or not to take modules in any particular term or year. Students studying on the flexible route typically complete one (30 credits) or two (60 credits) modules per year and students typically complete in much less than five years.

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 (Literacy).

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.

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.

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

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. Further information can be found at Application fees.

When we assess your application we would like to learn:

  • why you want to study Education (Literacy) at graduate level
  • why you want to study Education (Literacy) at UCL
  • what particularly attracts you to the programme
  • how your academic and professional background meets the demands of this 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 note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

Got questions? Get in touch

Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment
Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment

ioe.ma.literacy@ucl.ac.uk

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