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Education (Science) MA

London, Bloomsbury

If you are a science teacher or educator looking to further your career or want to become a science educator and engage with the theoretical aspects of science education before your career begins, this may be the ideal degree for you. You will critically explore how science is taught and learnt. You will also engage in the contemporary issues in science education and position themselves within these debates and ideas, applying them to their own international contexts.

UK students International students
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2026/27)
£14,200
£7,100
Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Overseas tuition fees (2026/27)
£35,400
£17,700
Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Duration
1 calendar year
2 calendar years
5 calendar years
Programme starts
September 2026
Applications accepted
Applicants who require a visa: 20 Oct 2025 – 26 Jun 2026
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Applicants who do not require a visa: 20 Oct 2025 – 28 Aug 2026
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Apply for this course

Entry requirements

The minimum entry requirement is a second-class Bachelor's degree from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. However, those who do not meet the minimum requirements should contact the Programme Leader. Work experience will be taken into account.

The English language level for this course 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 course 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

The Department of Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment at the UCL Institute of Education (IOE), is a world-leading centre for subject-specific education that provides an impressive range of subject-specific routes within the Education MA. 

The Education (Science) MA route is one of the few science-specific education Master's degrees in the UK. The core science education module, Foundations in Science Education, covers contemporary issues in science education research, such as those related to the teaching and learning of science, as well as the broader philosophical questions that explore the Nature of Science. The MA Science Education team also supervise PhD students and are actively involved in a range of nationally and internationally acclaimed research and development projects.

Who this course is for

We look for students who have an interest and passion for science education. This can span particular areas of science, such as biology, physics or chemistry, be broader such as a STEM-related interest in the field. Although it is not a requirement, we look for any experience with teaching science, either formally or informally. In addition, we welcome students who have previous experience of educational research.

Applications are welcome from all teachers, educators and lecturers in the formal and informal science education professions, such as science teachers, museum educators and science education leaders, as well as those looking to pursue a career in research into science education. The Education (Science) MA is also suited to those who wish to enter a career into science teaching or lecturing but would like to further engage and understand the academic theory of science education before teaching the discipline.

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

What this course will give you

IOE is one of the world's leading centres for education and related areas of social science. For the twelfth year in succession IOE has been ranked as the world's leading university for Education (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025).

By studying this course you will:

  • improve your understanding of the academic theory of education and science education
  • critically evaluate research and development in the education and science education field,
  • apply scientific ideas to the practice of science teaching and learning in formal and/or informal educational contexts 
  • provide insights into the contemporary developments in science education, including critically engaging with science education through a social justice lens

With this course it may be possible to reduce the cost of studying to two-thirds of the total if you already have PGCE Master’s credits. This is valid for up to 5 years after the completion of your PGCE. For more information, please contact Joanne Nicholl (j.nicholl@ucl.ac.uk).

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

The foundation of your career

Graduates from the MA Science Education course have gone on to be successful in a wide variety of contexts related to education. Those that are already teaching science have often been promoted. Those that are yet to teach have gone on to work in schools or informal learning institutions or pursued a professional qualification (PGCE) to gain QTS (qualified teaching status) to teach science in schools. Others have found new opportunities in different educational phases (from early years through to higher education) or in science education policy or research. Some graduates go on to work internationally on science-related education and projects, whilst others undertake further research on PhD courses.

Recent career destinations for this degree:

  • MPhil in Education (Education Policy, Leadership and Improvement), Cambridge University
  • PhD in Education, York University
  • Head of Department (Science), Anglo-Chinese School, Singapore 
  • Head of Physics, Secondary State School, London
  • Science Teacher, Middle School in Hangzhou

As an ambitious professional with three and a half years' experience in teaching at the undergraduate level, I believed that joining IOE, UCL’s Faculty of Education and Society could help me crystallise my tutoring or coaching skills. I believed that I would be able to teach chemistry in an enthusiastic and technology-oriented way and UCL would be that platform for me.

UCL Portico building with welcome sign between columns.

Kyle Meyers

Education (Science) MA

My route to IOE

Employability

If you are a practicing teacher or educator, you will develop your practice by linking theory to practice and engaging in a range of different perspectives related to science education. You will develop your research skills over the duration of the course and learn how to critically evaluate research.

Networking

As an Education (Science) MA student, you will become part of the Science special interest group (SIG) community. The Science SIG meet once a month and is formed by our science educator community. It is a space where academics, PGT students, doctoral students and teachers can collaborate, converse and debate about current issues within science education. Guest speakers are invited to these events and include national and international world-experts.

Teaching and learning

The compulsory modules include a range of teaching pedagogies including lectures, seminars, tutorials, group work, presentations and online engagement.

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.

The modules are often assessed through written assessments (not examinations), and/or presentations that often involve critically engaging with literature from a specific area of education chosen by the student.

The dissertation 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 contacts hours vary between 8-10 hours per week during term time, depending on the choice of modules. These are normally comprised of a mixture of lectures, seminars, workshops, individual and group tutorials and supervision meetings.

Students will also display a level of independent study (25-30 hours per week), for example, by engaging with key topics and required readings in preparation for the discussions promoted in the course.

Modules

The course consists of two compulsory modules (30 credits each), and two optional modules (30 credits each) and a dissertation (60 credits). The modules that make up the Education (Science) MA are:

  • Foundations of Science Education (compulsory, studied in Term 1)
  • What is Education? (compulsory, studied in Term 1)
  • Dissertation on Education (compulsory, studied all year)
  • Optional module 1
  • Optional module 2

If you complete the course full-time, you will usually take two modules in the Autumn term and two in the Spring term, although there are option modules that also run in the Summer term should you prefer.

Your attendance will depend on the module(s) you are taking for the term. Most modules run once a week for 10 weeks. This may be face-to-face or online depending on the module.

The course consists of two compulsory modules (30 credits each), and two optional modules (30 credits each) and a dissertation (60 credits). The modules that make up the Education (Science) MA are:

  • Foundations of Science Education (compulsory, studied in Term 1)
  • What is Education? (compulsory, studied in Term 1)
  • Dissertation on Education (compulsory, studied all year)
  • Optional module 1
  • Optional module 2

If you complete the course part-time, you will usually take a total of 90 credits in the first year and 90 credits in the second year. We recommend completing the compulsory modules FSE and WIE in the first year. You will need to complete your dissertation in the second year. 

Your attendance will depend on the module(s) you are taking for the term. Most modules run once a week for 10 weeks. This may be face-to-face or online depending on the module.

If you are a part-time student working alongside your masters, both face-to-face and online modules run in the early evening to allow for this.

The course consists of two compulsory modules (30 credits each), and two optional modules (30 credits each) and a dissertation (60 credits). The modules that make up the Education (Science) MA are:

  • Foundations of Science Education (compulsory, studied in Term 1)
  • What is Education? (compulsory, studied in Term 1)
  • Dissertation on Education (compulsory, studied all year)
  • Optional module 1
  • Optional module 2

If you complete the course in flexible mode, you can take up to 90 credits per year, or a minimum of 30 credits per year. Students are encouraged to take Foundations of science Education (FSE) as their first compulsory module (studied in Term 1).

Your attendance will depend on the module(s) you are taking for the term. Most modules run once a week for 10 weeks. This may be face to face or online depending on the module.

If you are a flexible student working alongside your masters, both face-to-face and online modules run in the early evening to allow for this.

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 (Science).

Accessibility

The department will endeavour to make reasonable adjustments for students with disabilities, including those with long-term health conditions, neurodivergence, learning differences and mental health conditions. This list is not exhaustive. If you're unsure of your eligibility for reasonable adjustments at UCL, please contact Student Support and Wellbeing Services.

Reasonable adjustments are implemented on a case-by-case basis. With the student's consent, reasonable adjustments are considered by UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services, and where required, in collaboration with the respective department.

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information about support available can be obtained from UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services.

For more information about the department and accessibility arrangements for your course, please contact the department.

Where you'll study

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The Department of Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment brings together world-leading research, teaching and learning, which reflects our expertise in and contributes to high quality education, teaching and teacher development. We specialise in geography, economics, business, mathematics, history, religious education, citizenship, science, assessment and curriculum studies in education.

Find out more about the Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment department

Visit us

All open days and events

Online - Open day

Graduate Open Events: Education MA (also includes routes)

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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 academics, hear about the courses 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 courses run by leading academics.

Online - Open day

Graduate Open Events: Global Learning MA

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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 academics, hear about the courses 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 courses run by leading academics.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time Part-time
Tuition fees (2026/27) £14,200 £7,100
Tuition fees (2026/27) £35,400 £17,700

Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.

Postgraduate Taught students benefit from a cohort guarantee, meaning that their tuition fees will not increase during the course of the programme, but UCL reserves the right to increase tuition fees to reflect any sums (including levies, taxes, or similar financial charges) that UCL is required to pay any governmental authority in connection with tuition fees.

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Where the course 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 with a fee status classification of UK, a fee deposit will be charged at 2.5% of the first year fee.

For full-time and part-time offer holders with a fee status classification of Overseas, a fee deposit will be charged at 10% of the first year fee.

For modular/flexible offer holders with a fee status classification of UK, a £350 deposit will be charged.

For modular/flexible offer holders with a fee status classification of Overseas, a £500 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.

For in-person teaching, 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 £119.90. This price was published by TfL in 2025. 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

Next steps

There is an application processing fee for this course 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 science education at graduate level
  • what particularly attracts you to this course and why you have chosen to study 'science' education in particular
  • how your academic and professional background meets the demands of this challenging course
  • 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 course match what the course will deliver.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate courses (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: 2026-2027

Apply for this course

Got questions? Get in touch

Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment
Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment

j.nicholl@ucl.ac.uk

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