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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. Participants will critically explore how science is taught and learnt and gives students the opportunity to study issues in education with an international group and with academic staff who have a broad range of research interests.

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)
£31,100
£15,550
Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Duration
1 calendar year
2 calendar years
5 calendar years
Programme starts
September 2024
Applications accepted
Applicants who require a visa: 16 Oct 2023 – 05 Apr 2024

Applications closed

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

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 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

The Department of Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment at IOE, UCL’s Faculty of Education and Society is a world-leading centre for subject-specific education.

The department provides an impressive range of subject-specific routes within the MA education programme. In addition we offer a first-class PhD programme and staff are actively involved in an extensive range of innovative, nationally and internationally acclaimed research and development projects.

The MA Education (Science) is one of the few science-specific education Master's degrees in the UK. It covers contemporary practice in all sectors of science education and offers opportunities to study throughout the programme with world leaders in their field.

Who this course is for

We look for students who have an interest and passion for science education, and although it is not a requirement, we look for any experience in formal or informal learning contexts. In addition, we welcome students who have previous experience in writing within a research field.

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. The MA Education (Science) 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 doing so.

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

What this course will give you

By studying this programme you will:

  • improve your understanding of the academic theory of education and science education
  • critically evaluate research and development in the field,
  • apply scientific ideas to the practice of science education in formal and/or informal contexts
  • provide insights into the contemporary developments in science education
Read about what you'll get out of a graduate programme

The foundation of your career

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.

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

Graduates of this programme work across a broad range of areas. They are teachers and lecturers in all phases of formal education: primary, secondary and higher education; researchers; policymakers; as well as work in the informal education sector, such as museums and science centres.

Recent career destinations for this degree:

  • Secondary School Teacher (Deputy Curriculum Leader for Science, Waltham Forest School and Sports College)
  • PhD in Education, York University
  • Teacher (Biology), Unspecified School

Networking

As an MA Education (Science) student, you will become part of the Science special interest group (SIG) community. The Science SIG meet monthly and is formed by all those interested in science education. 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.

The MA Education (Science) is taught through a combination of face-to-face and online modules. The compulsory modules include a range of teaching pedagogies including lectures, seminars, tutorials, group work, presentations and online engagement. These modules (Foundations of Science Education, What is Education? and Understanding Research) are assessed through written assessments (not examinations) that often involve critically engaging with specific area of education chosen by the student from a range of areas covered within the module.

Each 30 M-level credit module has 300 nominal learning hours. This is made up of formal learning and teaching events such as lectures, seminars, tutorials, as well as independent study.

During term time students are expected to study between 15-20 hours per module, per week, preparing for and participating in seminars/lectures, and engaged in independent study and research. Learning hours continue outside term and full time study on the MA would amount to 40 hours a week over 45 weeks.

Modules

All students on the programme take "What is Education?" and "Understanding Research" as common compulsory modules. In addition to these programme-wide compulsory modules, the Science route includes the Foundations of Science Education compulsory module. The modules can be studied in the following ways for students:

MA Education (Science)

  • What is Education? (compulsory)
  • Foundations of Science Education (compulsory)
  • Understanding Research (compulsory)
  • Dissertation with Integrated Research Methods (IRM) (compulsory)
  • Optional module

OR

  • What is Education? (compulsory)
  • Foundations of Science Education (compulsory)
  • Understanding Research (compulsory)
  • Report with Integrated Research Methods (IRM) (compulsory)
  • Optional module 1
  • Optional module 2.

If you complete the programme full time you will usually take two modules in the Autumn term and two in the Spring term. In both Autumn and Spring terms, you must complete all three compulsory modules (Foundations of Science Education, What is Education? and Understanding Research). You will also carry out your own research in the form of a report or dissertation which will be carried out throughout your final year. If you choose a dissertation, you are free to select one optional module from the wider range of MA level modules offered across IOE/UCL subject to availability. If you choose to complete a report, you are free to select two optional modules. 

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.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. The programme consists of:

  • 3 compulsory modules (30 credits x 3), 1 optional module (30 credits) and a dissertation (60 credits)

OR

  • 3 compulsory modules (30 credits x 3), 2 optional modules (30 credits x 2) and a report (30 credits). 

Applicants who have completed their PGCE within the last 5 years may be able to transfer over 60 credits which needs to be applied for before they enrol.

All students on the programme take What is Education? and Understanding Research as common compulsory modules. In addition to these programme-wide compulsory modules, the Science route includes the Foundations of Science Education compulsory module. The modules can be studied in the following ways for students:

MA Education (Science)

  • What is Education? WIE (compulsory)
  • Foundations of Science Education FSE (compulsory)
  • Understanding Research UR (compulsory)
  • Dissertation with Integrated Research Methods (IRM) (compulsory)
  • Optional module

OR

  • What is Education? (compulsory)
  • Foundations of Science Education (compulsory)
  • Understanding Research UR (compulsory)
  • Report with Integrated Research Methods (IRM) (compulsory)
  • Optional module 1
  • Optional module 2.

If you complete the programme 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 and UR and dissertation/report in the second year. You are free to select one of their optional modules from the wider range of MA level modules offered across IOE/UCL subject to availability.

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.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. The programme consists of:

  • 3 compulsory modules (30 credits x 3), 1 optional module (30 credits) and a dissertation (60 credits)

OR

  • 3 compulsory modules (30 credits x 3), 2 optional modules (30 credits x 2) and a report (30 credits).

Applicants who have completed their PGCE within the last 5 years may be able to transfer over 60 credits which needs to be applied for before they enrol.

All students on the programme take What is Education? and Understanding Research as common compulsory modules. In addition to these programme-wide compulsory modules, the Science route includes the Foundations of Science Education compulsory module. The modules can be studied in the following ways for students:

MA Education (Science)

  • What is Education? (compulsory)
  • Foundations of Science Education (compulsory)
  • Understanding Research (compulsory)
  • Dissertation with Integrated Research Methods (IRM) (compulsory)
  • Optional module

OR

  • What is Education? (compulsory)
  • Foundations of Science Education (compulsory)
  • Understanding Research (compulsory)
  • Report with Integrated Research Methods (IRM) (compulsory)
  • Optional module 1
  • Optional module 2.

If you complete the programme 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 one of their first compulsory modules. The last module you will take is your report/dissertation module which allows you to carry out your own research. You are free to select one of their optional modules from the wider range of MA level modules offered across IOE/UCL subject to availability.

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 evening to allow for this.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. The programme consists of:

  • 3 compulsory modules (30 credits x 3), 1 optional module (30 credits) and a dissertation (60 credits)

OR

  • 3 compulsory modules (30 credits x 3), 2 optional modules (30 credits x 2) and a report (30 credits).

Applicants who have completed their PGCE within the last 5 years may be able to transfer over 60 credits which needs to be applied for before they enrol.

Compulsory modules







Optional modules







Development Education in the Era of Globalisation


Educational Traditions and Systems in Europe





Education, Values and Society







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

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.

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) £31,100 £15,550

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 conducting research for their report or 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

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

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 science education at graduate level
  • what particularly attracts you to this programme and why you have chosen to study 'science' education in particular
  • why you want 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 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

Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment
Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment

j.nicholl@ucl.ac.uk

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