English Education MA

London, Bloomsbury

The English Education MA offers a stimulating and intellectually rigorous programme of academic and professional development, including supervised experience of the conduct of small-scale research. Designed to enable more theoretically informed praxis, it is relevant to practitioners with an interest in the teaching of English literature, literacy, language, media and drama, across all phases of education.

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)
£28,100
£14,050
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 – 28 Jun 2024
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Applicants who do not require a visa: 16 Oct 2023 – 30 Aug 2024
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Entry requirements

Normally a minimum of a second-class UK Bachelor's degree in English or a related area (e.g. media or drama) or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. Knowledge and experience of teaching English literature, literacy and/or language as a curriculum subject (primary, secondary or tertiary) is essential.

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

This programme is designed for teachers within the broad field of English studies, including media and drama. Updated annually, a carefully balanced programme of core and optional modules explores a wide range of contemporary topics relating to English as a curriculum subject; interactive seminars are designed to draw on participants' own experiences and increase awareness of the richness and scope of English as a field of study (including media and drama).

Who this course is for

This programme is designed for teachers within the broad field of English studies, including media and drama. This includes teachers of English literature, literacy and language arts, in primary, secondary, further and Higher Education.

What this course will give you

This programme at IOE, UCL’s Faculty of Education and Society is one of the few programmes in the country which offers a specialist Master's degree in English/media/drama as a curriculum subject.

Every year this well-established course attracts participants from diverse professional and cultural backgrounds. For written assignments, students are encouraged to investigate aspects of their own practice that are of particular interest to them.

The programme is taught by an experienced team of subject specialists, all of whom are qualified teachers themselves, and students on this programme are offered individualised tutorial support throughout the duration of the course.

The foundation of your career

The majority of our MA English Education students are already employed as practising teachers who are thinking about the next steps in their professional careers, for example as Heads of Department or taking up whole-school literacy development posts.

I chose the MA to deepen my theoretical understandings and pitch my own suggestions for interventions in English curricula.

Aaliyah Kara, English Education MA

Aaliyah Kara

English Education MA

Employability

Graduates of this programme are currently working across a broad range of areas. Some are working as teachers of English (in the UK and internationally), while others have jobs as heads of English departments in UK schools. Graduates can also be found working as education advisers with cultural organisations.

Networking

The programme includes a diverse cohort of students with experience of teaching English as a subject in the UK and internationally. English teaching includes literature, media and drama as well as literacy and language and students may teach across different phases of education. In addition, there are opportunities to attend some seminars in IOE as well as events for English teachers in London.

Teaching and learning

The MA is delivered through a combination of face-to-face seminars and online materials; sessions are always interactive, drawing on students' own interests and experiences.

Most modules are assessed by means of written essays, but some offer alternative forms of assessment e.g., a presentation or creative writing, drama, a film, animation or game.

Teaching is delivered through a combination of face-to-face lectures and seminars/practical workshops supported by online-learning and individual tutor support. Each 30 credit module consists of 300 learning hours, approximately 20% of which involves face-to-face teaching and/or other forms of tutor contact.

Modules

  • Term 1: compulsory module plus report/dissertation plus one option module
  • Term 2: report/dissertation (continuing) plus one or two option modules
  • Term 3: report/dissertation (continuing) plus one or two option modules

NB students on this MA have the opportunity to import up to 60 credits (level 7) from prior learning (subject to approval). In such cases, the above programme structure will need to be adjusted accordingly in negotiation with the Programme Leader(s).

  • Year 1 (normally completion of 90 credits across the three terms):
    • Term 1: compulsory module
    • Term 2: one or two option modules
    • Term 3: one or two option modules
  • Year 2 (normally completion of remaining 90 credits):
    • Term 1: report/dissertation
    • Term 2: report/dissertation (continuing) plus option module
    • Term 3: report/dissertation (continuing) plus option module if completing a report and only one option module was completed in term 2

NB students on this MA have the opportunity to import up to 60 credits (level 7) from prior learning (subject to approval). In such cases, the above programme structure will need to be adjusted accordingly in negotiation with the Programme Leader(s).

Four modules plus a dissertation or five modules plus a report across the years of study.

NB students on this MA have the opportunity to import up to 60 credits (level 7) from prior learning (subject to approval). In such cases, the above programme structure will need to be adjusted accordingly in negotiation with the Programme Leader(s).

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 English Education.

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.

Where you'll study

Department of Culture, Communication and Media

The Department of Culture, Communication and Media is committed to excellence in research and teaching in the areas of Art, Design and Museology, Academic writing, English education, Applied Linguistics, Music Education, Learning with Digital Technologies and teacher professional development.

Online - Open day

Graduate Open Events: English Education MA

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.

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) £28,100 £14,050

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

Any participants who are intending to conduct empirical research in schools or other settings involving children and young people need to be aware that they may need to arrange to get DBS clearance before gaining access to such institutions. The DBS application cost will be covered by UCL, but offer holders will also need to have their ID checked and verified at a Post Office, for which they will incur a charge of £15 (note, this was the fee for 2023 but may change). The offer holder is also required to arrange and pay for any overseas police check that may be necessary; costs vary by country. For more information about the DBS application process, please contact the Admissions team.

Students should take into account any travel, accommodation and expenses involved in 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.

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

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 want to study English Education at graduate level
  • why you want to study English Education at UCL
  • what particularly attracts you to the chosen programme
  • 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

UCL is regulated by the Office for Students.