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Literacy and Education MA

London, Bloomsbury

This is the programme information for 2026/27 entry

If you require details of the previous year's programme, Literacy and Education MA (2025/26), click here

The Literacy and Education MA is a broad based, generalist course, appropriate for all those who have a serious interest in literacy education, practice, policy and research. This course gives students an 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 course 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

Full-time

UK tuition fees (2026/27)

£14,200

Overseas tuition fees (2026/27)

£35,400

Duration

1 calendar year

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

A minimum of a lower second-class Bachelor's degree from a UK university or equivalent overseas qualification is required. First degrees should be in a relevant subject such as English, literature and/or language, a second language or education.

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.

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 course will provide students with an opportunity to study literacy as a broad and diverse social phenomenon, defined, understood and researched in multiple and shifting ways. It will encourage students to engage with key concepts in the study of literacy as a social practice, while also learning about a variety of theoretical approaches. It explores literacy use and learning, life-long (that is, of adults of all ages as well as children) and life-wide (across a range of life domains and cultural contexts).

Students will be enabled to explore how the changing world within which we live has shaped literacy events and practices, as well as the ways in which literacy is viewed, valued and conceptualized. The course also demonstrates how constructions of power and value are embedded in different literacy practices, by drawing attention to the impact of factors such as gender, home-school discourse and literacy policy. It explores the relationship between text, identity and voice and the implications for the identity and voice of those engaging with text in different settings. Students will look at whether text appropriately represents all identities and voices and consider the ways in which identity and voice is embedded within particular texts.

This course includes a module on research methods in literacy research which introduces students to a variety of approaches to research in literacy, exploring the relationship between literacy theory and literacy research methodologies. Students will have opportunities to develop an enquiring, reflective and critical reading and writing style, to evaluate existing literacy research and develop research skills. Having engaged with a range of different theoretical approaches in the study of literacy, this course 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

This course 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 MA Literacy and Education is not a teacher training course 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

UCL Institute of Education (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). This course will also give you access to the International Literacy Centre at IOE, which is a world-leading centre for the study of literacy learning and teaching.

You will be taught by renowned academics in the field of Literacy and will benefit from the wealth of research taking place at IOE, which is one of the world's leading centres for education and related areas of social science. The course will also give you access to the International Literacy Centre at IOE, which is a world-leading centre for the study of literacy and 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. As students onthis course might include practising teachers and lecturers, awarding body staff members, educational policymakers and educational researchers, all students benefit from working alongside one another in the classroom.

Should you decide to continue your studies to doctoral level, we offer first-class doctoral courses and staff members are actively involved in an extensive range of innovative, nationally and internationally acclaimed research and development projects.

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

The foundation of your career

Recent graduates from this course (previously called Education (Literacy) MA) have been employed in a diverse range of roles such as teachers and teaching assistants, research positions and civil servants. Many have reported that they have used 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.

Employability

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. They 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.

Networking

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

We will use a variety of teaching and learning methods and strategies across the whole course. These will include lectures and seminars, both of which will encourage classroom discussion. Students will also be supported in their independent study, guided by activities and reading lists on Moodle. Specific teaching strategies include the use of peer support, poster design and presentations, to encourage students to reflect and consolidate their learning.

Students will be asked to prepare for sessions by engaging with specified readings that have been carefully chosen to build learning from one week to the next, both within modules, and across the course as a whole.

Tutorial support will be available for assignments which includes the allocation of a dissertation supervisor to support students through the development, execution and writing of their dissertation project.

Across the course students will be assessed through coursework, classroom examination, oral presentation, poster presentation and the development of a research proposal.

They will be given the choice of either submitting a Research Portfolio (including an oral presentation or poster, a literacy project and a blog post) or conducting a small-scale research project ( thesis and oral presentation) within the Dissertation module.

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. While contact hours vary across the year, students can expect to receive approximately 6 - 8 hours of direct contact with academic staff during each teaching term.

Modules

This full-time course runs for one year and consists of three compulsory modules (30 credits each), one optional module (30 credits) and a Dissertation (60 credits).

In the first term, students are introduced to the ways in which literacy operates within society, in the compulsory module ‘Literacy in a Changing World’. Alongside this, students will also take the compulsory module ‘Research Methods in Literacy’, which provides the skills and knowledge needed to undertake the Dissertation.

In the second term, the emphasis shifts from broad constructions of literacy, to the more specific role of text in 'Voice, Identity and Text'. Alongside this, students have the opportunity to select an optional module from a suite choices. In the majority of cases students will take their optional module in the second term.

The Dissertation module is taught across the whole year, in parallel with all of the above. Students can choose from two options for the dissertation; Option 1 is the Dissertation Porfolio and Option 2 is the Dissertation in Literacy (thesis and presentation).

The compulsory modules are:

Literacy in a Changing World: explores how the changing world in which we live has shaped literacy events and practices, as well as the ways in which literacy is viewed, valued and conceptualised
Research methods in Literacy: introduces students to a variety of approaches in literacy research
Voice, Identity and Text: explores the relationship between text, identity and voice and the implications for the identity and voice of those engaging with text in different settings

The optional modules (students choose ONE) are;

Perspectives on Literacy Learning: explores the learning of comprehension and composition from early years through to adolescence
Literacy Development: provides a systematic introduction to the cognitive, cultural and social factors that shape literacy development
Feminist Approaches to Knowledge and Pedagogy: introduces a range of different ways that feminists have theorized and implemented alternative approaches to teaching and learning
Communicating Knowledge: Possibilities and Opportunities: explores how specialist knowledge is communicated to non-expert audiences
Shakespeare in Education: offers a broad-based exploration of Shakespeare's place in education
Literature for Children and Young People: Theory and Text: explores a range of literature for children and young people

The Dissertation modules (students choose ONE) are:

Dissertation in Literacy: a thesis presenting their independent research plus a presentation
Literacy Dissertation Portfolio: a mutli component portfolio demonstrating a range of skills and knowledge accrued throughout the course

Compulsory modules

Literacy in a Changing World

Dissertation in Literacy

Voice, Identity and Text

Literacy Dissertation Portfolio

Research methods in literacy

Optional modules

Perspectives on Literacy Learning

Literacy Development

Literature for Children and Young People: Theory and Text

Shakespeare in Education

Feminist approaches to knowledge and pedagogy

Communicating Knowledge: Possibilities and Opportunities

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.

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.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students

Fee description	Full-time
Tuition fees (2026/27)	£14,200
Tuition fees (2026/27)	£35,400

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.

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

: 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.When we assess your application we would like to learn:

Why you want to study Literacy and Education at graduate level
why you want to study Literacy and Education at UCL
what particularly attracts you to the course
how your academic and professional background meets the demands of this 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.

This course only requires one reference in support of your application. Your reference should be academic unless you have been out of university education for more than four years. Further information regarding references can be found on this Selecting your references page.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.