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Sociology of Education MA

London, Bloomsbury

The Sociology of Education MA is designed to guide you through the latest theories, concepts and research in the sociology of education, exploring the wider political, social and cultural contexts of policy and practice in education. 

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 requirement for entry to this programme is a second class Bachelor’s degree from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. As the academic content on our MA programmes is demanding, we are particularly looking for applicants with strong and relevant academic backgrounds, normally in sociology and/ or education. A range of other academic backgrounds may be considered where applicants can demonstrate other strengths. For instance, we also look for applicants who can demonstrate substantial relevant experience in educational organisations.

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 Sociology of Education MA provides you with the opportunity to review current developments in scholarship and research concerning the social, cultural and political dynamics of educational continuity and change. It offers a grounding in a range of sociological theories and perspectives as they relate to education; and you will be invited to develop your own analytic, critical and empirical research skills. 

The course is designed for those involved in, or intending to be involved in, education and related areas of professional work such as teachers, educational researchers, advisors, administrators and community workers. Some of our students when they start the degree are employed in education settings and education-related roles, from school teachers to community or adult educators and policy analysts; others come to the course directly from undergraduate study in the humanities and social sciences, including sociology, policy studies, cultural and education studies; and others take up the course directly from their teaching degree. 

Our UK and international students come from a range of cultural and ethnic backgrounds and have diverse educational, professional and life experiences. We emphasise sociological knowledge and interest in our course. Please note that the Sociology of Education MA is not a teacher training course.

Who this course is for

The course emphasises knowledge and interest in sociology, ideally acquired through academic learning and qualifications. We also welcome applications from those working in professional education contexts with a special interest in the sociological aspects of education.

This course is suited to social science and humanities graduates, policy analysts, teachers (including newly qualified teachers), community or adult educators, and others with an interest in the sociology of education.

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

What this course will give you

Taught at the UCL Institute of Education (IOE), which for the twelfth year running remains the top place in the world to study Education (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025).

The Department of Education, Practice and Society (EPS) within the IOE is home to an interdisciplinary grouping bringing together high-quality teaching and research in the history, sociology and philosophy of education, international development, post-compulsory and vocational education and higher education.

The Sociology of Education MA is taught by world-leading sociologists and philosophers within the department who have expertise in theory, research methods, policy analysis and impacting social change. Those teaching are active researchers, many of whom are members of the Centre for Sociology of Education and Equity. The centre brings together scholars conducting cutting-edge research on equity and social justice in education, in areas such as equality and human rights, gender, 'race' and racism, decoloniality, sexuality, youth, disability, social class and social movements. In their teaching they introduce the latest research and developments in their fields.

Sociology of Education, along with the MAs in Social Justice and Education and Policy Studies in Education, is part of the Department's Sociology Cluster. The three courses share some modules and the MA Course Leaders and Module Leaders work closely together as a team. You will therefore study not only with leading scholars but also with students across these pathways, offering invaluable networking opportunities and social connection.

The course creates a powerful learning community involving both academics in the Department and beyond in the IOE, and a cohort of internationally diverse students across the Sociology Cluster in sociology, social justice and policy studies in education.

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

The foundation of your career

The majority of students who graduate from the MA Sociology of Education go on to highly skilled employment, further study or research. Graduates of this course are currently working as researchers, lecturers, teachers and managers in primary, secondary, further and higher education. Some are working in local and national government departments and policy offices, some are NGO professionals, and others have gone on to undertake further postgraduate or PhD study (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2017-2022).

Employability

This course is designed to equip graduates with the skills and attributes to become future researchers, leaders, activists and changemakers in the field of education and other relevant sectors. Graduates of the MA course are deeply knowledgeable and highly reflexive about the nature and dilemmas of social justice and education, with substantive critical competency in a broad range of sociological theory, research and practice in the international field of education. 

The international mix of students on the course results in graduates who take a broad critical perspective on global issues and challenges and who are part of networks that can sustain them through their working and personal lives. They have transferable skills in teamwork, collaborative approaches to learning, analytical and critical thinking. They can summarise and apply diverse bodies of literature and theory, and present fluent written and spoken arguments and reflections. They are independent scholars who design and execute research projects in depth on topics they choose. 

The course ensures that you are informed about career information sessions that UCL offers. Every student is assigned a personal academic tutor who has the responsibility, among other things, to help advise on your career options. Alumni of the MA return to speak to current graduates about their research, employability and career after the MA.

Networking

The course attracts students from a range of backgrounds and nationalities, providing opportunities for global networking. Alumni are regularly invited back to share their experiences of research during the course and their career development since completing the course. You will encounter academics at the many seminars and events provided within the Centre for Sociology of Education and Equity, by the Department,  the Faculty and UCL more broadly, as well as at Sociology Cluster socials.

Teaching and learning

The modules in this course are usually delivered through face-to-face evening sessions using a variety of teaching and learning styles. These may be accompanied by interactive online learning. Lectures are usually followed by open discussion or group work. At other times a seminar format is adopted involving, for example, open discussion, debates, group work, discussion of set reading, generating collective resources, discussing vignettes, arts-based approaches, role play, developing presentations to peers, and other activities.

These sessions are often complemented by online interactions such as discussions in online forums. All course and module materials (such as reading lists and links to set readings, slides from lectures and seminars) are available through the Virtual Learning Environment Moodle. We also offer a tailored online course of support and study skills in conjunction with the Academic Writing Centre and the IOE library.

In preparing your dissertations or reports, you are provided with one-to-one supervision to discuss progress, alongside group support sessions on different aspects of the research process. 

Assessments for this course take a variety of forms. Often this is through a combination of longform essay assignments and shorter written pieces, or presentations or other forms of oral assessment. The submission of a report or dissertation is also required. There will be opportunities for formative feedback before submission.

For full-time students, typical contact hours across two modules are around six to nine hours per week during term time, involving six hours teaching plus approximately two to three hours optional sessions, office hours and support sessions. Outside of lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials, full-time students typically study the equivalent of a full-time job, using your remaining time for self-directed study and completing coursework assignments.

Typically modules run for ten weeks, with lectures, engagement activities, and evening seminars.

Please note that all our Sociology Cluster module in-person sessions run in the evenings, from approximately 17:00. This is to enable students who are working during the day (such as UK-based teachers) to attend.

Modules

Full-time students will complete the course within one academic year.

The Sociology of Education MA has three compulsory modules.

The first is the Sociology of Education module (Autumn term), which offers significant insights into the relationship between education and the state, society, and the individual.

The second is the Understanding Education Research module (Autumn term), which introduces different approaches to education research and develops students' capacities to read as well as engage in education research.

The third is a choice between either a Dissertation or a Report.

Students also have the opportunity to select two (if choosing the Dissertation) or three (if choosing the Report) optional modules. A module is a one-term course, usually involving attendance at ten teaching sessions and the submission of a assignments for assessment.

Part-time students will complete the course over two academic years.

The Sociology of Education MA has three compulsory modules.

Part-time students will start the first year of study with the Sociology of Education compulsory module in the autumn term and take two further optional modules that year. The second year starts with the Understanding Education Research compulsory module in the autumn term before progressing to the dissertation (or alternatively one other optional module and a report).

Flexible students will complete the course over up to five years. 

The Sociology of Education MA has three compulsory modules.

The first year of study starts with the compulsory module Sociology of Education in the autumn term. The Understanding Education Research compulsory module (also autumn term) lays the groundwork for the dissertation or report and should be taken in the year of taking the dissertation/report. Other optional modules (two if taking a dissertation, three if taking a report) are taken in the intervening years of study.

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 Sociology of Education.

Fieldwork

Students usually choose to organise and undertake fieldwork in relation to their research for their dissertation, but this is not a requirement. If undertaken, fieldwork must be self-funded.

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.

Visit us

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Graduate Open Events: Master's courses in Social Justice, Policy and Sociology of Education

Be inspired by academics with first-hand experience of world-leading research and knowledge creation. Meet our academics, hear about the courses you are interested in and have the chance to ask any questions you might have. Be part of a world-leading centre for research and teaching working to make a difference in the world.

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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.

DBS may be required depending on the type of research undertaken for the dissertation module. 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 2025 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. If students decide to undertake fieldwork for their report or dissertation, it must be self-funded.

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

GREAT Scholarship

NOW CLOSED FOR 2026/27 ENTRY
Value: £10,000 towards tuition fees (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 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 Sociology of Education at graduate level and your background and/or interest in sociology
  • what particularly attracts you to the chosen course
  • how your academic and professional background meets the demands of this challenging course
  • some idea of the kinds of sociological theories and phenomena you are most interested in, and which may potentially feed into your report or dissertation
  • 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.

We look for a strong academic background in general, since the course is intellectually demanding. We particularly look for some background in Sociology, as its concepts are key to the Course, or in Education and other closely related cognate fields. Professional experience as an educator is also welcome. Your application will still be considered if you do not specifically have these, but you would need to address this explicitly in your Personal Statement and explain how you meet the criteria.

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

Education, Practice and Society
Education, Practice and Society

rhiannon.firth@ucl.ac.uk

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