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Global Development at UEA
Find out more about studying Global Development at UEA, and browse our other courses.
Find out moreMA Education and Development
Key Details
- Attendance
- Full Time
- Award
- Degree of Master of Arts
- Course Length
- 1 year
- Course Start Date
- September 2026
Other Start Dates
Other Start Dates
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Why you should choose us
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UEA is ranked 1st overall for research quality in Development Studies
Times Higher Education REF 2021Course Overview
Education is a powerful catalyst for economic, social, and sustainable development. Our MA in Education and Development will equip you with the knowledge and skills to drive positive change through education. You’ll be prepared for a wide range of impactful careers—from shaping educational policy and programming on a global scale to working with influential government bodies and leading national and international development agencies and NGOs.
On this one-year full-time course, you’ll join a vibrant academic community dedicated to excellence and driven by a shared passion for making a difference. You’ll explore how education can contribute to global development, studying diverse approaches including human rights, social justice, and human capital theory, as well as critical perspectives on the role of education in addressing inequalities. This course will enable you to understand current debates and global education goals, and their implications for policy, programming and practice at national, regional, and international levels.
You’ll delve into educational debates from a wider development perspective. You’ll also study current challenges and opportunities in education and international development, including: inclusive education, gender inequalities, school violence, pedagogical reform, teacher supply and quality education, non-formal models of education (including Islamic education), decolonising education, education for sustainable development, and the impact and mitigation of conflict, humanitarian, and public health emergencies.
You’ll join our friendly close-knit academic community and benefit from exclusive access to the renowned ‘Education and Development Public Seminar’ series, hosted by UEA’s Schools of Global Development and Education and Lifelong Learning. This inspiring series features groundbreaking research from leading international academics and top research institutions. Our course lecturers are core members of UEA’s prestigious UNESCO Chair for Adult Literacy and Learning for Social Transformation, and you’ll be encouraged to actively engage with this globally recognised research community.
We’ll empower you to become a catalyst for change, shaping the future of education globally and driving sustainable development — while supporting your career aspirations every step of the way.
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What is Global Development?
Learn how global development is understood and its effects on communities, with a focus on Nairobi, Kenya, in this free, online course. Thro...
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Our Research - 1st in the UK for Development Studies
The School of Global Development is globally recognized for research excellence and ranked first in development studies (Times Higher REF An...
Study and Modules
Structure
You'll delve into fundamental theoretical and practical perspectives on education and its role in global development, giving you a solid foundation for analysis and understanding of the key concepts.
You’ll then apply this knowledge to understanding educational reform and practice, developing your skills in policy analysis to investigate a range of development challenges with a focus on low-income and fragile states. You’ll be encouraged to prepare your own policy brief on a topic of your choice.
You’ll also have the freedom to choose from an exciting range of optional modules, as well as the chance to explore research methods. You’ll be able to choose from modules offered within the School of Global Development and from a selection offered by UEA’s School of Education and Lifelong Learning.
Alongside your taught studies, you’ll work towards completing a supervised dissertation or work placement report. A range of optional seminars and workshops are also offered, which will help to strengthen your academic and professional skills.
Housekeeping sessions to support your learning occur throughout the year. You’ll also be supported to prepare for your dissertation or work placement
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 40)Optional B Modules
(Credits: 40)Optional C Modules
(Credits: 40)Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
Teaching
Teaching involves a combination of methods, including lectures, seminars, and workshops. We use a combination of formal lectures and participatory styles of learning. Seminars and workshops provide opportunities for collaborative work, student-led presentations and research skills. You’ll also read academic books and journals and international reports to access state-of-the-art theories and evidence.
Independent study
You’ll be expected to be a self-directed learner, working individually and in groups to study between module sessions. This gives you the chance to prepare for in-class activities and assignments, and to concentrate on the areas that interest you the most.
Assessment
You'll be assessed using a variety of coursework assignments, which will enable you to demonstrate your learning in depth and across a range of skill sets. Assessments in your compulsory modules allow you to develop transferable skills in writing for development actors and policymakers, presenting and leading small group work. and policymakers. Further assessment methods will depend on the optional modules you choose.
Your compulsory modules include opportunities for peer-led group presentations. The oral feedback you’ll receive will help you develop skills in articulating your arguments and ideas. Technology, such as Padlet, will be used to facilitate sharing and reviews of your work.
You’ll be encouraged to prepare assignment outlines, for which you'll receive written feedback to help you improve your coursework before submission.
Additional tutorial support is provided for your core module coursework.
You’ll undertake either an academic dissertation or an assessed work placement. The dissertation enables you to build research and information management skills as you use primary and/or secondary data to explore in-depth a specific topic of interest. Critical analysis, application of theory to real world problems and extended report writing skills are developed in both the dissertation and the assessed work placement. The latter also provides an opportunity for you to gain career-enhancing work experience.
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Employability
After the Course
Upon completing your MA in Education and Development, you'll have the knowledge, research and transferable skills to pursue a variety of exciting careers in international education, global development and beyond.
Our graduates now work in many different fields in the UK – such as policy development, educational research and training with, for example, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, the National Foundation for Educational Research, the British Council and Link Community Development, as well as international development organisations and UN agencies, such as CARE International, Oxfam, Save the Children International, the Japanese International Cooperation Agency UNESCO, UNDP, and UNICEF. Others continue to extend and enhance their current professions in teaching, youth work and higher education, including government posts in Ministries of Education around the world. You'll also be well qualified to enter a PhD programme with a view to furthering your academic career.
Careers
Examples of careers that you could enter include:
- International organisations and UN agencies,
- Governmental and non-governmental organisations
- National and local education departments
- Charities and International NGOs
- Think tanks and universities
- Education practitioners and researchers
Discover more on our Careers webpages.
Entry Requirements
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
- Typical UK Entry Requirements
Degree classification
Bachelors degree - 2.2
Degree Subject
Education or related fields.
- Additional Entry Requirements
Applicants should normally have a good undergraduate degree from a recognised higher education institution. The University will also take into account the employment experience of applicants where relevant.
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
- Typical International Entry Requirements
Degree classification
UK Bachelors degree - 2.2 or equivalent
Degree Subject
Education or related fields.
- Additional Entry Requirements
Applicants should normally have a good undergraduate degree from a recognised higher education institution. The University will also take into account the employment experience of applicants where relevant.
- English Foreign Language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
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IELTS: 6.0 overall (minimum 5.5 in each component).
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of example qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.
If you do not meet the English language requirements for this course, our UEA International Study Centre offers a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the required English skills.
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- UEA International Study Centre
If you do not meet the academic requirements for this course, you may be able to study the International Pre-Masters programme offered by our partner UEA International Study Centre. This programme guarantees progression to selected Master's degrees if students achieve the appropriate grade. For more details, please click here:
International Pre-Masters in Business, Economics and Social Sciences
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
Fees and Funding
Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2026/27 are:
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UK Students: £11,400
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International Students: £23,850
We estimate living expenses at £1,136 per month.
Further Information on tuition fees can be found here.
Scholarships and Bursaries
The University of East Anglia offers a range of Scholarships; please click the link for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course Related Costs
Please see Additional Course Fees for details of additional course-related costs.
How to Apply
How to apply
Applications for Postgraduate Taught programmes at the University of East Anglia should be made directly to the University.
To apply please use our online application form.
Further information
If you would like to discuss your individual circumstances prior to applying, please do contact us:
Postgraduate Admissions Office
Tel: +44 (0)1603 591515
Email: admissions@uea.ac.uk
International candidates are also encouraged to access the International Students section of our website.