Education at UEA
Find out more about studying Education at UEA, and browse our other courses.
Find out moreMA Education: Learning, Pedagogy and Assessment
Key Details
- Attendance
- Full Time
- Award
- Degree of Master of Arts
- Course Length
- 1 year
- Course Start Date
- September 2026
Other Course Options
Other Start Dates
Other Start Dates
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Why you should choose us
Course Overview
Are you fascinated by the way people learn? Do you wonder how different people’s backgrounds can shape their learning experiences?
On this dynamic Master’s in Education: Learning, Pedagogy and Assessment, you’ll delve deep into the processes, theories and practices of teaching, learning and assessment. This one-year, full-time programme is ideal for those with experience in education — or for anyone passionate about understanding and improving how education works.
At UEA, you’ll develop a critical, reflective, and practical understanding of the current issues and debates surrounding teaching and learning. You’ll explore key educational trends and policies, both in the UK and internationally. You’ll also have the opportunity to engage with educational research and develop your own exciting research project in an area of your choice. You'll be taught by expert leaders in their field—active scholars who contribute to national and international debates.
The School of Education and Lifelong Learning is located on a beautiful campus within walking distance of Norwich, a UNESCO City of Literature. We offer outstanding facilities and excellent resources to nurture your knowledge and passion for educational research.
You’ll gain the skills and knowledge needed to advance your career in education or a related field. We’ve established strong links with a range of educational and other organisations—regionally, nationally, and internationally—to support your professional development.
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Study and Modules
Structure
During your time with us, you’ll study a variety of core and optional modules, allowing you to shape your course within a vibrant, multidisciplinary community.
You’ll explore fundamental questions such as: What does it mean to be a ‘critical’ reader? Why is critical reading important? And how can you develop criticality as both a reader and a writer?
You’ll be introduced to key concepts and ideas related to learning and teaching in both compulsory and post-compulsory education. Drawing on perspectives from psychology, sociology, educational research, and policymaking, you’ll examine how diverse approaches to teaching and learning shape everyday educational practice.
Additionally, you’ll explore essential theories of assessment, including its underlying philosophies, purposes, and design within both schools and universities. We’ll examine the history and functions of assessment, various types of assessment, and the challenges they present. Building on this foundation, we’ll consider how assessment design aligns with curriculum and pedagogy.
You’ll also be introduced to key research techniques and core aspects of qualitative inquiry, equipping you with the skills and knowledge needed to design and carry out your own research project in an area of personal interest—whether desk-based or research-led. Throughout this process, you’ll work closely with an individual supervisor who’ll guide and support you in designing, conducting, and refining your research.
You’ll engage with alternative approaches to teaching and learning, exploring how pedagogic relationships and interactions can be enhanced. We’ll also examine the impact of information technology on learning and thinking, the significance of critical pedagogy, the concept of deschooling society, and the role of contemporary social movements in shaping education.
In addition, you’ll have the opportunity to choose from a range of optional modules tailored to your interests and professional goals.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 80)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
You’ll be taught by leading experts in the field of education, whose cutting-edge research directly informs their teaching.
Throughout the course, you’ll experience a diverse range of teaching and learning methods. These include lectures, seminars, tutorials, group discussions, practical workshops, visits to key educational settings, student-led presentations, team projects, and writing exercises.
You’ll receive guided reading materials before and during each session. You’ll also be expected to complete preparatory reading or other tasks ahead of classroom sessions and in preparation for coursework. Whilst some assignments will be completed individually, others will involve close collaboration and cooperation with your peers.
Independent study
Guided, self-directed independent study is essential and will be supported by a range of resources, including a dedicated online portal. You’ll need to read extensively between taught sessions and contribute your thoughts and ideas to group discussion boards and blogs associated with some of your modules.
Enrichment activities
We organise various events and activities that extend and enrich your learning experience. These can include museum visits, Norwich guided tours, movie evenings and various social engagement activities where you’ll have the opportunity to interact with members of staff and students from your own and other courses.
Academic support
You’ll have access to a wide range of academic support throughout your studies. The Learning Enhancement Team offers tailored services, including guidance on academic writing, support with your dissertation, and specialist help with using statistics in your coursework.
You’ll also be supported by an academic adviser from the School of Education and Lifelong Learning, who will provide ongoing academic and pastoral guidance. In addition, your module organisers will be available to help with anything related to individual modules, whilst your course director can assist with any matters concerning your overall programme.
Assessment
We use a combination of formative and summative assessment methods to support your learning and provide timely, constructive feedback to help you improve and grow. You’ll benefit from one-to-one or group tutorials across all modules, ensuring personalised academic support.
Summative assessments include written assignments, student-led presentations, and small-scale research projects. In addition, you’ll complete and submit a dissertation in your chosen area of interest.
Importantly, there are no formal exams on this course.
Employability
After the Course
Our graduates go on to develop successful careers across a wide range of professional and academic fields.
Many choose to work in education as teachers, managers, or leaders, whilst others pursue further study at the research degree level. Some graduates move into consultancy roles in the private sector, or take up positions with charities and organisations in the third sector.
Careers
Examples of careers that you could enter, include:
- Teachers and lecturers
- Educational leaders
- Educational advisers and consultants
- Inspectors
- Officers in educational organisations
- Social sciences researchers
- NGOs and charity organisations
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
Social Science (E.g. Education, Sociology, International Development, Philosophy, Psychology, Modern Languages, Classics). Any subject for applicants with a track record of relevant experience.
- Additional Entry Requirements
Teaching experience is welcome but not essential.
- 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
Social Science (E.g. Education, Sociology, International Development, Philosophy, Psychology, Modern Languages, Classics). Any subject for applicants with a track record of relevant experience.
- Additional Entry Requirements
Teaching experience is welcome but not essential.
- 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: 6.5 overall (minimum 6.0 in all components).
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, UEA International Study Centre offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the required English skills:
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- 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 INTO UEA. 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: £11,200
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International Students: £23,850
If you choose to study part-time, the fee per annum will be half the annual fee for that year, or a pro-rata fee for the module credit you are taking (only available for Home students).
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.