The MA Higher Education is a part-time programme scheduled over a period of two years (including the Post-Graduate Certificate in Higher Education in year 1). The programme consists of 180 credits including two years of coursework and completion of a dissertation. 

Students who have not completed a Post-Graduate Certificatein Higher Education must complete four compulsory modules each worth 15 credits.  Details about the post-graduate Certificate can be found here .

Student’s entering into year two will complete a compulsory Research Methods module and select three optional modules*.  Students can exit at this point with a PG Diploma in Higher Education, or progress to the dissertation to complete the MA Higher Education.  

Year 1 is the PG Cert in Higher Education. Please refer to this programme page more details.

• Philosophy and policy of Higher Education(15 credits each) - Compulsory
  To ground the study of higher education policy in a philosophical perspective. In doing so, the student will consider the importance of philosophical thought to contemporary higher education policy. This will offer an understanding of core issues in higher education policy and their development so as to explore key debates in national and international higher education policy. Students will examine contemporary policy frameworks in higher education, critically engaging with the different concepts that underlie policy creation. Finally, the student will be able to critically assess policy and appreciate its philosophical roots in teaching and learning. 

• Pedagogy in Higher Education (15 credits each) - Compulsory
  The aim of this module is to introduce students to theories that underpin learning and teaching in higher education. Students will be able to reflect on how to effectively facilitate learning in the context of modern higher education and within various subject disciplines. This will be done through the critical exploration, reflection on and evaluation of a wide range of key contemporary learning theories, practices and methodologies that support the development of effective learning environments and enhance the student experience. 

• Psychology of Learning in Higher Education (15 credits each) - Compulsory
  This module is designed to explore various psychological theories and practical applications relevant to enhancing the experience of higher education. Different psychological perspectives and research on thinking, learning (including collaborative learning) cognitive and learning styles, motivation, positive psychology, emotional intelligence, resilience and development of self-identity and self-efficacy and the role of social support and connectedness will be critically appraised in relation to applicability and impact on student retention, engagement and achievement. The module will also discuss organisational change management and evaluation approaches for implementing and evaluating developments in higher education. 

• Pedagogy and Practice in Higher Education (15 credits each) - Compulsory
  The aim of this module is for students to apply their knowledge of pedagogic theory to the study and practice off innovative curriculum and assessment design that will provide dynamic learning, assessment and feedback experiences that are appropriate to participants’ subject discipline. Students will be able to reflect on how to effectively facilitate learning in the context of modern higher education and within various subject disciplines. This will be done through a practice-based project where participants will be able to explore the unique concerns and drivers of their practice within the contact of their subject discipline and wider higher education. 

Year 2 Modules - Entry for those that have completed the PG Cert in Higher Education. 

• Research Methods & Methodologies for Education (15 credits) - Compulsory
  The aim of this module is to provide a critical overview of research methods and approaches used for researching various aspects of modern higher education. Students will be able to evaluate the strengths and limitations of various methodologies in a range of higher education contexts. In addition, students will have the opportunity to explore philosophical, ethical and methodological differences, which underpin various approaches of knowledge generation that can inform educational research. Students will find this module good preparation for their independent dissertation research project.

• Learning Technologies in Higher Education (15 credits) - Optional*
  The focus of this module is to explore ways of integrating various learning technologies into the curriculum in order to promote student engagement and enhance the learning experience. A collaborative learning environment will be created to allow participants to successfully design the implementation and evaluation of a technology enhanced learning solution/project within their own professional context. Relevant pedagogic models that underpin the implementation of various learning technologies will be considered at both a programme and personalised level with the aim to create the best learning and teaching environment for the individual student. 

• Globalisation Issues in Higher Education (15 credits) - Optional*
  The module is designed to critically investigate and broadly explore issues relating to the concept of globalisation and internationalisation. It provides opportunities to consider the impact of developments that are changing the perspectives and realities of globalisation in higher education. Consideration will be given to how universities are responding according to their strategic position. Perspectives on broad issues of inclusion and national identity will be explored. Policy and practice relating to quality, recruitment and employment with international case studies and comparative research will be undertaken. Teaching and learning approaches and adaptions, including e-learning to cater for changing needs and demands, international comparisons and sharing of expertise of education will inform learners more broadly in the development of new perspectives. 

• Language and Literacy in Higher Education (15 credits) - Optional*
  This module aims to identify key themes relating to language and literacy in English-dominant and English Medium of Instruction (EMI) universities, which impact on both staff and students, including multilingualism, widening participation and global English, and will be relevant for staff with a particular interest in, or responsibility for, language and literacy. The module will critically assess relevant current research in these areas, and will enable students to appraise a range of approaches by different stakeholders within higher education to addressing the challenges relating to these. Students will work in groups on structured discussion tasks which will enable them to explore current research and apply this to challenges in their own setting. The module will enable students to make informed decisions relating to their own context which enhances the literacy and communication needs of both staff and students and to apply their learning to the design and implementation of relevant policies and appropriate curriculum design and pedagogic interventions. 

• Contemporary Issues in Higher Education (15 credits) - Optional*
  This module aims to identify critical issues that driver higher education policy and practice, and to develop an understanding of contemporary higher education practice. Students will critically evaluate how societal and economic factors shape the core issues facing higher education. 

• Peer and Team Coaching in Higher Education (15 credits)-Optional*
  This module offers advanced level study of topics in peer and team coaching. It offers students a blend of academic study, practical experience and personal development in addition to an introduction to the language, purpose and process of peer and team coaching. The module is designed to measure a variety of learning outcomes and to facilitate students’ development of critical thinking, reflective learning and specialised listening and communication skills in support of personal, professional and collective development of HE tutor learning on the MA Higher Education (as a form of CPD).

• Advanced Research Methods for Education (15 credits) - Optional*
  This module is designed to provide a critical overview of the advanced main methods and approaches used for research into educational research topics. For those students who want to research a particular topic in education in a more advanced way the module affords students opportunities to appraise the strengths and weaknesses of different methodological approaches including qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods, which underpin various approaches to knowledge generation which can inform research. Advanced data analysis techniques will be explored for qualitative and quantitative methods, to enable them to add depth to their research proposal to prepare for their final project.

After completion of 120 credits of coursework students can progress to the Dissertation:

• Dissertation (60 credits) - Compulsory
  Supported by their tutors, this module aims to enable students to display their ability to plan and conduct an ethical research project, displaying mastery of complex and specialised area of knowledge. It also gives students the opportunity to demonstrate critical and analytical reference to their own field of criticism and enquiry and provide evidence of expertise in conducting specialised and advanced skills in research, presentation, interpretation and analysis. 

Module and programme information is indicative and may be subject to change.

*Not all of the modules listed will be available in any one year. Module availability is dependent on staffing and the number of students wishing to take each module.

The learning, teaching and assessment approaches used throughout your programme will encourage you to be actively involved in their learning and to cooperate with other participants. You will receive feedback as well as opportunities to reflect upon and learn from that feedback.

Teaching on the programme will be in blocks throughout the academic year to enable you to easily plan your studies around work and personal commitments. In each teaching block, you will receive sessions from two modules with relevant tasks to be completed between each teaching block and online support materials to help you keep on track with your studies.

The MA in Higher Education is designed to provide professionals dedicated to the field of higher education with the ability to make an enhanced impact. Students who are practicing may pursue promotion to a position of responsibility within their chosen field or institution. Graduates of the programme may move to Doctoral studies in education.