Comparative Education (MA)

The Comparative Education MA will enhance students' awareness of education systems, traditions and issues in a number of countries, helping them to understand the relationships between education and other social phenomena by introducing the concepts and skills students need for systematic comparison.

About this degree

This programme will help students to gain a rigorous multidisciplinary grounding in the comparative analysis of education and society, deepening their understanding of contemporary issues in education in many parts of the world.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits

The programme consists of three core modules (90 credits), two optional modules (30 credits), and a research project (60 credits)

Core modules

• Comparative Education: Theories and Methods
• Education and Development in Asia
• Education Traditions and Systems in Europe

Optional modules

• Doing and Using Educational Leadership and Management Research
• Education and International Development: Concepts, Theories and Issues
• Education and Muslim Communities
• Learners, Learning and Teaching in the Context of Education for All
• Minorities, Migrants and Refugees in National Education Systems
• Planning for Education and Development
• Policy, Research and Pedagogy in Adult Literacy

Dissertation/report

All students undertake an independent research project which culminates in a 20,000-word dissertation or 10,000-word report.

Teaching and learning

This programme is delivered via face-to-face evening sessions. Attendance may vary depending on your choice of optional modules. It is assessed by coursework assignments of 5,000 words, and a 20,000-word dissertation or 10,000-word report. If the report is opted for an additional optional module is required. 

Further information on modules and degree structure is available on the department website: Comparative Education MA

Careers

Graduates of this programme are currently working across a broad range of areas. Some are working as local and central government advisers, while others have jobs as charity managers. Graduates can also be found working as researchers and lecturers.

Recent career destinations for this degree

• Secondary School Teacher (English), Vehbi Koc Foundation
• MPhil/PhD in Comparative Education (Intergrated Route), Institute of Education, University of London (IOE)
• PhD / Integrated MPhil with Research Methods Education Policy, Institute of Education, University of London (IOE)
• Adult English Teacher, Unspecified Education Provider and studying MA Study of Applied Linguistics, Korea University

Careers data is taken from the ‘Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education’ survey undertaken by HESA looking at the destinations of UK and EU students in the 2013–2015 graduating cohorts six months after graduation.

Why study this degree at UCL?

The Department of Education, Practice and Society is a multidisciplinary department at UCL Institute of Education bringing together a diverse community of researchers with expertise in the social sciences who have a common interest in exploring education in all its guises: formal, non-formal and informal.

The department has extensive expertise and experience in research, knowledge transfer and consultancy in the UK, Europe and Asia, working closely with transnational bodies, such as, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, government departments, as well as with regional organisations, employer organisations, national institutes, and international organisations.

Research Excellence Framework (REF)

The Research Excellence Framework, or REF, is the system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions. The 2014 REF was carried out by the UK's higher education funding bodies, and the results used to allocate research funding from 2015/16.

The following REF score was awarded to the department: Education, Practice & Society

78% rated 4* (‘world-leading’) or 3* (‘internationally excellent’)

Learn more about the scope of UCL's research, and browse case studies, on our Research Impact website.

Visit the Comparative Education (MA) page on the University College London website for more details!