Comparative Education MA

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This programme provides an overview of the common controversies and contemporary debates in international and comparative education. We will engage in systematic analysis and comparison of education systems, processes and policies in many parts of the world.

About this degree

The programme provides a rigorous multidisciplinary grounding in the comparative analysis of the relationship between education and society. Students are introduced to education policy and politics of international organisations, such as the OECD and the EU, and national governments in countries/regions such as the UK, Europe and Asia, discussing the effects education systems have on economic development, skill formation, and social inclusion.  

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits

The programme consists of two core modules (60 credits), two optional modules (60 credits), and a dissertation (60 credits) OR two core modules (60 credits) and three optional modules (90 credits) and a report (30 credits). 

_{Compulsory modules}

You have two core modules. One is Comparative Education: Theories and Methods. The other can be either Education and Development in Asia OR Education Traditions and Systems in Europe. If you would like both modules one of them will account as an optional module.  

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

_{Optional modules}

• Innovation and Change in Higher Education
• 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
• Higher Education: Comparative and International Perspectives
• Understanding Education Policy
• Debates in the History of Education

Visit the UCL Institute of Education website for more information, including module descriptions, which can be seen by clicking on the module title.

_{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. 

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 is subject to change.

Funding

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

Careers

The MA Comparative Education will help you to develop key employability skills, which will make you attractive in both the public and private sector, e.g. international organisations, government departments, think tanks and consultancies, education businesses, and in research and teaching. We also offer an Mphil/PhD in Comparative Education (integrated route). We supervise across a broad range of areas within the comparative social sciences, comparative politics of education, and education development.  

Employability

Recent career destinations for this degree:

The OECD and the European Commission

Think tanks, education businesses, and consultancies in Europe, Asia and the USA. 

Government bodies

PhD scholarships 

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.

Department: Education, Practice & Society

Applications

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 programme of £75 for online applications and £100 for paper applications. Further information can be found at: http://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/graduate/taught/application.

Who can apply?

This programme is suitable for anyone working or intending to work in education who wishes to understand education in a global context.

Application deadlines

26 July 2019

For more information see our Applications page.

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What are we looking for?

When we assess your application we would like to learn:

• why you want to study Comparative Education at graduate level
• why you want to study Comparative Education at UCL
• what particularly attracts you to the chosen programme
• how your academic and professional background meets the demands of this challenging programme
• 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 programme match what the programme will deliver.

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