Education and International Development MA

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The Education and International Development MA will introduce students to the concepts of development and educational development, and help them assess the role of education and learning in the development process by examining theory and research. It will examine contemporary policy issues regarding education in low- and middle-income countries.

About this degree

This programme provides students with the opportunity to develop a critical understanding of key aspects of theory, policy and practice in relation to education and international development, and skills and knowledge in research methods and analysis. Students benefit from being taught by renowned researchers of education and international development, as well as international guest speakers. Students will also meet and study alongside a diverse student group: our alumni are from more than 80 countries.

There will be opportunities for students to be introduced to a number of key international development organisations involved in education and learn more about the nature of their work, as well as to find out about professional development opportunities. In previous years, students have organised career development events and benefited from volunteering opportunities via the Students' Union UCL Volunteering Service.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.

The programme consists of one core module (30 credits) and either three optional modules (90 credits) and a dissertation (60 credits) or four optional modules (120 credits) and a report (30 credits).

_{Compulsory modules}

• Education and International Development: Concepts, Theories and Issues

_{Optional modules}

Three optional modules (90 Credits) or, if a report is presented, four optional modules (120 Credits) can be chosen. At least two optional modules must be chosen from the list of EID cluster modules and research modules below:

• Gender, Education and Development
• Education, Conflict and Fragility
• Planning for Education and Development
• Learners, Learning and Teaching in the Context of Education for All
• Promoting Health and Wellbeing: Planning, Practice and Participation
• Education and Muslim Communities
• African Studies and Education
• Understanding Education Research: Education and International Development
• Understanding Education Research
• Understanding Research

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

Teaching on the MA EID is intended to provide learners with a critical perspective on a range of different frameworks through which they can understand their experiences and practice. A range of teaching and learning methods are used including lectures, participant-led presentations, group work, workshops, online activities. Assessment is via various forms of coursework including discursive essays, critical analysis of empirical research, reviews of literature, and the dissertation or report.

Fieldwork

Students may undertake fieldwork in relation to their research for their dissertation or report, but it is not a requirement. If undertaken, fieldwork must be self-funded.

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

Graduates of this programme are currently working across a broad range of areas and sectors in relation to education and international development worldwide. These include local and international NGOs, donor and multi-lateral agencies, national and local education departments, schools and universities. 

Employability

It is intended that students who participate fully in the programme will develop the following:

• The ability to reflect critically on a wide range of contemporary debates and issues concerning education and international development
• Their knowledge of and understanding in the field of education and international development and the implications of published research in this area for their own practice.
• Their skills in oral presentation and discussion, critical reading and reflective and analytical writing
• An understanding of the processes entailed in research and the experience of conducting their own small scale research study 

Why study this degree at UCL?

UCL Education, Practice and Society at the IOE is the well-established home of an interdisciplinary grouping bringing together high-quality teaching and research in the history, sociology and philosophy of education and international development. It houses the Centre for Education and International Development (CEID), which comprises a team of internationally recognised experts in international development, education, and international educational policy, and which has nurtured world leaders in educational practice and research for over 85 years. 

The department has extensive experience and expertise in: education planning and policy; health; education in Africa, Asia and Latin America; education, equality and human rights; issues of gender, migration, race, sexuality, disability, and social class; and education in conflict and emergencies.

Linking research, policy and practice, the result is an extraordinarily powerful learning community.

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 suited to professionals working in the formal and non-formal sectors in education and international development who would like to reflect and build on their experience in these areas.

Application deadlines

30 May 2019

For more information see our Applications page.

Apply now

What are we looking for?

When we assess your application we would like to learn:

• why you want to study Education and International Development at graduate level
• why you want to study Education and International Development 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.

Please make sure that your personal statement clearly outlines the nature and length of your relevant experience working in a low or middle income country

Visit the Education and International Development MA page on the University College London website for more details!