Education and International Development - MA

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.

Degree information

This programme provides students with the opportunity to develop professional skills for working in international education, and skills and knowledge in research methods. Students benefit from being taught by renowned researchers of international education and international guest speakers. Students will also meet a diverse student group: our alumni are from more than 80 countries.

Students on the programme can apply for a place on an optional study visit to Paris (not included in the course fee). The Paris Study Tour introduces students to the work of key international organisations in education and development. In the past, the trip has included visits to UNESCO, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP).

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).

Core 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 of the modules must be chosen from within the EID Cluster 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
-Gender, Sexuality and Education
-Development Education in the Era of Globalisation
-Principles and Practices of Development Education
-North-South Educational Partnerships

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.

Careers

Graduates of this programme are currently working across a broad range of areas. For example, one is an education adviser for the UK Department for International Development, while another is an education programme manager for an international NGO.

Top career destinations for this degree:
-Teacher (Maths), UWC South East Asia
-Project Support Officer, Fairtrade Foundation
-Programme Development and Funding Officer, CAFOD
-Primary School Deputy Head Teacher, Success Academy Charter Schools
-Research Consultant, British Council and studying MA Education and International Development, Institute of Education, University of London (IOE)

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.

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, 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.

A minimum of a second-class Bachelor's degree from a UK university or overseas qualification of an equivalent standard is required together with relevant experience in low or middle-income countries (normally a minimum of six months). Applicants should demonstrate commitment and genuine interest in issues relating to education and international development.