Why this course?
This course is for students who have gained previous credits at masters level from a postgraduate teaching diploma or equivalent and who wish to ‘top up’ their awards to a full masters qualification.
The course is flexible in that it offers you the opportunity to study either face to face or online through the modules chosen, and it enables you to engage in your own research through the production of a 15,000 word dissertation.
This course gives you an ideal opportunity to upgrade your Masters qualifications into a recognised and respected award.
What you’ll study
In your first year you'll study our module Research Methods and Reasoning. This will introduce you to research methods and equip you to be able to undertake your dissertation in year two.
You'll also study an optional module from our catalogue. This can be in a variety of areas such as inclusion, early career development or literacy.
For those students who have more than 80 M’ level credits, some further reductions in study can be made.
Major projects
In year two of the course you'll undertake a major dissertation in an area negotiated between yourself and University staff.
You'll engage in research, either desk based or empirical, and you'll produce a report approximately 15,000 words in length. Throughout the research you'll be supported by your own dissertation supervisor who will support and guide you through the process.
Course content
Compulsory classes
Research Methods & Reasoning
This class provides support in developing a critical and informed understanding of research methods in relation to your own planned dissertation project.
It also provides support in understanding research ethics and how they relate to your own research and provides support in meeting the requirements of the ethical approval process.
Optional classes
Supporting Literacy Development
Literacy is a gateway to the rest of the curriculum, and learners who have poor literacy are often unable to achieve their full potential in other areas of schooling.
This module is designed for primary and secondary teachers who want to widen and extend their professional repertoires for analysing and supporting learners who struggle with literacy.
It will help you to design and implement a tailored intervention that will ensure struggling readers make progress.
Providing Effective Educational Support
The content of this class focuses on the following topics:
- Concepts underpinning barriers to learning
- Learning Theories
- What is effective learning?
- Barriers to learning in the classroom
- Inclusive pedagogy
- Learners characteristics: individuality or difference?
- Identifying barriers and determining support needs
Policy and Practice: early career development
This module is intended for early career teachers (within their first 5 years of teaching). It enables them to build upon the education they received during their PGDE and their early career experiences.
The Donaldson report recommends that teachers in Scotland should have a Masters account which enables them to build up Masters credits over the course of their teaching career.
This module forms a bridge between academic study during the PGDE year and early career activities.
Child-centred and Child-Focused approaches to Practitioner Research
This module aims to strengthen the Early Years teachers’ and practitioners’ investigations of theory through practice in order to support evidence-based changes to their pedagogies and analyse this in a supportive environment.
Learning for Sustainability
This class is designed to help teachers understand the principles of sustainable development, global citizenship and learning in the outdoors.
The course will reflect on the links to the GTCS standards and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Learning & teaching
All modules make use of our virtual learning environment (VLE). In addition, the face-to-face modules are delivered by lectures and seminars. Our online modules are taught solely through the VLE.
Some of the modules make use of guest lectures. These will be indicated throughout your time with us.
Assessment
Assessment differs from module to module but is always in the form of continuous assessment. There are no summative examinations.
Fees & funding
2018/19
Scotland/EU
- £550 per 20 credit module
Rest of UK
- £550 per 20 credit module
How can I fund my course?
Scottish and non-UK EU postgraduate students
Scottish and non-UK EU postgraduate students starting in 2017 may be able to apply for support from the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS). The support is in the form of a tuition fee loan and for eligible students a living cost loan. Find out more about the support and how to apply.
Don’t forget to check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.
Students coming from England
Students ordinarily resident in England can apply for Postgraduate support from Student Finance England. The support is a loan of up to £10,280 which can be used for both tuition fees and living costs. Find out more about the support and how to apply.
Don’t forget to check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.
Students coming from Wales
Postgraduate students starting in 2017 who are ordinarily resident in Wales can apply for support from Student Finance Wales. The support is a loan of up to £10,280 which can be used for both tuition fees and living costs. We are waiting on further information being released about this support and how to apply.
Don’t forget to check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.
Students coming from Northern Ireland
Postgraduate students starting in 2017 who are ordinarily resident in Northern Ireland can apply for support from Student Finance NI. The support is a tuition fee loan of up to £5,500. We are waiting on further information being released about this support and how to apply.
Don’t forget to check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.
Please note
The fees shown are annual and may be subject to an increase each year. Find out more about fees.
Careers
This masters qualification enhances your standing in the professional community. Utilising the experiences you had whilst undertaking your postgraduate teacher education and you now have in the classroom, you can extend your knowledge and abilities in the area of professional practice.
This places you in a better position to move forward in your career in education, and to develop sound pedagogies that enhance your work.
