MA Education (Evidence-based Practice) (fully online)
An eighteen-month, part-time course for teachers and school leaders to develop expertise in the field of education.
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About the course
Never has there been a time when the relationship between practice and research in Education has been under such scrutiny. This course enables students to complete a master’s dissertation and to link this study to the way evidence-based practice has been integrated into Education. It not only allows you to engage with Educational Research, it provides an opportunity to evaluate the application of key topics in schools today.
The MA in Education (Evidence Based Practice) will prepare you to critically analyse, engage in and reflect on educational research and evaluate the implications within your own educational setting. You will be expected to develop your ability to explore what it means to be a critically reflective practitioner.
By taking on this fresh challenge within your teaching career, you will acquire a new set of skills as you engage in a range of arguments and learn to become critical of them, synthesise arguments, and develop your own critical and authoritative voice.
As you will be studying in an area that you have a genuine interest in, you will be making a valuable investment in yourself as a person, and your discoveries are therefore more likely have a positive and impactful affect in the workplace. In a sector where ideas are always evolving and new research is continuously coming into effect, this Master’s, will equip you with the latest insights and research.
Course Highlights
The MA in Education (Evidence Based Practice) provides a unique opportunity to reflect on your own practice and improve what you do. You will navigate the newest challenges in education and develop your critical reflection of your own practice.
By completing this course, you will be able to:
- Engage with issues in the application of research to practice.
- Develop a critical understanding of relevant literature.
- Understand what is expected of Level 7 Academic Writing.
- Learn how to navigate the topic of research methodology.
- Plan a piece of research that can contribute to debates.
- Understand the ethical implications of being a researcher.
- Become a desirable candidate within your workplace and to future employers as you appear driven with the latest research and ideas.
Course breakdown
Throughout this course, you will complete a number of modules enabling you to develop your understanding both of the research process as well as your topic of interest relating to education. The second module will enable you to grapple with the discussions surrounding evidence based practice and you will be able to use this for your own work. Please view the Curriculum Handbook to see further details about the modules.
During this time, you will also critically engage with scholarship, which informs your dissertation, and you will learn about different research methods. You will be expected to read widely around your subject area.
The course culminates in the production of a 12,000-15,000-word dissertation with a suitable research focus.
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Teaching and assessment
All of our postgraduate courses are taught and delivered online, so no matter where you are in your teaching career, or the world, you can study with one of the most established teacher training providers in the UK.
Teaching methods
Every master’s student is allocated a supervisor who you will be supported by for each module. Communication will take place at times that are suitable for you both, over channels such as Teams, Zoom or email. You will also have access to regular online study sessions throughout the course.
There are induction sessions to introduce you to how the course will run; on application you will receive a choice of dates where you will indicate when you will attend.
When the course starts, you will have access to MOODLE, the University’s online learning platform. You will then access the course handbook and all resources needed for successful completion of the course. In the handbook there is a week-by-week guide which will indicate what work is expected that week. This will either be:
- A recorded film to watch
- A reading
- A podcast with accompanying literature
- Independent study towards a module
- A live Twilight session
The Twilight sessions are recorded and shared on MOODLE once the session is complete. These Twilights are optional in terms of attendance as we know that many people struggle to be available at certain times. However, all these sessions are recorded and should then be watched after the live event. This means that as you progress through the course you end up having access to library of videos that you can re-visit, to support you to a successful outcome.
Assessment Methods
The course consists of a number of engaging modules, including one which questions the legitimacy of an evidence-based practice approach.
With a view to improving the candidate’s own professional practice or that of others, you will critically engage with literature, which goes on to inform a research project to explore an educational issue.
The study culminates in a dissertation involving a candidate’s own project in their school or research in a wider field of education. The focus of this dissertation will examine the research linked to an area of the student’s own interest.
It is important to understand that you, as a Master’s student, will be expected to work independently and you are expected to fully engage with the guidance provided to complete the required modules.
Master’s degrees are awarded to students who have demonstrated:
- A systematic understanding of knowledge, and critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights, much of which is at, or informed by, the forefront of their academic discipline, field of study or area of professional practice.
- A comprehensive understanding of techniques applicable to their own research or advanced scholarship.
- Originality in the application of knowledge, together with a practical understanding of how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in the discipline.
- Conceptual understanding that enables the student:
- to evaluate critically current research and advanced scholarship in the discipline.
- to evaluate methodologies and develop critiques of them and, where appropriate, to propose new hypotheses.
Typically, holders of a Masters will be able to:
- Deal with complex issues – both systematically and creatively, make sound judgements in the absence of complete data, and communicate their conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
- Demonstrate self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems, and act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks at a professional or equivalent level.
- Continue to advance their knowledge and understanding, and to develop new skills to a high level.
QAA, The Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies, February 2024
After your course
Upon completion of your master’s, you can put what you have studied, researched and learnt into practice. Many students use their research to develop their existing roles or to apply for specialist roles that allow them an opportunity to continue to work on their area of interest. A number of students also share their research through conferences and publications. Whichever route you choose your work is contributing to an area that is in need of research development.
Here are just some of the career opportunities and skills that can stem from studying on this degree:
Career opportunities
- Progression to leadership
- Applying for specialist roles relating to your research
- Continued research on your area of interest
- Sharing your research with others through conferences and writing
Career skills
- Leadership in research skills
- Developing your communication skills
- Ability to plan and complete a project
- Perseverance
- Resilience
Careers and Employability Support
Our courses strive to effectively combine academic challenge with the transferable skills that will stand you in good stead for future employment. The Buckingham tutorial teaching model means that our students are well prepared as they embark on their careers and future study.
Find out more about our Careers and Employability Service.
“Upon completing my postgraduate degree, I have undoubtedly obtained the necessary independent and research skills to embark on my professional journey. The extensive knowledge I have acquired through this advanced degree sets me apart from other candidates, giving me a distinct advantage.”
Eleanor, Postgraduate student
Entry requirements
For a list of course specific requirements, please see our typical offers below. To see our full list of general university requirements including information for flexible entry, mature students and alternative qualifications, see our University entry requirements.
UK Offers
The standard entry requirements for this course are:
- have a degree from a UK University (2.2 or above) or equivalent
- be working in a school
International Offers
Find out about our requirements and see useful information for international applicants:
If you are uncertain whether you will be eligible to apply for this course, please contact our Education Admissions team.
Course fees
The fees for this course are:
| Start | Type | 1st Year | Total cost |
|---|---|---|---|
Month Year Full-time (2 Years) | UK | £00,000 | £00,000 |
| INT | £00,000 | £00,000 | |
Month Year Full-time (2 Years) | UK | £00,000 | £00,000 |
| INT | £00,000 | £00,000 |
The University reserves the right to increase course fees annually in line with inflation linked to the Retail Price Index (RPI). If the University intends to increase your course fees it will notify you via email of this as soon as reasonably practicable.
Course fees do not include additional costs such as books, equipment, writing up fees and other ancillary charges. Where applicable, these additional costs will be made clear.
Applicants must also pay a non-refundable £300 registration fee.
Fees are invoiced for in September, at the beginning of the course, and can be paid in termly instalments or in one lump sum. Termly instalments can be arranged directly with the Finance department upon receipt of the invoice.
All staff at COBIS member schools get a 5% discount on course fees. To ensure discount is applied please select COBIS from the partnership box on your application form.
This is a 180 credit, 15-month, part-time Master’s course and so is eligible for a Postgraduate Master’s loan (www.gov.uk/masters-loan).
Scholarships and Bursaries
We have bursaries and scholarships available for both home and international students at undergraduate and postgraduate level, and these are awarded based on location, merit or financial need.
Funded scholarships and bursaries may be awarded across all schools of study, and represent a partial remission from tuition fees. Bursaries are means-tested and are intended for those who need a contribution towards their fees in order to study at Buckingham.
Students applying for this course may be eligible for the following:
View all scholarships and bursaries.
How to apply
Apply direct
Apply online from this page as the most flexible option.
Need help?
Contact the Faculty of Education on +44 (0)1280 820222 or email: education@buckingham.ac.uk
Applicants from China should apply through the Buckingham International School of Education, not this page; click here: https://bise.openapply.cn/
Some courses are limited in terms of numbers and we operate a first-come-first-served system. Applications can take at least 6 weeks to process. Please consider school holiday closures and ensure applications are submitted in good time to avoid disappointment.
Please click the ‘Apply Now’ button to view the application deadline and start your application.