MA Education (Mentoring) (fully online)
For candidates working within Education, gain the knowledge and tools you need to become a confident and effective mentor at master's level.
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About the course
Are you aspiring to develop your understanding and practice in relation to coaching and mentoring? Gain the knowledge and tools you need to become a confident and impactful mentor.
Mentoring in Education has been the subject of debate for a number of years, and recent developments in schools, teacher training and universities has heightened the importance of examining what makes an effective mentor.
Our online course has been designed for candidates working within an education setting that are looking to become a trained mentor. From September 2024, all schools are required to have trained Mentors to monitor teacher trainees. Already, Mentors need to be able to apply the Early Careers’ Framework (ECF) process to their Early Career Teachers. These processes require good mentors, and whilst ITT and ECF mentoring will be covered, this course delves more deeply into the thought processes and critical thinking needed to make an excellent mentor.
You will be able to critically analyse, engage in and reflect on mentoring and evaluate the implications for your own educational setting. You will be expected to develop your ability to explore what it means to be a critically reflective practitioner in your work as a mentor.
Who can benefit from this course?
- UK and International teachers
- Current mentors on ITT programmes
- Mentors in SCITTs
- Anyone mentoring in an education setting.
Course Highlights
By completing this course, you will be able to:
- Engage with issues in Mentoring and Coaching.
- 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 around Mentoring.
- Understand the ethical implications of being a researcher.
- Confidently discuss mentoring and coaching and navigate challenges with your acquired knowledge and experience.
- Demonstrate that you are a driven and desirable candidate as you become equipped with the latest research.
Course breakdown
This is an 18-month online course, starting every January.
It is worth 180 credits and is comprised of four 30-credit Level 7 modules, where you will explore various mentoring theories, learn how to implement them in practice, and allow you to critically reflect on your practice. You will devise your own small-scale research project with guidance from the University and your supervisor. The course culminates with a written assignment of 12,000 – 15,000 words.
Please view the Curriculum Handbook to view further details about the modules.
View course modules
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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 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 is an induction session in early January to introduce you to how the course will run.
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
This work-based, online course comprises of four 30-credit Level 7 modules, comprehensively covering all aspects of Mentoring.
Mentoring Standards will be thoroughly explored, combined with rigorous academic study at master’s level. This involves evaluating and critiquing a range of academic research relating to mentoring, leadership skills and behaviours, integrating research with practice throughout.
The course culminates in a 12,000-15,000 word research project dissertation on an aspect of mentoring.
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 demonstrate:
- 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 course:
Career opportunities
- Pursuing mentoring roles
- 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
- Mentoring and Coaching 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
See our general University entry requirements for information on flexible entry, mature students and alternative qualifications.
UK Offers
To apply for this course, you must:
- Have a UK degree (2.2 or above). For equivalent qualifications, contact education@buckingham.ac.uk to confirm that your qualification meets the University entry requirements.
- Be working as a mentor in an educational context.
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.
Fees will have a 50% reduction if you are a mentor on one of our ITT courses.
Applicants must also pay a £300 non-refundable Registration Fee.
This is a full Master’s course, so is eligible for a Postgraduate Master’s loan if you live in the UK.
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