University of Sunderland

International Education

* Exceptions may apply.  Please see Fees and Finance for further information.

Introduction

This programme is for overseas students only, and does not carry state registration such as QTS.

The MA International Education is an academic qualification for teachers, validated by the University of Sunderland. This programme is aimed at teachers living overseas.

Applicants who have completed and passed the Postgraduate Certificate phase are exempt from the first year of this Masters degree. Students completing other Postgraduate teacher training courses may also be exempt; please contact the University for advice.

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Course Content

Stage 1

Completion of the Postgraduate Certificate in Education CID1032

Stage 2 - Postgraduate Diploma in Education

Option modules:

Students are required to complete two modules from the following four options:

• EPDM18: Induction Module: Developing reflective Practices

Students will develop their professional skills and understanding to become intellectually, vocationally and personally accountable for what goes on in their own classroom. They will develop the ability to use self-reflection skills to critically appraising their personal context and teaching experience, and those of other people.

Students will also develop the ability to critically analyse contemporary issues in education. They will consider the effective application, critical evaluation and synthesis of influences and drivers on international education in their own contexts from the remaining three course option modules.

• ESSM14: Advanced Pedagogical Practice in Subject Related Disciplines

For this module students will consider aspects of curriculum development and implementation related to a subject they have selected. For secondary teachers this is likely to be the main subject they teach, while for primary teachers it can be a subject or a topic through which they wish to develop their practice.

The focus will be on improving practice, but a number of different theoretical models of curriculum will be considered alongside existing practice. Students will also engage in practitioner research.

• EPDM15: Leading Organisational Effectiveness in Education and Training

Leading organisational effectiveness in education and training.

• EPDM16: Assessment Theory into Pedagogical Practice

Students on this module engage with theory and current issues while undertaking assessment practice within educational environments. Students will consider validity and reliability in relation to current practice, assessment for learning, and assessment of learning.

Students will analyse their own practice and, through work on the module, enhance their own assessment practice to benefit their practice in educational establishments.

On successful completion of these two modules, students may withdraw and achieve a Postgraduate Diploma. In order to achieve the Masters degree (MA) students will need to progress to Stage 3.

Stage 3 - Masters (MA)

Core modules:

• EPDM11: The International School Curriculum

This module is an overview of the heterogeneity of curriculum models. Students will consider curricular drivers and influences such as culture, government regulation and educational philosophy in order to justify multiple modes of teaching and learning. The module will enable students to link explicitly and critically to contexts such as bilingualism, EAL and inclusion.

• EPDM12: Leading and Managing in International Schools

Students will engage with a range of management issues relating to international schools. They will consider issues relating to management such as staff development, retention and motivation and the expectations and needs of stakeholders such as pupils and parents.

Students will examine the various types of international schools philosophies and ethos, leading into an examination of organisation theory and investigate the extent to which 'leadership' is culturally determined.

On successful completion of these two modules, students will be awarded an MA in International Education

By the end of Stage 3 of the programme students will have developed an advanced understanding and critical awareness of curriculum development and implementation and contemporary leadership and management issues in international schools.

Students will also demonstrate the ability to critically appraise and synthesise comparative educational theory in context; identify educational issues requiring investigation; and design, conduct and report such research while recognising ethical situations and limitations.

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Entry Requirements

Students should hold an undergraduate degree or equivalent qualifications.

If you do not hold a recognised teaching qualification you may be required to undertake four additional modules at Stage 1 of the Masters degree. Please contact the University for further details.

For those for whom English is their second language the IELTS test scores must be at least 6.5 in each element of the test.

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Fees and Finance

The fees for this course are as specified in the table at the top of the page.

Please note that different fees apply to students studying for "Equivalent or Lower Qualifications" (ELQs). For more information about ELQs, please see the page Information for applicants who already have an HE Qualification.

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Teaching and Assessment

The theory and practical elements of the programme are supported by web-based materials, and students therefore need computer facilities with internet access and with multimedia capability. The theory element for Stage 1 is a combination of video lectures from the University, self study material, tutorials and workshops and tutor support.

Assessment for the programme includes a self study booklet, case studies, research proposals, written assignments, and profile of evidence.

Final assessment of the practical elements is by the University. An identified mentor will observe the trainee teacher in the classroom at least once per week and provide formative feedback designed to aid progression and development of teaching skills.

There is no dissertation in this MA; essential elements are delivered through fully supported modules which require practitioner research, analysis and evaluation of practice and policy in context. The level of analysis required is commensurate with other MA qualifications and requires in depth research and criticality in all aspects.

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Work Experience

In the first year, students will undertake initial teacher training placements in a school or other educational setting during the programme.

Those who are employed will do the placement in their own school. Students who are not employed may take the course if they can find a placement school.

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Career Opportunities

This course is best suited to teachers wishing to enhance their career prospects in schools by having a higher degree, or those who are working for state or national institutions who wish to broaden their pedagogical understanding of modern education practice.

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Supplemental Information

The MA International Education is an academic qualification for teachers, approved by the University of Sunderland.

• The programme includes Initial Teacher Training (ITT) in which the University of Sunderland has more than ten years' experience in the overseas market. This stage is completed within a standard academic year, September to June allowing successful students to have their certificates prior to the next academic year. Subsequent years are completed within the standard MA academic year, which is October to August.
• Your practical teaching is assessed by trained mentors and moderated by University staff.
• Most in-country tutors have between three and five years' teaching experience.
• The first year of study is supported in-country as well as having online support from the University. Subsequent years are supported online by dedicated specialist tutors.
• All programme materials, submission of all academic work, feedback and coursework marks are provided online.
• The programme is designed so that most of the modules do not overlap (except where field notes and observations from teaching practice are required for subsequent academic study) ensuring that the workload across the programme is heavy but carefully balanced throughout the programme.
• The programme modules are set and assessed by the University.
• The programme is quality assured by a University appointed external examiner who compares provision to home provision.
• The programme is supported by headteachers who recommend their new teaching staff to register with the programme.
• Practical teaching modules result in the production of a file of evidence related to the English Qualified Teacher Standards, which remains a lasting record of the teacher training undertaken.

Please note this programme is for overseas students only and does not carry state registration such as QTS.

Trainees enrolled on the programme must be prepared to devote a minimum of six to ten hours of study time per week in addition to their teaching practice commitment.

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