International Education MA

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Become a specialist in international education. Boost your career prospects. Learn from anywhere in the world with flexible distance learning.

Learning and teaching in 2021

Overview

MA International Education is a distance-learning course, allowing you to gain a very well-respected masters degree from anywhere in the world.

This degree is ideal for teachers or other educational professionals working in international schools who want to develop their careers.

Why us?

‘World-leading’ research in Education according to the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF)
Prepares you for promotion and professional advancement in roles linked to teaching and educational management in an international school setting
Study in a flexible, independent and yet well-supported manner that enables you to achieve a Masters qualification whilst also being busy as a full-time teacher

Enables you to become a member of an international ‘community of learning and practice’ through the encouraged use of discussion boards throughout the programme
Carry out research which is specific to your own workplace and study from anywhere in the world

Learning and teaching in 2021

On-campus students will be taught in a hybrid manner, taking advantage of both online and face-to-face teaching.

I would like to reassure all of you who are joining or thinking of joining the MA International Education (Independent Distance Learning) programme, that it will follow the structure that has always been in place. This structure is detailed in the ‘Optional module and duration choice form’ which you sign and return as part of the application process.

All modules will continue to be taught asynchronously and online via our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), Canvas. Learning materials will be provided in your module learning space in the form of pdfs, video presentations, discussion boards and online library resources. Contact with tutors will be via University email, Microsoft Teams and other online platforms. Although we envisage that you will be teaching face to face in your schools around the world, to meet all eventualities we have put alternative assignments in place for those who find themselves not in school and unable to complete the expected assignments.

Course structure

You can learn from anywhere in the world that has good internet access, as learning materials will be e-books, online journal papers and other online resources.

Compared to an undergraduate course, you will find that this Masters degree requires a higher level of independent working. You'll have one-to-one support from staff throughout your degree.

Your progress will be assessed with case studies, research proposals and written assignments.

Core modules

Development of Learning: A Case Study (30 credits)

You will identify an intervention used in the classroom or the wider school and explore its use, impact and influence on the learning of one or more pupils. Your research outcomes will be written up in a 4,000 word report.

Negotiated Individual Study in Education (30 credits)

You will carry out a small-scale piece of research, which is relevant to your professional practice and chosen in consultation with your tutor and colleagues.

Introduction to Criticality (30 credits)

You will learn the importance of critical thinking as the basis of your study. Develop skills in self-assessment, mental flexibility, creativity interpretation and argument.

The International School Curriculum (30 credits)

You will consider curricular drivers and influences such as culture, government regulation and educational philosophy to justify multiple modes of teaching and learning.

Leading and Managing in International Schools (30 credits)

You will engage with a range of management issues in international schools. You will consider issues such as staff development, retention and motivation, and the expectations and needs of pupils and parents.

Optional modules (choose one):

Developing Reflective Practice in Teaching (30 credits)

You will develop your professional skills and understanding to become accountable for what goes on in your classroom. You will develop the ability to use self-reflection skills to critically appraise your teaching experience, as well as that of others.

Advanced Pedagogical Practice in Subject Related Disciplines (30 credits)

You will consider aspects of curriculum development and implementation related to your chosen subject. The focus is on improving practice, but a number of different theoretical models of curriculum will be considered. You will also engage in practitioner research.

Leading Organisational Effectiveness in Education and Training (30 credits)

You will study topics that include principles of leadership, responsibilities of leadership in an educational establishment, tackling under-performance and auditing performance.

Assessment Theory into Pedagogical Practice (30 credits)

You will examine educational assessment theory in relation to the current practice in your own educational setting.

The Nature of Teaching and Learning (30 credits)

You will explore a range of issues relating to how learning takes place, how teaching is practised and what some of the major influences are on both learning and teaching.

Some modules have prerequisites. Read more about what this means in our Help and Advice article.

Facilities

This distance-learning course can be studied from anywhere in the world. You'll need good internet access to use our Virtual Learning Environment, where you will access specially designed learning materials, e-books, e-journals, relevant websites and multimedia.

Entry requirements

We don’t currently display entry requirements for United States. Please contact the Student Admin team on studentadmin@sunderland.ac.uk or 0191 515 3154.

Is your qualification not displaying here? For international qualifications, search our full list of international entry requirements for this course.

Fees and finance

Fees for this course are £7,455.

Please note, if you are a UK home student or EU student residing in the UK, you can apply for SLC funding if you choose to study the part-time course, on campus, over two years or the full-time course over one year. If you elect to take longer to complete the course or bring any Level 7 credits from prior study with you, you are likely to be ineligible for SLC funding.

Use our scholarships calculator to see what you may be entitled to.

Scholarships calculator

This information was correct at the time of publication.

Student in the Sunderland Futures department

Career ready

This degree is ideal for teachers and other people working within international education institutions who want to quickly progress their careers. It will qualify you for more senior positions in teaching and educational management in international schools.

The knowledge and skills you develop will also transfer to many other sectors, particularly education policy and government.

Please note that this course does not qualify you as a teacher.

The Faculty of Education and Society Research Institute

The Faculty of Education and Society Research Institute has three research themes: Affective Issues in Learning and Teaching, Pedagogy and Critical Thinking in Specific Subject Areas, and Professional Education and Development. The Institute unifies the University’s research, influences policy, and organises conferences and professorial lectures.

Meet the team

Related courses

PGCE Education (IDL)

Contact

Contact the Student Helpline for further information about studying at the University of Sunderland:

0191 515 3000

student.helpline@sunderland.ac.uk

View Programme Specifications for the Faculty of Education and Society.

Page last updated: 04 December 2020

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