Master's in Education and Social Justice

What can we do to promote social justice? How do education systems influence inequalities? Could you develop a research-led policy in your own institution? Join this online MA to explore these fundamental questions and immerse yourself in our research community.

Length of programme

24 months part-time.

Mode of delivery

100% online with no campus-based teaching. However, it is possible to be supervised through face-to-face on-campus meetings for your Independent Study and Dissertation if required.

Key information

Key information accordion: about the MA, who is the MA for, research, elective specialisms, programme ethos and outcomes. accordion

Studying a Master's in Education and Social Justice at Lancaster University

Discover what's unique about the Master's in Education and Social Justice at Lancaster University. This is a distance learning course, so you are free to study from anywhere in the world. Hear about the key features from a current student and a graduate of the programme.

How to Apply

For admission to this programme applicants should normally have:

  • a relevant upper-second class honours degree from a British university or CNAA. However, we will consider applications where you have a 2:2 or equivalent result and/or extensive relevant experience. In these cases, you should clearly demonstrate how your experience and skills have prepared you for postgraduate study. Or
  • qualifications of a comparable standard from a university or recognised degree awarding body in another country.

Language proficiency

Applicants will need to have an acceptable fluency in written and spoken English.

For students whose first language is not English, an English Language Test Certificate will be required, that is, IELTS Academic with an overall score of 6.5 with at least 6.0 for reading and writing.

Further information can be found at: English Language Requirements.

Please apply using the Online system

Start date: 1st October, 2024 (part time only).

Maximum Cohort Number: 25

Initial closing date for applications: 31st August 2024

Places on this programme are limited, so we strongly encourage applicants to submit their application as soon as possible. Applications received after 31st August 2024 will be considered on a first-come first-served basis until the programme is full.

Deposit: £300.00 non-refundable deposit is required to secure your place on this programme. This deposit is deducted from your first fee invoice.

Personal statement

Please include a clear, detailed personal statement about why you wish to join the programme, why you are suitable for it, your research interests and what you hope to achieve from it. Please outline whether you have experience of online programmes, and why you think you are well suited to studying online.

You should think very carefully about this statement and treat it as an opportunity to show what your interests are and how you will be able to benefit from postgraduate study in our department.

Please contact the admissions team if you have any questions about applying to study at Lancaster University.

The fee for each cohort is set annually by the University. Fees are subject to a small increase each academic year.

The part-time course fee for 2024/25:

  • £ 5,625 for UK nationals (per year);
  • £11,875 for overseas nationals (per year).

The University will not increase the Tuition Fee you are charged during the course of an academic year.

The tuition fees for subsequent years of your programme are likely to increase each year. The way in which continuing students' fee rates are determined varies according to an individual's 'fee status' as set out on our fees webpage.

Scholarships and Bursaries

Lancaster University has a range of scholarships and bursaries available for both home and international students studying Postgraduate Taught Master's Programmes. Please see the list of opportunities and eligibility.

Fees for EU applicants

Lancaster University has confirmed that students from EU Member States in 2021-22 and later, will now be charged the same tuition fees as other non-UK students.

We have processes for awarding credit for prior learning and professional qualifications. If successfully mapped, you could undertake fewer modules and save money on fees. To make a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) claim applicants will be required to demonstrate currency (within 5 years) and documentary evidence such as certificates/transcripts/LOs. Please compete the RPL MA Application Letter and return it to the Department.

Structure, modules and assessment

You will study a range of modules as part of your course, some examples are listed below. All modules are 30 credits except for the dissertation which is 60 credits.

Information contained on the website with respect to modules is correct at the time of publication, but there may be some unavoidable changes, for example as a result of student feedback, staff changes, new research and other factors.

Assessment

Students are assessed through formative and summative assessments including mini-research proposals, a small-scale research project, critical analysis and reviews of policy documents, and a dissertation.

Structure and modules content accordion accordion

What our graduates say

Hear what some recent graduates say about the programme

Online and Distance learning

The Educational Research Department has considerable experience of supporting online and distance learners and we aim to make all our students feel that they are full members of the Department and part of the postgraduate community. Wherever possible we facilitate online participation at events and seminars organised by the Department.

All students have access to Moodle which is our Virtual Learning Environment. Many resources, for example, journal articles; required for postgraduate study, will be available online through the OneSearch facility offered by the Library. Additionally, the Library provides extra services for Distance Learners.

Visit our Computer requirements for studying online page for further information.

Rebecca Marsden is the Online Learning Support Officer for the Department of Educational Research and she can be contacted with queries about online learning.

The Academic skills webpages provide a wide range of online study opportunities across a range of topics. These include digital skills, referencing, research training and critical thinking.

Current Programme staff

The course has close links with the Department's Centre for Social Justice and Wellbeing in Education. Tutors are internationally renowned researchers/practitioners with a wealth of experience and knowledge on a range of education and social justice issues including gender, ethnicity, class, migration and globalisation.

The staff who teach and supervise programmes and modules can vary due to staff changes including research and other types of leave.

View Staff

Bethan Garrett

Dr Bethan Garrett

Lecturer in the Morecambe Bay Curriculum

Centre for Social Justice and Wellbeing in Education

Carmen Martinez Vargas

Dr Carmen Martinez Vargas

Lecturer in Education and Social Justice

Centre for Social Justice and Wellbeing in Education

Georgia McCrone

Dr Georgia McCrone

Lecturer in Education and Social Justice

Jonathan Vincent

Dr Jonathan Vincent

Lecturer in Higher Education

Centre for Higher Education Research and Evaluation, Centre for Social Justice and Wellbeing in Education

Contact us

If you have any questions or would like further information about this programme, please contact the Programme Co-ordinator, Alison Wilkinson.

Tel: +44 (0) 1524 522078

Email: a.wilkinson12@lancaster.ac.uk