Education and Social Justice (by Distance Learning)

MA

  • Entry Year 2024
  • Duration Part time 24 Months

Overview

How do education systems reproduce, or challenge, existing inequalities? How might you intervene in education systems to promote social justice? Could you develop research-led policy agendas in your own institution?

Our stimulating MA programme immerses you in a vibrant research culture as you explore these fundamental questions and tackle a range of issues relating to social justice in education.

Studied part- or full-time over one or two years, and entirely online, the programme offers an excellent grounding in research methodologies. It offers hands-on experience of research, and the opportunity to develop a deep theoretical understanding of social justice and education, while focussing on topics of particular relevance to your own interests or professional practice. While the course is delivered online, you are welcome to participate in the departments research activities throughout the year either face-to-face or via live-streaming, and some of our students opt to visit their tutors in person.

This MA is delivered by influential, research-active tutors and staff from our well-respected Educational Research Department which has specialised in the online delivery of postgraduate, research-oriented programmes for many years. You will benefit from their range and depth of knowledge covering areas such as gender, migration and development, globalisation, social class, disability and digitally-mediated environments.

Our department is ranked joint 61st in the world by the Times Higher Education World Subject Rankings 2022. We are proud to be rated joint top in the UK for the impact of our research by the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021, with 100% of our research rated outstanding for impact.

As part of a dynamic group of international students, all of whom are involved in education and social justice but with their own unique perspectives and specific interests, you will be studying in an inclusive and supportive learning environment that is also interactive and sociable.

Skills development elements such as research techniques, critical thinking and academic writing are complemented by engagement in online forums, peer and tutor review, interactive work, webinars, and live-streamed guest spots that reflect departmental interests.

Core modules in research practice and theories in education and social justice combine with a tutor-supported independent study module to help you prepare for the research dissertation. Your dissertation follows a further optional module in which you develop your own interests within the broad scope of policies and ideologies, interventions in education, and challenges to educational inequalities.

The programme is designed so that the classroom is ever-present: you can work around your own schedule and study whilst in employment. Previous students include teachers, social workers, policy-makers, and those in a variety of careers in education-focused institutions. The programme is also taken by graduates with an academic interest in education and social justice issues.

Our MA in Education and Social Justice provides a potential route to our highly successful PhD in Education and Social Justice, as well as leading to career change or progression for professional practitioners. It carries the same prestigious academic recognition as traditionally-delivered programmes.

Entry Requirements

Academic Requirements

2:1 Hons degree (UK or equivalent) in any subject. We will also consider applications on an individual basis 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 relevant discussions and assessments during postgraduate study.

If you have studied outside of the UK, we would advise you to check our list of international qualifications before submitting your application. English Language Requirements

We may ask you to provide a recognised English language qualification, dependent upon your nationality and where you have studied previously.

We normally require an IELTS (Academic) Test with an overall score of at least 6.5, and a minimum of 6.0 in the reading and writing elements and a minimum of 5.5 in the speaking and listening elements of the test. We also consider other English language qualifications.

Contact: Admissions Team +44 (0) 1524 592032 or email pgadmissions@lancaster.ac.uk

Course Structure

You will study a range of modules as part of your course, some examples of which are listed below.

Information contained on the website with respect to modules is correct at the time of publication, but changes may be necessary, for example as a result of student feedback, Professional Statutory and Regulatory Bodies' (PSRB) requirements, staff changes, and new research. Not all optional modules are available every year.

Core

Core

Optional

Fees and Funding

 Part Time  
Home £5,625
International    £11,875

Scholarships and Bursaries

You may be eligible for the following funding opportunities, depending on your fee status and course. You will be automatically considered for our main scholarships and bursaries when you apply, so there's nothing extra that you need to do.

Unfortunately no scholarships and bursaries match your selection, but there are more listed on scholarships and bursaries page.

If you're considering postgraduate research you should look at our funded PhD opportunities.

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We also have other, more specialised scholarships and bursaries - such as those for students from specific countries.

Browse Lancaster University's scholarships and bursaries.

Postgraduate open day: Saturday 10 February 2024

Join our on-campus open day this February to talk to students and lecturers and find out how and when to apply.

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Important Information

The information on this site relates primarily to 2024/2025 entry to the University and every effort has been taken to ensure the information is correct at the time of publication.

The University will use all reasonable effort to deliver the courses as described, but the University reserves the right to make changes to advertised courses. In exceptional circumstances that are beyond the University’s reasonable control (Force Majeure Events), we may need to amend the programmes and provision advertised. In this event, the University will take reasonable steps to minimise the disruption to your studies. If a course is withdrawn or if there are any fundamental changes to your course, we will give you reasonable notice and you will be entitled to request that you are considered for an alternative course or withdraw your application. You are advised to revisit our website for up-to-date course information before you submit your application.

More information on limits to the University’s liability can be found in our legal information.

Our Students’ Charter

We believe in the importance of a strong and productive partnership between our students and staff. In order to ensure your time at Lancaster is a positive experience we have worked with the Students’ Union to articulate this relationship and the standards to which the University and its students aspire. View our Charter and other policies.