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Become a specialist in Education. Expand your knowledge. Broaden your career options.
The content of the MA Education (DL) course is entirely delivered through distance learning, making it a very flexible way to achieve a master's qualification, whether you're studying in the UK or overseas.
The degree will enable you to develop your own professional practice and provide you with the opportunity to acquire advanced research and study skills. The course will equip you for various roles within teaching and educational management.
This programme is taught using web-based materials. Many modules have quite open content so that you have the flexibility to pursue your personal interests. Depending on the modules you choose, you'll graduate with one of two MA degree titles:
If you're studying for the MA Education (DL) degree, 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 programme, you will find that a master's degree requires a higher level of independent working. Assessment methods include written assignments and a 15,000-word master's dissertation.
Studying for a master's degree in education will equip you with an abundance of valuable skills and knowledge relevant to the field, but how can gaining this postgraduate qualification help your career? Find out more about the MA Education courses we offer, as well as discover what jobs you can go into and how you can progress within your current role in education.
Find out more about MA Education degrees
Online distance learning is a flexible way of taking a course without the need to attend traditional lectures at a college or university, with all of the course material being delivered online. Distance learners studying with the University of Sunderland benefit from lectures and support delivered through our Virtual Learning Environment, which is accessible from anywhere in the world.
Learn more about distance learning
Are you thinking about postgraduate study but not sure where to begin? To help you get started, here are our top reasons to study a postgraduate degree.
Here's why you should study a postgraduate degree
Our typical offer is:
| Qualification | Minimum grade |
|---|---|
| a Canadian bachelor's degree | GPA 2.40 |
| a USA bachelor's degree | GPA 2.5 |
If you already hold a postgraduate qualification, please see our Applying for additional postgraduate degrees Help and Advice article.
If you don't meet our standard entry requirements, you can take one of the foundation pathways at our partners ONCAMPUS Sunderland. Find out more information and whether your course is eligible on our ONCAMPUS page.
If your qualification is not listed above, please contact the Student Administration team at studentadmin@sunderland.ac.uk for further advice.
We usually require applicants to hold at least a second class honours degree (usually a 2:1) or equivalent.
We also expect you to have experience of teaching or training, following your graduation from your first degree. If you've previously studied a PGCE with us, you can transfer 60 credits over to this master's course.
Applicants whose first language isn't English must achieve a minimum IELTS band score of 6.5, with 6.5 in writing, and no less than 6 in Reading, Speaking and Listening.
Fees are £8,500.
A £250 deposit must be paid prior to the start of the course. This deposit is refundable up until the point of enrolment.
Please note, if you're a UK student, 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're likely to be ineligible for SLC funding.
This information was correct at the time of publication.
On completing the MA Education (DL) course, your skills and understanding will be enhanced for roles in teaching, educational management, and other educational settings. In the UK, higher salaries are available for those who develop their professionalism and achieve the status of Excellent Teacher or Advanced Skills Teacher.
The ability to specialise the content of the course offers opportunities in particular fields of education, such as Early Years Teaching. If you select this route, you'll study modules that will allow you to examine the context of young children's learning and development. You will explore how to critically construct an Early Years Curriculum and identify skills that will enhance your ability to transfer learning to further study and to the workplace.
Please note that this course does not qualify you as a teacher. Read more about possible career opportunities with an MA Education degree.