Professional Practice

The Master's programme is flexible, and enables individuals to choose from a variety of modules to suit their working circumstances and professional practice.

It will enable depth of understanding and knowledge in areas of practice with which they are already familiar, and develop new areas of practice if required. Individuals will also engage with, and learn about, research methods, either as a taught module or as online learning. This will lead into the Dissertation, in which an extended research project culminating in a 15,000 word thesis will be completed.

As this is a flexible Master's programme your options will vary according to full-time or part-time study, and also be influenced by any APL credits you may be granted. Typically, in each trimester, you'll have a choice of modules to choose from.

You may wish to make your module choice decision following a consultation with the Award Leader to ensure a "best fit" for your professional focus and areas of interest. Students typically take a Research Methods module just prior to doing the Dissertation, which is completed as the final module for the MA.

This course includes or offers the following modules. Please check the programme document (below the main image on this page) for more information.

• Independent Study
• Independent Study
• Work based Action Enquiry
• Education and Society
• Research Methods in Social Science
• Research and the Professional Part 1
• Research and the Professional Part 2
• Dissertation
• Education and Globalisation
• Leadership and Practice
• Education Policy
• Perspectives of Outdoor Play
• English as an Additional Language
• Including Vulnerable Learners
• Theory and Practice of TESOL

There are no written exams and each module is assessed by coursework. Sometimes assessment is by verbal presentation.

The way you’ll study will depend on the route you take through the Master's programme. In most instances, you’ll benefit from face-to-face time with a university tutor as well as undertaking personal study. This may include reading, researching literature and undertaking practical research in your work context.

We’ll also use our Virtual Learning Environment, Minerva, to provide you with online materials.

Many of our graduates seek new career paths to educational management, training, or in related fields. Some wish to continue their expertise in their professional practice and gain a broader and deeper view of education. Others wish to take their studies further – to PhD level – and seek employment in an academic institution.

The award is taught at both our Newton Park and Corsham Court campuses.

You'll have access to Bath Spa University's:

• Computing and IT facilities
• Libraries
• Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)
• Writing and Learning Centre
• English Language Unit.

If you're already working in schools, you'll be fully DBS checked, but if not you must complete this through Bath Spa University before you can go on placement. DBS checks will incur a cost.