Professional Practice

Learn to recognise and defend good professional practice. Analyse and evaluate your practice and develop a critical awareness of the issues that affect and inform your field.

You’ll develop academic skills in education research and critical thinking. You'll also enhance your ability to communicate your findings.

In your research modules, you’ll work independently on your chosen topic, critical review, or piece of academic writing, with support from our tutors.

In your assignments, we encourage you to draw on your own practice. For example, you could complete action-based research at your current workplace or conduct a relevant literature review.

Your route through the course depends on whether you’re studying full-time or part-time. You can choose between the MA and the Postgraduate Certificate. Your studies will also be influenced by any Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) credits you may be granted.

You'll typically take a Research Methods module before completing your dissertation, the final module for the MA.

You can discuss your modules choices with the course leader before making your selection. We can advise you on the best fit for your professional focus and areas of interest.

This course includes or offers the following modules. Please check the programme document for more information on which modules are core, required or optional.

• Independent Study 
• Independent Study (60 credits)
• Work Based Action Enquiry
• SEN and Inclusion: Autism Spectrum
• Education and Society
• Research Methods in Social Science
• Research and the Professional Part 1
• Research and the Professional Part 2
• Dissertation
• Leadership and Practice
• Perspectives of Play and Creativity
• Contemporary Issues in Inclusive Education

Teaching and Supporting Learning in Higher Education 30 O
7 HEP7003-15 Technology and Innovation in Higher Education 15 O
7 HEP7004-15 Researcher Development 15 O
7 HEP7005-15 Supervising Research 15 O
7 HEP7006-15 Mentoring and Coaching in Higher Education 15 O
7 HEP7008-15 Digital Learning in Higher Education 15 O
7 HEP7009-15 Independent Study 15 O
7 EDU7100-30 Education and Society 30 O
7 EDU7109-30 Leadership in Practice 30 O
7 EDU7101-30 Research Methods in Social
Science **
30 R*
7 EDU7102-15 Research and the Professional part 1 ** 15 R*
7 EDU7103-15 Research and the Professional
part 2 **
15 R*
7 EDU7104-60 Dissertation

You'll be assessed through coursework, most of which is written. Some assessment is by verbal presentation. There are no exams.

Some modules are in person, and some are online, meaning you can study flexibly around your current commitments. Depending on your module choices, it's possible to study entirely online. See the course programme document for more details on which modules you can choose.

All modules include face-to-face time with a University tutor (whether in-person or online). You’ll also study independently, reading widely around your chosen subject, and planning and researching your dissertation. You could also undertake practical research in your current workplace.

To find out more about how we teach and how you'll learn, please read our Learning and Teaching Delivery Statement.

Master's degrees are recognised both nationally and internationally. Our graduates can take their expertise into a range of settings and locations.

You may be interested in progressing to educational management, training or related fields. Perhaps you’ll take your studies to PhD level or move into a higher education career.

This flexible Professional Practice MA is suitable for applicants at various stages of their career. Many of our students are early career teachers. This course enables them to develop professionally while building on their prior learning and qualifications.

You can develop your interests and deepen your understanding by studying part-time for a Postgraduate Certificate. This option provides even more flexibility, especially if you’re not sure you can commit to the full Master’s.

A Postgraduate Certificate is 60 credits. You'll complete two 30 credit modules to graduate with a Postgraduate Certificate in Professional Practice. After this, you'll have the option to continue your studies to gain a full MA Professional Practice.

For more details, please contact the course leader.

The award is taught at our Newton Park campus. You can access our facilities and support.

You can use our Commons building, with its superb classroom facilities, social spaces, IT and digital resources.  

Our Library offers a wealth of learning resources including books, journals, DVDs and an extensive range of electronic services. Your Subject Librarian for Education provides subject-specific support, including help with research.  

Need help with your academic writing? Our ASk team provides feedback on written drafts along with other academic skills support. 

We provide you with online access to learning materials through our Virtual Learning Environment. These can include lecture slides, assessment information, discussion boards and other resources. 

You’ll have free access to thousands of business, design and tech courses online via LinkedIn Learning.  

If English isn't your first language, our English Language Unit can help you reach your full potential and boost your confidence.  

Student Wellbeing Services are available to support you throughout your studies.