This innovative course will give you the critical tools and knowledge to address pressing educational challenges, both locally and internationally.
- Welcomes students from any academic background, making it an ideal choice for those with a passion for education, regardless of their previous discipline.
- Designed for those seeking to work in education-related fields within the UK or overseas.
- Offers a flexible range of ways for you to study the degree so as to suit your needs: face-to-face, or distance learning.
Discover a world of educational possibilities
Designed for those seeking to work in education-related fields within the UK or overseas, the programme provides a comprehensive understanding of how education intersects with social, cultural, political and economic factors.
This programme is designed to cater to the needs of
- those with a strong interest in education and wishing to embark on a (non-teaching) career in education,
- those who aspire to transition into an educational field (including teachers interested in moving to a career in the wider education sector),
- teachers wishing to gain a global perspective on education (including those interested in teaching outside the UK), or
- experienced educators seeking advanced academic qualifications to further their careers.
In the dissertation module, students can choose a global context or a UK-global comparison for a nuanced understanding of key issues, trends, and challenges within their field of study, fostering a broader perspective and critical analysis of cross-regional dynamics.
Whether you are looking to broaden your horizons, enhance your career prospects, or make a meaningful impact in the field of education, this programme provides the ideal foundation.
This MA will also be a pathway for students into the doctoral (PhD or EdD) programme.
Why St Mary's
This master’s degree builds on our foundations in the education sector. The success of the programme lies in the flexible structure, bespoke delivery and quality of teaching we offer.
We offer a flexible range of ways for you to study the degree so as to suit your needs: face-to-face, or distance learning. Distance learning is where students engage with lectures, alongside students on site, at set times through video conferencing. One-to-one tutorial support ensures that all students are supported throughout their studies with St Mary’s.
You'll take what you learn from the degree and apply it to your own to context. Your knowledge will allow you to drive effective change, whilst engaging in critical debates into contemporary educational issues.
As well as access to excellent online learning resources, you'll also have use of a dedicated education library that boasts numerous study spaces and open access IT facilities.
Education degrees in London
This degree is one pathway from within our Education Master's programme, which includes:
- Education MA
- Education: Coaching and Mentoring MA
- Education: Inclusive Practice MA
- Education: Leading Innovation and Change MA
- Education: Pedagogy MA
- Education: Special Educational Needs and Disabilities MA
- Education: Physical Education MA
- Education: Religious Education MA
- Education: Comparative and Global Studies MA
Attend a webinar
These webinars will provide an overview of the MA Education and the opportunity to find out about the different pathways on offer as well as both full-time and part-time modes of delivery.
They will be run by the Course Lead, Helen Upfield, who will be able to answer questions and talk applicants through the experience of studying a professional masters within education.
Upcoming Event
MA Education webinar (all pathways)
Thursday 26 February 2026, 6pm
Course content
Modules
These modules are the modules that were available to students in the 2025/26 academic year and are illustrative of what may be offered for 2026/27.
Please note: it is possible that a module listed on the website will not be able to run due to reasons beyond our control. For more information please refer to our course information disclaimer.
Entry requirements
2:2
Previous degree
Candidates will normally be expected to possess a good honours degree (2:2 or above) from a UK university or an equivalent qualification approved by St Mary’s University.
St Mary's is committed to promoting equality of opportunity and nurturing an inclusive and diverse student population. As such, we welcome applications from all those interested in pursuing an academic programme of study. Throughout the application process and while a student is enrolled at St Mary's, we will ensure that individuals will not be discriminated against based on any of the characteristics protected by the Equality Act 2010.
Additional requirement information
Experience of working in an educational setting or a relevant professional interest is also required.
Accredited prior learning
Applicants with up to 90 Level 7 credits (for example from a PGCE, National Professional Qualification or National SENCo Award) are eligible to apply for exemption from up to three modules.
Further Information
For more information about entry requirements please get in touch.
Fees & funding
September 2026
Home
£9,630
International
£18,180
Funding Information
Distance-learning
If you are studying the programme at distance, your fees may differ slightly:
- Home: £9,630
- International: £12,150
Additional costs
*Please note: The tuition fees listed are if you study the course in full during the 2026/27 academic year. Part-time students will be charged for the modules undertaken per academic year. Module prices are calculated as a percentage of credits against the total credits and cost of the degree for that academic year. Please see the detailed breakdown of tuition fees for further information.
Your tuition fees will cover the cost of all mandatory elements of your programme. Additional costs could be incurred depending on optional modules chosen and other projects undertaken.
For further information about additional costs please see our additional costs webpage.
For more information about whether you are likely to pay home or international fees, please visit our 'understanding your tuition fee status' page.
Alumni discount
A 20% tuition fee discount is available for our alumni (undergraduate and PGCE) planning to study this Master's degree. Those studying for a PGDip of PGCert are not eligible for the discount.
Funding
Except for any iQTS courses, you can check on the UK government website to see if you may be eligible for a loan of up to £12,167 to help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate programme.
Home and international students for non-iQTS courses may also be eligible for external sources of funding. International students should check their eligibility for our International Scholarship.
For more information, please look at our postgraduate funding page.
How the degree is taught
Assessment methods
Learning is assessed through a variety of methods:
- Reflective journals
- Research proposals
- Essays
- Case studies
- Portfolios
- Seminar and conference presentations.
Who teaches this course?
Career opportunities
This Master's programme supports your long-term career development. This is demonstrated by the high proportion of graduates who achieve internal or external promotion to middle and senior leadership positions in the education sector.
Graduates of this programme are also well placed to pursue doctoral studies on either a Professional Doctorate (Doctor of Education) or a PhD.
Apply now
September 2026 (Part-Time)
Make sure to check our step-by-step guide to application process.
More from St Mary's
We have a range of webinars and events to help you decide whether St Mary's is the place for you.
Discover what life is like on our London campus.