Overview
- Degree awarded
- Master of Arts (MA)
- Duration
- 1 year
- Entry requirements
-
We require a UK Honours degree with a First or Upper Second (2.1) classification or the overseas equivalent.
When assessing your academic record we take into account the grades you have achieved and the standing of the institution where you studied your qualification.
- How to apply
- Apply online
Course options
| Full-time | Part-time | Full-time distance learning | Part-time distance learning | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MA | Y | Y | N | Y |
Course overview
- Join a top ten UK university for Education (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2021) and study an award-winning course that brings together theory and practice in teaching and learning.
- Develop skills and experience in a range of digital tools and practices, applying your ideas to real projects in individual and group work.
- Learn to analyse and undertake research in digital education, from detailed evaluation of technological applications through to analysis of social and technological trends.
- Study full-time or part-time as a distance learner.
Open days
The University holds regular open days , where you will have the opportunity to tour the campus and find out more about our facilities and courses.
You will find out more about the School of Environment, Education and Development, our resources, and meet academic and admissions staff who will be able to answer any questions you have.
Fees
Fees for entry in 2024 have not yet been set. For reference, the fees for the academic year beginning September 2023 were as follows:
-
MA (full-time)
UK students (per annum): £11,000
International, including EU, students (per annum): £25,500 -
MA (part-time)
UK students (per annum): £5,500
International, including EU, students (per annum): £12,750 -
MA (part-time distance learning)
UK students (per annum): £921 per 15 credits £3,632 dissertation
International, including EU, students (per annum): £1,382 per 15 credits, £5,444 dissertation
Further information for EU students can be found on our dedicated EU page.
The fees quoted above will be fully inclusive for the course tuition, administration and computational costs during your studies.
All fees for entry will be subject to yearly review and incremental rises per annum are also likely over the duration of courses lasting more than a year for UK/EU students (fees are typically fixed for international students, for the course duration at the year of entry). For general fees information please visit postgraduate fees
Self-funded international applicants for this course will be required to pay a deposit of £1,000 towards their tuition fees before a confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS) is issued. This deposit will only be refunded if immigration permission is refused. We will notify you about how and when to make this payment.
Policy on additional costs
All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).
Scholarships/sponsorships
We offer a number of postgraduate taught scholarships and merit awards to outstanding applicants and international students, including:
- MIE Postgraduate (master’s) bursaries : 10 awards of £7,500 each (issued as a reduction in your tuition fees). All self-sponsored EU and international student with an offer to study on any MIE master’s programme are eligible.
- Manchester Humanities International Excellence Scholarship : 20% scholarship in the form of a discount on the tuition fees of selected master’s programmes, available to applicants from a number of international countries.
- Manchester Alumni Scholarship Scheme : £3,000 reduction in tuition fees to University of Manchester alumni who achieved a first-class bachelor's degree and are progressing to a postgraduate taught master's course.
For further information on available scholarships and bursaries as well as their full eligibility criteria, please visit our funding page.
Contact details
- School/Faculty
- School of Environment, Education and Development
- Contact name
- School of Environment, Education and Development
- Telephone
- +44 (0)161 275 2814
- MIE.admissions@manchester.ac.uk
- Website
- http://www.seed.manchester.ac.uk/subjects/education/postgraduatetaught/
- School/Faculty
-
See: The School .
Courses in related subject areas
Use the links below to view lists of courses in related subject areas.
Entry requirements
Academic entry qualification overview
We require a UK Honours degree with a First or Upper Second (2.1) classification or the overseas equivalent.
When assessing your academic record we take into account the grades you have achieved and the standing of the institution where you studied your qualification.
English language
For the latest information on demonstrating your English proficiency for those whose first language is not English, please see our language requirements .
This programme also accepts successful completion of the 6 and 10 Week Pre-sessional English Language course. We accept the following qualifications which must be valid on the start date of the Pre-sessional course.
Pre-sessional 6 Week Course Requirement:
IELTS - 6.0 Overall with 6.0 in writing, no more than one subskill at 5.5 and no subskill below 5.5
TOEFL iBT - 80 overall with 20 in writing, and 20 in speaking, with a minimum of 18 in all other subskills
Pearson PTE Academic or Academic UKVI - 65 overall with 65 in writing, no more than one subskill of 59 and no other subskill below 59.
Pre-sessional 10 Week Course Requirement:
IELTS - 5.5 overall with no element below 5.5
TOEFL iBT - 72 overall with 20 in speaking and no other element below 18
Pearson PTE Academic UKVI - 59 overall and no element below 59
English language test validity
Other international entry requirements
Professional entry qualification
Application and selection
How to apply
Advice to applicants
Please submit the following documents with your completed application form:
- copies of official degree certificates and transcripts of your previous study, showing the subjects taken and grades obtained. If these documents are in languages other than English please provide official translations;
- your CV;
- copies of English Language Certification, e.g. IELTS, TOEFL or Pearson test score report.
Ensure that you enclose all the necessary documents to avoid any delays.
Staged admissions process
As there is a high demand for our courses, we operate a staged admissions process with selection deadlines throughout the year.
Due to the competition for places and high quality of applications that we receive, we give preference to students from high-ranking institutions and with grades above our minimum entry requirements.
Please ensure you submit all supporting documentation with your application before the application deadline to avoid a delay in processing.
• Stage 1: Application received by 08 December 2023 ; Application update by 22 February 2024
• Stage 2: Application received by 03 March 2024 ; Application update by 25 April 2024
• Stage 3: Application received by 05 May 2024 ; Application update by 08 June 2024
• Stage 4: Application received by 01 July 2024 ; Application update by 25 July 2024
While we aim to give you a decision on your application by the deadline date, in some instances due to the competition for places and the volume of applications received, it may be necessary to roll your application forward to the next deadline date.
Applications received after our final selection deadline will be considered at our discretion if places are still available.
Please note, all places are subject to availability and if you apply at one of the later stages, some courses may already be reaching capacity or be closed to further applications. We, therefore, recommend that you apply early in the cycle to avoid disappointment.
How your application is considered
Applications for MA Digital Technologies, Communication and Education are very competitive. Due to the high demand for the programme we may not be able to offer places to all applicants who have the entry qualifications that we require. If we are unable to consider you for an offer you may be placed on a waiting list. Candidates on a waiting list will only be considered for an offer if places become available.
Once your application has been received, our admissions team will contact you. We may ask you to submit additional information, if necessary.
Deferrals
Re-applications
If you applied in the previous year and your application was not successful you may apply again. Your application will be considered against the standard course entry criteria for that year of entry.
In your new application, you should demonstrate how your application has improved. We may draw upon all information from your previous applications or any previous registrations at the University as a student when assessing your suitability for your chosen course.
Course details
Course description
Digital Technologies, Communication and Education (DTCE) is a distinguished, award-winning programme with a rich history spanning nearly twenty years. We are proud of the transformative impact our programme has had on the careers and lives of our alumni, many of whom are now doing innovative work in the field of digital education.
The programme equips students with the knowledge and skills to thrive in the digital age, tailored to empower a diverse range of professionals: teachers, lecturers, administrators, managers, e-learning designers, trainers, and all those passionate about education.
As we navigate through the digital transformation, this programme provides you with a profound understanding of the dynamic environment that permeates both our personal and professional lives. By integrating theory with practical, real-world insights, our programme equips you with the necessary competencies to navigate, evaluate, and shape the digital future of education.
Whether your goal is to further your career, enrich your understanding of digital education, or position yourself at the forefront of educational innovation, our MA in Digital Technologies, Communication, and Education empowers you to release your potential in this digitally connected world.
Aims
You will:
- Develop interpersonal and group communication abilities to enable independent learning, collaboration, and informed decision-making through reflection on your own practice.
- Build confidence and expertise in designing innovative educational materials using digital technologies and pedagogies.
- Critically evaluate uses of digital technologies in both formal and informal educational settings, relating this to your own needs and practice.
- Systematically understand and critically assess research and methodologies relevant to digital technologies in education, applying this knowledge in research projects.
- Manage rapid technological change and analyse its impacts on educational processes, institutions and policies
Special features
- Interdisciplinary focus - The program combines perspectives from education, technology, communication, sociology, and other fields for a comprehensive understanding of learning with technology.
- Global orientation - The use of educational technology is presented as an international phenomenon, with students encouraged to apply concepts to their home countries and share experiences.
- Customization - Students have flexibility to pursue topics of personal interest, create career-relevant projects, and tailor their dissertation research.
- Hands-on technology skills - Along with theory, students gain practical experience with multimedia, coding, mobile apps, video production, and other technologies to enhance competencies.
- Communication emphasis - The program highlights the role of communication in teaching and covers skills like teamwork, problem-solving, presenting, and effective online and face-to-face communication.
- Critical perspective - Students learn when not to use technology, critically evaluating its management and effects rather than just gaining tech skills.
- Forward-looking - The course emphasizes understanding rapid technological change and its emerging impact on education policy, institutions, and practice.
- Research-focused - As a research-based program, it provides grounding in academic literature and rigorous research methods for the field.
Teaching and learning
The MA in Digital Technologies, Communication and Education employs an innovative approach to developing students' knowledge and skills. Interactive sessions blend lecturer input, collaborative exercises, simulations, and class discussions to actively engage learners.
An emphasis on critical reflection and enquiry-based learning encourages students to examine their own professional practice and beliefs in relation to theory and research.
Students gain hands-on experience with multimedia design, mobile technologies, collaboration software, video production, and other digital tools to enhance their competencies. However, the program looks beyond technical skills to critically evaluate technology's role in communication, management, ethics, and emerging issues reshaping education.
The dissertation enables students to pursue original research related to their interests and career goals. Throughout the programme, an emphasis on reflective practice, transferable skills development, and understanding of technological change promotes lifelong learning capabilities. Students develop greater confidence in innovating with technology, while discerning when restraint improves outcomes.
The programme aims to cultivate adaptable, critically reflective professionals ready to navigate the exciting changes in our digitally connected world of education.
Coursework and assessment
- Practical project work such as designing educational multimedia materials, developing a group podcast, or producing an educational video.
- Written assignments like literature reviews or self-reflective essays
- Appraising existing software, websites, or educational initiatives.
- Analyzing case studies of technology integration in schools or educational settings.
- Collaborative group work and presentations.
For the dissertation, students can pursue either a traditional research project reporting empirical findings or theoretical analysis, or take a more practical approach of designing and evaluating an educational technology intervention.
Course unit list
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
| Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
|---|---|---|---|
| Educational Technology and Communication | EDUC70141 | 30 | Mandatory |
| Digital Education Research 1 | EDUC70441 | 15 | Mandatory |
| Digital Education Research 2 | EDUC71272 | 15 | Mandatory |
| Digital Education Research 2 (Distance Learning) | EDUC77012 | 15 | Mandatory |
| Digital Education Research (Distance Learning) | EDUC77081 | 15 | Mandatory |
| Educational Technology and Communication (Distance) | EDUC77301 | 30 | Mandatory |
| Theories of Teaching and Learning | EDUC60491 | 15 | Optional |
| Intro to Educational Video Production | EDUC61632 | 15 | Optional |
| Digital Media and Information Literacy | EDUC61712 | 15 | Optional |
| Blended Learning in a Digital Age | EDUC70032 | 15 | Optional |
| Displaying 10 of 28 course units | |||
| Display all course units | |||
Facilities
The course is taught by the Manchester Institute of Education (MIE) which has its own Student Hub. Here you'll find all your teaching staff and support staff as well as a place to relax with fellow students.
MIE is based in the University's Ellen Wilkinson building, which is centrally located on the University's Oxford Road campus, close to the Main Library, Alan Gilbert Learning Commons and the Students' Union.
Disability support
Careers
Career opportunities
Manchester Institute of Education (MIE) graduates go on to shape education policy and practice through positions in NGOs and in the public and private sector.
Potential careers include:
- teaching;
- lecturing;
- research;
- teacher education;
- educational administration;
- leadership;
- consultancy;
- publishing;
- testing;
- assessment.
View our careers and employability page for more information.
Careers support
The University has its own dedicated Careers Service that you would have full access to as a student and for two years after you graduate. At Manchester you will have access to a number of opportunities to help boost your employability .
Careers support for international students
The Careers Service provide specialist resources, advice and events for international students to help with career planning and making the most of your time while studying in Manchester.
- Working in the UK after study
- Working during study
- Professional and alumni networks for international students
Global networks
The University of Manchester is proud to have the largest global alumni community of any campus-based university in the UK.
International alumni groups are a great way to keep in touch with fellow Manchester graduates in your country and provide an opportunity to build professional and social networks.