MA International Education (Curriculum and Pedagogy) / Course details

MA International Education will provide you with the opportunity to engage in structured study of, and reflection upon, the application of educational theories, ideas and concepts to a range of international educational and community-based contexts.

The course has been designed for teachers and other education professionals working in a range of national and international settings, and is ideal if you're looking to develop your career by securing new posts or promotion. You'll work with an international cohort of students representing multiple unique perspectives.

The course offers a unique combination of policy and practice-based perspectives on education, and is taught by outstanding, world-leading researchers who focus on the realities of professional practice using the social sciences. 

• Develop participants’ critical understanding of educational concepts and theories in order to enable an informed analysis of educational practices in international contexts.
• Develop participants’ capacity to engage in research and to inform and develop their understandings and practices of education in international contexts.
• Raise participants’ awareness of the influence of global, national, and local contexts upon education.
• Develop participants’ professional knowledge, understanding and skills in relation to their prior and emerging professional interests.
• Enable participants to gain analytical skills that will help them to engage critically with education policies and practices across and within international contexts.

• Education has been a discipline of study at Manchester since 1890.
• We welcome many international students, and our qualifications are recognised across the globe.

Important notice: factors affecting fieldwork and placements

The School of Environment, Education and Development (SEED) recognises the value of fieldwork and placements. However, the safety and wellbeing of our students and staff remains our priority.

The School will assess on a regular basis the viability of any travel and fieldwork and communicate any significant changes to our students at the earliest possible opportunity.

The role of SEED

• changes to the rules and guidance on travel and activities implemented and published by the UK and overseas governments;
• a risk assessment conducted by or on behalf of the University identifying unmanageable risk;
• changes that enhance the educational value and student experience of the activity;
• changes to the situation of a placement provider (for example, which cause them to be unable to accept students);
• the unavailability of appropriate insurance cover;
• the unavailability of appropriate travel and accommodation and any significant changes to their financial costs;
• where fieldwork and placements are a compulsory element of the Programme, they will be replaced with something academically similar;
• where a trip or placement is not a compulsory element of the Programme, it may not be replaced.

We will consult with affected students at the earliest possible opportunity and explore the options available to them.

The duty of students

Preparation, attendance and conduct

Attendance at preparatory classes is a compulsory pre-requisite of the fieldwork and placements to ensure safety and learning outcomes are met.

Students who do not attend the compulsory preparatory classes may be prevented from participating in the fieldwork or placement. It is the duty of students to discuss any attendance issues with the field course or placement convenor.

Students are representatives of the university during their fieldwork or placement. Behaviour deemed by the convenor to be unacceptable may result in students being sent home.

Where a student is unable to attend or complete the fieldwork or placement (e.g. due to mitigating circumstances), is prevented from attending due to absence from compulsory preparatory classes, or returned home due to poor conduct:

• a suitable alternative assessment will be offered (as appropriate) to ensure that the programme ILOs are met, and that the student is not academically disadvantaged;
• the University accepts no responsibility for any costs incurred by the student in relation to the fieldwork or placement.

Immigration, passport and visa requirements

It is the responsibility of the individual student to ensure they have:

• a valid passport to enter the destination country (including sufficient months prior to expiry);
• a valid visa (where required) and comply with its requirements.

The School cannot guarantee that visas required for fieldwork or a placement will be granted by the relevant authority. Please note that countries may change their immigration and visa regulations at short notice.

Where a student is unable to attend fieldwork or a placement because they do not have the required visa or passport:

• a suitable alternative assessment will be offered to ensure that the programme ILOs are met and that the student is not academically disadvantaged;
• the University accepts no responsibility for any costs incurred by the student in relation to the fieldwork or placement.

You will study four course units in each semester, six of which are core and two of which are optional.

The form of assessment varies by course unit. However, most involve a 3,000-word written assessment, which may be in the form of an essay, a critical review of literature, or a research report. Formative and summative feedback is provided.The dissertation is the report of an empirical research project investigation of an aspect of education, and is 15,000 words in length.

The course is taught by the Manchester Institute of Education (MIE), which has its own Student Hub. Here you will find all of your teaching staff and support staff. It is also a place to relax with fellow students. MIE is located 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.