MRes Educational Research

Educational research is the foundation on which education systems are built. Curriculum development, teaching methods, learning strategies and new policies are all shaped by the work of educational researchers. Our MRes Educational Research gives you the skills to become an expert researcher. You will learn to inform the future of education from academic staff who have helped to shape education policy nationally. Stirling is one of the top 20 universities in the UK for impact in Education research (REF 2021). In-depth course content Our MRes degree gives you the in-depth knowledge you will need to progress to PhD study in education or pursue a career with a focus on research. During your studies you will: explore different traditions that inform educational research and evaluate their strengths and weaknesses learn how to design research projects and write proposals gain an awareness of the role of ethics in the research process understand the role of statistics and digital technology in research gain skills enabling you to collect, analyse and report quantitative and qualitative evidence independently conduct your own quantitative and/or qualitative research project produce a dissertation on your research findings. Our educational research Masters degree is designed to be flexible. It can be taken as a full-time or part-time course to suit your needs. Recognised quality Our education research degree is recognised by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) as meeting its criteria for postgraduate research education and training. Therefore, graduates of ESRC-approved courses are seen as demonstrating a high-level of methodological competence that can improve career prospects and build a CV for work in many areas. ESRC recognition means applicants are likely eligible to apply for competitive funding from the Scottish Graduate School in the Social Sciences (SGSSS) for both the MRes and a PhD at Stirling. On graduation, students completing the MRes are also potentially eligible to apply for SGSSS funding for a funded PhD. Participation in the MRes connects students to a wider network of researchers, events and resources across Scotland and the UK. Become an expert researcher with our flexible MRes Educational Research. Grow your expertise through a diverse range of modules covering multiple aspects of educational research, paradigms, practices, methods and methodologies. It comprises six core taught modules and – for students seeking to earn the full Masters – a dissertation of 15,000 words.

A minimum of a second class Honours degree (2:1 preferred) or equivalent. Applicants without these formal qualifications but with significant appropriate/relevant work/life experience are encouraged to apply.