Master of Research (Education) MRes

Why choose this course?

The MRes Education is designed for professionals who work with children, young people, families and adults in a range of educational settings, such as children's centres, nurseries, schools, colleges and universities, as well as consultancies, advisory services, museums, prisons and hospitals. This programme is relevant to education professionals who are keen to develop advanced knowledge and understanding of research methods in education. Taught sessions will focus upon deepening your existing understanding of professional practice and critically examine the challenges within your sector allowing you to explore your role, setting, and interprofessional working as a research-informed practitioner.

What you will study

The MRes has a strong focus on the interface of research, practice and professional learning in education-related fields of enquiry and offers an excellent foundation for the research-engaged professional. Through a carefully structured taught programme you will gain a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between practice-oriented knowledge, professional identity, institutional priorities and evidence based practice. You will develop your knowledge and skills of research methods in education and how to conduct research ethically. The ‘capstone' of the programme involves the undertaking of a research dissertation allowing you to put into practice your developed skills, knowledge and understanding of research. Throughout the programme, you will be encouraged to participate as part of a professional learning community; sharing experiences and ideas in order to contribute to research cultures within and beyond your professional setting.

Teaching and assessment

The programme normally begins in September each year and is currently offered in a part-time (2 years) mode of delivery. In the first year, there are four modules, each module is taught across a full weekend (Saturday and Sunday) plus another Saturday. In the second year, you will undertake the dissertation module, which is taught across seven Saturdays across the year. Learning experiences take the form of intensive weekend and day events, involving lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials, which are supported by online resources for preparatory and consolidating guidance and tasks. Each event in the programme is designed to develop a community of learners so that peer-enriched, participative and dialogic experiences can meet individual needs and facilitate a critically supportive cohort identity. This delivery pattern of the programme is designed to meet the needs of practising professionals. Each taught module is designed as a ‘building block' to support you by contextualising, justifying and then implementing a small-scale practice-focused enquiry. You will access individual tutorial support in each module, between the taught weekends, a personal tutor and a research supervisor in the final module (research dissertation).

Candidates are normally required to have a honours degree and/or further qualifications relating to working with children, young people and families in a professional or interprofessional setting. Candidates will be able to demonstrate a commitment to professional learning in the fields of children's care or education. Candidates without these requirements may be invited to submit a portfolio for RPL assessment in order to demonstrate possible eligibility for entry.