Teaching Studies (Online) MA

Already hold 120 Masters credits? Ready to deepen your understanding of teaching and learning in schools? Complete our fully online MA Teaching Studies course and enhance your qualifications to advance your career in education.

Course structure

• Fully online, designed for flexible study around your teaching role.
• Tailored for academics and professionals in teaching, learning and assessment in the school sector.
• Refresh your research skills through focused, practical sessions.
• Personalised guidance from a dedicated dissertation supervisor.

• Online Live classes: Classes with this format meet at a regularly scheduled time online. You can interact live with your instructor and classmates as you all work together at the same time and same days.
• 1:1 Supervision: Supervisors expected to support, encourage and guide those students who are their tutees’ so that they are supported in maximising their academic potential, personal development, and professional and employability skills acquisition throughout their time as a student at the University.

The modules listed below are an indication only and may be subject to change. Occasionally, it may be necessary to make changes to modules, for example, to ensure they remain current and relevant.

As a research-intensive University, our teaching is informed by the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff. For more information on the circumstances in which the University may need to make changes to modules, please refer to the Terms and Conditions for applicants.

Students will enter the programme with a minimum of 40 Masters Level credits from their Initial Teacher Education qualification.

Because some Universities award more than 40 Masters Level credits to an Initial Teacher Education PGCE, the following will apply: Students holding 40-60 Masters Level credits will be required to take all three modules. Students holding 61-80 Masters Level credits will be required to take two modules. Students holding between 81-119 Masters Level credits will be required to take one module. Students holding a Postgraduate Diploma in Education as an Initial teacher Education qualification with QTS will proceed directly to the Dissertation.

Students studying towards the Postgraduate Diploma will not need to complete the Dissertation module.

• You must hold 120 credits towards Masters Study.
• Where these credits are all from the University of Birmingham at least 90 credits must be at Level M and a maximum of 30 can be at Level H.
• Where these credits are all from another institution, if they are in the form of a single postgraduate award (a PGDipEd/ PGDE) where that award is deemed to be a Masters level award of 120 credits, at least 90 credits must be at Level M and a maximum of 30 can be at Level H.
• Where these credits are all or partly from another institution, if they are not in the form of a single postgraduate award (a PGDipEd/ PGDE) all 120 credits must be at Level M.

You must receive a satisfactory reference from an academic and/ or professional person who can comment on your academic learning and/or professional practice in learning and teaching.

You will need to provide a personal statement that clearly explains a rationale for wanting to complete an MA where learning and teaching is the focus. It is mandatory for applicants who have not completed 120 Credits of study at the University of Birmingham to include a personal statement in their application.

You will need to provide evidence (via your previous qualification(s), personal statement and/ or reference) that earlier study contributing the 120 credits (above) was in an area relevant to learning and teaching practice.

Students who have not studied in English must pass a recognised English test. For more information on what proof you will need, visit our International Postgraduate requirements page

English language requirements

If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification or a Presessional English course.

For this course we require IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any band, which is equivalent to:

• TOEFL: 88 overall with no less than 21 in Reading, 20 Listening, 22 Speaking and 21 in Writing
• Pearson Test of English (PTE): Academic 67 with no less than 64 in all four skills
• Cambridge English: C1 Advanced - minimum overall score of 176, with no less than 169 in any component
• LanguageCert ESOL SELT (UKVI): B2 'Communicator' with no less than 33 in each skill

English presessional programmes

If you have a conditional offer for Birmingham where English is a requirement, you can take a Presessional English course as an alternative to retaking IELTS or a similar qualification. We offer on-campus courses all year round starting from September including additional online courses in the summer term.  Teaching takes place in small classes with no more than 18 students to maximise class participation.

Postgraduate Masters loan

To help with the cost of studies, this loan is available to all UK students. You can use this loan towards fees, maintenance or other costs at your own discretion. It’s available for all full-time, part-time and distance learning Masters programmes, as long as you don’t already have a Masters qualification (or equivalent).If you’re a student from Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, you can apply for Masters loans from your country’s government.

Careers Network

Get ready for tomorrow, with advice, guidance and opportunities at every step of your studies. From developing new skills to preparing for a PhD, our Careers Network can help you gain an advantage in the job market or advance in your field.

Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offers a range of events and support services including networking opportunities, career coaching, one-to-one guidance, careers fairs and links with leading graduate recruiters. We also offer subject-specific careers consultants and a dedicated careers website for international students.