Course overview

This course is appropriate for those who are leading learning and teaching across a range of educational contexts, for example: teachers, lecturers (including those working in FE), Early Years practitioners or Higher level teaching assistants and those with a teaching role in other professions such as nursing.

The course will:

• Develop your ability to take a lead in learning and teaching, enhancing your personal skills and professional status
• Enable you to stand out from the crowd by demonstrating to employers that you are able to work independently and handle complex issues at an advanced level
• Update your subject knowledge ensuring that your qualifications have currency in an increasingly competitive market

The subject content of the course focuses on educational issues and will require you to draw upon your own professional context and experience.

This masters programme is designed for professionals working in this progressive and developing area. The early years strand in this MA in Learning and Teaching will specifically address current and contemporary issues related to early childhood education. It is also appropriate as a progression route for those who have gained a Postgraduate Certificate in a related area such as the PgCert Practice and Pedagogy or the PgCert in Education and who already have 60 M level credits.

Accreditation of prior and/or experiential learning (APEL) will be considered for applicants with recognised qualifications and/or relevant experience from the education sector.

Course content

This award leads to 180 'M' level credits. These credits are made from three x 30 credit option units, a research methods unit of 30 credits and a dissertation of 60 credits. Some students starting this programme will already have 60 credits acquired through the postgraduate certificate route or AP(E)L. You will then complete one 30 credit option unit followed by two core units : Educational Research Methods (30 credits) and a 60 credit dissertation.

Option units currently include:

• Project report
• Coaching and mentoring for professional development
• Developing as a reflective practitioner
• Contemporary issues in the lifelong sector
• Child development in families and society
• Contemporary issues in early childhood
• Early childhood and pedagogy

(Availability of option units is dependent on student numbers).
For more information please contact: Chris Neanon (023) 9284 5226

Teaching and assessment

Teaching will be in small groups with focused tutorial support. Attendance patterns will vary depending on the units studied. Where there is taught input, sessions will normally be held in the late afternoon or evening.

You will be taught using a variety of methods: interactive teaching sessions, presentations, group discussions, oral and written reflective activities and web based resources.

All units are course assessed (no examinations).

Career prospects

You are highly likely to have embarked on teaching career before studying this course.  As a graduate, you will be able to bring relevant research and an enhanced skill set to bear on your work, thus enriching your employability prospects in the education sector.

Facilities and features

This course is offered as a part-time course normally running over a minimum of two years. Attendance requirements will vary depending on the units studied. Where there is taught input, sessions will normally be held in the late afternoon or evening. Tutorials will be arranged by negotiation. You will be taught using a variety of methods, from  interactive teaching sessions, PowerPoint presentations, group discussions, action planning, written and oral reflection, tutorials and web-based resources.

Entry requirements

The entry requirements for MA Learning and Teaching are shown above, for more detailed information please contact:

Department: School of Education and Continuing Studies (SECS)
Tel: +44 (0)23 9284 5226
Email: secs.enquiries@port.ac.uk