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University of Nottingham Malaysia
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Course overview

The MA in Education programme is tailored for individuals and organisational cohorts aiming to advance their expertise in education. This master's course blends theory and practice to cultivate critical thinking and research skills, enabling students to address contemporary educational challenges effectively.

Students will explore a wide range of topics, including curriculum, pedagogy, leadership, and technology, providing a comprehensive understanding of the diverse dimensions of education. The programmes also offer customisable learning experiences through elective modules, aligning with individual career aspirations. The MA programme includes a Masters-level dissertation, empowering students to undertake research tailored to their professional interests.

Please note this programme do not confer Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), but it provides valuable expertise for teaching roles in global contexts and supports further professional and academic growth.

Why Choose This Course?

  • Personalised Learning Journey: Tailor your academic path with a diverse selection of modules, such as Leading Learning and Social Contexts of Learning, offered in the MA in Education, catering to your unique career aspirations.
  • Critical Thinking and Research: Enhance your critical reflection and analytical skills through in-depth intellectual dialogue and engagement with module content, empowering you to tackle and solve complex educational challenges.
  • Career Advancement: Gain the expertise to drive meaningful change in education, positioning yourself for leadership roles in schools, policy-making, or consultancy.
  • Global Relevance: Designed for educators and professionals across the education sector in a global context, this programme addresses contemporary challenges and opportunities in education systems worldwide.
  • Expert Faculty: Learn from leading academics in the field, benefiting from a rich blend of theoretical insights and practical application.
  • Enhanced Professional Skills: Build competencies in communication, critical evaluation, and independent research, equipping you for continued professional growth in diverse educational settings.

Course content

The MA requires candidates to complete four taught modules (120 credits) and a dissertation (60 credits). Those with Recognition of Previous Learning (RPL) credits may study fewer modules. Each 30-credit module is assessed by a written assignment of 6,000 words (or equivalent). 

The 30-credit module Practice Based Inquiry is compulsory for this qualification. This is the only compulsory module. For the remainder of the credits, you can choose from any of the School of Education’s other postgraduate taught modules, including any Educational Leadership and Management (ELM) module, any Special and Inclusive Education (SIE) module and any TESOL module. 

In addition, you will need to submit a dissertation, worth 60 credits, which is an original piece of work and should be 14,000-15,000 words (or equivalent) on an approved topic related to one of the selected modules.

Modules are taught within a block of either a three-day extended weekend or four days over two consecutive weekends. 

Core modules

Module 1: Practice Based Inquiry

The content will involve you in active critical consideration of participating in and leadership of practitioner inquiry in relation to professional context mapping and workplace learning.

These processes will be achieved through:

  • conceptualising different kinds of practitioner inquiry relevant to work-based understanding and development (purposes, processes, contexts, dilemmas, outcomes).
  • examining a range of approaches to educational inquiry, with an emphasis on action research.
  • developing an inquiry into your professional context.

Module 2: Critical Perspectives in Curriculum and Pedagogy

This module critically examines contemporary debates surrounding orthodoxies in curriculum, learning and assessment in schools, and how these relate to policy and practice.

In particular, it considers the way different orthodoxies frame what children and young people learn in schools, how they learn and how assessment practices inform learning processes. The module will explore these orthodoxies in terms of their origins and purposes and it will consider alternative models from an international perspective.

The module starts by considering the history, politics and ideology of the curriculum as it currently exists. It then develops understanding through application of psychological, social and cultural theories of learning and assessment. These theorised views of schooling and classroom practices enable us to analyse and critique the wide-ranging policy and research discussions about curriculum, learning and assessment that are currently underway.

You will be engaged in considering how developments of, and alternatives to, current practices will impact learning and teaching in the future.

Dissertation

This substantive piece of scholarship within the field of the course will normally be based on interests and skills you have developed in the course of the modules already studied.

You will choose a topic in consultation with your course leader and an appropriate supervisor.

Optional modules

This module focuses on how people learn together in pairs, teams, small groups, the classroom, or an informal community. It works through classical and modern theories of social learning, explaining the social aspects of almost any type of learning and mechanisms that boost the power of learning together. 

Equipped with these theories, it explores the various technologies mediating and supporting social learning, such as social media, participation in the World Wide Web, online communities, online communication platforms and virtual reality.

The module will address the essential features of effective learning, as relevant to your sector by examining:

  • The process of learning.
  • Supporting learning (for example, through adults, peers and technology) both within and beyond the educational organisation.
  • An overview of approaches to improvement and raising achievement in educational organisations.
  • Monitoring and evaluation of learning: the use of data, target-setting, monitoring.

Meet the tutor

Programme coordinator: Dr Chai Xun Yu

You can view the 2025/2026 course timetable and note this is subject to change.

The above is a sample of the typical modules we offer but is not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules that will be available in any given year. Modules (including methods of assessment) may change or be updated, or modules may be cancelled, over the duration of the course due to a number of reasons such as curriculum developments or staffing changes. Please refer to the module catalogue for information on available modules.

Entry requirements

All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements below apply to 2025 entry.

A relevant second-class honours degree (2:2) or international equivalent. Relevant experience may be required for some programmes. Non-UK qualifications will be assessed against this standard.

Malaysian applicants, expatriates, and their families residing in Malaysia without the standard entry requirements but with substantial and relevant work experience may be considered for entry at the discretion of the School, provided they have successfully passed the Accredited Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) assessment through the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA).

Applicants must hold a degree from a recognised university. We welcome students from all academic backgrounds and consider a wide range of qualifications. For certain programmes, prior qualifications must be in related fields. As part of the admissions process, applicants may be invited to attend an interview if further evaluation is deemed necessary.

Eligibility can only be confirmed upon submission of a complete application.

IELTS (Academic):

6.5 (with no less than 6.0 in each element)

TOEFL (iBT):

 90 (minimum 19 in Writing and Listening, 20 in Reading and 22 in Speaking)

PTE (Academic):

71 (with no less than 65 in each element)

MUET:

 Band 4.5
  • IELTS (Academic), TOEFL iBT, and PTE (Academic) test results must be less than two years old.
  • IELTS One Skill Retake is accepted.
  • IELTS Academic Online, TOEFL iBT Home Edition, and PTE Academic Online are not accepted.
  • MUET results are valid for five years from the release date.    

Learning and assessment

How you will learn

  • Lectures
  • Seminars
  • Workshops
  • Tutorials
  • Field trips
  • Independent study

In addition to lectures, some modules incorporate seminars, workshops, tutorials, field trips, and opportunities for independent study. Each module is designed to offer the best possible learning experience, with delivery and assessment methods carefully selected to align with and achieve the intended learning outcomes.

How you will be assessed

  • Coursework
  • Dissertation

Each 30-credit module is assessed by a 6,000-word written assignment. To complete the programme, you must achieve a pass of 50 on each assignment. The 15,000-word dissertation is an original piece of work and should be related to one of the selected modules on an approved topic.

Fees

ResidencyFees
Malaysian studentsRM58,000 per programme
International studentsRM60,000 per programme*

Enjoy peace of mind with our Fixed Tuition Fee policy, pay the same amount each year until you graduate. No annual increases, no hidden charges. Learn more about Fixed Tuition Fees.

*For International Students, a 6% Sales and Service Tax (SST) will apply to non-Malaysian citizens from 1 July 2025. For more details, read our Finance FAQ.

Funding

Find out about scholarships, financial assistance and specific research funding available to all malaysian and international students.

Scholarship funding

Your Global Education Starts Here

Why Join the University of Nottingham Malaysia

  • Study at Malaysia’s No. 1 UK university*, the first and largest UK institution in the country
  • Our university is ranked 97th globally according to the QS World University Ranking 2026.
  • A founding member of the prestigious Russell Group of UK universities, we offer a world-class UK education with strong global recognition, impactful research, and academic excellence
  • 5-Star Rating for research excellence recognised by the Malaysian Research Assessment (MyRA) for world-class research achievements
  • Our graduates are consistently sought after by the top 100 global brands and earn up to 2x more** than the average graduate salary in Malaysia

*Based on student enrolment data from the Profile Book IPTS (MOHE) 2023.
**Based on the UNM Graduate Destination Survey (June 2023), with a national average salary of RM2,700.

Careers

This programme equips you with the skills and knowledge to accelerate your career and explore new paths in various industries. 

  • Education Administrator
  • Curriculum Developer
  • Education Consultant
  • School Leader/Principal
  • Policy Analyst in Education

Are you ready to embark on an exciting career journey after graduation? At the University of Nottingham Malaysia, our Careers Advisory Service is here to support your career aspirations. We offer a range of professional services, including résumé writing assistance and interview preparation, to equip you with the tools needed to excel in today’s competitive job market. Contact careers@nottingham.edu.my to learn more.

This content was last updated on 08 September 2025. Every effort has been made to ensure that this information is accurate, but changes are likely to occur between the date of publishing and course start date. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply.