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The MA in Residential Education is a one-year, part-time course for those working in or with an interest in boarding schools. It is offered in partnership with the Boarding Schools’ Association. This the most popular Masters courses of its type in the UK. We take students from all round the world. They appreciate the opportunity to follow their own interests while being given clear guidance about the requirements of a serious level 7 academic qualification.

This course allows those with experience in boarding, who are keen to research, to write about a topic of interest to them. The heart of the MA is a 12,000-15,000 word dissertation. You will do a literature review, which informs your dissertation, and you will learn about different research methods. You will be expected to read widely.

You may do this MA online or attend one or more residential days at the university. Applicants may be from state or independent boarding schools in the UK or abroad.

Why should I do this MA?

1.    Professionals do not stop learning at any stage in their working lives.  Doctors and lawyers, for example, have to have regular refresher courses.  In the same way teachers can benefit from the MA framework as it gives them an opportunity to discover recent research in education and to challenge their own best practice
2.    This is a unique form of professional development for those that work in boarding schools
3.    Not only will you learn about recent research relating to boarding, but you will also learn how to do your own research
4.    This is a more economical way to complete an MA compared to courses offered by other universities
5.    Gaining a Master’s in Education can be an excellent form of professional development and can help you in developing your own career as a qualification that is taken seriously by employers
6.    You can complete this course through distance learning and still receive individual support from an experienced tutor
7.    Once agreed, it is a chance to pursue your own area of interest within boarding and to discover the latest work in this area
8.    You will find the course intellectually stimulating and challenging

Course content

•Establishing your research focus
•Discovering relevant literature and how to write a literature review
•What is expected of Level 7 academic writing?
•How to navigate the topic of research methodology
•Planning your dissertation
•Ethical considerations when researching

For entry onto the MA some candidates will have a PGCE – this may be a PGCE with 60 Master’s credits at Level 7 from Buckingham or another university.  For candidates with a level 6 PGCE or BSA Diploma (which is a helpful route into Master’s study) an additional module of study will be provided.  For candidates without a PGCE or a degree, alternative entry requirements exist and can be discussed further with the School of Education team.

All international applicants, who do not hold a GCSE grade C/4 or above in English Language, must have IELTS or TOEFL certificate with scores accepted by the University as per the link below:

English Language Requirements

Tuition Fee: £3,150 / year(Tuition fees cover the cost of all tutoring as well as food when at Buckingham)
Registration Fee: £275 (non-refundable)

Fees are invoiced for in September, at the beginning of the course, and can be paid in termly instalments or in one lump sum. Termly instalments can be arranged directly with the Finance department upon receipt of the invoice.

Staff whose school is a member of the Boarding Schools’ Association are eligible for a 25% discount on course fees. To ensure the discount is applied please select BSA from the partnership box on your application form.

Please use the ‘Apply Now’ button or contact us by email info@bise.org.

To apply you will need to supply:

•      a copy of your PGCE certificate and transcript or BSA Diploma to show credit level if applicable

•      If no PGCE or Diploma available then you will be required to put together a professional portfolio – discuss this with the School of Education team

•      copy of passport photo page (and visa/work permit where necessary)

•      head and shoulder style photo for your University identity card

Closing date for applications is 31 July 2021.

Terms and conditions for prospective students

When you accept an offer of a place on the course at the University a legal contract is formed between you and the University on the basis of the terms and conditions outlined in your offer letter. Your offer letter and the terms and conditions contain important information which you should read carefully before accepting any offer. Read the admissions terms and conditions

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