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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.

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

All applicants are required to have a bachelor’s degree and to be currently employed at a residential school.

Some students will have already completed the UK PGCE with 60 Master’s credits at level 7. If you do not meet this requirement, you will be asked to produce a portfolio of evidence of your work of up to 7000 words.

You will also need to have IELTS 6.5 (with 6.0 or above in each component) or equivalent English level qualification with the scores accepted by the University as per the link below:

English Language Requirements

Tuition Fee: £3,150 
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 inform us the BSA partnership during your application.

Please use the ‘Apply' button to process. Closing date for applications is 31 July 2022.

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