Course summary

The information provided on this page was correct at the time of publication (October/November 2022). For complete and up-to-date information about this course, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas This professional development course is aimed at researchers and professionals in the field of educational assessment. It aims to deepen knowledge, understanding and expertise in the chosen specialist topic. High quality educational assessment is recognised as a core element of a strong education system. This two-year part-time MSc is a professional development course aimed at researchers and professionals working in the field of educational assessment. In the compulsory elements of the MSc, students will study the history of educational assessment, the different paradigms that underpin approaches to assessment (including the in-depth study of psychometrics), debates regarding key concepts such as validity and fairness, and approaches to assessment design and evaluation. In the optional element, students will study a specialist topic such as international large-scale assessments, advanced statistical methods or classroom-based assessment. Throughout the MSc, students will be supported to develop their technical and statistical skills. The course combines a number of teaching sessions within the department and online support through the University’s Virtual Learning Environment (Canvas). Each of the four papers will comprise eight teaching sessions that include lectures, seminars and practicals, and a small-group tutorial. The student cohort come from a range of professional backgrounds, from around the world, making group discussions rich and diverse. For each paper, students are expected to spend approximately 64 hours during non-residential times for the preparation of the papers and the formative pre-paper assignments. In the second year of the course students will receive supervision of dissertation projects from a University supervisor with expertise in a particular subject. The topic of the dissertation is selected in consultation with a supervisor, on a topic relevant to the course. In consultation with their supervisors and employers, dissertation work may be informed by students’ activity in their employment Supervision Specialist supervision will be arranged for students writing their dissertation. Each student will have a supervisor who provides academic guidance, oversees the progress and supervises work for the dissertation. The allocation of graduate supervision for this course is the responsibility of the Department of Education and it is not always possible to accommodate the preferences of incoming graduate students to work with a particular member of staff. Under exceptional circumstances a supervisor may be found outside the Department of Education. Students should have regular contact with their supervisor throughout the academic year. Some of this contact is likely to be by email. However, as a minimum, students are also encouraged to organise at least one face-to-face meeting with their supervisor within the last two terms. In addition to that, students should have at least two telephone/Microsoft Teams meetings with their supervisor in each of the last two terms.