Course summary
This course will lead to a Postgraduate Advanced Certificate in Educational Studies. It is a 15-month, part-time practice-based course in educational assessment. The course is a collaboration between the Faculty of Education and Cambridge Assessment Network and is valuable to anyone who uses assessment as part of their professional life, for example teachers, awarding organisation staff, Higher Education practitioners and members of professional bodies. The course is worth 90 credits at Masters level. Upon completion of the course, students will be eligible to apply to the second year of the Masters of Education (MEd) at the Faculty of Education. As a course participant, you will develop an in-depth understanding of assessment in a supportive academic environment, and benefit from working on small-scale enquiries that are relevant to your own professional practice. You will also learn from other students, and build networks from beyond your specialist areas of expertise. Each student takes three units in total. Units 1 and 3 are taken by all students. Unit 2 offers a choice for students, depending on their particular professional interest. Students will select their optional unit during the application process.
Assessment method
Assessment comprises three 4000-word assignments, one for each unit. Unit 1 4000 word assignment A critical review of the literature regarding a validity issue that is relevant to the professional context of the student (3500 words), plus a critical reflection of their learning from Unit 1 (notional 500 words). Unit 2 4000 word assignment A report of a small-scale research enquiry. The enquiry undertaken will focus on an issue of professional or personal interest related to the course content and is informed by the student’s study of research methods. Unit 3 4000 word assignment An enquiry based essay related to an issue or debate in assessment of professional interest to the student.
Entry requirements
As part of their application prospective students should evidence that they: Have relevant experience of working in an educational or related professional setting Demonstrate a reflective and enquiring approach to their work which supports improvement in professional practice and/or policy Demonstrate the ability to work independently and collaboratively with the support of Faculty supervision. Demonstrate a willingness and ability to engage with academic and professional literature that will support empirical and/or literature-based enquiry into policy and/or practice
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
No fee information has been provided for this course
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
For 2024/25 entry the course fee will be £5,200 (Home) and £11,130 (Overseas including EU).
Provider information
University of Cambridge
The Old Schools
Trinity Lane
Cambridge
CB2 1TN