Course summary
The MSc Education (Open Pathway) allows you to design your own programme of study based on your areas of interest, rather than choosing one subject area from our specialist pathways. Units can be taken from across the different specialisms and from our bank of available optional units to build a tailored programme of study. For example, if your interests span both educational policy and the use of technology in education, you might combine units from the Leadership and Policy pathway with units from the Learning, Technology and Society pathway. A diverse range of students take the open pathway, attracted by the freedom that it offers. Many students have recently completed their undergraduate studies, with some experience of teaching, volunteering, or other work experience in schools or education more broadly. Others are returning to education after a longer period of work and wider experiences, looking to formalise their learning. Many of our students are international, from a range of countries around the world. This diversity creates a rich learning environment and encourages sharing of ideas among students and academics alike. After completing the MSc, most students go on to work in education in some form. Some will use the master's year to develop their skills as educational researchers and go on to study for a PhD at Bristol or elsewhere.
Assessment method
https://www.bristol.ac.uk/study/media/postgraduate/admissions-statements/2025/msc-education-open-pathway.pdf
How to apply
International applicants
The University of Bristol welcomes applications from international students and accepts a wide range of qualifications for postgraduate study. If you study or have studied at a university outside the UK, please select the relevant page for further information on qualifications, scholarships and education representatives in your country/region: bristol.ac.uk/international/countries
Entry requirements
You will typically need an upper second-class honours degree or an international equivalent in any discipline. If you are currently completing a degree, we understand that your final grade may be higher than the interim grades or module/unit grades you have achieved during your studies to date. We will consider your application if your interim grades are currently slightly lower than the programme's entry requirements and may make you an aspirational offer. This offer would be at the standard level, so you would need to achieve the standard entry requirements by the end of your degree. Specific module requirements would still apply. See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| England | £4100 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £4100 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £4100 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £4100 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £4100 | Year 1 |
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
Fees are subject to an annual review. For programmes that last longer than one year, please budget for up to an 8% increase in fees each year.
For more information, please view the programme page on our website.
Provider information
University of Bristol
Beacon House
Queen’s Road
Bristol
BS8 1QU