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Education (Advanced Standing) at Buckinghamshire New University - UCAS

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2025 - 2026
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Course summary

Our MA in Education (Advanced Standing) is an ideal choice for those who already hold a postgraduate qualification in the field of education, allowing you to use your existing credits towards a full master’s degree. This course gives you the tools to help you apply advanced teaching techniques in a professional setting, helping you to develop in your current teaching role or start a career in educational research. Specialist pathways in Practice Education and Positive Education provide dedicated spaces in which to engage with your career interests through study. Why study this subject? Employers looking to fill leadership and advanced practitioner roles are increasingly looking for candidates with a master's level understanding of the sector. This course is a highly structured part-time route to gaining a higher qualification in education. We've designed this course for those who are working in a range of areas, including:

  • primary education
  • secondary education
  • higher and further education
  • practice education in health and social care.
We offer dedicated pathways for Positive Education and Practice Education: Positive Education: this pathway puts wellbeing at the heart of Education. You will critically consider strategies to address the increasing mental health and wellbeing challenges in your sector. The course offers experienced practitioners opportunities to reflect on and plan initiatives to support wellbeing through education. The Positive Education pathway brings together our substantial expertise in Positive Psychology and Education, providing a space for you to discuss, plan and implement evidence-based practice in Positive Education. Practice Education: this dedicated pathway engages with the unique opportunities and challenges of learning and teaching in a practice setting. Grounded in practice, this course brings together significant expertise from both Practice and Education to enhance your profile as an advanced Practice Educator. Why study at Buckinghamshire New University? At BNU, our teaching is centred around you. We teach in small groups to make sure you get the support you need. Assignments have been designed to enable you to focus on issues relevant to your professional context, providing you with the opportunity to combine theory with practice. Our MA Education (Advanced Standing) has been developed with your needs in mind. It offers a great deal of flexibility both in its structure and in the way that the teaching is delivered. This flexibility allows students to design their studies to meet professional interests and areas of practice. What will I study? This course offers a comprehensive qualification in education. You will develop your research, analysis and critical thinking skills. You will also build an understanding of educational theories and approaches. Your studies will enable you to take an in-depth look at current educational management practice, theory, research and policy. The programme encourages you to apply principles in practice where possible, providing you with the chance to study a particular area of education in-depth. We expect you to carry out a sustained research study that involves:
  • a critical review of current knowledge in a specific area of educational practice
  • blending different research findings
  • reaching appropriate conclusions.
Through your research, you will also be able to make evidence-based recommendations relevant to your chosen area of educational practice or interest.

Modules

For course module information, visit our website: bucks.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/ma-education-advanced-standing Year 1 Modules Demonstrating impact through research in Education Student Supervision and Assessment in Professional Practice (optional) Contemporary Issues in Education (optional) Mentorships for Teachers (optional) Promoting wellbeing through positive education and evidence-based interventions (specialist pathway for Positive Education) Critical influences on learning and teaching in the practice setting (specialist pathway for Practice Education) Year 2 Modules Postgraduate dissertation (aligned to specialist pathway in Positive Education or Practice Education as appropriate).

Assessment method

As well as formal teaching on research methods, and individual supervision, you will also have support sessions with your course leader. In your second year, we match you with an experienced research supervisor to guide you through your studies.

Entry requirements

Individuals with an undergraduate degree, typically 2.1 or higher, with an interest in pursuing a career in education, will be considered for this programme. Individuals who hold a Postgraduate Certificate broadly in the area of education (PGCE) will also be considered. It is expected that the Postgraduate Certificate would be accredited at L7 (60 credits). However, the University will also consider applicants with non-level specific PGCE awarded pre-2006 who have been working in education since this time, provided that they are able to demonstrate their ability to engage with the course at the appropriate level. There is no requirement for the PGCE to have been conferred in the last five years. Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) to the value of 30 credits is available within the master's framework. It is possible to APL against either Capturing Professional Education or Mentoring in the Practice Setting/ Principles of Practice Education. It is not possible to APL against the research modules. Where APL is sought, there is a requirement that it must have been conferred within the last 5 years. Individuals who do not already have a PGCE, may want to consider the full MA in Education.

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6We require an IELTS score of 6.0 (with no element lower that 5.5) or a recognised equivalent.

If English is not your first language or if you have studied in a non-majority English-speaking country, then you will typically be required to demonstrate your English language ability (speaking, listening, reading & writing) by way of a test such as IELTS.

BNU English Language Requirements

https://www.bnu.ac.uk/study/general-entry-requirements

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 fee information, visit our website: https://www.bucks.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/ma-education-advanced-standing.

Sponsorship information

There are several ways you can fund your studies, including sponsorship and student loans. You may be able to use ELCAS credits for some of our courses. We also have scholarships and bursaries to help support our students, and if you’re a recent BNU graduate, you may even qualify for a fee discount on your postgraduate studies.

Education (Advanced Standing) at Buckinghamshire New University - UCAS