My journey studying MA Race Education and Decolonial Thought at Leeds Beckett University

This is the only course of its kind available in the UK, allowing students to study race alongside education. As a teacher, the choice was a no-brainer. I wanted to deepen my understanding of race in educational settings and contribute to meaningful change in my profession.

One of the standout aspects of my academic experience has been the freedom to choose essay titles based on broad module themes. This flexibility allowed me to explore my own interests in depth, leading to high scores in all assessments. The lecturers have been incredibly knowledgeable, kind, and open to discussion, pushing me to develop both my academic skills and topical knowledge.

Every module on this course has been engaging, but I particularly enjoyed Race Identity and Black Atlantic, Critical Whiteness Studies, and Diverse Childhoods. These modules resonated with me personally and professionally as a White secondary school teacher. My dissertation has been the best part of my experience, offering prolonged independence to research a topic close to my heart.

Leeds Beckett stands out due to its strong links within the education department. It is a leader in PGCE study and houses the Centre for Race Education and Decoloniality, making it the perfect place to study this course. As a part-time student, most of my seminars were online, but I used the campus for tutorial visits and library access. Living in Leeds is great, I'm born and bred here, and I love the city's balance of green spaces, suburban cafés, and access to the Yorkshire Dales.

I worked as a supply teacher while studying part-time, which provided the flexibility I needed. I highly recommend part-time study for postgraduate students who need to work alongside their studies. Taking advantage of available loans, bursaries, and grants also helps ease financial pressures. The careers support team at Leeds Beckett has been fantastic, they're approachable, kind, and incredibly helpful in tailoring guidance to my aspirations. The course has strengthened my knowledge of anti-racism, emboldened me to challenge discrimination in education, and given me the tools to push for initiatives like the Anti-Racist School Award in my school.

This course is perfect for me, the learning is both fun and intellectually stimulating, leaving me empowered to work towards meaningful change in education and beyond. If you're passionate about understanding racism in Britain and its impact on society, this course is for you! You’ll gain a solid foundation in decoloniality while tailoring your studies to your personal interests. It has been an empowering and enlightening experience, and I would recommend it without hesitation.