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*The Sunday Times Best Places to Live Guide, 2026
Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
BOOK AN OPEN DAY
To find out more about postgraduate courses, talk to academic staff, and explore finance options, join us for our Postgraduate Online Open Day, taking place on Wednesday 3 June 2026.
Course overview
-
L27 -
Distance Learning -
Full-Time -
12 Months -
21 Sep 2026
This master’s programme will inform your educational practice. You’ll choose from one of the following study pathways*:
- MA Education
- MA Education with Early Years
- MA Education with Psychology
- MA Education with Leadership & Management
As part of this course, you’ll:
- Develop your knowledge of contemporary debates and challenges within global education contexts
- Evaluate and apply key theoretical concepts to help you understand challenges throughout education, childhood and early years
- Critically analyse key inequalities within education, including but not limited to global inequalities, race, gender and sexuality, disability, and social class
- Develop a researcher perspective on education and allied disciplines/professions, focusing on knowledge development and critical reflexive practice
- Plan and conduct independent research, demonstrating sound methodological choices, critical analysis, and application of key concepts to a problem or area of practice
*To apply for your chosen pathway, please select from the drop-down 'pathways available' menu above
Choose your pathway
MA Education
If you choose to study MA Education (without a specialised pathway), you’ll have the opportunity to tailor the course to your career aspirations by selecting two option modules.
This pathway aims to create changemakers in education with a social justice focused disposition. You’ll develop your understanding of contemporary global debates and challenges within education settings. You’ll also explore their impact on the adults, children and young people engaged with – or excluded from – these spaces.
Additionally, you’ll gain a sound, critical understanding of key concepts and approaches to consider contemporary education. We’ll then support you in the development of advanced research understanding and inquiry skills, enabling you to apply them to real world concerns.
MA Education with Early Years
The modules on this pathway build your early years knowledge and provide insight into developments in policy and practice.
MA Education with Psychology
The modules on this pathway develop your psychological literacy and deepen your understanding of the impact of mental health on learners. You’ll gain valuable insight into how psychological principles can be applied to support children and young people in educational settings.
MA Education with Leadership & Management
This pathway is designed for aspiring and current leaders seeking to deepen their understanding of inclusive and effective leadership within educational and organisational settings. It provides the theoretical foundations and practical strategies needed to build equitable, ethical, and sustainable cultures that drive positive change.
Whichever pathway you choose, you’ll hone your expertise by designing your own research project during the dissertation module, aiming to make a meaningful impact on your field of practice.
Shared experiences
You’ll study alongside students from a range of backgrounds and educational environments. This will give you the opportunity to share your experiences and learn from each other's teaching methods.
Teaching and learning
The core content for the distance learning mode of this course is delivered via the MyBeckett online learning platform. You’ll access module content and complete tasks in your own time, offering you maximum flexibility. You can attend three sessions per module, per semester, and a fortnightly drop-in session with your tutor to ensure that you have access to support.
Your teaching will comprise small group tutorials, seminars and lectures (which may be pre-recorded for distance learners). You’ll have opportunities to participate in peer-led discussions and presentations as well as access to additional support on our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). We also invite guest speakers to share their experiences of working in the education sector.
Study support
You’ll receive supportive feedback from your course team, who’ll provide guidance on academic writing and referencing. Whether you’re in employment, studying full or part-time, or have caring responsibilities, this course has been designed flexibly to suit your needs.
Why study Education at Leeds Beckett University...
- Learn with experts – you’ll be guided by a professionally experienced teaching team with expertise including educational philosophy, child development, language acquisition, and special needs
- Strong and meaningful partnerships with schools and community organisations
- Distinctive and creative programmes that are responsive to the changes taking place in society
- Research-led teaching – you’ll have access to the most up to date knowledge and practice developments in education through research-active teaching staff
- Social justice focus – you’ll develop as a changemaker for social justice in education
MA Edcuation MA Education student Natalie talks about her experiences of studying at Leeds Beckett.
Everything you need to know
Discover all there is to know about the course, from entry requirements and fees to exploring the school you’ll be joining - we’ve got it covered.
Entry requirements
Applicants should either have at least a second class honours degree, a professional or vocational qualification in Education equivalent to level 6 study, or have equivalent experience or training, normally from within the work environment.
All applications should be supported by a reference, either academic or professional; you can download our reference template for completion.
All applicants should satisfy our English Language requirements. Please note the IELTS requirement for this course are IELTS 6.5 with no skill below 6.0. Further details about acceptable equivalent qualifications can be found on our International Student information pages.
Entry requirements
Applicants should either have at least a second class honours degree, a professional or vocational qualification in Education equivalent to level 6 study, or have equivalent experience or training, normally from within the work environment.
All applications should be supported by a reference, either academic or professional; you can download our reference template for completion.
All applicants should satisfy our English Language requirements. Please note the IELTS requirement for this course are IELTS 6.5 with no skill below 6.0. Further details about acceptable equivalent qualifications can be found on our International Student information pages.
IELTS
All applicants should satisfy our English Language requirements. Please note the IELTS requirement for this course are IELTS 6.5 with no skill below 6.0. Further details about acceptable equivalent qualifications can be found on our International Student information pages.
Selection Criteria
We may use selection criteria based on your personal attributes; experience and/or commitment to the area of study. This information will be derived from your personal statement and reference and will only be used if you have met the general entry requirements.
Independent study is a crucial part of learning at university and you will be required to undertake many hours of self-directed research and reading, and preparation and writing of assessments. Your course is delivered through a number of modules, which will help you to plan your time and establish a study routine. Outside of your lectures, workshops and tutorials, a range of support is available to assist with your independent study. Our subject-specific librarians will be on hand to direct you to the specialist learning and study-skill resources. You’ll also be assigned an academic advisor to give you tailored feedback and support.
Modules, teaching and learning
Distance learning
We understand that full-time study does not suit everyone. That’s why we offer courses which give you the opportunity to decide where, when and how you can get involved in learning. Studying a distance learning course offers the convenience and flexibility to make education work for you. Whether you’d like to fit your studies around childcare, develop your skills while working or, quite simply, want to learn from the comfort of your own home, we can help you gain a qualification at a time and pace that suits your lifestyle.
Like our students on campus, you’ll have the same excellent teaching and learning resources, however you’ll find these online instead of a lecture theatre. Not only are all the modules taught online, but you’ll also have access to an online community and more than 140,000 books and journals in our online library.
Technical requirements for distance learning study are detailed in the full guide. Visit our distance learning website for more information.
Distance learning - overall workload
Remote live sessions for distance learning:
If you choose to study this course via distance learning, your weekly course timetable may include some evening and weekend live sessions.
We’ll support your independent online study through a combination of online activities, pre-recorded lectures and discussion boards on Microsoft Teams. This may be supplemented with evening and/or weekend online webinars which can be accessed from anywhere in the world via Microsoft Teams. We’ll offer occasional webinars and online drop-in sessions, at alternative times, to support you if you’re an international student living in a time zone outside the UK. You’ll be able to access recordings of sessions.
What you'll learn
This module introduces some of the key approaches, challenges, and theoretical debates in education. Through exploratory discussions and independent research, you'll gain a deeper understanding of the complex relationship and interaction between learners, educators, the curriculum, and the learning environment. The knowledge and skills you'll develop will facilitate an in-depth exploration of issues relevant to your personal and professional interests. This will enable you to relate in-class learning to wider professional and social contexts.
Drawing on key sociological and educational theory from the 20th and 21st centuries, this module explores the development of sociological thought in relation to the study of education, inequality, and injustice. You'll gain valuable theoretical insights to support your dissertation, enhance your understanding of professional practice, and prepare you for future academic or career development.
This module provides you with the tools to undertake methodological critiques and to interrogate research findings, with a key focus on the ethics of empirical research. Working within a community of practice, you’ll develop your own lines of enquiry rooted in a critical understanding of current literature and you’ll design and evaluate a research project which will form the basis of your dissertation proposal.
Undertake an extended project in a subject area of interest that relates directly to your professional practice. This module will deepen your independent thinking, broaden your subject knowledge, and strengthen your ability to analyse, apply, and contribute to existing theory. You'll build on the research skills and learning strategies developed in the Research Methods module, supported throughout by expert supervision. The guidance you'll receive will boost your confidence and prepare you to present and defend an academic review of your chosen topic with clarity and conviction.
What you'll learn
Consider why play during early years is vital for learning. This module helps you to understand children's opportunities to explore, problem solve, and connect through meaningful playful engagements. By exploring how young children learn and play, both in schools and beyond, you'll develop an understanding of evolving ideas and research in this field.
Examine children's linguistic growth, language diversity, and multimodal communication, which involves using speech, gestures, facial expressions, and visual aids to convey meaning. You'll explore how children acquire language through interactions with caregivers, peers, and their environment, building on innate abilities and social experiences. Developing their voices is crucial for children as it empowers them to express their thoughts, emotions, and ideas, fostering confidence, social skills, and overall language growth. This module emphasises the significance of high-quality practices and environments both at home and in early childhood education and care settings. You'll investigate the pivotal role early language and communication development plays in shaping all aspects of early literacy, equipping children with the essential skills to engage with reading and writing as they grow. Alongside this, you'll deepen your understanding of relevant theories and research while honing your skills in analysing and evaluating early childhood language and communication practices.
What you'll learn
Explore the big ideas, and the real-world contexts, that shape contemporary leadership. In this module, you'll dig into the theories, policies, and cultural forces that influence how leadership is understood and practiced. Together, we'll unpack questions of power, identity, inequality, and ethics, and examine how they intersect within organisational life. You'll build confidence in critically analysing research and policy, and develop a sophisticated understanding of leadership in relation to equity, diversity, and participation. By the end of the module, you'll be able to evaluate the ethical, cultural, and contextual dimensions of leadership practice as well as assess the evidence that underpins truly inclusive leadership.
Develop your ability to design, justify, and evaluate inclusive leadership strategies that drive organisational improvement. You'll explore contemporary leadership challenges and apply research-informed thinking to the creation of inclusive and sustainable solutions. Through critical analysis and applied problem-solving, you'll evaluate improvement initiatives, assess their impact, and justify strategic leadership decisions using theory, evidence, and professional insight. The module places strong emphasis on real-world practice, ethical leadership, and evidence-based organisational improvement. Learning is adaptable to your professional experience. If you're working in a leadership or management role, you'll apply concepts directly to your own organisation, while the module remains fully accessible to those without a current leadership context.
What you'll learn
Dive into a critical, contemporary exploration of child and adolescent mental health through the lens of educational psychology. In this module, you'll look beyond difficulties and diagnoses to engage with broader ideas of wellbeing, resilience, and flourishing across different stages of development. You'll examine how mental health is shaped through the interplay of biological, psychological, social, cultural, and digital factors, recognising both the challenges young people face and the strengths they draw upon. Using an intersectional perspective, you'll explore how gender, culture, socioeconomic status, disability, and identity shape young people's experiences, access to support, and opportunities for agency. As you critique dominant discourses of mental health, you'll consider how diagnostic categories, policy frameworks, and educational practices influence how difficulties are understood and responded to. Through research, case studies, and participatory approaches, you'll develop advanced knowledge to evaluate theories, question assumptions, and design evidence-informed practices that promote positive mental health and inclusive learning environments. Adopting a future-focused lens, you'll reflect on how early experiences connect with later life, while emphasising the vital role schools and allied professionals play in nurturing resilience, voice, and wellbeing.
Critically explore the role of psychological school-based interventions in promoting learning, wellbeing, and equity. This module examines how targeted initiatives compare with the everyday practices that shape educational life. You'll investigate the theoretical and empirical perspectives that explain why interventions are developed, how they differ from routine provision, and the extent to which they add value in diverse school contexts. You'll be encouraged to question assumptions about effectiveness, scalability, and sustainability, while examining the ethical, cultural, and contextual implications of intervention work. Through case studies and psychological research, you'll develop the skills to distinguish between change driven by specific programmes and improvements emerging from high-quality everyday practice. By the end of the module, you'll be able to appraise interventions rigorously, assess their impact relative to existing approaches, and propose evidence-informed strategies that strengthen inclusive and meaningful outcomes in schools.
What you'll learn
Explore the ways that children develop concepts of social identities from early years to adolescence. You'll investigate the ways in which social, political, and cultural forces influence children's identities and the extent to which identity is assumed or enforced. This module explores ideas of identity as multifaceted, fragmented, dynamic, and performative. You'll study 'intersectionality' – the interconnected ways in which different social identities overlap along with related systems of oppression. Your study will conclude with an investigation into the ways in which social identities influence the life chances of children; how social identities relate to inequality and how inequalities are perpetuated.
This module reflects on current provision and practice for neurodivergent individuals and groups. You'll explore how ideas about recognising, diagnosing, and supporting people have changed over time, and how these changes have been shaped by education, history, and society. You'll also consider how to ensure these approaches are fair and inclusive for everyone. Ultimately, you'll identify a range of effective, research-based approaches and strategies that promote learning and participation amongst neurodivergent people.
This module offers a critical and in-depth exploration of ethnicity, migration – both voluntary and forced – and diaspora. Through a range of historical and contemporary case studies, you'll examine these themes as local, national, and global issues. Upon completion, you'll be able to link key ideas from critical ethnic studies with broader theories and concepts in race and ethnicity. This will deepen your understanding of how identity, movement, and power intersect across different contexts.
This module introduces you to the idea of co-production. It explores how engaging with and promoting the voices of children and young people can inspire possibilities for social change in challenging educational and community settings. You'll examine the historical and contemporary treatment of children's voices, and children's contribution to social change. Through seminars and project-based activities centred on practical, collaborative learning, you'll explore a variety of educational and community settings. Throughout your study, you'll reflect on the effective practical and ethical processes experienced, to develop your own competences, knowledge, and skills of co-production with children. By reflecting on how children and young people's voices are treated in practice, you'll gain important insights. You'll also engage critically with research and academic literature. Through this, you'll consider the role of co-production with children and young people as a powerful mechanism to drive social change.
Fees and funding
£8,670
UK
The tuition fee for the year for students entering in 2026/27 is £8670. The amount you will pay may increase each year to take into account the effects of inflation.
£10,040
International 2026
The tuition fee for the year for students entering in 2026/27 is £10040. The amount you will pay is fixed at this level for each year of your course.
Fees and funding
£8,670
For students entering in 2026
The tuition fee for the year for students entering in 2026/27 is £8670. The amount you will pay may increase each year to take into account the effects of inflation.
Additional course costs
Tuition Fees
Your tuition fees cover the cost of registration, tuition, academic supervision, assessments and examinations.
The following are also included in the cost of your course:
- 24/7 Library and student IT support
- Free wifi via eduroam
- Skills workshops and resources
- Library membership, giving access to more than 500,000 printed, multimedia and digital resources
- Access to software, including five free copies of Microsoft Office 365 to install on your PC,laptop and MAC, and access to free high-end software via the Leeds Beckett remote app
- Loan of high-end media equipment to support your studies
In many cases, costs associated with your course will be included in your course fee. However, in some cases there are ‘essential’ additional costs (those that you will be required to meet in addition to your course fee), and/or ‘optional’ additional costs (costs that are not required, but that you might choose to pay). We have included those essential or optional additional costs that relate to your course, below.
Optional Costs
- If you choose to study via distance learning, you'll need access to a computer, the internet, and any necessary course software. Visit the course Teaching & Learning 'Modules, Workload & More' section for more details
Other study-related expenses to consider: materials that you will need to complete your course such as books (whilst the library provides access to readings recommended for your modules, you may wish to purchase your own copies of some books); you can also make suggestions for books to be added to Library stock; placement costs (these may include travel expenses and living costs); student visas (international students only); printing, photocopying and stationery (you may need to pay for multiple copies of your dissertation or final project to be printed and bound); events associated with your course such as field trips; study abroad opportunities (travel costs and accommodation, visas and immunisations). Other costs could include academic conferences (travel costs) and professional-body membership (where applicable). The costs you will need to cover for graduation will include gown hire and guest tickets, and optional extras such as professional photography.
As well as your mobile phone, you will also need access to a desktop computer and/or laptop to complete assignments and access university online services such as MyBeckett, your virtual learning environment. You can book and borrow AV equipment through the media equipment service accessed online via the student hub and located in the library at each campus. Equipment includes: 360 Cameras, iPads, GoPros, MacBooks, portable data projectors, portable projection screens, flipchart stands, remote presenters, digital cameras and camcorders, SLR cameras, speakers, microphones, headphones, headsets, tripods, digital audio recorders and PC/laptops (a laptop loans service is provided on campus in the library on both campuses). Student laptops are also available from the laptop lockers located in the libraries.
This list is not exhaustive, costs are approximate and will vary depending on the choices you make during your course. Any rental, travel or living costs are also in addition to your course fees. If you choose to study via distance learning, you may not be able to access all of the facilities listed if you are not able to visit us on campus.
£10,040
For students entering in 2026
The tuition fee for the year for students entering in 2026/27 is £10040. The amount you will pay is fixed at this level for each year of your course.
Additional course costs
Tuition Fees
Your tuition fees cover the cost of registration, tuition, academic supervision, assessments and examinations.
The following are also included in the cost of your course:
- 24/7 Library and student IT support
- Free wifi via eduroam
- Skills workshops and resources
- Library membership, giving access to more than 500,000 printed, multimedia and digital resources
- Access to software, including five free copies of Microsoft Office 365 to install on your PC,laptop and MAC, and access to free high-end software via the Leeds Beckett remote app
- Loan of high-end media equipment to support your studies
In many cases, costs associated with your course will be included in your course fee. However, in some cases there are ‘essential’ additional costs (those that you will be required to meet in addition to your course fee), and/or ‘optional’ additional costs (costs that are not required, but that you might choose to pay). We have included those essential or optional additional costs that relate to your course, below.
Optional Costs
- If you choose to study via distance learning, you'll need access to a computer, the internet, and any necessary course software. Visit the course Teaching & Learning 'Modules, Workload & More' section for more details
Other study-related expenses to consider: materials that you will need to complete your course such as books (whilst the library provides access to readings recommended for your modules, you may wish to purchase your own copies of some books); you can also make suggestions for books to be added to Library stock; placement costs (these may include travel expenses and living costs); student visas (international students only); printing, photocopying and stationery (you may need to pay for multiple copies of your dissertation or final project to be printed and bound); events associated with your course such as field trips; study abroad opportunities (travel costs and accommodation, visas and immunisations). Other costs could include academic conferences (travel costs) and professional-body membership (where applicable). The costs you will need to cover for graduation will include gown hire and guest tickets, and optional extras such as professional photography.
As well as your mobile phone, you will also need access to a desktop computer and/or laptop to complete assignments and access university online services such as MyBeckett, your virtual learning environment. You can book and borrow AV equipment through the media equipment service accessed online via the student hub and located in the library at each campus. Equipment includes: 360 Cameras, iPads, GoPros, MacBooks, portable data projectors, portable projection screens, flipchart stands, remote presenters, digital cameras and camcorders, SLR cameras, speakers, microphones, headphones, headsets, tripods, digital audio recorders and PC/laptops (a laptop loans service is provided on campus in the library on both campuses). Student laptops are also available from the laptop lockers located in the libraries.
This list is not exhaustive, costs are approximate and will vary depending on the choices you make during your course. Any rental, travel or living costs are also in addition to your course fees. If you choose to study via distance learning, you may not be able to access all of the facilities listed if you are not able to visit us on campus.
Funding support for your studies
Discover more about our range of postgraduate funding options including a Master's Loan of up to £13,206, and our 20% alumni discount*
*Terms apply
My favourite part of the course is that it gave me space to develop my personal interests in an education context. Education is a huge field and my lecturer has supported me a lot to expand my research. It’s been great.
Viet Anh Nguyen
MA Education
Career prospects
There’s a lot to consider when choosing a course. Take a look at the team you’ll be working with, employability statistics and career prospects to help make up your mind.
Student life
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Experience Leeds Beckett
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