Philosophy of Education (MA)

This masters degree will:

• give you a comprehensive grounding in philosophy of education
• explore the relevance to education today of ethics, political philosophy, philosophy of mind and epistemology
• enable you to think philosophically about your own educational concerns and reflect on relevant aspects of policy and practice such as fairness, equality and knowledge
• help you to argue a case and to evaluate the arguments of others on controversial issues.

Features

This masters degree provides an opportunity to:

• study a programme that is unique in the UK and based in a major UK centre for philosophy of education
• gain a grounding in philosophical approaches and their application
• become part of a lively community of masters and doctoral students with shared interests and from a wide range of backgrounds.

Who is this programme for?

Anyone interested professionally or personally in questions about the moral and political justification of education; educational aims and values in liberal societies; the nature of knowledge and understanding; and the educational implications of different philosophical traditions.

Entry requirements

A good first degree, including some study of philosophy or a related subject, and experience of some form of educational work.

Core topics

• Values, aims and society.

Related topics

• Theory and practice in education
• Understanding education research.

How are you assessed?

By coursework assignments of up to 5,000 words and a 20,000-word dissertation or 10,000-word report.

Attendance

Face-to-face evening and occasional Saturday sessions.

Where do our students go?

Graduates of this masters degree are currently working as:

• teachers and senior school leaders
• university lecturers and researchers
• youth workers
• staff in policy think-tanks.

More information

Here are two talks by Professor Paul Standish, our head of Philosophy of Education:

"So you think philosophy relates to practice?" Watch video (YouTube) or download transcript (pdf, 0.4mb).

"So, managerialism connects with ICT?" Watch video (YouTube) or download transcript (pdf, 0.4mb).

 

Core modules

• Philosophy Of Education: Values, Aims And Society
• Theoretical Foundations Of Educational Ideas

Recommended modules

• Philosophy of Education: Knowledge, Mind & Understanding