Course information
UK fee £12,100
International fee £19,700
Contact
+44 (0)116 229 7552
pgadmissions@le.ac.uk
Course description
Course description
The International Education MA campus-based course is designed for education professionals across all phases (early years, primary, secondary, and tertiary education), as well as recent graduates or professionals seeking to enter the education sector or other social organizations with a broad educational focus.
This course will:
- Deepen your understanding of contemporary educational issues at national and international levels, with a focus on those directly relevant to your professional context.
- Enhance your ability to critically engage with learning and pedagogical theories, applying them to improve educational practices.
- Support you in developing expertise and practical experience in a chosen educational pathway, enhancing your employability and career prospects in an international setting.
- Build your research skills, enabling you to conduct and report small-scale research in your area of interest, laying a foundation for specialised knowledge or future doctoral studies.
The course helps you to develop your knowledge and practice by applying your learning to real-life situations within your own educational setting - whether that is a school, college or university. The MA is a powerful vehicle for institutional improvement, as well as personal and professional development.
Studying on campus offers an immersive and engaging experience. You will benefit from a wealth of facilities and resources while developing invaluable social skills and intercultural understanding through interactions within a truly international and diverse student community.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
- 2:2 or above (or equivalent)
- GPA 3 (US equivalent) or above
- You should be a teacher or intending to work in the educational field
- Evidence of knowledge and understanding of educational systems
- Direct experience of working in education is not essential
English Language Requirements
IELTS 6.5 or equivalent, with at least 6.0 in each component score. If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. If you do not yet meet our requirements, our English Language Teaching Unit (ELTU) offers a range of courses to help you to improve your English to the necessary standard.
International Qualifications
Find your country in this list to check equivalent qualifications, scholarships and additional requirements.
Countries listFees and funding
Fees and funding
UK Students
Starting in September 2025
- MA: £12,100
If you are resident outside the UK and the Republic of Ireland, you will need to pay a deposit of £3,000 to secure your place. This will be subtracted from your total tuition fee.
Find out more about scholarships and funding.
Did you know you can apply for a Government Postgraduate Loan? Find out if you're eligible.
International Students
Starting in September 2025
- MA: £19,700
You will need to pay a deposit of £3,000 to secure your place. This will be subtracted from your total tuition fee.
Find out more about scholarships and funding.
Careers and employability
Careers and employability
The International Education MA will equip you with a wide knowledge of contemporary issues in education and in foundational research methods.
Many of our graduates have secured initial teaching positions, gained promotion in their existing jobs, or made career moves across educational settings in an international job market.
Education CPD+ offers a range of professional development opportunities for practicing teachers.
Our PhD opportunities are very popular with those wishing to pursue a particular research interest at doctoral level.
We are committed to training and developing outstanding teachers. We are proud to be able to support the career progression of so many teachers through the courses we offer, many of whom started their journey with us as PGCE students.
Our Careers and Employability Service is here to support you, with advice on interviews, CVs, work experience, volunteering and more. From Freshers’ Week to Graduation and beyond, they are here to help you reach your professional goals.
Related courses
Related courses
What our graduates say
What our graduates say
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"The University’s facilities were excellent, particularly the library’s extensive resources and efficient book request system. The approachable, knowledgeable teaching staff provided invaluable support, enriching my academic journey.
A key strength of the course was its flexibility. From day one, our course lead encouraged us to align research with our passions and expertise. For me, with a major in English, this approach ensured the course remained relevant to my career goals.
The Careers and Employability Service was instrumental in my professional preparation, offering CV and interview support. School visits organised by lecturers provided first-hand insights into UK schools, bridging theory and practice—especially valuable for international students like me.
After completing the MA, I volunteered as a teaching assistant at a SEND school, applying the research and critical thinking skills I gained during my studies. This experience deepened my understanding of inclusive education and inspired me to pursue further opportunities in international education.
To prospective students: make the most of the University’s resources—join committees, connect with professors, and use the Careers Service. Share feedback when needed; staff are always open to improvements. Tailor the course to your passions for a truly meaningful and rewarding journey."
Qian Lin
"I truly valued the research-led teaching at the University of Leicester. Learning from experts in the field enriched my experience and deepened my understanding of key issues in international education and pedagogy, providing a strong foundation for my future career.
The facilities were excellent, with a virtual learning platform and library databases offering easy access to resources. The teaching quality was exceptional - academics were not only knowledgeable but also approachable and supportive, which greatly enhanced my learning experience.
The course flexibility allowed me to choose modules that aligned with my career interests, making my studies highly relevant and helping me develop skills directly applicable to my professional goals as an Education Consultant.
Employability-focused elements, such as school visits, volunteer opportunities, and guest lectures, bridged theory with practice and prepared me well for my current role.
I wholeheartedly recommend this course. Its flexible curriculum, expert academics, and practical insights provide an enriching experience and a valuable step forward in advancing your career in international education."
Course structure
Core modules
Core modules
After completing these modules, you will choose one of the two pathways, each of which consists of two specialist modules.
You will also complete your MA International Education Dissertation in a subject of your choice.
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
Pathway 1
Pathway 1
Pedagogy
This route will focus on issues of pedagogy, and as such will be of benefit if you are interested in deepening your understanding of the factors which influence the processes of learning and teaching. This route will cover issues including:
- The nature of learning
- The role of assessment in pedagogy
- The role of the curriculum in shaping pedagogy
- Contemporary advances in pedagogy, including the growing impact of ICT
- The role of politics and culture in shaping pedagogy
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
Pathway 2
Pathway 2
Innovation and Reform
This route will give you a greater understanding of contemporary theories of education, particularly with regard to critical pedagogy, and also the process of effectively leading educational change. It will provide a focus on innovation and reform concerned with helping schools to play an active role in creating and maintaining more humane and sustainable futures. This route will actively engage you in aspects of educational development such as:
- Democratic citizenship
- Critical literacy
- Creative thinking
- Sustainable development
- Inclusion
- The role of technology
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
Why Leicester?
Education at Leicester attracts students and academics from all over the world, allowing you to become part of an inclusive, diverse and professional international network.
Our courses aim to develop leaders in education and so have been designed with your career prospects in mind.
Our range of modules allow you to study a course tailored to your interests.
You will be taught by academics who are at the forefront of research in education and who feed the latest developments into their teaching.
Teaching and learning
Modules are delivered through a combination of interactive face-to-face seminars, classes, workshops, and field trips. You will have opportunities to connect theory with practice through engaging in practice-based tasks during classes and external visits to local UK schools and other educational institutions.
In addition to in-person learning, you will benefit from an online multimedia learning platform and access to the University Library, providing extensive resources to support your independent study.
Assessment for the course is continuous and includes oral presentations, written assignments, and a 15,000-word dissertation completed at the end of the degree. Each module involves a 4,000-word (or equivalent) assignment, allowing you to build your academic skills and explore your interests in depth. Notably, there are no exams in this course.
Key dates
September 2025 start
- Application deadline: 8 September 2025 (Please note if you require a visa to study you will be required to submit your course application by 25 July 2025)
- Deposit payment deadline: 8 August 2025
- CAS request deadline: 5 September 2025
- 70% tuition payment deadline: 5 September 2025
Apply now
Course | Qualification | Duration | Start Dates | Availability |
---|---|---|---|---|
Course International Education | Qualification MA | Duration 1 year full-time | Start Dates September each year | Availability Apply Now |
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The lecturers are incredibly supportive and allow you the freedom to research and explore your own interests from day one, making us stand out from the crowd as confident, active members of the research community.