Research and reflect on your professional practice while you pursue a Master's degree that fits your career goals.
- Choose from a range of specialist modules from across our postgraduate courses in Education.
- Depending on which modules you choose, you can study online or in-person at Newton Park. Some sessions are held in the evenings.
- Lay the foundations for career progression – perhaps into a PhD, management, or roles in Higher Education.
Gain an in-depth understanding of your current area of professional practice with our flexible MA. Designed for busy schedules, this course is suitable for working professionals.
Choose from a variety of modules covering topics such as inclusive education and educational leadership. Some modules offer structured teaching while others are more research-based and focused on independent learning.
Whichever modules you choose, you’ll develop your research skills in preparation for your dissertation. This extended research project culminates in a substantial thesis.
What is a Master's in Professional Practice?
A Master's in Professional Practice enables you to draw on your existing professional experience while you study for a postgraduate degree. You’ll bring your unique professional knowledge to your MA and later apply what you learn to your profession.
With our support, you’ll develop your academic abilities and skills in education research. During the last phase of the course, you’ll produce a dissertation on a related topic of your choice.
See also: Our MA Professional Practice in Higher Education is for those teaching in a Higher Education context.
What you'll learn
Learn to recognise and defend good professional practice. Analyse and evaluate your practice and develop a critical awareness of the issues that affect and inform your field.
You’ll develop academic skills in education research and critical thinking. You'll also enhance your ability to communicate your findings.
In your research modules, you’ll work independently on your chosen topic, critical review, or piece of academic writing, with support from our tutors.
In your assignments, we encourage you to draw on your own practice. For example, you could complete action-based research at your current workplace or conduct a relevant literature review.
Your route through the course depends on whether you’re studying full-time or part-time. You can choose between the MA and the Postgraduate Certificate. Your studies will also be influenced by any Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) credits you may be granted.
You'll typically take a Research Methods module before completing your dissertation, the final module for the MA.
You can discuss your modules choices with the course leader before making your selection. We can advise you on the best fit for your professional focus and areas of interest.
This course includes or offers the following modules. Please check the programme document for more information on which modules are core, required or optional.
- Independent Study
- Independent Study (60 credits)
- Work Based Action Enquiry
- SEN and Inclusion: Autism Spectrum
- Education and Society
- Research Methods in Social Science
- Research and the Professional Part 1
- Research and the Professional Part 2
- Dissertation
- Leadership and Practice
- Perspectives of Play and Creativity
- Contemporary Issues in Inclusive Education
You'll be assessed through coursework, most of which is written. Some assessment is by verbal presentation. There are no exams.
Some modules are in person, and some are online, meaning you can study flexibly around your current commitments. Depending on your module choices, it's possible to study entirely online. See the course programme document for more details on which modules you can choose.
All modules include face-to-face time with a University tutor (whether in-person or online). You’ll also study independently, reading widely around your chosen subject, and planning and researching your dissertation. You could also undertake practical research in your current workplace.
To find out more about how we teach and how you'll learn, please read our Learning and Teaching Delivery Statement.
Opportunities
Master's degrees are recognised both nationally and internationally. Our graduates can take their expertise into a range of settings and locations.
You may be interested in progressing to educational management, training or related fields. Perhaps you’ll take your studies to PhD level or move into a higher education career.
This flexible Professional Practice MA is suitable for applicants at various stages of their career. Many of our students are early career teachers. This course enables them to develop professionally while building on their prior learning and qualifications.
You can develop your interests and deepen your understanding by studying part-time for a Postgraduate Certificate. This option provides even more flexibility, especially if you’re not sure you can commit to the full Master’s.
A Postgraduate Certificate is 60 credits. You'll complete two 30 credit modules to graduate with a Postgraduate Certificate in Professional Practice. After this, you'll have the option to continue your studies to gain a full MA Professional Practice.
For more details, please contact the course leader.
Facilities and resources
The award is taught at our Newton Park campus. You can access our facilities and support.
You can use our Commons building, with its superb classroom facilities, social spaces, IT and digital resources.
Our Library offers a wealth of learning resources including books, journals, DVDs and an extensive range of electronic services. Your Subject Librarian for Education provides subject-specific support, including help with research.
Need help with your academic writing? Our ASk team provides feedback on written drafts along with other academic skills support.
We provide you with online access to learning materials through our Virtual Learning Environment. These can include lecture slides, assessment information, discussion boards and other resources.
You’ll have free access to thousands of business, design and tech courses online via LinkedIn Learning.
If English isn't your first language, our English Language Unit can help you reach your full potential and boost your confidence.
Student Wellbeing Services are available to support you throughout your studies.
Develop a wealth of indispensable digital skills that you can take into your future career. One of only three Adobe Creative Campuses in the UK, we provide all Bath Spa students with access to the full Adobe Creative Suite, giving you the tools to communicate creatively, whatever your course or chosen professional field.
Fees
| Student | Annual tuition fee |
|---|---|
| UK full time | £8,985 |
| UK part time | £4,493* |
| International full time | £16,625 |
Fee notes
*Fee shown is for part-time study over two years, although some courses may be available over longer periods.
Additional course costs
You may need to pay additional course costs over and above your tuition fees, for example, for specialist equipment or trips and visits. Please check the course Programme Document (linked under the main image on this page) for details of any additional costs. You can also read our Additional Course Costs Policy for further information.
Funding opportunities
Please visit our Funding pages for an overview of the funding options that may be available, including scholarships and bursaries.
DBS (if required)
In the UK, a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is required to work with children and vulnerable adults. All course participants will need to complete the necessary paperwork before starting their placement for the programme. There is an additional fee required for this process.
Interested in applying?
You'll usually have a good first degree, however we often accept applicants with sufficient relevant experience.
English language requirements
If English isn't your first language, you'll need to provide evidence of proficiency in English. We're looking for an IELTS score of 6.0-7.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component (Writing, Listening, Reading and Speaking). We assess applications individually.
Ready to apply? Click the apply now button in the centre of this page.
You can also apply for the three-year version of this course.
Need more guidance? Head to our how to apply pages.
The MA Professional Practice is an opportunity for applicants with a Level 7 PGCE to use the credits towards a full MA.
Accreditation of Prior certificated Learning (APL) can be offered if you have successfully completed previous Level 7 modules at another university. We accept APL for our PG Dip or Master’s qualifications. As a guide, up to a maximum of 60 credits may be credited towards a Master’s Degree and 60 credits towards a PG Dip. We will require a full transcript from the awarding university.
It is also possible to gain accreditation for other kinds of professional developments by compiling an independent study portfolio of professional development (APEL – Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning). For further information about gaining credits in this way please contact cpdadmin@bathspa.ac.uk.
APL only applies if the credits were gained within five years of the start of your MA studies.
See our Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) web page to learn more.
When to apply
Many of our postgraduate courses have a limited number of student spaces. To avoid the disappointment of the course being full, we recommend that you apply now.
Late applications (generally those made after 31 July) will only be considered if places remain on the course.
Need more information or still have questions? Contact us to discuss your situation.
Course leader: Dr Kate Brooks
Email: k.brooks@bathspa.ac.uk