| UCAS code | 1234 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 1 year full time |
| Entry year | September 2025 |
| Campus | St Luke's Campus |
| Discipline | Education and Teacher Training |
| Contact | Programme Director Dr Pallavi Amitava Banerjee |
| Typical offer | A 2:2 Honours degree in a relevant area |
|---|---|
Overview
- You’ll acquire general social science research skills that can be used in different contexts and applied to a variety of problems
- Opportunities to specialise in a particular field of education within a research preparation framework
- Relevant to students who are interested in doctoral research or wish to develop their educational research knowledge and skills or study a specific area of education
- You will join an active and vibrant research community studying with some of the leading scholars in their disciplines and be taught by senior staff who are all engaged in educational research
- You will be equipped with a range of academic, personal and professional skills that will prepare you confidently for employment, future study or training for professional practice
Top 150 in the world for Education
The Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2024
100% of our Education research has internationally excellent impact
Based on research impact rated 4* + 3* in REF 2021
Home to one of the largest Education libraries in the UK
Top 150 in the world for Education
The Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2024
100% of our Education research has internationally excellent impact
Based on research impact rated 4* + 3* in REF 2021
Home to one of the largest Education libraries in the UK
The assignments allowed me to develop a personal research interest whilst fulfilling the standardised requirements of the course. The module – the Nature of Education Enquiry was particularly engaging as it challenged me to think more deeply about the fundamental foundations of knowledge, about research and what counts as knowledge.
I think what should be noted is the detailed provision of detailed feedback from tutors regarding assignments. I always found tutorials, formative and summative feedback to be of exceptional quality.
Kristi
MSc Educational Research
Entry requirements
We will consider applicants with a 2:2 Honours degree with 53% or above in a relevant area such as social sciences, humanities or management, and to have demonstrable interest in educational research.
If you are coming from a different academic background which is equivalent to degree level, or have relevant teaching experience, we would welcome your application.
Entry requirements for international students
English language requirements
International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course. The required test scores for this course fall under Profile B2. Please visit our English language requirements page to view the required test scores and equivalencies from your country.
I really enjoyed the four modules of the MSc programme. I liked how they were inter-related and how each module was leading to the write up of our dissertation.
The modules were interesting and challenging but the intellectual benefits and growth are undeniable and tremendous; the community of practice at the Graduate School of Education is competent and diverse, and it was such a privilege to learn from influential academics, the lecture seminars, the conferences alongside the modules. In addition, the MSc programme is not a programme in itself; it also encourages students to get involved in different research activities such as presenting in conferences, attending workshops, etc. The programme is worth studying, embracing and living!
Riadh
MSc Educational Research
Course content
The overall purpose of this MSc is to prepare you for the independent conduct of educational research. You will acquire general social science research skills that can be used in different contexts and applied to a variety of problems, and also have the opportunity to specialise in a particular field of education within a research preparation framework.
As beginning educational researchers we will ensure that you understand the central and current ideas, concepts, debates, theories, philosophies and approaches employed in educational research. You will also develop a critical understanding of interpretive research, and competence in the planning and execution of such research.
Alongside developing your research skills you will also practise communicating research to an academic audience through a number of different media (oral and written). We aim to mirror the real world of educational research where we often work with others, be that other researchers, education professionals or our research participants.
As a full-time on campus student, you will take two sessions each week during term time.
Each module consists of ten sessions delivered through a blended system of learning.
The modules we outline here provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.
180 credits of compulsory modules, 0 credits of optional modules
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ERPM000 | The Nature of Educational Enquiry | 30 |
| ERPM001 | Interpretive Methodologies | 30 |
| ERPM002 | Scientific Methodologies | 30 |
| ERPM005 | Designing and Communicating Research | 30 |
| ERPM004 | Dissertation | 60 |
| EFPM200 | SoE Success for All | 0 |
Fees
2025/26 entry
UK fees per year:
£11,200 full-time
International fees per year:
£23,600 full-time
Scholarships
The University of Exeter has many different scholarships available to support your education, including £5 million in scholarships for international students applying to study with us in the 2025/26 academic year, such as our Exeter Excellence Scholarships*.
For more information on scholarships and other financial support, please visit our scholarships and bursaries page.
*Terms and conditions apply. See online for details.
Careers
Career support
Our postgraduate programmes are designed to give you career progression in your specialist educational area of choice and completion of this programme can lead to a variety of research roles within educational and social science fields.
On completion, you will be equipped with a range of academic, personal and professional skills that will prepare you confidently for employment, future study or training for professional practice. Career Zone provides support including skills training, internships, jobs vacancies, employment fairs advice and help for you to progress in your chosen path. For more information on careers support at Exeter, see our postgraduate employment and professional development webpages.
Progression to PhD study
This course is ideal if you wish to progress onto PhD study. Progression from this MSc to our PhD in Education is dependent on:
- achieving 60% as an average mark overall
and - an individual mark of 60% for the dissertation
This progression requirement is in place of the upgrade required to progress from MPhil to PhD on the three year route – see the MPhil/PhD in Education for more information.
Graduate destinations
The University has an excellent reputation with graduate recruiters and our students compete very successfully in the employment market. Our graduates have gone on to a range of careers in the UK and overseas with examples given below.
Employer
- Axevalley Academy
- Chongqing Fengmingshan High School
- Peninsula Medical School
- Ladysmith School
- Devon County Council
- Woodbury University
- University of Music and Performing Arts, Munich
- University of Exeter
- University of Exeter – Peninsula Medical School
- John F. Kennedy Catholic School
- University of Plymouth
- INTO University of Exeter
- Stoke Damderel College
- National Institute for Economic and Social Research
- Immediacy Ltd
- Ministry of Education
- The King's School
- King Abdulaziz University
- Cardiff University
- Nobel International School Algarve
