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Our upcoming Postgraduate Online Information Sessions are your chance to explore our wide range of postgraduate diploma and master's courses, meet our academics, tour our state-of-the-art facilities, and get all your questions answered.

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Overview

Our MEd Education Studies is offered as a part-time, fully online programme taught over 3-6 years. It offers existing education practitioners the opportunity to study Education at Masters level where you can apply your learning to your professional context.

This Masters framework is focused on preparing students to make a difference in their professional educational/training setting and beyond. Teaching and learning is underpinned by cutting edge research, informed by a national and global perspective.

You can exit with a generic award of MEd Education Studies or you can complete one of the named specialisms available (see below for full details of each named specialism):

  • MEd Education Studies
  • MEd Education Studies (Creativity)
  • MEd Education Studies (Curriculum Enhancement)
  • MEd Education Studies (Early Years)
  • MEd Education Studies (Inclusion)
  • MEd Education Studies (Leadership)
  • MEd Education Studies (Mental Health and Education)

NAMED SPECIALISMS

This pathway is intended for teachers and other professionals working with learners in primary, secondary and tertiary education as well as practitioners working within other educational and training contexts. It is intended for professionals who wish to undertake modules across the named specialisms.

This specialism is intended for teachers and other professionals working with learners in primary, secondary and tertiary education as well as practitioners working within other educational and training contexts who are involved in working in creative and expressive art.

It is intended for those education professionals that are interested in developing their understanding of working creatively with their learners. It will enhance professional practice in, and understanding of, current developments in the area of creativity in general and in terms of pedagogy, policy and practice specifically.

watch this video for more information on MEd EDUCATION STUDIES (CREATIVITY)

This specialism is intended for teachers and other professionals working with learners in primary, secondary and tertiary education as well as practitioners working within other educational and training contexts who are involved in the management, implementation and coordination of learning and development programmes.

watch this video for more information on MEd Education Studies (Curriculum Enhancement)

For professionals working in early years, primary, tertiary or other educational settings looking to develop expertise in UNCRC-based early years pedagogy.

watch this video for more information on MEd Education Studies (Early Years)

For professionals in mainstream or inclusive educational settings looking to develop expertise in effective inclusive educational practices.

watch this video for more information on MEd Education Studies (Inclusion)

This specialism is intended for teachers and other professionals working with learners in early years, primary, secondary and tertiary education as well as practitioners working within other educational contexts.

It is intended for leaders and aspiring leaders who are interested in developing their understanding of working with teams and leading fellow professionals.

It will enhance professional practice in, and understanding of, current developments in the area of educational leadership.

watch this video for more information on MEd Education Studies (Leadership)

This specialism is intended for teachers and other professionals working with learners in primary, secondary and tertiary education as well as practitioners working within other educational and training contexts.

Teaching and learning opportunities focus on the nature of mental health in educational (learning, teaching, training, and mentoring) environments, exploring how this might impact on learners, leaders of learning, mentors, psychologists, health professionals, managers and social workers.

watch this video for more information on MEd Education Studies (Mental Health and Education)

Entry Requirements

What qualifications do you need?

We welcome Scottish, UK and international students and consider all applicants on an individual basis.

Don’t worry if your qualifications are not listed here, we take a range of factors into account when assessing your application and are happy to consider other alternative combinations of qualifications and experience

If you are applying with an EU or non-EU qualification, please check our Postgraduate Entry Requirements page which gives more information about country-specific entry requirements.

You must satisfy one of the following criterion:

  • Possess a teaching qualification or early years equivalent
  • Possess a first (bachelor's) degree in the broad area of education
  • Possess a first (bachelor's) degree in another discipline but with substantial content relating to education
  • Have relevant work or professional experience or completion of an appropriate programme of study for which prior knowledge and skills have provided an appropriate foundation, including a compulsory element of independent work

Graduates of the UWS PGDE Primary or Secondary who gained SCQF Level 11 credits in the course of their PGDE will be able to enter the programme with advanced standing.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS OVERVIEW

All academic degrees/awards at UWS are taught in English. For applicants whose first language is not English*, the University sets a minimum English language proficiency level. All English language qualifications must have been gained within two years of the start of your UWS course.

* applicants who are exempt from English language requirements include:

  • native speakers of English
  • Erasmus students (unless advised otherwise)
  • non-Erasmus students from EU partner institutions (your institution must provide confirmation of your English language ability in the absence of a formal qualification)
  • students whose previous degree-level study has been taught and assessed in English in what UK Visas and Imigration (UKVI) define as a majority English speaking country

In general terms, if you are applying to study a course at, or above, Year 1 (SCQF Level 7) bachelor’s degree level, then the UKVI’s minimum level of English proficiency is Common European Framework for References of Languages (CEFR) at B2 (Upper Intermediate).

 

UWS & INTERNATIONAL ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEST SYSTEM (IELTS)

At UWS, we define our general English language requirements using the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training) as follows:

Undergraduate (bachelor's - BA, BAcc, BEng, BSc etc.) degrees and postgraduate (master's - MA, MBA, MSc etc.) taught degrees

  • the CEFR equivalent requirement is normally an overall IELTS score of 6.0 (or equivalent), with a score of no lower than 5.5 in any of the four elements (listening, speaking, reading and writing)

Postgraduate research degrees (MRes, MPhil, PhD, DBA etc.)

  • the CEFR equivalent requirement is an overall IELTS score of 6.5 (or equivalent), with a score of no lower than 6.0 in any of the four elements (listening, speaking, reading and writing)

These are minimum requirements and some courses may require a higher standard for admission†.

† Exceptions to this level of IELTS scoring exist for some accredited or professionally-recognised courses (see IELTS Score Exceptions section below for more information). 

 

IELTS SCORE EXCEPTIONS (RESEARCH DEGREES, BIOMEDICAL & PARAMEDIC SCIENCE DEGREES, NURSING & MIDWIFERY DEGREES WITH NMC REGISTRATION, SOCIAL WORK DEGREES, CERTIFICATE OF HIGHER EDUCATION, ETC.)

RESEARCH DEGREES

For our research degrees (MRes, MPhil, PhD, DBA, DProf) applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:

  • overall score of 6.5
  • no sub-test score of less than 6.0

HEALTH & MIDWIFERY AWARDS

For Health, Nursing & Midwifery courses that lead to professional registration with the Nursing & Midwifery Council (BSc Adult Nursing, MSc Adult Nursing, BSc Mental Health Nursing, MSc Mental Health Nursing, BSc Midwifery and MSc Midwifery), applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:

  • overall score of 7.0
  • score of at least 7.0 in reading, listening and speaking and
  • score of at least 6.5 in writing

PARAMEDIC SCIENCE DEGREE

Our BSc Paramedic Science degree leads to professional registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC); it has different IELTS requirements than other Health-related courses. Although it is not possible to apply for this degree directly as an international student, for applicants who meet SAAS residency requirements and for whom English is not their first language, then the following IELTS scores are required:

  • overall score of 7.0
  • no sub-test score of less than 6.5

BIOMEDICAL DEGREES

For our BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science and MSc Advanced Biomedical Science degrees, which may lead to professional registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:

  • overall score of 7.0
  • no sub-test score of less than 6.5

SOCIAL WORK DEGREES

Our BA (Hons) Social Work and MSc Social Work degrees are professionally recognised by the Scottish Social Services Council and applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:

  • overall score of 7.0
  • no sub-test score of less than 7.0

CERTIFICATE OF HIGHER EDUCATION

For our Certificate of Higher Education courses, applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:

  • overall score of 5.0
  • no sub-test less than 4.5

 

OTHER IELTS EQUIVALENT ENGLISH LANGUAGE TESTS

In additional to IELTS, we also accept a number of alternative English language for application and admission to our courses for both home/EU and international students at bachelor's degree study at Year 3 (SCQF Level 9), and above. From Cambridge to TOFEL iBT qualifications the number of these qualifications is extensive.

Find out about non-IELTS English Language Tests

 

ENGLISH LANGUAGE HIGH SCHOOL QUALIFACTIONS ACCEPTED FOR NON-EU APPLICANTS

UWS has also reviewed a range of High / Secondary School qualifications studied by non-EU applicants that can be used as a basis of entry to a UWS. These range from Botswana GCSEs to USA High School Graduation Diplomas, the number of these qualifications is extensive.

Find out more about international English Language high-hchool qualifications

 

PRE-SESSIONAL ENGLISH LANGUAGE COURSES AT UWS

Applicants who do not meet the minimum English language requirements have the option to study one of our preparatory and pre-sessional English courses. The UWS courses available are:

    • 10-week pre-sessional - entry criteria UKVI IELTS 5.0 with no element below 4.5.
    • 5-week pre-sessional - entry criteria UKVI IELTS 5.5 with no element below 5.5.
    • English Language for University Study - entry criteria UKVI IELTS with an overall score of 4.0, plus a score of 4.0 in all sub-tests (10-month course), or an overall score of 4.5, plus no score below 4.0 in all sub-tests (7-month course).

Find out more about our English language Courses.

JOBS

Most of our MEd students are already in professional employment in an education or training context.

For these students, these qualifications offer an opportunity for further professional development opportunities that will enhance a CV and underpin opportunities for promotion or broadening of employment opportunities.

There are also opportunities for graduates to commence PhD research.

How to apply

Postgraduate courses (MA, MSc, MEd, MBA, DBA, PG Cert, PG Dip, etc.) & some Post-experience courses (CertHE, BA, Grad Cert, Grad Dip, etc.)

All students should apply directly to the University through our online application system. Before you apply, you should check that you meet our entry requirements and you should have all your supporting documents ready.

The first stage of the process is to complete the initial application form. You will then receive a follow-up email with further instructions relating to your application including documents that you will need to forward to support your application, e.g. degree transcripts and certificates etc.

Most courses don't have a formal closing date, but they will close when they are full; apply early to avoid disappointment. There may also be funding deadlines that apply to you.

The Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) applies to all international students and researchers (apart from exempt nationalities) who are subject to UK immigration control and are intending to study or research at postgraduate level in certain sensitive subjects.

Students and researchers who are nationals of EU countries, the European Economic Area (EEA), Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland or the United States of America do not need an ATAS certificate.

An ATAS certificate may be required for certain taught postgraduate master's degrees for international students at UWS.

For the latest information on ATAS and details of eligibility and how to apply for a certificate check the UK Government's dedicated ATAS web pages.

Get in touch

Do you have a question about applying for this course? Our friendly admissions teams are here to help!

UK based prospective students  

If you’re applying from within the UK, our applicant enquiry team is here to guide you every step of the way.  

ask@uws.ac.uk  

International prospective students

Our international team is ready to support you with your application and any questions about joining UWS from abroad.

Postgraduate Tuition Fees

Online Modular Tuition Fees (20-credit points) 2024-25

Scottish

£600 per module (20 credits)

All other UK & Republic of Ireland

£600 per module (20 credits)

Channel Islands & Isle of Man

£600 per module (20 credits)

International (all other EU plus Non-EU)

£1,400 per module (20 credits)

Tuition fees for this course 2025/26

Scottish

£7,500 Total cost of tuition

All other UK & Republic of Ireland

£11,750 Total cost of tuition

Channel Island & Isle of Man

£11,750 Total cost of tuition

International (all other EU plus Non-EU)

£15,500 Total cost of tuition

More on tuition fees and funding

Modular Tuition Fees (20-credit points) 2025-26

Scottish

£1,070 per module (20 credits)

All other UK & Republic of Ireland

£1,680 per module (20 credits)

Channel Islands & Isle of Man

£1,680 per module (20 credits)

International (all other EU plus Non-EU)

£2,210 per module (20 credits)

More on tuition fees and funding

Online Modular Tuition Fees (20-credit points) 2025-26

Scottish

£600 per module (20 credits)

All other UK & Republic of Ireland

£600 per module (20 credits)

Channel Islands & Isle of Man

£600 per module (20 credits)

International (all other EU plus Non-EU)

£1,400 per module (20 credits)

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Research at UWS

With cutting edge facilities, specialist knowledge and world-leading and internationally excellent expertise, we aim to develop research outputs that have a tangible, early and positive impact on society across the globe.

Discover

We will always try to make sure that we publish accurate course information but we do not accept responsibility for any mistakes or omissions. We will also try to make sure that we deliver our courses in line with our published information. However, we may not always be able to do so and you can find further information about this in our enrolment terms and conditions.