In common with all of the MA Education programmes, students must take the core module Research Methodology. This module will equip you to carry out small scale education enquiry ethically and effectively. In addition, to achieve the MA Leadership and Management in Post-compulsory Education and Training (PcET) you will study three further modules:
Values, purposes and policies in PcET (compulsory/core module)
The concentration will be on Wales but, where appropriate, the UK, Europe and the wider world will form part of the study. You will critically examine the background to, and reasons for, policy initiatives, which typically involve both clear values and principles and more pragmatic considerations. The relationship between policy aspirations and aims and achievements in practice will also be examined – to what extent do initiatives achieve their intended goals?
Managing, Teaching, Learning and Assessment
The module takes you through a comparison of models and claims about learning, teaching and assessment. Evidence of practice, drawing on current research in the sector in Wales and elsewhere in the UK, will be used for discussion. Students will relate the perspectives and models to their own area of practice.
Plus either:
Independent study or another relevant, complementary module from the MA programme (Mentoring: Principles and Practice is recommended or alternatively Developing People in Organisations).
Upon successful completion of the above taught element, you will progress to:
Dissertation
Research of a topic related to current practices or pending change/policy in PcET. A supervisor will be allocated to you in order to guide and support you through the dissertation process.
Learning and teaching methods
The course is delivered via a series of modules and a final dissertation is required.
Most students following the part-time programme spend two years on the taught modules (typically one evening per week) and undertake their dissertation in their third year. Participants are, however, allowed to take a maximum of five years to complete the whole programme.