Education (Wales), MA

Modules typically include:

• Advanced Research and Enquiry Skills

• Additional Learning Needs, Excellence in Practice

• Curriculum Design and Realisation

• Evidence-Informed Practice

Assessments are all coursework assignments and will be submitted at the end of each module. Wherever possible, assignments have been designed to complement the working contexts and schedules of full-time teachers.

Students with appropriate teaching qualifications may be eligible for 60 credits of Recognised Prior Learning and will not need to complete the modules in year 1. For students without relevant Recognised Prior Learning, these modules will be compulsory (please contact the department for more details).

Please note that year 1 modules will only be available from September 2022.

Candidates applying for 2021-22 who do not have 60 credits for Recognition of Prior Learning will only be considered to commence the programme in September 2022.

Candidates must hold Qualified Teacher Status and be currently employed in the compulsory education sector in the UK. 

Candidates must be in years 3-6 of teaching practice to qualify for WG funding.

Candidates who do not qualify for Welsh Government funding must hold a PGCE (normally achieved within the last 5 years) or equivalent significant experience of professional practice. Such candidates will therefore be eligible for consideration of Recognition of Prior Learning.

Students with appropriate teaching qualifications may be eligible for 60 credits of Recognised Prior Learning and will not need to complete the modules in year 1. For students without relevant Recognised Prior Learning, these modules will be compulsory:

Pedagogy and Practice (20 credits)
Collaboration and Professional Practice (20 credits)
Evidence-Informed Practice (20 credits)

Year 2 will see students taking one core module (20 credits), Advanced Research Enquiry Skills, alongside any 2 optional modules (all 20 credits):

Leadership and Management of ALN
Inclusive Classroom Practice
Leading and Managing Education Professionals
Leading Organisational Change
Curriculum Design and Realisation
Exploring Pedagogies

200 hours of study per 20 credit module, of which 22 will be contact hours. Learning will be a blend of online and face-to-face. Activities will be a combination of lectures, seminars, group activities and individual activities.

National Conferences Delivery Days:

23 October 2021

20 November 2021

19 February 2022

19 March 2022

Research module:

5 March 2022

21 May 2022

At least 80 credits

You can study 80 credits or more of this postgraduate course through the medium of Welsh. You can study a combination of modules through the medium of Welsh where there is the opportunity and / or submit your dissertation in Welsh with guidance from a subject specialist through the medium of Welsh.

Academi Hywel Teifi is here to support you throughout your time at Swansea University. We can offer you:

• Access to generous Welsh-language study scholarships or bursaries.
• Access to modules taught wholly or partly in Welsh.
• Access to the Arwain app for the latest information about Welsh-medium courses and modules available to download free on the App Store and Google Play.
• An interview through the medium of Welsh when applying for a place.
• Personal correspondence in Welsh, English or bilingually.
• The option to create and submit your coursework or sit exams through the medium of Welsh (even if you have chosen to study in English), and your work will be assessed in Welsh.
• A Welsh-speaking Academic Mentor.
• One-to-one support to improve your academic Welsh language skills.
• Membership of the Swansea University Branch of the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol.

Visit the Welsh Language Rights webpage for further information about Students' Welsh Language Rights.

Continuing to study through the medium of Welsh will be:

• a natural step for you if you have studied through the medium of Welsh at undergraduate level.
• a way of maximizing your chances of getting the best education.
• a way of receiving a high level of support as the study groups are smaller.
• a valuable addition to your CV and career development.

Our degrees are taught by experts, who have a wealth of knowledge to pass on to our students.

You can find out more about our academic expertise on our staff pages.

Tuition fees for years of study after your first year are subject to an increase of 3%.

You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page.

You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's scholarships and bursaries page.

Current students: You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page.

You may be eligible for funding to help support your study.

If you're a UK or EU student starting a master’s degree at Swansea University, you may be eligible to apply for Government funding to help towards the cost of your studies. To find out more, please visit our postgraduate loans page.

To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's scholarships and bursaries page.

Academi Hywel Teifi at Swansea University and the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol offer a number of generous scholarships and bursaries for students who wish to study through the medium of Welsh or bilingually. For further information about the opportunities available to you, visit the Academi Hywel Teifi Scholarships and Bursaries page.

Welsh Government funding for this course is available to support teachers in years 3-6 of their careers.  All teachers, regardless of length of experience, are welcome to apply for the MA as self-funded candidates. NATIONAL MA EDUCATION (WALES) FUNDING ELIGIBILITY, ALLOCATION PROCESS 2021

If you are expected to start the National MA Education (Wales) in 2021 you will not be eligible to apply for a student loan as you will be claiming Recognition of Prior Learning / experiential Learning as per Student Finance Wales’ guidance as detailed below.

Student Finance Wales Students are not eligible where they are undertaking a partial master’s course where previous study and/or work experience has been taken into account, allowing the student to bypass certain aspects/modules of the full master’s course. Postgraduate Master’s Funding is designed as a contribution to the costs associated with a full master’s course and there is no prorated support available where less than a full standalone master’s course is undertaken. Further information can be found on the Student Finance Wales’ webpages here.

Access to your own digital device/the appropriate IT kit will be essential during your time studying at Swansea University. Access to wifi in your accommodation will also be essential to allow you to fully engage with your programme. See our dedicated webpages for further guidance on suitable devices to purchase, and for a full guide on getting your device set up.

You may face additional costs while at university, including (but not limited to):

• Travel to and from campus
• Printing, photocopying, binding, stationery and equipment costs (e.g. USB sticks)
• Purchase of books or texts
• Gowns for graduation ceremonies

Swansea Employability Academy (SEA) will support you at each stage of your career journey helping you build a bright future.

Our career support services include:

• Employability workshops, employers’ talks, bespoke events and careers fairs
• Individual advice and guidance from professionally qualified Careers Advisers
• Help with finding jobs, internships, work placements and volunteering opportunities
• Access to information resources on a wide range of career management topics
• Funding to support student internship opportunities and Student Society/Club events.

We also provide help and advice for Swansea University Alumni up to two years after you graduate.

As well as subject specific support by college teaching staff and your personal academic mentor, the Centre for Academic Success provides courses, workshops and one-to-one support in areas such as:

• Academic writing
• Maths and statistics
• Critical thinking
• Time management
• Digital skills
• Presentation skills
• Note taking
• Revision, memory and exam techniques
• English language skills (if English is not your first language).

In addition, if you have a Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD), disability, mental health or medical condition, the Centre for Academic Success have Specialist Tutors to support your learning, working alongside the Disability Office and Wellbeing Service to support all your needs and requirements whilst studying at Swansea University.

Please note that candidates must complete all of the forms listed below and submit along with their formal application form:

National MA RPL Policy 2021

2021 National MA Supplementary Application form

NATIONAL MA EDUCATION (WALES) FUNDING ELIGIBILITY, ALLOCATION PROCESS 2021

EU students - visa and immigration information is available and will be regularly updated on our information for EU students page.

How do I apply? Please apply direct to your first-choice institution. Details can be found here

Who is this programme for? The National MA Education (Wales) is a truly transformative and sector leading programme for educational professionals in Wales, from early career teachers to senior leaders. The educational landscape in Wales is changing rapidly. Teaching not only requires the mastery of a complex set of skills to guide, motivate, and facilitate student learning, but also the ability to enquire into professional practice in order to improve it. The National MA Education (Wales), which has been collaboratively developed by seven universities in Wales, through direct engagement with a variety of key stakeholders including Welsh Government - will ensure that all education professionals in Wales have the same high-quality opportunity to enhance their professional knowledge, engage with research, and to improve their professional practice.

What are the entry requirements? Candidates must hold Qualified Teacher Status and be currently employed in the compulsory education sector in the UK.

I completed the GTP, am I eligible to apply for the National MA Education (Wales)?  Yes, teachers who qualified via the GTP route are eligible to apply for the National MA Education (Wales). You will need to map your learning and/or experience against the Learning Outcomes in the 2021 National MA Supplementary Application form Guidance on how to complete this is available in the National MA RPL Policy 2021.

Does the course require a specific degree classification at UG level? The course does not require a specific degree classification at UG level. Entry requirements are as stated above.

What are the application deadlines? Applications will be reviewed throughout the year however if you wish to be considered for funding, the deadlines are as follows:

First funding application deadline: 16 July 2021

Second funding application deadline: 17 September 2021

Latest possible enrolment date (students must have completed enrolment by this date): 15 October 2021.

Due to the complexity of the application and funding application process for the National MA Education (Wales), we will endeavour to communicate whether your application has been successful as soon as possible, but at this point are not able to provide a detailed timeframe for response. If you have any questions about the status of your application at any time, do please contact us.

Funding for this programme is limited to 50 places and will be allocated by the *Funding Award Panel*. Funding allocations will be made on a priority basis, so please ensure that you apply as soon as possible to have the greatest chance of being successful.

What is Recognition of Prior Learning? Recognition of Prior Learning signifies the process recognising learning achieved by an individual before entry to the MA. For the purpose of this programme, the term covers the following: a) Credit Transfer - Where the credits or qualification have been awarded by a UK higher education institution as part of a formal qualification ; b) Recognition of Prior experiential Learning (RPeL) – where learning gained through experience is assessed and recognised.

Can I be exempted from part of the MA i.e. accepted with Recognition of Prior Learning? It may be possible to admit you to the MA with advanced standing on the basis of M-Level modules studied elsewhere in the UK during the last five years. Please apply using the standard application form but ensure that you include your previous academic transcripts plus a copy of the course syllabus giving details of learning outcomes and credit weightings.

What documents do I need to send to you? As well as completing the standard University application process, you will also be required to submit a supplementary application form available here.

A statement of support from your Headteacher or other senior colleague/manager.

If you hold recognised qualifications (e.g. PGCE) and/or significant professional experience you may apply for that to be taken into account against the 60 credits of modules which comprise year 1 of the programme. To be eligible for consideration, you must provide appropriate evidence that you meet the Learning Outcomes for the modules. This can either be via your PGCE transcript or by completing the relevant Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning sections on the 2021 National MA Supplementary Application form, or a combination of these methods. Please see the guidance on how to apply and what to include here National MA RPL Policy 2021.

Do I need a GCSE in Welsh Language? You do not need a GCSE in Welsh language to apply for this programme.

How can I register on a Virtual Open Day? Please check the website of your chosen University for details of virtual open days.

I have received a conditional offer, what does this mean? A conditional offer means that you have been accepted onto the MA SUBJECT TO you meeting the criteria specified in your formal offer of admission.

Do I need to provide a programme specific enhanced criminal disclosure via the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)? As a practicing teacher you will already have undergone checks via the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and therefore will not need to complete this process again.

I am a teacher in England/Scotland/Northern Ireland - can I still apply for the programme? Yes, we welcome applications from teachers across the UK.

I am a teacher from the EU/Overseas - can I still apply for the programme? Unfortunately, this programme is not available to teachers from the EU/Overseas.

Am I eligible for funding? Please see funding criteria: NATIONAL MA EDUCATION (WALES) FUNDING ELIGIBILITY, ALLOCATION PROCESS 2021

The funding eligibility criteria states that I must be in year 3 to 6 of practice at the start of the course, what does this mean? This means you must be in years 3-6 of teaching from the date of QTS when the course is due to start in September.  

Do I need to be registered with the EWC? Yes, to be eligible for funding you must be registered with the EWC in the category of school teacher. This must be maintained for the duration of the course.

Why is the funding only available for teachers in years 3-6 of practice? The funding for this programme is offered by the Welsh Government as part of the Early Career Teacher Package.

Following completion of my NQT induction, I spent a period of time working overseas / took a career break, does this count? Time spent employed as a teacher outside of the UK or time taken as a career break will not be counted as years of practice.

Am I required to have a teaching contract for a minimum period of time, e.g. an academic term / year? What happens if my contract ends part way through the programme? Eligibility will be conferred at the beginning of the programme. At that point you will need to hold a contract of at least one term.

I am employed as a teacher in a number of schools and my contracts total more than 0.4FTE. Am I eligible for funding? Yes, as long as your contracts total 0.4FTE or higher, you are eligible to apply for funding.

I am a part time and/or supply teacher, can I apply for funding? Yes, as long as your contracts total 0.4FTE or higher, you are eligible to apply for funding.

Do I need to commit to working in Wales after I have completed the MA Education? In accepting this funding teachers are required to continue to work in Wales, within the maintained education system for a minimum of 2 years after completing the programme.

Is there a residency requirement before the course starts? In order to be eligible for funding you must be resident in Wales for 3 years prior to start of course and remain so for the duration of the programme.

I would like to self-fund; how much are the fees? £6,500.

I have previously undertaken masters level study, am I eligible for funding for this programme? If you have previously studied a subject specific masters programme, then you are still eligible to apply for funding (subject to meeting all other criteria). Please note that if you have previously undertaken a funded MEd then you will not be eligible to apply for funding for the National MA

My application for funding was unsuccessful, what are my options? If your application for funding is not successful, you may still be able to take up a place on the course as a self-funded student.

My application for funding was unsuccessful, how can I appeal against the decision? Applicants who are not satisfied with the decision of the National MA Education (Wales) Funding Award Panel should contact the Chair of the Panel in the first instance.

Who decides on funding allocation? Upon receipt of your application, the Admissions team at your chosen institution will ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria. The National MA Education (Wales) Funding Award Panel will then assess all eligible applications to determine the outcome and award funding to those who are successful. The Panel consists of representatives from each Partner University and reports to the National Management Board (which has membership from the Welsh Government), to ensure clear accountability and oversight.

How many funded places are available? There are 500 funded places across the National MA Education (Wales) partnership

Am I eligible for a student loan? If you are awarded Welsh Government funding for the National MA Education (Wales) then you must not also apply for postgraduate finance support through the Student Loans Company (SLC). Students who are not in receipt of Welsh Government funding may apply to the SLC.

If you are expected to start the National MA Education (Wales) in 2021 you will not  be eligible to apply for a student loan as you will be claiming Recognition of Prior Learning / experiential Learning as per Student Finance Wales’ guidance as detailed below.

Student Finance Wales Students are not eligible where they are undertaking a partial master’s course where previous study and/or work experience has been taken into account, allowing the student to bypass certain aspects/modules of the full master’s course. Postgraduate Master’s Funding is designed as a contribution to the costs associated with a full master’s course and there is no prorated support available where less than a full standalone master’s course is undertaken. Further information can be found on the Student Finance Wales’ webpages here