Education MA (Hons)

• Values: self, society and the professions (shared School module)
• Working together (shared School module)
• An elective module from the wider University
• Pedagogical Studies 1 (Middle and Upper stages)
• Teaching Across the Primary Curriculum
• Observation/Professional Practice (Primary 4-7)

• Educational Studies: philosophy & history/child development
• Curriculum module focusing on languages
• An elective module from the wider university. (IB pathway students will study a module exploring the principles and practices of the IB)
• Curriculum module focusing on Mathematics & Science
• Pedagogical Studies 2 (Early Years)
• Learning from Life (a placement with personal choice including the possibility of a placement abroad) (IB pathway students will undertake a Practicum in an IB school)

• Curriculum: general curriculum module
• Permeating matters (themes applicable across the curriculum such as health and wellbeing, literacy, numeracy, digital literacy and inclusion)
• Professional Practice (Nursery & Primary 1-3)
• Curriculum: the integrated curriculum
• Research and the Teacher
• Education Studies: global education and childhood

• Current issues in teaching
• Research and the Teacher (The Thesis) (Double Module)
• Pedagogical Studies 3
• Professional Practice (Choice of stages including either a nursery or secondary school element) (Double Module)

The course consists of 22 modules over four years. These are student-centred and contain workshops, lectures, seminars, tutorials, open-learning elements as well as practical experience in the classroom. The course is delivered by university tutors who have years of experience as classroom teachers.

Professional practice is gained through blocks of time, (between two and ten weeks) throughout the four years. In Year 1 you have the opportunity to spend six weeks in primary schools thus allowing you to gain a really in-depth awareness and understanding of working in a primary school classroom very early in your course. In Year 2 you will have the opportunity to undertake a non-school based placement of your own choosing. This can be in another country if you wish. For students following the International Baccalaureate (IB) pathway, six weeks are spent in an IB Primary Years course school. In Year 3 of your course you will have the opportunity to work with children in nursery and early years settings. Finally in Year 4 you will have the opportunity to choose the stage of the primary school that you would most like to teach in.

From time to time children are invited in to the University to meet with and work with our students.

The core curriculum content modules cover all subjects that are required to be taught in Scottish primary schools: languages and literacy; mathematics and numeracy; social studies; science, technologies; expressive arts; religious and moral education; health and wellbeing as well as pedagogical studies, which links together the practical and theoretical aspects of learning and teaching.

You will have the ability to choose modules from other subjects within the University thus enabling you to both broaden and deepen your knowledge and understanding of key areas of the Primary Curriculum. You may choose from a range of subjects including mathematics, science, psychology, humanities subjects, or modern languages.

In addition you will study in some depth, aspects of educational studies including the history and philosophy of education together with developmental psychology and comparative education. Education studies modules are delivered by our own tutors from within our School.

The course team prides itself on the high level of pastoral support offered to our students. All students are allocated an Advisor of Studies who will work with you over the four years of your course. There is always help at hand if you need it.

A range of different methods is used to assess student progress including written and oral examinations, electronic portfolios and written assignments. Your teaching in the classroom will also be assessed on each Professional Practice by both University and school staff.