Education (Research Design and Methodology)

The course covers a range of quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection and data analysis, and introduces you to the challenges of carrying out social research in the field of education.

Students will normally complete six taught modules:

• Foundations of Educational Research 1: Concepts and Design
• Foundations of Educational Research 2: Strategies and Methods
• Philosophy of Educational Research
• Introduction to Quantitative Research
• Perspectives on Qualitative Research
• Intermediate Quantitative Research.

These are assessed through written assignments. In addition students will complete a research dissertation of up to 20,000 words.

The teaching methods include tutor presentations, small group work, student led presentations, seminars, workshops, tutorials, and individual research projects. You will participate in classes on research design, and on the quantitative and qualitative data analysis that is used to yield research findings. Supervision sessions will support you in identifying research questions towards dissertation research, selecting areas for literature review, carrying out field work, and reviewing drafts of the dissertation. Supported ICT sessions on literature access skills (including electronic searches) are provided by OUDE library staff.

A particular feature of the course is that all students may take part in an optional ‘internship’ where they work with an academic on an ongoing research project. During this time they gain experience by working on the variety of activities that are an everyday part of doing educational research.

The MSc programme is offered on both a full time (one year) and part time (two year) basis. The degree and expectations for both modes of study are equally rigorous: part time students attend classes with full time students, but these are spread over two years to balance with work and personal circumstances. Part time students attend classes one day per week during term time and are encouraged to spend at least one further day a week working in Oxford libraries and participating in relevant research seminars and research events or taking non-assessed courses.

The allocation of graduate supervision for this course is the responsibility of the Department of Education. This will be done on the basis of the topic of research and the availability of individual supervisors. It is not always possible to accommodate the preferences of incoming graduate students to work with a particular member of staff. Under exceptional circumstances a supervisor may be found outside the Department of Education.

The most recent Oxford University Destination of Leavers from Higher Education Survey made contact with 635 master's course students who graduated from the Department of Education between 2012 and 2014. Over 90% of alumni were in work and 5.8% in further study with only 2.0% looking for work, ranking the department in the best 3 of the 20 departments in Oxford's Social Sciences Division.

Many past students who successfully completed the MSc Education (Research Design & Methodology) course have gone on to DPhil study, and several have proceeded to take up academic posts in leading UK universities (including associate professorships in the Oxford University Department of Education).

Changes to this course and your supervision

The University will seek to deliver this course in accordance with the description set out in this course page. However, there may be situations in which it is desirable or necessary for the University to make changes in course provision, either before or after registration. In certain circumstances, for example due to visa difficulties or because the health needs of students cannot be met, it may be necessary to make adjustments to course requirements for international study.

Where possible your academic supervisor will not change for the duration of your course. However, it may be necessary to assign a new academic supervisor during the course of study or before registration for reasons which might include sabbatical leave, parental leave or change in employment.

For further information, please see our page on changes to courses.

Other courses you may wish to consider

If you're thinking about applying for this course, you may also wish to consider the courses listed below. These courses may have been suggested due to their similarity with this course, or because they are offered by the same department or faculty.

Courses suggested by the department

Development Studies MPhil
Comparative Social Policy MSc
International Health and Tropical Medicine MSc
Social Science of the Internet MSc

All graduate courses offered by the Department of Education

Applied Linguistics and Second Language Acquisition MSc

Applied Linguistics for Language Teaching MSc

Education DPhil

Education (Child Development and Education) MSc

Education (Comparative and International Education) MSc

Education (Higher Education) MSc

Education (Research Design and Methodology) MSc

Educational Assessment MSc

Learning and Teaching MSc

PGCE PGCert

Teacher Education MSc

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Entry requirements