Name: Professional Practice in Education, MEd
Price: £1,050 per 20 credits GBP

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Attendance

Campus

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Duration

3 years

Start

September 2025

Delivery

In-person

Our Masters in Professional Practice in Education programme is ideal for educational practitioners currently employed in various phases of education. This includes Primary; Secondary; Further Education; Higher Education and broader educational settings such as Alternative Provision and Academies.

Due to the practice-based nature of the MEd, you must be a practicing teacher/educator to undertake modules on this programme. You'll also have the option to exit with a PGDip after two years or one year if you have sufficient accreditation to prior learning (APL) credits.

Our aim is to support your professional development as a reflective researcher within a collaborative research community. This programme is all about critically engaging with your professional practice.

The course offers a part-time progression pathway for educators from different sectors who wish to study at postgraduate level. It caters to teachers, trainers and tutors seeking to enhance their career and achieve a Master's in Education.

The course also acts as a progression route for our teaching partnership, which provides PGCE and CertEd awards in post-compulsory education. It supports individuals working in the Further Education sector. It also offers progression for those pursuing the PGCert in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education.

Why study with us

You'll have the option to exit with a PGDip after two years or one year if you have sufficient accreditation to prior learning (APL) credits.
This is a work-based part-time award. You’ll study part-time while working within an educational setting.
Learn from experienced staff with research or practice in the areas of teaching and learning, professional development or education.

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What you'll do

The course is delivered part-time over 2 to 3 years. You'll have the flexibility to fit your studies around your employment or current commitments. This enables you more choice in designing your own programme according to your particular areas of interest.
Option to accredit prior learning (APL) which will reduce the number of modules you will need to take to complete the award.
You can select modules from a range of topics such as; curriculum design, innovation in teaching and learning, professional development, professional writing and communication and Leadership.

Pathways

Pathway 1

If you have a degree (or equivalent) and a Cert Ed, DTLLS or PGCE with no Level 7 credits, the PG Diploma takes two years.

Your teaching qualification will give you credit for one module, so you will take five modules over two years.

You can exit with the PG Diploma or proceed on to the Master’s in Education (MEd) programme for a further year.

Pathway 2

If you have a PGCE or PGCert in Learning and Teaching in HE with appropriate Level 7 credits. The PG Diploma takes one year, followed by one more year if you wish to continue and complete the MEd programme.

Modules

The module provides an opportunity for participants to respond to challenges within their environment and to undertake in depth research into their practice in order to contribute to their own development but also to that of others: their peers and their clients; to advance their knowledge and to enhance understanding of methodologies, issues and their professional context. This module develops particularly the participant’s skills in researching independently into their own educational and professional practice in order to enable them to contribute actively to current knowledge and understanding within the pedagogic community of UCLan.

Module code: EH4112

The aim of the module is to enable teachers to develop innovation in learning, teaching and assessment by linking exploration of their practice to a study of pedagogic research and educational theory. It focuses on the implementation of educational theory and research into the effectiveness of pedagogical innovations in participants’ professional practice. You'll use critical approaches to explore the literature and introduce innovation in the classroom, within their own professional context. You'll explore your own pedagogical practices and outline areas and strategies for development. This module can be delivered independently or within a continuing professional development framework.

Module code: EH4119

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of our published course information. However, our programmes are subject to ongoing review and development. Changing circumstances may cause alteration to, or the cancellation of, courses. Changes may be necessary to comply with the requirements of accrediting bodies or revisions to subject benchmarks statements. As well as to keep courses updated and contemporary, or as a result of student feedback. We reserve the right to make variations if we consider such action to be necessary or in the best interests of students.

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Academic expertise

Amanda Gorrell

Lecturer

Dr Clare Winder

Programme Director Teacher Education

Dr Charlotte Barrow

Senior Lecturer in Education

Joanna Rassello

Senior Lecturer

Tanya Evans

Senior Lecturer of Initial Teacher Education

Future careers

This programme is ideal for professionals seeking job opportunities in sectors requiring a broad range of education-focused knowledge and analytic skills. Others may choose to seek careers in education leadership and practice, inclusion and social justice, and school improvement.

Entry requirements

Applicants should hold at least 2:2 degree
Participants on the in-house programme will normally be employed by the University of Central Lancashire or in an associated Higher Education Institution or college of Further Education
Applicants will have demonstrated ability to cope with Master’s level study either through Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning or previous qualifications
Access to the programme will be open to new participants with previous appropriate Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificates from other institutions but degree and extent of Accreditation of Prior Learning or credits will be agreed on an individual case by case basis
A detailed admissions procedure will be forwarded on application
Good command of written and spoken English this must be at a minimum entry requirement of GCSE grade C/4
Links with an educational institution for practitioner research and work based learning
Applicants without a postgraduate certificate should have recommendation from line manager and either a first degree with related work experience or successful experience of level 3 final year study in last 5 years including related work experience
Non-standard applicants are welcome to apply with an extended CV and interview, and will be expected to undertake an entry assessment, which may be under exam level conditions to demonstrate suitability to study at Masters level

Not got the grades?

Our courses with a foundation year could be exactly what you're looking for. They provide an alternative route to study for this degree.

Find out more about our courses with a foundation year.

Fees and funding

2025/26

Part-time£1,050 per 20 credits

Scholarships and bursaries

We have a wide range of bursaries, scholarships and funds available to help support you whilst studying with us.

Select your country to see eligibility information and how to apply by selecting more info on the cards below.

Select your country/region

Dependants Bursary
Students with financially dependent children may be eligible for our Dependants Bursary as part of our financial support package. 
Find out more about Dependants Bursary
Carers Bursary
If you need extra support because you have unpaid caring responsibilities alongside your studies.
Find out more about Carers Bursary
Sports scholarships
We offer student athletes support and opportunities for their playing careers whilst they study a high-quality degree.
Find out more about Sports scholarships
Alumni Loyalty Discount
UK students with a previous award from us will receive 20% tuition fee discount.
Find out more about Alumni Loyalty Discount

Our assessment methods are inclusive. We use a combination of written assignments, presentations and academic posters. We also use professional writing, dialogue, critical reviews, and working with curriculum documents. You'll have the opportunity to be part of small action working groups to collaborate, share and disseminate good practice. All assessment is aligned to ensure you can fully meet the learning outcomes. You'll develop a range of transferable employability skills.

You'll receive detailed feedback which will shape and improve your professional writing and research abilities. The focus of this programme is to develop as a professional practitioner, drawing on both theory and application.

We welcome staff from primary, secondary and other educational settings. We also welcome those based in an alternative provision or the voluntary sector who are in a position to engage in practitioner research.

Our programme supports the development of professional learning communities within a range of educational settings. You’ll develop a critical understanding of the impact of strategy, policy and quality procedures on your practice at institutional and sector level.

We’re here to support reflective and reflexive activity. We help you to develop deep subject or pedagogic knowledge through research activity.

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This course is delivered by the School of Psychology and Humanities

For information on possible changes to course information, see our essential and important course information

You can find regulations and policies relating to student life at the University of Central Lancashire on our student contract page

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Professional Practice in Education

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What you'll do