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Educational Sciences – (M.A.)
Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB)
Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences
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- Student Experiences from Belgium - STeXX.eu
| Application Deadline: | EEA: 1 June, non-EEA: 1 March | ||
| Annual Tuition Fee: | ≈ € 578 ≈ € 1,666 (non-EEA) | ||
| Location: | Brussels / Belgium / View location on map ▾ Hide location on map ▴ | ||
| Duration: | 24 months | Start Date: | September |
| Educational Form: |
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| Education Variants: |
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| Credits (ECTS): | 120 | ||
| Languages: | English | ||
Location of Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB)
The two-year Master in Educational Sciences aims to prepare students for academic and professional interventions in the field of educational innovation. It prepares students for research into the nature, development and features of educational actors, institutions, related policies, and processes in educational development and educational practices.
The programme consists of two years and includes an internship and master thesis during the second year. It comprises one set of compulsory courses and one set of optional courses. The optional courses allow students to focus on specific aspects of educational practice and research and further deepen their knowledge.
Theoretical knowledge and research skills
Next to theoretical knowledge, students will acquire research skills to conduct theoretical and empirical research. They will be able to connect the educational practices with the practice of research. The students will be involved in authentic research tasks or projects to learn how to apply theoretical frameworks and research methodologies.
This programme aims to train students in applying relevant research software, conducting educational surveys and other research methodologies through this programme.
Something for you?
- Do you have a strong interest in models and techniques to design effective learning environments?
- Do you want to broaden your insight into the management of educational institutions?
- Do you pursue leading or advising roles in educational offices from the government, NGO, company, institutions for higher education ...?
- Do you want to study in an international environment?
- Are you excited to use online facilities to support your learning process?
- Are you attracted by the advantages of a blended learning approach?
- Are you working in education and do you want to broaden and deepen your knowledge?
Then this international programme of Educational Sciences is definitely something for you!
Professional perspectives
After completion of this programme, graduates have many options. They can be qualified for research positions in fundamental or applied research in Educational Sciences and related areas. They can work in different teacher education centers, centers for training and professional perfection, educational organizations, centers for educational media (multimedia and `edutainment´), and educational advising... Furthermore, they can also be employed at study services and specific training projects of private and semi - government institutions, institutions for higher education, governmental ministries and cabinets ...
Target group
Because of the specific characteristics and advantages of a blended learning approach, both international students and/or students with a job are addressed. Other students with a special interest in this International Master Programme are of course allowed to apply as well.
Contents
The educational strategy used in this programme is a blended learning approach. It encompasses a combination of online learning and face to face lessons. The flexibility (in time and place) of online learning is joined with the often needed face to face support and real life contacts with students, teachers and researchers. The programme appeals to innovative methods and interactive technologies to support student learning, such as using discussion forums, blogs and wikis to support online collaborative learning and peer interaction. In addition, teaching and learning strategies such as case-based learning supported by online tools will be applied in this International Master Programme.
The programme includes an internship and master thesis during the second year. It comprises one set of compulsory courses and one set of optional courses. The optional courses allow students to focus on specific aspects of educational practice and research and further deepen their knowledge.
First year of the Master: relationship between theory and practice
In the first Master year, students discover the different theories and their significance for the educational practice. The relationship between theory and practice will constantly act as the central focus. Students will scrutinize the different theories and methods critically and they will create their own opinions. They will be guided gradually and therefore they’ll receive a broad orientation on the educational sciences.
Focus on curriculum design and educational innovation
Next to this more general knowledge, we will focus on curriculum design and educational innovation. This includes learning competences on designing learning processes in formal education, educational work, company’s training programmes… To further complement these competences, students can choose courses that will enable them to technically support learning processes (educational technology, e-environments) and/or courses that offer them deeper insight into the management approaches to facilitate innovation in curricula.
Second year of the Master : focus on research activities
In the second year of the master programme, students will be introduced to numerous research activities of different educational fields: information- and communication technology in education, ICT support for learning processes … Naturally within this last year, students will turn into real professionals. This means that they are very familiar with theory, but moreover they will be able to manage practical issues as well. Therefore, the study programme consists of case studies in which theory and practice go together well, and in which internship (=practice) and a master thesis (= theory and research) are included. Students can perform their internship & master thesis in the European context or in their home country.
Pedagogical Internship introduce you to reality of educational field
The pedagogical internship aims to introduce students to the reality of the pedagogical and educational field. Students learn to cope with educational methods, insights and concepts in real practice. Of course they receive the guidance needed to complete this challenge. As the internship evolves, the student receives more responsibilities and builds more independency by performing the job as an educational expert. Core competencies that were achieved through the programme are further developed, practiced and examined in relation to the educational practice.
You are normally required to take an English Proficiency Test if you come from a non-English speaking country.
Most European Universities recognise the IELTS test.
More informationRequirements
Direct admission
Direct access is granted for students with a Belgian Bachelor´s degree in
- educational sciences.
- pedagogical sciences
- psychology
- adult education sciences
Application based admission
Students holding a Bachelor´s degree in other related social sciences can apply as well. An Admission Board will evaluate the applications on an individual basis. Since the programme is at a Master´s level, you must possess a Bachelor´s degree. The degrees must have been achieved in an officially recognized institution. Candidates without direct access to the master programme of educational sciences, but who are meeting all the other requirements and showing great potential may, at the discretion of the Board, be granted an admission or a conditional admission. Candidates with a conditional admission must follow an additional programme to provide the missing credits. The courses for this programme will be determined by the Admissions Board and must be successfully completed during the first master year as a prerequisite for being considered in the end-of-year deliberation. Students will not graduate or receive credits for the master curriculum until they have passed all of the courses in this additional programme.
Language Requirements
Proficiency in English is essential since the courses will be taught in English and (online) cooperation with other international students will be a considerable part of the courses. The Language Requirements of the Master of Educational Sciences are the following:
To study in English at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, students coming from outside the European Economic Area must demonstrate a good command of the English language.
This can be done by:
- Presenting proof of having studied in English
- Presenting an English-test result:
o Test of English as a Foreign language (TOEFL): minimum result if paper-based: 550, if computer-based test: 213, if internet-based test: 80
o Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC): minimum result 860
o International English Language Testing System, academic module (IELTS-academic): minimum Band 6.5.
o Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE): minimum Grade C
o Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE): minimum Grade B
Chinese students
For Chinese students an APS - certificate is required to study and stay (visa) in Belgium. The students have to contact the German Embassy in China. For more information, check the APS website. Chinese students who attained their diploma outside China, must provide a certificate of authenticity of their diploma distributed by the embassy of the country the diploma was achieved.
Additional Requirements
| Minimal degree required: | Bachelor's degree |
| Minimal amount of work experience | Not specified |
Language Proficiency
| IELTS Band: | 6.5 |
| TOEFL Paper-based: | 550 |
| TOEFL Computer-based: | 213 |
| TOEFL Internet-based: | 80 |
Accreditation
All degree programs are accredited by NVAO.
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