Psychology of Education – (M.Ed.)

Contents

Career opportunities As the MEd confers GBR from the British Psychological Society, the main career pathway for graduates is professional training as a psychologist (e.g. Doctorate in Educational and Child Psychology), and we have a good conversion rate in this regard (e.g. 3 of the 12 students offered places on the aforementioned Doctorate at Manchester for 2006/7 had previously studied the MEd; a number of our students also secured places on the Doctorate at other institutions). However, many of our alumni also go on to work as assistant psychologists or related positions (e.g. child and adolescent mental health worker). Finally, a small number of students go on to study for a doctorate by research (PhD) in educational psychology (which in itself opens a career pathway to working as a researcher or lecturer in higher education).

Teaching and learning We take a varied approach throughout the course. In terms of teaching and learning, the course units are delivered through lectures, tutorials, group-work, practicals and simulations, case-based approaches, and enquiry-based learning. We encourage both individual and co-operative learning and research and hope to foster an ethos of life-long-learning. As most of our students are experienced teachers we appreciate the wealth of knowledge and practical experience you bring with you on the course. During research-based learning sessions we encourage you to use all sources of information, including each other. You will receive comprehensive training in the use of electronic databases, library resources, and statistics and qualitative analysis packages. Many other key skills will be developed during the course.

Progression and assessment The form of the assessment varies from unit to unit. Written assessment for a course unit usually totals 3,000 words (6,000 for double course units), and may be in the form of an essay, critical review, research report, research proposal, or group seminar. All assessments will be followed by both formative and summative feedback. The dissertation is the report of an empirical research project investigating some aspect of psychology as applied to education in its broadest sense. It is 12-20,000 words long.