Postgraduate courses

A postgraduate degree will help you with the next step on your career path, whether you are looking to develop your skills as a researcher in the work place or continue your professional development.

PG Students on balcony of Students Union
On

Full-time courses

Our full-time, one-year masters courses offer you the chance to study education more broadly, at a theoretical, philosophical, psychological and sociological level.

Education MA

Postgraduate taught
  • September 2025 start
  • 1 year Full-time

With our flexible course you can study a broad range of educational and pedagogical concepts, gain an understanding of recent trends and debates within educational research, explore changing conceptions of education and schooling, and consider the implications for education of disciplines such as history, language, psychology and philosophy.

Education: Early Childhood MA

Postgraduate taught
  • September 2025 start
  • 1 year Full-time

Our MA will encourage you to reflect on your experiences of early childhood education. You’ll explore a broad range of issues and debates on learning, pedagogy and curriculum in early childhood education.

Education: Language and Education MA

Postgraduate taught
  • September 2025 start
  • 1 year Full-time

On this MA, you'll focus critically and constructively on language acquisition and learning, on the place of language in society and on the impacts that language can have on educational provision. You'll explore key theories and debates in language acquisition and teaching and learning, in how and why languages are used in society and in the relationship between linguistic structures and social categories.

Psychology and Education MA

Postgraduate taught
  • September 2025 start
  • 1 year Full-time

With a focus on psychological theory, this MA will encourage you to examine the challenges facing education in the 21st century.

Psychology and Education (Conversion) MSc

Postgraduate taught
  • September 2025 start
  • 1 year Full-time
  • Accredited

Our MSc offers an innovative, critical and interdisciplinary approach to the study of psychology and its application in an educational context.

Social Research MA

Postgraduate taught
  • September 2025 start
  • 1 year 2 years Full-time Part-time

On this course you'll become well-versed in the theoretical concepts in social research. Choose from a wide range of modules that reflect your interests, and apply your qualitative and quantitative skills to your field of research. At the Sheffield Methods Institute, our graduates go on to PhD research or careers that demand world-class research skills.

Part-time courses

Our part-time masters and distance learning programmes offer a more flexible approach to study.

You still benefit from the support and encouragement of world-class academics and researchers, but you are able to study while still maintaining your other commitments.

Applied Professional Studies in Education MA

Postgraduate taught
  • September 2025 start
  • 2 years Part-time Distance learning

Drawing on your own experiences as a professional educator, you will gain a deep understanding of applied educational research methods and acquire the skills to be a critical researcher. Guided by expert staff, you'll also choose your own independent research project.

Social Research MA

Postgraduate taught
  • September 2025 start
  • 1 year 2 years Full-time Part-time

On this course you'll become well-versed in the theoretical concepts in social research. Choose from a wide range of modules that reflect your interests, and apply your qualitative and quantitative skills to your field of research. At the Sheffield Methods Institute, our graduates go on to PhD research or careers that demand world-class research skills.

Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE)

Learn everything the qualified teacher needs to know about planning, teaching, learning, assessing, policies and processes.

Postgraduate Certificate in Education PGCE

Postgraduate taught
  • September 2025 start
  • 43 weeks in total (including 6 weeks of school holidays) Full-time

Learn everything the qualified teacher needs to know about planning, teaching, learning, assessing, policies and processes. Our PGCE includes masters credits, which you could put towards study for an MA Applied Professional Studies in Education.

  • Funding available

Related information

Mature Student Taster Event

Are you 21 or over and interested in one of our degrees with a foundation year?

Join us on 28 January 2025 (10 am to 1.30 pm) to find out about returning to education as a mature student.

Register for the taster event
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International postgraduate taught scholarships

We offer a generous package of financial support for international postgraduate taught students, including scholarships worth £10,000 towards the original tuition fee.

Applications are open for existing offer holders for a postgraduate taught programme starting in September 2025.

International Postgraduate Taught Merit Scholarship 2025