Education

On this master's in education, you'll take a research-first approach to understand and apply educational research. You’ll critically examine the relationship between educational research and educational practice in a range of learning contexts.

Education at the University of Southampton is ranked 14th in the UK (The Complete University Guide, 2025). Our MSc Education programme supports students to pursue a senior role in education or enhance their current teaching practice:

• Carrying out world-leading research in higher education, social justice, and inclusive education, educational effectiveness, mathematics, science, and health education • Covering the full spectrum, from early years to post-compulsory and lifelong learning

You’ll have the opportunity to examine critically the nature of education, learning, teaching, and educational practice in the context of policy through different perspectives such as: global, national, regional, organisational, institutional, and through to the individual classroom.

This is a more generic programme but students can also choose between two dedicated pathways leading to the award of ‘MSc Education Management and Leadership’ or ‘MSc Education Practice and Innovation’ depending on module selection.

On our MSc Education you’ll learn to:

study and assess the relationship between learning theory and practice in educational and training settings

engage with current debates in educational research

explore topics around educational research methodology and develop methods and techniques of data collection, analysis, and interpretation

consider the nature and influence of evidence and its scope to support effective education

You’ll join a close-knit and diverse learning community, we offer an exceptional academic experience, with small-group teaching that allows you to explore topics in depth and plenty of support to ensure you achieve your potential. You’ll graduate with the skills to analyse the challenges facing education and manage your own learning, development and employment.