Education (Child Development and Education) MSc

University of Oxford

The MSc Education (Child Development and Education) aims to promote a critical understanding of theories and research on child development and their relevance to the design and evaluation of educational programmes and policies in diverse contexts. It also aims to promote a critical understanding of the current challenges for a global and inclusive science of child development.

This is a full-time, one year master’s course. You will participate in lectures, seminars, and workshops. You will also complete either field work or conduct secondary data analysis for your master's dissertation. You will choose a topic for your master's project in discussions with your supervisor. Together, the course will provide opportunities for you to deepen your understanding of child development theories and their relevance to decisions about children’s education and well-being.

The course is structured with two papers that focus on the disciplinary underpinnings to child development and education (Foundation Learning and Wellbeing and Cognitive Development and Educational Attainment). Two further papers in the first term aim to develop students’ research skills (Foundations of Educational Research 1: Concepts and Design and Introduction to Quantitative Research). In the second term, students take a required module (Cognitive Development and Educational Attainment) and select two other options from a selection of disciplinary-focused modules that will be confirmed at the beginning of the course (some examples include Core Principles of Child Assessment, The Implementation of the Rights of Children, Critical Digital Innovation, Education, the Internet & Society, Global Higher Education, Perspectives and Debates in Qualitative Research, Intermediate Quantitative Research, Researching with the South: Decolonizing communication practices in education research). Some students may choose to audit additional electives, but these are not formally assessed. In addition, you will complete either field work or conduct secondary data analysis for your master's dissertation. You will choose your master’s project in discussions with your supervisor.

Throughout the course, you will participate in lectures, seminars, and workshops. Teaching involves a combination of tutor and student input, including group activities and students’ presentations. You will benefit from the expertise available through the Quantitative Methods Hub and the Qualitative Methods Hub at the Department of Education. You will also benefit from access to seminars across the wider university.

You are encouraged to explore the department’s website and find out about the research carried out by the course team and the Children Development and Learning research group.