MRes Education

Attendance

Full-time, Part-time

Full-time – one year
Part-time – typically three years
Depending on your route and start date (September or February), you attend evenings and/or day study blocks. Please contact us for more details.

At a glance

About this course

During this course we introduce you to social science research methods, the supporting theories and philosophies, and related policy and practice issues in education. You can also develop areas of specialist interests.

It is suitable if you
• are working in or planning to work in education policy and practice
• carry out research in these and related subject areas

You study various research methodologies including • biographical research • case study • ethnography • interview • experimental design • policy analysis • survey design and analysis.

The MRes includes a research-based dissertation, which may become a pilot study towards a PhD. The MRes modules provide research training for PhD students in education. For some modules, you meet and discuss research issues with other students on the MRes programme.

Your lecturers are experts involved in a wide range of research, including funded projects. These research areas include
• professional development
• workforce reform
• early years
• language and literacy
• leadership and management in education
• autism

Our Faculty of Development and Society Graduate School hosts this course and their website provides
• a communication hub for students and staff engaged in research
• information about our research work
• contact information

Postgraduate Diploma/Postgraduate Certificate/Short courses
You can take individual modules as short courses or combine them towards a PgDip/PgCert Research Methods in Education.

Associated careers

This course equips you with the skills to carry out independent research. To do this you need to consider the research problem and associated ethical issues then select a suitable approach. The skills and knowledge you gain are in great demand by many organisations.

Previous graduates have begun careers as a
• staff nurse for BMI General Healthcare at Thornbury Hospital, Sheffield
• higher executive officer in the Department for Education and Employment, Sheffield
• trainee probation officer in the National Probation Service, Nottingham
• researcher at Sheffield Hallam University

Others have moved directly into PhD research.

Course content

You need
• 60 credits for the postgraduate certificate
• 120 credits for the postgraduate diploma
• 180 credits for the MRes

You choose up to 120 credits from • qualitative methodologies and interviewing skills • qualitative research designs • discourse and linguistic theory and analysis • survey design • introduction to survey analysis • multivariate statistical analysis • educational policy, discourse and research • designs in educational research

You may choose to substitute 30 credits from another course in our MRes programme.

To gain the MRes you must present a 60-credit research-based dissertation in an area of your choice. This piece of work is supervised by our staff and gives you the opportunity to demonstrate the skills you have learned and your understanding of the research process and philosophies.

Assessment

Includes • essays • projects • presentations • other assignments

Entry requirements

Normally an honours degree or equivalent in a suitable subject.

If your first language is not English, you need to have achieved IELTS 6.5 overall score and 6.5 in writing skills with a minimum of 5.5 in all other skills or equivalent. If your English language skill is currently below IELTS 6.5 we recommend you consider a Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve an equivalent English score.

If you have suitable qualifications or experience you may be exempt from some modules.

Fees

Home and EU students

2013/14 academic year

Typically £5,355 for the course

International students

2013/14 academic year

Typically £10,980 for the course

2014/15 academic year

Typically £11,250 for the course

How to apply

Complete the application form available at www.shu.ac.uk/study/form

Contact details

Owen11and9@shu.ac.uk