Higher Education MA

This module will allow you to develop the study of higher education policy in a philosophical perspective. In doing so you will consider the importance of philosophical thought to contemporary higher education policy beyond and in greater depth than in previous modules. You'll have the opportunity to investigate higher education policy and its development in specific aspects of higher education – widening participation, social justice, assessment, finance and explore these within international higher education policy. You will investigate contemporary policy frameworks in higher education and develop a personal, justified stance in regard to one aspect of policy. You'll be able to critically assess this policy aspect and appreciate its philosophical roots in teaching and learning in higher education.

The aim of this module is to introduce students to theories that underpin learning and teaching in higher education. Students will be able to reflect on how to effectively facilitate learning in the context of modern higher education and within various subject disciplines. This will be done through the critical exploration, reflection on, and evaluation of a wide range of key contemporary learning theories, practices and methodologies that support the development of effective learning environments and enhance the student experience.

This module is designed to explore various psychological theories and practical applications relevant to enhancing the experience of higher education. Different psychological perspectives and research on thinking, learning (including collaborative learning), cognitive and learning styles, motivation, positive psychology, emotional intelligence, resilience and development of self-identity and self-efficacy, and the role of social support and connectedness will be critically appraised in relation to applicability and impact on student retention, engagement and achievement.

The aim of this module is to apply their knowledge of pedagogic theory developed to the study and practice of innovative curriculum and assessment design that will provide dynamic learning, assessment and feedback experiences that are appropriate to participants’ subject discipline. Students will be able to reflect on how to effectively facilitate learning in the context of modern higher education and within various subject disciplines. This will be done through a practice-based project where participants will be able to explore the unique concerns and drivers of their practice within the context of their subject discipline and wider higher education.

This module aims to identify the major sources of risk involved in international economic and financial activity; develop the tools and techniques necessary to manage these risks and enable a critical appreciation of the interaction between corporate decision-making and capital market behaviour.

This module provides participants with a sound grounding in the theory and practice of investment management. Specific aims include: strategies of portfolio construction, generating investment ideas, estimating investment risk returns and the use of derivative instruments.

This module provides participants with a sound grounding in portfolio theory and equity analysis. Students are exposed to the key concepts and tools involved and further asked to apply those tools to analyse real life financial assets.

This module aims to provide an understanding of how the organisation of students’ unions reflects the concerns of students in terms of their voice, motivations, support and well-being in the contemporary context of the Office for Students.

It will provide the platform from which to investigate the impact of students’ unions at the three levels: with the students, the university, and higher education sector and contribute to the resolution of issues facing students’ unions. You will also discuss organisational change in students’ unions, make international comparisons and consider their contribution to developments in higher education.

The module is jointly designed and delivered with Students’ Unions practitioners based at MDXSU.

This module will provide a critical overview of research methods and approaches used for researching various aspects of modern higher education. You will be able to evaluate the strengths and limitations of various methodologies in a range of higher education contexts.

This module explores ways of integrating various learning technologies into the curriculum in order to promote student engagement and enhance the learning experience. Throughout the module a collaborative learning environment will be created in order to allow students to successfully design the implementation and evaluation of a technology enhanced learning solution/ project within their own professional context.

This module aims to identify key themes relating to language and literacy in English-dominant and EMI (English Medium of Instruction) universities which impact on both staff and students, including multilingualism, widening participation and global English, and will be relevant for staff with a particular interest in, or responsibility for, language and literacy. The module will critically assess relevant current research in these areas, and will enable students to appraise a range of approaches by different stakeholders within Higher Education to addressing the challenges relating to these. Students will work in groups on structured discussion tasks which will enable them to explore current research and apply this to challenges in their own setting. The module will enable students to make informed decisions relating to their own context which enhance the literacy and communication needs of both staff and students, and to apply their learning to the design and implementation of relevant policies, and appropriate curriculum design and pedagogic interventions.

This module aims to identify critical issues that drive higher education policy and practice. You will develop an understanding of contemporary higher education practice and critical evaluate specific aspects, as well as how societal and economic factors shape the core issues facing higher education.

This module is designed to critically investigate and broadly explore issues relating to the concept of globalisation and internationalisation. It will provide you with opportunities to consider the impact of developments that are changing the perspectives and realities of globalisation in higher education.

This module offers advanced level study of topics in Peer and Team coaching. It offers students a blend of academic study, practical experience, and personal development in addition to an introduction to the language, purpose and process of peer and team coaching. The module is designed to measure a variety of learning outcomes and to facilitate students’ development of critical thinking, reflective learning and specialized listening and communication skills in support of personal, professional and collective development of HE Tutor learning, on the MA in Higher Education (or as a form of CPD).

This module is designed to provide a critical overview of the advanced methods and approaches used for research into topics areas related to education. You will be equipped to apply this advanced knowledge in the planning of a research proposal.

The dissertation is a compulsory model for those seeking to achieve the MA Higher education. It aims to enable you to display your ability to plan and conduct an ethical research project displaying mastery of complex and specialised area in reference to your own field of criticism and enquiry.

The flexible learning, teaching and assessment approaches used throughout your programme will encourage you to be actively involved in your learning and to a part of our learning community. The programme is offered in part-time and full-time mode, the mode of delivery will be as Distance only for 2023-2024. Teaching on the programme will be throughout the academic/calendar year to enable you to easily plan your studies around work and personal commitments.

The tuition will include taught live sessions, interactive group workshops, independent study, as well as taking part in online reflective learning blogs and discussion forums on our virtual learning portal. Engagement is key, so that the content from your studies can be incorporated into a final dissertation on a topic of your choosing. You will be directed to reading about research and scholarship to develop your knowledge about higher education that is relevant to your own professional context.

Tutors will feedback on your learning throughout the timetabled modules and there will be opportunities to reflect upon and learn about your performance and how it can be improved. Summative assessment is designed to measure the extent to which you have achieved the intended learning outcomes of each module. We have a strong support services network available to help you to develop all the necessary academic skills you need to do well on your course.

You have a strong support network available to you to make sure you develop all the necessary academic skills you need to do well on your course.

Our support services will be delivered online and on campus and you have access to a range of different resources so you can get the help you need, whether you’re studying at home or have the opportunity to come to campus.

You have access to one to one and group sessions for personal learning and academic support from our library and IT teams, and our network of learning experts. Our teams will also be here to offer financial advice, and personal wellbeing, mental health and disability support.

The approach to learning and teaching is designed so that learning outcomes are clearly linked to the assessment criteria. Assessment includes coursework such as written assignments, reviews and critiques of literature, reflective essays, presentations, portfolios of evidence, reporting of peer observations, proposals and a final dissertation.