12 monthsProgramme duration
33,300 GBPTuition Fee/year
25 Jun, 2027Application Deadline
SepStarting Month
Programme overview
Main Subject
Education and Training
Degree
MA
Study Level
Master's
Study Mode
On Campus
Higher education plays a critical role in economic development, innovation, and social mobility. On this course, you will examine the range of challenges in higher education (HE), such as declining public spending, demographic shifts, rapid technological advancements and stagnant economies.
Here at the UCL Institute of Education (IOE), ranked number one in the world for education (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026), we’re offering the opportunity to develop rigorous social research skills and deep expertise in the multidisciplinary field of higher education studies.
Drawing together perspectives from sociology, history, politics, economics, technology and more, this Master’s offers a valuable chance to work alongside the internationally-recognised researchers and teachers.
Through a dynamic, research-informed curriculum, you’ll gain exposure to recent and applied research, and first-hand insights from ongoing projects that are informing policy around issues such as international student markets and socio-economic inequalities of access to HE.
As part of a diverse international cohort of graduates and professionals, you’ll compare educational systems and contexts from across the world to explore the biggest questions in contemporary higher education.
You’ll investigate the connections and tensions between teaching and research activity, the impact of technology on the ways staff and students work and learn, and the ethical, political and economic implications of public and private student funding models.
The course offers opportunities for specialisation through your dissertation or report; an in-depth critical exploration of a field of study in higher education on a topic of direct interest to you. Potential options also offer specialisation either by geographic region, with modules dedicated to African, Asian or European education, or by field, with modules in international development.
Here at the UCL Institute of Education (IOE), ranked number one in the world for education (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026), we’re offering the opportunity to develop rigorous social research skills and deep expertise in the multidisciplinary field of higher education studies.
Drawing together perspectives from sociology, history, politics, economics, technology and more, this Master’s offers a valuable chance to work alongside the internationally-recognised researchers and teachers.
Through a dynamic, research-informed curriculum, you’ll gain exposure to recent and applied research, and first-hand insights from ongoing projects that are informing policy around issues such as international student markets and socio-economic inequalities of access to HE.
As part of a diverse international cohort of graduates and professionals, you’ll compare educational systems and contexts from across the world to explore the biggest questions in contemporary higher education.
You’ll investigate the connections and tensions between teaching and research activity, the impact of technology on the ways staff and students work and learn, and the ethical, political and economic implications of public and private student funding models.
The course offers opportunities for specialisation through your dissertation or report; an in-depth critical exploration of a field of study in higher education on a topic of direct interest to you. Potential options also offer specialisation either by geographic region, with modules dedicated to African, Asian or European education, or by field, with modules in international development.
Programme overview
Main Subject
Education and Training
Degree
MA
Study Level
Master's
Study Mode
On Campus
Higher education plays a critical role in economic development, innovation, and social mobility. On this course, you will examine the range of challenges in higher education (HE), such as declining public spending, demographic shifts, rapid technological advancements and stagnant economies.
Here at the UCL Institute of Education (IOE), ranked number one in the world for education (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026), we’re offering the opportunity to develop rigorous social research skills and deep expertise in the multidisciplinary field of higher education studies.
Drawing together perspectives from sociology, history, politics, economics, technology and more, this Master’s offers a valuable chance to work alongside the internationally-recognised researchers and teachers.
Through a dynamic, research-informed curriculum, you’ll gain exposure to recent and applied research, and first-hand insights from ongoing projects that are informing policy around issues such as international student markets and socio-economic inequalities of access to HE.
As part of a diverse international cohort of graduates and professionals, you’ll compare educational systems and contexts from across the world to explore the biggest questions in contemporary higher education.
You’ll investigate the connections and tensions between teaching and research activity, the impact of technology on the ways staff and students work and learn, and the ethical, political and economic implications of public and private student funding models.
The course offers opportunities for specialisation through your dissertation or report; an in-depth critical exploration of a field of study in higher education on a topic of direct interest to you. Potential options also offer specialisation either by geographic region, with modules dedicated to African, Asian or European education, or by field, with modules in international development.
Here at the UCL Institute of Education (IOE), ranked number one in the world for education (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026), we’re offering the opportunity to develop rigorous social research skills and deep expertise in the multidisciplinary field of higher education studies.
Drawing together perspectives from sociology, history, politics, economics, technology and more, this Master’s offers a valuable chance to work alongside the internationally-recognised researchers and teachers.
Through a dynamic, research-informed curriculum, you’ll gain exposure to recent and applied research, and first-hand insights from ongoing projects that are informing policy around issues such as international student markets and socio-economic inequalities of access to HE.
As part of a diverse international cohort of graduates and professionals, you’ll compare educational systems and contexts from across the world to explore the biggest questions in contemporary higher education.
You’ll investigate the connections and tensions between teaching and research activity, the impact of technology on the ways staff and students work and learn, and the ethical, political and economic implications of public and private student funding models.
The course offers opportunities for specialisation through your dissertation or report; an in-depth critical exploration of a field of study in higher education on a topic of direct interest to you. Potential options also offer specialisation either by geographic region, with modules dedicated to African, Asian or European education, or by field, with modules in international development.
Admission Requirements
76+
7+
180+
4.5+
A minimum of a relevant second-class Bachelor’s degree from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard and relevant personal or professional experience of Higher Education.
25 Jun 2027
1 Year
Sep
Tuition fees
Domestic
14,200 GBP
International
33,300 GBP
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