Psychology and Education MA
School of Education,
Faculty of Social Sciences
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Start date
September 2025 -
Duration
1 year -
Attendance
Full-time
Explore this course:
Apply now for 2025 entry or register your interest to find out about postgraduate study and events at the University of Sheffield.
Course description
On this course you'll delve into the challenges facing education in the 21st century - with education understood in the broadest possible sense.
We emphasise the application of traditional and critical psychological theories and research to educational policy and practice within diverse global contexts across the life course.
Whether you are new to psychology or have studied it previously, this course will allow you to master the knowledge and skills to develop as a future leader and agent for change in education and psychological policy, practice or research.
Why choose this course?
- Interdisciplinary approach: merge insights from psychology and education to address contemporary educational challenges, in educational institutions, the family, community and society.
- Research excellence: engage with world-class research that informs teaching and contributes to advancements in both fields.
- Teaching faculty: you will be taught and supported by a wide range of academic experts who conduct innovative, intersectional research projects that lead to real-world impacts.
- Global perspective: our modules explore critical, diverse and inclusive practice that will prepare you for international and national environments.
- Networking opportunities: we have a large national and international cohort of postgraduate taught (PGT) and postgraduate research (PGR) students. We hold seminars and workshops across borders that will allow you to network with peers and colleagues across the globe.
This course does not qualify you as a teacher in the UK or give you British Psychological Association graduate accreditation.
Modules
There are four compulsory modules, two which are studied in the autumn semester and two studied in the spring semester. From April to August you will carry out your independent study.
- Critical perspectives on education and social justice in a changing world
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This foundational module provides a critical exploration of key issues in education studies, equipping students with the knowledge and analytical skills necessary to navigate a rapidly evolving world. Drawing upon cutting-edge research in the School of Education, we examine historical, contemporary, and emerging approaches to education. Students will develop a deep and critical understanding of pressing challenges, opportunities and social justice in education, fostering a capacity for innovative and equitable educational practices
30 credits - Developmental Psychology
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This module examines the core concepts of Developmental Psychology, including cognition (intelligence, language, learning) and emotional development, behaviour and well-being, social development (including family and attachment, peer relations and trauma) as well as the study of individual differences (with reference to developmental differences such as autism, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and mental health conditions). The increasing digitisation of learning and online media is explored across a range of educational contexts and childcare professions. The ways in which psychological research and theory has affected a range of governmental policies, services and professional practices and wider societal attitudes to young people will be considered within transnational contexts.
30 credits - Critical Psychology and Education
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This module introduces different approaches to conceptualising learners and learning which fall within the broad field of critical psychology. The module begins with an introduction to the development of mainstream psychology in Europe and America, and an exploration of the subsequent development of alternative and critical psychological perspectives. Within the broader critical psychology landscape are a number of different threads (such as discursive psychology, indigenous psychology and feminist psychology). This module will examine the key principles of these various critical psychological perspectives with particular attention to their concepts of learning, learners, and learning communities. It will offer a challenge to some of the dominant ideas around learning which have emerged from mainstream fields of psychology since the 19th Century.
30 credits - Interdisciplinary approaches to knowledge and educational research
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This module explores how diverse perspectives from across disciplines - including psychology, sociology, and philosophy - shape our understanding of learning, knowledge, and educational research. Through critical engagement with key debates and controversies in the field, you will gain a nuanced appreciation for the complexities of educational research. The module culminates in the development of your own research proposal, equipping you with the critical thinking and research skills necessary to address complex educational challenges and contribute to meaningful change in an increasingly interconnected world.
30 credits - Research Project
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The dissertation is a major part of the MA in Education and associated programmes. The dissertation topic can develop a theme raised during the taught part of the course, or an issue which relates to the specialised research areas covered by the students' own interests. The Course Team provides guidance on the choice of a suitable topic for investigation and advice and support throughout the study period (December to August). A wide variety of study is possible, including empirical studies, theoretical reviews, historical or philosophical investigations. The dissertation is 12,000-15,000 words in length. Each student is allocated a supervisor - a specialist in the research area. Students and supervisors work together over the four months of the dissertation period before submission of the thesis.
60 credits
The content of our courses is reviewed annually to make sure it's up-to-date and relevant. Individual modules are occasionally updated or withdrawn. This is in response to discoveries through our world-leading research; funding changes; professional accreditation requirements; student or employer feedback; outcomes of reviews; and variations in staff or student numbers. In the event of any change we will inform students and take reasonable steps to minimise disruption.
Open days
Interested in postgraduate taught study? Register your interest in studying at Sheffield or attend an event throughout the year to find out what makes studying at here special.
Duration
1 year full-time
Teaching
Each module runs for one semester - you take two modules at a time.
Teaching is delivered through 11 lectures and 11 seminars per module, alongside one-to-one supervision meetings with staff to support individual learning and research development:
- Lectures from leading academics in the field of psychology, disability studies, and education.
- Seminar activities to facilitate critical reflection and discussion.
- Multimedia and online resources to support independent study.
- Individual tutorials to guide and support you in identifying and addressing your personal, academic and professional development priorities.
- Academic tutoring to support your learning needs and future employability.
Assessment
- Group work
- Essays
- Project reports
- Portfolios
- Oral presentation
- Independent research project
Your career
Graduates develop specialist expertise in how psychological theories and research applies to educational settings and in the world beyond these institutions.
The course equips you with highly transferable skills in critical thinking, research, communication and problem-solving, preparing you for a diverse range of career pathways in education, psychology and beyond.
Many of our students come from teaching and educational support roles and use this degree to enhance their professional practice or progress into new opportunities, such as:
- Classroom teaching and special educational needs (SEN) support – teachers and teaching assistants develop deeper psychological insight into how children learn, helping them create more inclusive and effective learning environments.
- Educational leadership and curriculum development – graduates move into school leadership, curriculum design or pastoral roles, using psychology to inform school policies and student support.
- Higher education and further education teaching – those with a background in education may go on to teaching or research roles within colleges and universities.
Graduates interested in psychology focused careers can pursue roles that support young people’s mental health and wellbeing, including:
- Child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) – some graduates take on roles within mental health teams, schools or youth services, working alongside psychologists, social workers and therapists to support children’s wellbeing.
- School counselling and wellbeing coordination – this MA provides a foundation for roles supporting young people’s mental health within schools and community organisations.
Many graduates move into roles where they shape educational policies, develop interventions or work in social justice initiatives:
- Education policy and government advisory roles – graduates contribute to policy research and development, ensuring that educational practices are informed by psychological evidence.
- Non-profit and NGO work – some take roles in charities or international organisations focused on education, mental health and child development.
- Academic research and PhD pathways – those interested in research careers can progress to PhD study, working on issues such as SEN intervention or digital literacies.
Graduates who apply psychological insights beyond education may move into:
- Corporate training and learning and development – applying educational psychology principles to staff training, coaching, and professional development in organisations.
- User experience (UX) and educational technology (EdTech) – contributing to the design of digital learning platforms and education-related AI tools.
School
School of Education
We're proud to welcome a vibrant and diverse community, with students based locally, nationally and internationally. Our research has a direct impact on educational theory, policy and practice; we're supporting the development of children, families, schools and learning communities.
We use a variety of teaching methods to give you the opportunity to engage with your tutors and peers.
Our team of tutors at the School of Education comprises of experts in early childhood education, secondary education, policy and practice, psychological theory of education, and languages and education. Many of our academic staff are internationally recognised in their specialist areas.
Student profiles
I will always remember the people I have met on the course, the stories and experiences I have heard from them I will never forget
Brittany Milnes
MA Psychology and Education Student
Entry requirements
Minimum 2:1 undergraduate honours degree in a relevant subject.
Subject requirements
We accept degrees in the following subject areas:
- Applied Social Sciences
- Artificial Intelligence and Computer Science
- Biblical Studies
- Business Studies
- Criminology
- Digital Media and Society
- Economics
- Education
- English
- Geography
- Health and Human Sciences
- History
- International Relations
- Journalism
- Languages
- Law
- Management
- Medicine
- Music
- Philosophy
- Politics
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Social Work
We may also consider other Arts and Humanities or Social Science subjects.
We will not accept degrees in the following subject areas:
- Finance
English language requirements
IELTS 6.5 (with 6 in each component) or University equivalent
If you have any questions about entry requirements, please contact the school/department.
Fees and funding
Alumni discount
Save up to £2,500 on your course fees
Are you a Sheffield graduate? You could save up to £2,500 on your postgraduate taught course fees, subject to eligibility.
How to apply
You can apply now using our Postgraduate Online Application Form. It's a quick and easy process.
You'll need to include a personal statement with your application.
Contact
Any supervisors and research areas listed are indicative and may change before the start of the course.
Recognition of professional qualifications: from 1 January 2021, in order to have any UK professional qualifications recognised for work in an EU country across a number of regulated and other professions you need to apply to the host country for recognition. Read information from the UK government and the EU Regulated Professions Database.