MSc Education (Higher Education)

The MSc Education (Higher Education) at Oxford University provides a broad introduction into the complex field of theories and practice in higher education globally.

The increasing significance of university rankings and the growing range of international student exchange schemes, as well as public discussion of tuition fees and the ‘vocationalization’ of degree programmes, are just some of the current issues within higher education in many countries.

The Masters provides students with the possibility to engage not only with the issues outlined, but also with a wide range of stimulating topics surrounding universities and colleges.

It is aimed at future leaders in the field – academics, managers, policy-makers and researchers. The course provides a strong foundation for

  • teaching and learning in a wide variety of higher educational contexts
  • developing higher education curricula and learning programmes to meet a range of local and international needs
  • using research to analyse and evaluate current structures and future reforms of higher education in different international contexts
  • conducting doctoral, post-doctoral and professional research

The Department of Education offers a challenging but supportive atmosphere for conducting graduate studies. The course is run by the Department of Education in collaboration with the Oxford Learning Institute.

The MSc Education (HE) student group (October 2011)

Studying for the MSc Education (Higher Education)

Course sessions consist of a combination of seminars, lectures and collaborative course projects. These sessions take place three mornings a week. In addition:

  • you will have the opportunity to work together with your course colleagues on selected higher education topics and problems
  • you will reflect on your own higher education experience, and on the University of Oxford as your new educational context
  • you will be able to select the focus for your MSc dissertation from a range of relevant international higher education contexts
  • you will meet with your supervisor on a regular basis to discuss your progress and the design of your own research study
  • you will work collaboratively on a course project which is related to your dissertation project, supported by a topic expert from the Department of Education or other relevant institutions in Oxford
  • you will spend extended time in your chosen research setting during the third term in order to carry out fieldwork for your dissertation
  • you will be assessed through a combination of examinations, dissertation and course-work.

Examples of recent dissertations

  • David Paul Hawkins Higher education, participation and personhood: an analysis of the widening participation agenda
  • Shannon Gilkey Insights on moral education: students’ perspectives
  • Jennifer Allen The impact of funding cuts on English higher education: a case study of Oxford University
  • Florian Friedrich International university rankings and the Austrian higher education sector
  • Mona Jebril Reflections on higher education in Palestine: barriers to academic and intellectual dialogue in the Palestinian-Israeli context

Who should apply?

The full-time Masters is aimed at students and professionals with an interest in higher education at all levels and areas:

  • higher education tutors and lecturers
  • researchers
  • administrators and managers
  • policy and decision makers

The course will help you to develop your knowledge, expertise and research skills in the following aspects of higher education:

  • pedagogical issues
  • institutional and administrative structures
  • international and comparative questions
  • educational research strategies and methods
  • philosophical and historical underpinnings of research and teaching
  • learning environment and professional development

We accept students from a wide range of disciplines and educational backgrounds – a previous degree in education in beneficial but not necessary for successfully participating and completing the MSc in Higher Education. However, a keen interest in the debate on higher education nationally and internationally and an openness to engage with new and challenging ideas is necessary. Click here for the current Programme Specifications for this course. You are welcome to ask for further guidance from the Course Director, Dr Hubert Ertl or the Higher Degrees Office.

Join the online Open Forum on 23 May to find out more. Further details here.