Frequently Asked Questions

There are only two options in the first year.  Is it possible to give the first year a subject specific slant?

All students are required to follow the core options which are then supported by work in small subject specific support groups.  Although the option is not specifically grounded in the subject area, the work that students carry out will be, and in those subjects where specialist expertise exists within the Department of Education* they will have a subject specific supervisor.

(* English, Maths, Science, Modern Foreign Languages, History, Geography, Religious Education, Business Studies/Economics)

How will my work on the course be supported?

You will be allocated a subject specific supervisor who will provide individual guidance and you will gain access to the University’s VLE (WebLearn) which we will require students will to use to discuss aspects of their work.  You will also have the opportunity to meet with other members of your subject specific support group throughout the year (see above).  In those subject areas where the Department cannot provide subject-specific support, small group support and individual supervision will still be offered, but the groups may be created by linking teachers of related subjects or by emphasising the stage of education taught (e.g. primary, sixth-form).

Is the course suitable for teachers at all levels of education? (primary, secondary, sixth form)

The main expertise of staff currently teaching on the MSc Learning and Teaching relates to teaching the 11-18 age range, and subject-specific supervisory support can only be guaranteed for secondary teachers of certain subjects (currently English, Mathematics, Science, History, Modern Languages, Religious Education, Geography and Business Studies/Economics).

The Department does, however, include strong research programmes related to pre-school and primary education and to education and training for the 14-19 age range, and we are able to draw on some of this expertise to inform the teaching and give students access to specialist guidance.  The current cohort therefore includes a small number of teachers in tertiary colleges as well as three primary teachers.

Teachers of all stages are therefore welcome to apply but need to be aware that most participants are likely to be secondary school teachers.  If there are sufficient primary teachers to create a primary-specific supervisory group, we may do so, but if this is not possible, then any students with a primary teaching background would need to nominate one specialist subject and work within that group.  (The three primary teachers currently enrolled, for example, work in a supervisory group with the secondary English teachers.)

How often will I need to come to the Department for meetings?

The core commitment is to the two intensive two-day residential courses in Oxford for each option.  These will run from late afternoon on Friday to the end of Saturday. Dates for 2010/11 are not yet available but they are likely to be similar to 2009/10 which are:

• Seminar 1: Friday 6 and Saturday 7 November
• Seminar 2: Friday 15 and Saturday 16 January
• Seminar 3: Friday 26 and Saturday 27 March
• Seminar 4: Friday 11 and Saturday 12 June

Which college can I apply to?

The following Colleges have indicated that they are willing to consider applications:

Exeter, Green Templeton College, Jesus College, Keble College, Kellogg College, Linacre College, Lady Margaret Hall, St. Anne's College, St. Catherine's College, St. Cross College, Trinity College, Wolfson College

We have close links with Kellogg College, which was specifically set up for students to undertake part-time studies at Oxford.  Please contact the MSc Office - 01865 274021 - for guidance if you are new to Oxford or your previous College does not appear in the list above.

What should I include in the statement of purpose on the application form?

The statement of purpose really just tells us why you are interested in doing this course.  You might have particular priorities that you want to investigate or to develop in your teaching and already know the kind of ideas you want to explore in your final research and development project.  You may have taken on a new role or responsibility at school and be looking to develop particular kinds of knowledge or expertise, perhaps involving work with others.  Your interests could relate to the particular needs of the students that you're teaching, or to the demands of a new kind of syllabus, or leadership position.  But you might simply be looking for structured support and access to ideas and resources that will challenge and extend your thinking and understanding of the teaching and learning process, giving you new ideas and the encouragement to experiment with different approaches.  Your school may have particular reasons for encouraging you to undertake the course, again perhaps with a specific development project in mind.  Do tell us if you have any particular aims of this kind or if there are specific challenges in your teaching/school context to which you are seeking answers.  If your ideas are less focused, it is fine simply to explain in more general terms what you are hoping to get out of the course and why you would have the support of your school (or other educational setting) in undertaking it now.

Who should I choose as my referees?

You are required to provide the details of three referees on your application form.  We are looking for references from your school and from another institution, for example, a course tutor if you have completed your PGCE course in the past two years.  Due to the nature of the course we would like to see a reference from your Headteacher and/or HoD if possible as the research work you will carry out will be within the school.

Please note as part of the University regulations, the Graduate Admissions Office are unable to release your application to us until you have provided at least two references with your application (either by paper or on-line).  Once we have received and considered your application we will then make a decision whether or not we wish to pursue the third if you have not already provided it.

How do I apply for the Departmental grant?

You do not need to make any application for this grant - it is administered by the Department and automatically allocated.  You will be required to pay the College fees and the Department will forward the grant to you once you have fulfilled all conditions and commenced the course.  The grant is available to those course members who are employed in state-maintained English schools.

Do I still need to pay college fees even though the course is part-time and I do not need accommodation?

All students have college affiliation so they need to pay fees.  These are obviously less than the full time cost.

Will I be able to pay fees in instalments?

Colleges normally collect fees termly so the total cost of the year will be split into three payments.  This arrangement is dependent on the College you apply to - please see the College website for further details.