MA Education (Wales)

The national MA Education (Wales) is a truly transformative and sector leading programme for educational professionals in Wales, from early career teachers to senior leaders.

The educational landscape in Wales is changing rapidly. Teaching not only requires the mastery of a complex set of skills to guide, motivate, and facilitate student learning, but also the ability to enquire into professional practice in order to improve it. The MA Education (Wales), which has been collaboratively developed by seven universities in Wales, through direct engagement with a variety of key stakeholders including Welsh Government, will ensure that all education professionals in Wales have the same high-quality opportunity to enhance their professional knowledge, engage with research, and to improve their professional practice.

In addition to the general MA Education (Wales) (X3PG) there are additional pathways for the MA for students to study areas of specific interest to them and their professional development. These include:

Contact details and application information:

Prospective students are encouraged to contact Dr Megan Hicks, Programme Director for the MA (meh19@aber.ac.uk) for more information about the courses and to sign up for one of our online open evenings (these will take place in April, May, June, July).

We are currently accepting applications for our programmes. Each application will be reviewed by a departmental application panel and a national funding panel. These panels take place monthly between May and September. The timing of your application review will be determined by when we receive your completed application.

Applications will be accepted until 31st August, but applicants are highly encouraged to submit their application as early as possible.

Details on how to begin the application process can be found on the course profiles links provided above.

Student Profile - Bethan Payne

I was keen to enrol on the MA Education, with a focus on ALN, as this was an area of strong personal interest, having worked in this field for a number of years.  It was beneficial having the assignment deadlines in the school holidays as this meant I wasn’t juggling my studies with my day job too much.  While the prospect of completing a Masters dissertation can seem really daunting, we were advised to think of an area that we were keen to understand better. I chose to research effective use of teaching assistant support, a topic central to my role, which subsequently helped me to refine and improve my practice in relation to TA deployment. I would highly recommend the MA Education as it offers a valuable opportunity to undertake research that directly informs and enhances professional practice. 

Bethan Payne MA Education (Wales) ALN (ALNCo and LA)  

Student Profile - Meg McFarlane, MA Education (Wales)

I completed the MA Education Wales 2 years ago. I especially enjoyed re-engaging with academic reading, developing my understanding of the changes that were happening with the implementation of the Curriculum for Wales and how this related to my practice. The course helped me to pause from my day-to-day teaching and reflect critically on what I was doing in the classroom, identifying what was really important and things I could practically improve. I particularly enjoyed the research involved in writing my dissertation- this was the motivating factor for choosing to apply for the EdD. Having the chance to participate in online teaching sessions and discuss different ideas and perspectives with colleagues and experts in educational research from across the country is always inspirational.

Meg McFarlane, MA Education (Wales)

Meg is from Milford Haven and is currently Leader of Learning for Modern Languages in Haverfordwest High. Meg moved back to Pembrokeshire 10 years ago, following a period of teaching Drama in Manchester.

Student Profile - Rob Randall

Shwmae, I’m Rob, and I completed the MA Education: Additional Learning Needs at Aberystwyth University. I chose the course to deepen my understanding of research-informed practice and to support my ongoing professional development.

The most rewarding aspect was designing and carrying out my own small-scale research project, contributing to discussions on how best to support learners with ALN. Balancing study alongside work and family life, with two young children, was challenging, but achievable with the consistent guidance and pastoral support of my supervisor.

The programme has had a clear impact on my professional practice, strengthening my understanding of research methodologies and enabling me to evaluate educational approaches more critically.

For anyone considering the MA, it is demanding but highly worthwhile. The opportunity to collaborate with other educators and the strong support from staff make the journey both manageable and enriching - so I would definitely encourage you to go for it!

Rob Randall MA Education (Wales) ALN (Year 4 class teacher and ALNCo)

Student Profile - Andrew Morel

I chose the Masters in Education (Wales) because I was looking for a new challenge and way to ensure research continued to inform my teaching and leadership in the school. As we move towards the new curriculum and Schools as Learning Organisation I identified my own professional development need to engage more broadly with educational thought. The idea of University staff and teachers across both primary and secondary sector across Wales collaborating together sounded exciting and I wanted to be part of it. I chose Aber University because it is where I did my PGCE so I knew the department and the quality of teaching I would receive. As one of the 7 partner universities in the Masters of Education (Wales) I also knew they would be at the forefront of educational thought in Wales, which is heading in an exciting direction. The most rewarding element of the course so far has certainly been the National Conference Days which see experts and lecturers from across Wales explaining their latest research and sharing their knowledge with us. The course is designed well so that assignments are due after school holidays and lots of the work is related to what I am doing day to day in school which all makes it easier to achieve.

Andrew Morel, MA Education (Wales) student

Andrew has been teaching at Ysgol Uwchradd Llanidloes High School since September 2017 after moving from teaching in Cardiff. He teaches History and Government & Politics from KS3 to A-Level, and has been a pastoral leader at the school for a number of years as Head of Year.  

Headteacher Recommendation

Headteacher Recommendation

Recommendation from secondary headteacher

"My aim is to lead a school that is forward-thinking, innovative and provides high-quality learning opportunities for our students so that they are challenged to think deeply and creatively in their learning. Enabling students to do this requires staff who are aware of current educational theories, who can reflect critically on research and are willing to try new ideas in the classroom. I want teachers and leaders who can contribute to the school development and can challenge our thinking to ensure that we progress as a school in a way that best supports our students. I find that encouraging teachers and leaders to pursue educational research through the MA and EdD programmes fosters this sense of enquiry and develops staff who can think critically to challenge themselves and the school to be the best that we can be so that, ultimately, the students can be the best that they can be."

Application Details

Forms

The application form for the National MA Education (Wales) and the various pathways are listed here:

2026-27 National MA Supplementary Application Form - WORD

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Application Form

 

 

 

Programme Specification

National MA Education (Wales) - Recognition of prior learning

Information regarding Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is below.

It signifies the process of recognising learning achieved by an individual before entry to the MA. It enables universities to make exemptions for modules or subject areas that applicants have already ‘completed’, either through formal education or through professional experience and development. Successful candidates will therefore not be required to repeat or complete learning that they are recognised as having already achieved. Potential applicants should, in the first instance, contact the Programmed director for advice.

National Recognition of Prior Learning Policy

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Application Form

National MA Education (Wales) - funding eligibility, allocation, process and terms and conditions

Welsh Government funding is available for eligible candidates. For information on this and to view the conditions/eligibility of funding criteria for this academic year please click this - National MA Funding Criteria - Word

If you would like to discuss your eligibility for funding, please contact the Programme Director.

In addition, applicants that meet the entry requirements are welcome to apply for the MA as self -funded candidates.

Some useful FAQs are provided on the National MA Education (Wales) webpage.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Am I eligible for funding?

 

Please see funding criteria

The funding eligibility criteria states that I must be in year 3 to 6 of practice at the start of the course, what does this mean?

This means you must be in years 3-6 of teaching following successful completion of your NQT induction when the course is due to start (not when you apply)

 

Do I need to be registered with the EWC?

Yes, to be eligible for funding you must be registered with the EWC in the category of school teacher. This must be maintained for the duration of the course.

Why is the funding only available for teachers in years 3-6 of practice?

 

The funding for this programme is offered by the Welsh Government as part of the Early Career Teacher Package

 

Following completion of my NQT induction, I spent a period of time working overseas / took a career break, does this count?

 

Time spent employed as a teacher outside of the UK or time taken as a career break will not be counted as years of practice

Am I required to have a teaching contract for a minimum period of time, e.g. an academic term / year? What happens if my contract ends part way through the programme?

 

Eligibility will be conferred at the beginning of the programme. At that point you will need to hold a contract of at least one term.

I am employed as a teacher in a number of schools and my contracts total more than 0.4FTE. Am I eligible for funding?

 

Yes, as long as your contracts total 0.4FTE or higher, you are eligible to apply for funding

I am a part time and/or supply teacher, can I apply for funding?

 

Yes, as long as your contracts total 0.4FTE or higher, you are eligible to apply for funding

Do I need to commit to working in Wales after I have completed the MA Education?

 

In accepting this funding teachers are required to continue to work in Wales, within the maintained education system for a minimum of 2 years after completing the programme.

 

Is there a residency requirement before the course starts?

In order to be eligible for funding you must be resident in Wales for 3 years prior to start of course and remain so for the duration of the programme.

 

I would like to self-fund; how much are the fees?

 

£6,500

I have previously undertaken masters level study, am I eligible for funding for this programme?

 

If you have previously studied a subject specific masters programme, then you are still eligible to apply for funding (subject to meeting all other criteria). Please note that if you have previously undertaken a funded MEd then you will not be eligible to apply for funding for the National MA

 

My application for funding was unsuccessful, what are my options?

If your application for funding is not successful, you may still be able to take up a place on the course as a self-funded student.

My application for funding was unsuccessful, how can I appeal against the decision?

 

Applicants who are not satisfied with the decision of the National MA Education (Wales) Funding Award Panel should contact the Chair of the Panel in the first instance.

 

Who decides on funding allocation?

 

Upon receipt of your application, the Admissions team at your chosen institution will ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria. The National MA Education (Wales) Funding Award Panel will then assess all eligible applications to determine the outcome and award funding to those who are successful.  The Panel consists of representatives from each Partner University and reports to the National Management Board (which has membership from the Welsh Government), to ensure clear accountability and oversight.

 

How many funded places are available?

 

There are 500 funded places across the National MA Education (Wales) partnership

 

Am I eligible for a student loan?

 

If you are awarded Welsh Government funding for the National MA Education (Wales) then you must not also apply for postgraduate finance support through the Student Loans Company (SLC). Students who are not in receipt of Welsh Government funding may apply to the SLC.