Master of Arts in Education

at University of Plymouth United Kingdom

Are you ready to make the difference? Discover the formula to teaching mathematics with our expert staff and world leading researchers. You’ll gain a solid foundation in mathematical and statistical modules, while the final year combines educational theory and school experience. Time spent in the classroom will give you the skills, knowledge and confidence to progress to a teacher training course such as a PGCE, or move into one of many careers where high-level mathematical skills are essential.

Key Features

• Gain classroom experience in a placement module, supporting mathematics teaching in a secondary or primary school for one morning a week throughout your final year. This will help you become an effective communicator.
• Dr Jenny Sharp who leads the Education modules has worked with schools in many different capacities, and is regularly invited to run workshops and masterclasses all around the country, including at the Royal Institution, other universities and in schools.
• An in-depth individual project gives you an introduction to mathematical educational theory, an ideal preparation for teacher training courses.
• Help others and gain hands on expertise by taking part in our Mathematics Enrichment Programme activities. You can gradually develop a workshop for a Mathematics masterclass.
• Gain high level understanding of modern pure and applied mathematics, and statistics; this knowledge base opens up many mathematical careers to you.

The UK leads the world in the creative industries and we offer the only MA Design programme in the country that allows you to specialise in key areas that are right for you. Do you want to imagine and plan the spaces, objects and experiences of tomorrow? Do you want to enhance your skills in a fast-paced sustainable environment and progress into the design industry? New design tools are available to us now, so we can plan our preferred futures, design is evolving, play your part in that future.

“Design requires bridging the ‘knowing-doing gap.’ The tools of the designer, is about getting out into the world being inspired by people, to learn with our hands, our minds and our hearts, creating stories and joining forces with people from other disciplines, these are ways to widen the impact of what we do.” Tim Brown, CEO, IDEO. OBE

This degree is strongly interdisciplinary and practical, providing you with the knowledge and skills to help build and manage solutions to environmental challenges on land and in our oceans. It draws on a wide range of modules from environmental science, geography and marine disciplines. Our teaching team are leaders in their research fields and offer excellent links with environmental consultancies, industry, national and local government.

Key Features

• Access to a wide choice of modules taught by a core of environmental science staff and sustainability champions from across the University.
• Work with scientists, business, educators and engineers to help build a more sustainable future by exploring environmental challenges and proposing management solutions.
• Learn about the latest actions and renewable energy developments in the struggle against climate change.
• Take part in overseas expeditions to Malaysia or Malta to experience challenges and solutions to sustainable development.
• The opportunity to develop your employability via a placement year, leading to the University’s Certificate of Professional Practice, and opportunities to study abroad, through exchange programmes.
• Teaching and learning that focuses on fun interactive, experiential and participatory learning and authentic tasks that mimic professional practice.
• Be a part of a University with an international reputation for sustainability education, recognition as outstanding in the People and Planet Green League and Green Gown Awards.

Prepare yourself for a management role within the international procurement and supply chain sectors with this flexible qualification. Take advantage of opportunities to study abroad and stand out to employers with a qualification accredited by the accredited by the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport and recognised by the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers and The Nautical Institute. You’ll also benefit from a high profile visiting speakers programme.

This programme focuses on state-of-the-art practical and theoretical aspects of a wide range of electronic engineering systems including integrated systems programming, advanced inverter technology, state-of-the-art mobile phone signal processing and nanotechnology clean-room applications. Design and build your own hardware and benefit from hands-on practical experience in well-equipped labs supported by expert researchers and practising engineers.

The MSc Electrical and Electronic Engineering will appeal to you if you are a design engineer. The programme provides an in-depth knowledge of specialist areas in electrical and electronic engineering underpinned by the theory and practice of modern electronics and renewable energy systems, together with the associated signal processing and embedded programming techniques. The modules have been selected to give you an even balance of essential modern areas of electrical and electronic engineering. The communications content will give you a broad grounding in communication theory and systems while the signal processing content is generally biased toward applications in communications engineering. From our experience of intensive courses, and our work with partner companies, this programme meets the current needs of electrical and electronics industry. The programme is taught in autumn and spring blocks and includes a project

Key Features

Hone your craft as a writer by studying others, immersing yourself in the words that have shaped our world. Finesse your writing with our academics and professional authors and combine analysis of literature from across cultures and geographies with your own perspective. Develop your voice as a writer and see the impact your words could have on tackling today’s pressing social issues. Watch your words take shape on the stage through our partnerships with local theatres and arts organisations.

Key Features

• Choose from a wide variety of specialist modules, including period and cultural studies and creative writing.
• Receive free set texts for all core modules throughout the three years.
• Benefit from assessment through coursework, with no written exams.
• Boost your career prospects by working with a publishing house, literary agent, arts organisation or magazine on our work-based learning module or extra-curricular internships.
• Make use of our open-door policy and talk to your lecturers in a friendly and supportive learning environment.
• Learn from internationally recognised research-active staff, including published creative writers.
• Experience other cultures by studying or working abroad in either Europe or the US.
• Write and be published as part of INK, the English and Creative Writing student-run magazine.
• Access resources at any time with the University library, open 24 hours 365 days a year, offering a vast range of electronic and print materials, including a rare books collection. 
• Make the most of a rich cultural life with The Arts Institute programme and the University’s links with local arts organisations, like the Theatre Royal.
• We’re very proud of our National Student Survey (NSS) 2019 return showing 95% overall satisfaction – sixth out of 50 higher education institutions.100% of students agreed staff are good at explaining things, the course is intellectually stimulating and challenged students to achieve their best work.*
• If you are interested in taking this normally full-time programme on a part-time basis please contact Rachel Christofides to discuss this possibility

Whether you want to be a financial forecaster, a researcher or even a future leader of industry, our lively and involving economics courses prepare you for success. Develop the ability to analyse economic information through theoretical and practical research-based modules, and gain essential analytical and numerical skills. We also offer a range of named economics courses with slightly different emphases aimed at those with firm career aspirations.

Key Features

• All of our named awards share a core syllabus, stressing the integration of theory and evidence in economic analysis and research.
• Engage with current and past students with our Economics Society, and hear talks from visiting academics and professionals.
• We are one of a small number of institutions with a modern computer suite containing dedicated Bloomberg terminals giving you access to financial data and information.
• Join the Devon Junior Chamber and receive training and professional mentoring.
• Apply your skills in a work environment and take our optional placement year.
• Think sustainably – in your final year you may choose to take modules covering environmental and resource economics, analysing the issue of environmental and resource scarcity and the possible policy responses to market failure.

Around 70 per cent of our planet is ocean with an average depth of 3000m. To understand the biology of this vast area, we must also understand the oceans themselves. Marine biology and oceanography studies the biology and ecology of the marine realm, with a focus on offshore and deep-sea ecosystems, and the physical and chemical processes that shape them. Teaching uses both small and large research vessels, providing you with an unrivalled experience of open ocean marine biology.

You will develop a host of practical skills that will prepare you for your chosen career and make you attractive to employers. You will have the opportunity to gain the HSE PRO SCUBA qualification, for those with a suitable background in diving. You’ll also gain invaluable experience on a six or 12-month international placement during your third year, or working in a local host organisation alongside your studies.

Key Features

Geography explores the relationships between people, places and the environment. Our Geography with Ocean Science course allows you to focus on the physical side of this and also spend time studying ocean science. Plymouth is the ideal setting for this, giving you hands-on experience of the physical geography of a dynamic estuary and coast within walking distance of campus.

Our geography degrees make the most of geography’s strengths in tackling head on the biggest global challenges we face. Modules have been designed to address many of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals – developed by the UN as the 'blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all' – all of our degrees are fully accredited by the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG).

Key Features

• Our newly designed Geography curriculum places sustainability challenges at the centre, with modules designed to help address the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
• Choose from an exciting range of physical geography and ocean science modules. Establish a sound knowledge base across all areas of ocean science, with options to study physical oceanography and meteorology, biological and chemical oceanography, and coastal oceanography.
• Our supportive staff are expert researchers and many are world leaders in their field.
• Teaching is innovative and student-centred. You will learn through lectures, seminars, practicals, national and international residential fieldwork, tutorials and one-to-one dissertation support.
• Learn to use Geographical Information Systems to analyse and communicate complex spatial data.
• Take advantage of a wide range of study abroad possibilities in Europe, North America and Australia.
• Experience a valuable work placement programme, opening up a range of career opportunities such as consultancy, policy development and management, teaching, planning and conservation.
• LABplus is a unique open access laboratory and resource centre designed for students studying science and engineering courses. The lab provides a flexible workspace, computing facilities, specialist software, access to microscopes, microscope cameras and bespoke resources.  
• Benefit from our unique location, in the heart of the historical city of Plymouth, bordered by Dartmoor National Park as well as the Tamar Valley and South Hams Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Devon and Cornwall have glorious beaches, coasts, rivers and estuaries.

Explore the ever-evolving world of literature and culture through an exciting array of thematic modules, spanning a broad range of periods from the early modern to the present. You benefit from staff expertise in the field, and their connections with wider research communities. Gain a deep understanding of literary studies and acquire advanced research skills applicable throughout your studies and beyond.

Key Features