Progression to Master of Education (MEd) Year 2

Cambridge PGCE year is equivalent to 50% of the Cambridge Masters course

The first year of the Cambridge PGCE can count as the first year of the part-time Master of Education (MEd) at Cambridge. Trainees who successfully complete all examined elements of the PGCE course can register for the second year of the Faculty's MEd course. PGCE trainees can decide if they wish to (a) go straight to the 2nd year of the MEd in the Michalemas term following completion of their PGCE or (b) take a maximum of a 2 year gap between completing the PGCE and starting the MEd. Trainees must complete the second year of the Masters within three years of successfully completing their PGCE.

Studying for an MEd in Cambridge offers opportunities to develop:

An advanced knowledge and understanding of practices, processes, and outcomes of teaching and learning;
The capacity to analyse educational issues and practices using systematic and research led approaches;
A critical understanding of and some experience of, applying commonly used research methods and the capacity to judge their appropriateness for educational enquiry;
The ability to read educational research critically;
The practical, organizational and presentational skills necessary for the successful reporting of educational research;
Access to outstanding research facilities;
The opportunity to work closely with specialists in their field;
A supportive, stimulating environment with excellent supervision;
A strong community of like-minded students who will provide mutual support.

Specialist routes

The different courses within the MEd programme allow students to specialise in an area of study, to develop their understanding of educational research and to undertake supervised research on a topic of their choice. The following courses are open to PGCE students. The coordinator for the course is listed in brackets:

PGCE students wishing to progress to the MEd may do so either immediately after their PGCE year or after their NQT year and complete after one year of part time study whichever route is chosen.

*The Educational and School Leadership route requires students to have had at least one year's post PGCE teaching experience prior to starting the course. It is not possible to take Psychology and Education or Counselling as a one year route, due to accreditation requirements of external bodies. It is however possible to take these courses in a further two years of part time study.

Courses are supported through seminars, workshops, supervisions and, where appropriate, fieldwork. Students must complete a thesis of not more than 20,000 words in length, for which they will receive individual supervision. Individual courses may also have supplementary requirements.

Research Methods

Students on courses (other than Researching Practice, and Science Teacher Researchers and Practitioners, where research training is embedded in the course) will be required to attend a Research Methods Course. The course consists of 40 hours of teaching time and takes place on two afternoons per term in terms one to five of the programme. The course offers students support in the principles and practices of educational enquiry, and in the conduct and writing of their thesis.

The initial aim is to develop understanding of different research strategies - the kinds of assumptions that they depend on, the kinds of reasoning that they involve, the kinds of purposes that they are fit for, and practical and ethical issues concerning use of their associated methods. There is also an emphasis on fostering skills in critically appraising and synthesising published research studies. The course additionally aims to develop the understanding and skills needed to design, conduct, analyse, interpret and report a small-scale research study for thesis presentation.

Co-ordinator of the Research Methods Course: Linda Hargreaves

Session Times for the Thematic Routes

The contact hours for all thematic routes are the same. For all routes except Researching Practice and Science Teacher Researchers & Practitioners, sessions will start at 2pm on a Wednesday. Researching Practice and Science Teacher Researchers & Practitioners students will follow an online model of work with some saturday conferences. There is some variation in the duration of sessions across courses that meet on Wednesdays. If you require further details, please see the course pages above or contact the course coordinator.

Course Fees

Fees for the Masters courses are outlined at www.educ.cam.ac.uk/graduate/masters/med/costs/

Please note that the Faculty does not administer these fees. To find out more about them please contact your college.

How to Apply

Please download the pdf application form or Word application form and submit your form to Kim Down (kdd20@cam.ac.uk) in room 2S1 of the New Faculty Building as soon as possible. This can be done either in person, by post or by email. Please retain a copy of your application for your own reference. If you are not sure if your school will release you to follow the course or you do not yet have funding, please do not let this stop you applying. It is better to apply early and then turn down the place or defer it to the following year if you find you can not take it up. If you apply for a route other than Researching Practice or Science, a meeting will be arranged for you with the relevant route coordinator to discuss whether the route you have selected is the best choice for you.

DEADLINES

Please note that the deadline for applying (for 2009/10) for Researching Practice is the 1st of June. You must submit your application by that date.

All other courses application submission deadline for 2009/10 applicants is the 30th of June.

Further Questions

If you have any further queries regarding your choices or how to apply, please contact Kim Down (kdd20@cam.ac.uk).