Overview of the course

This course option is only offered for University of Cambridge, Faculty of Education PGCE graduates

Trainees who successfully complete all examined elements of the Cambridge PGCE course can apply to undertake the part-time Master of Education (MEd) in just one year. If you completed your PGCE at another institution and would like to study part time please view our 2 year part time MPhil courses pages.

Faculty of Education PGCE trainees can:

1. go straight on to the MEd in the Michaelmas term following completion of their PGCE or
2. take a maximum of a 3 year gap between completing the PGCE and starting the MEd.

Trainees must complete the MEd within four years of successfully completing their PGCE.

We offer our students:

• 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 or like-minded students who will provide mutual support

We aim to support our students to develop:

• The capacity to analyse contemporary educational issues and practices using systematic and research led approaches;
• Knowledge and understanding of current practices and outcomes of teaching and learning;
• A critical understanding of research methods and methodologies for educational enquiry;
• The practical, organisational and presentational skills necessary for the successful reporting of educational research.

Visas for part time study

If you are an international applicant wanting to study part time, it may be possible for the University to sponsor you for a visa. Please see our visa webpage for further information.

Choosing your course

You should select a course from the list below that reflects your current and future interests:

• Transforming Practice
• Research in Second Language Education
• Primary Education
• Mathematics Education
• Critical Approaches to Children's Literature
  

(The Educational Policy, Leadership and Improvement route is not available as 1 year part-time PGCEM course, but can be taken as 2 year part-time MPhil course).

Our Research Methods Strand

The research strand covers a broad range of social science research methods and is essential for Masters level understanding and critical engagement with the research literature in many specialist areas and in education more generally.

It offers opportunities and encouragement to apply the knowledge gained to your thematic area, and vice versa. Masters students on the majority of routes are required to attend a generic research methods strand, taught across thematic routes.

Please note - Transforming Practice route does not attend, they have their own alternative Research Methods arrangements.

Personal Supervision

One of the great strengths of studying at Cambridge is the level of individual support you will receive.

You will be assigned an expert in your field to guide you through your course. You will meet with them regularly to discuss progress and will be able to send them your work for feedback and advice.

The Faculty has around forty academic staff teaching on the Graduate programme offering a very wide range of expertise. PGCE-MEd students are entitled to 4.5 hours of supervision.