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Masters Programme part-time study

Masters Programme part-time | a happy student leans against a brick wall

pedagogical approaches encourage learning to learn

A member of the Masters leadership team presents information about the Masters programme and the routes on offer


Overview of the part-time programme

This part time programme is two years in duration and leads to a MPhil in Education. You will choose a thematic course that relates to a topic or theme that interests you. Alongside this you will follow a research methods strand to develop your knowledge and skills to undertake your own research and to become a more critical user of the research of others.

Please note, if you have done a PGCE at the Faculty and wish to apply for the 1-year part-time MEd, please visit Progression from our PGCE to Masters page.

If you are currently completing or have already completed the PACES course at the Faculty and wish to apply for the 1 year part-time MEd, please visit our PACES to Masters page for further information about available courses.

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.

Visa sponsorship 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 details.


Postgraduate Open Day 2024/25

The University holds Postgraduate Open Days each year, which offer a great opportunity to find out more about the University’s postgraduate courses, the application process, student life, and a range of funding opportunities, as well as to get an idea of what it's like to study at Cambridge.

This year, the Postgraduate Open Days will be taking place between 30 August and 15 November 2024, and will be a mix of virtual and in-person events. The Faculty of Education's Virtual Open Day is Tuesday 5 November.


route mapChoosing your course:

The following courses are available part-time over two years:


lectureOur Research Methods Strand

The research strand covers a broad range of social science research methods.

It 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.


clock timeSession times

The attendance requirement for part-time students is one day per week. The session times differ per course, so please check the course pages (see above) for further details.

Please note that attendance during some of the school holidays should be expected.


man lecturingLectures and Seminars

Most of the teaching on the Master's programme is non-lecture and interactive. Students can attend sessions that last 3-5 hours.

Each is likely to include a lecture set within the a range of other teaching and learning activities such as small group discussions, presentations and workshops.

Students are generally in the Faculty once a week although some courses offer a conference model (day conferences 3-5 times a year and blended learning).

All courses use our Moodle VLE to give students access to materials online and to support their teaching.


studentsPersonal 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.  Part time students are entitled to 4.5 hours of supervision per year.