University of Warwick

What you'll study

The programme focuses on how new ideas, technologies and practices are introduced, evaluated and scaled in educational settings. Core themes include theories of innovation and change in education, research methods for studying interventions, and practical approaches to design and evaluation. Teaching mixes seminar discussion, case-based learning and hands-on project work.

• Theory of Educational Innovation: conceptual frameworks for understanding innovation, diffusion of change and the sociocultural contexts that support or hinder new practice.
• Design and Development for Learning: human-centred design thinking, curriculum and assessment design, and prototyping of instructional materials or learning technologies.
• Technology-enhanced Learning: pedagogies for digital learning, learning analytics, and critical appraisal of educational technologies.
• Research Methods and Evaluation: qualitative and quantitative methods, mixed-methods evaluation, impact assessment and ethical issues in educational research.
• Policy, Leadership and Change Management: governance, scaling innovations, stakeholder engagement and leading improvement in schools, colleges or organisations.
• Major Project or Dissertation: an applied research project or practice-based dissertation that develops, implements or evaluates an innovation in a real-world educational context.

Delivery typically combines taught modules with a supervised project; the programme is available full-time (one year) and part-time routes are often offered to suit working professionals.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold a good undergraduate degree (UK upper second-class honours or an international equivalent) in education or a related discipline. Applicants with substantial relevant professional experience (for example in teaching, educational leadership, policy or learning technology) may be considered with a lower academic qualification. You will be asked to provide academic transcripts, a personal statement outlining your reasons for applying and how the programme fits your goals, and at least one academic or professional reference.

International applicants whose first language is not English are required to demonstrate proficiency in English; typical minimum requirements reflect common university standards for postgraduate study (for example an IELTS score or equivalent), though exact thresholds are set by the university.

Career prospects

Graduates go on to a range of roles across education and related sectors. Typical career paths include:

• School and college leadership roles with responsibility for curriculum, innovation or professional development.
• Curriculum and assessment developers working for examination boards, publishers or education services.
• Learning designer or instructional designer roles in higher education, corporate learning or edtech companies.
• Policy analysts, advisers or programme managers in government departments, NGOs and international organisations focusing on education reform and innovation.
• Consultancy and independent practice supporting schools, trusts or education start-ups to implement and evaluate new approaches.
• Further academic study (MPhil/PhD) and research roles in educational innovation and technology.

Why study at University of Warwick

The University of Warwick provides an interdisciplinary environment with active research groups working on education, technology and social policy. The programme benefits from links across the university, opportunities to engage with local schools, colleges and industry partners, and access to specialist facilities for research and digital learning. Students are taught by staff with expertise in both theory and applied innovation and can draw on careers and enterprise services that support transition into leadership, consultancy or specialist practitioner roles.