a group of people wearing coulorful jackets raising their arms in the air making fists

Course Summary

Confronting prejudice, disadvantage and oppression faced in educational and community contexts. The course, which is broad in its scope focuses on a range of education, social and welfare issues affecting children, young people, and marginalised adults, is concerned with providing educational content that improves the life chances, wellbeing, and attainment of individuals. There is a strong ethos of social justice and globalisation to the course. Consideration is given to sociological and philosophical perspectives about the purpose of education, who benefits from it and how it can mitigate social inequalities. This perspective is developed nationally, motivated by the increasing independence of schools; and internationally, particularly in developing countries, motivated by globalisation. As the course attracts a rich diversity of both home and international students, a powerful and stimulating learning community is created.

This popular course has been designed for teachers, other education professionals, and community support workers, employed in diverse national and international settings who are wishing to secure new posts or promotion in their career. It is ideal for those interested in working in the social justice sector with children, young people, and individuals from marginalised groups as well as for those wanting to develop post-graduate research skills in this area.

We have excellent links with teacher supply agencies across North West England and North Wales. Subject to an enhanced DBS clearance and successful recruitment to the supply agency, you will have opportunities for paid employment in schools while you study your MA.

Why you'll Love it


What you'llStudy

Modules have been carefully selected so that they represent the broad range of relevant subject areas and will introduce you to essential knowledge and skills you will use throughout the course and your career. Subject areas include childhood, communities, globalisation, inclusion, disability, mental health, reflective practice, education, and learning.

Module content:

  • Exploiting previous knowledge of research methods and enquiry
  • Creating a research plan and timeline
  • Locating and contextualising the research within the literature
  • Undertaking research in accordance with ethical guidelines
  • Using an appropriate methodology
  • Collecting evaluating and interpreting data
  • Responding to changes in research intentions and outcomes
  • Writing up the research

Module aims:

  1. Undertake a substantial empirical enquiry in a professional setting.
  2. Reflect on the individual experience of carrying out research.
  3. Link research to the possibilities for change in a professional context.

Module content:

  1. Researching  methods most commonly used and appropriate within educational research and the social sciences
  2. Writing a research question
  3. Exploring concepts in research: validity, reliability, generalisability, bias 
  4. Considering the nature of the data students will collect and issues of analysis
  5. Considering ethical issues that might arise 
  6. Carrying out a literature review in which to locate the research question and to support analysis
  7. Writing and presenting a research proposal

Module aims:

Module aims

  1. Analyse and critically evaluate theoretical, methodological and ethical issues in educational research.
  2. Develop skills in research design.
  3. Locate a research question within a review of literature.

Module content:

The module is designed to help you to develop the academic and communication skills required to reach your potential at post-graduate study. It will consider some of the key skills you will need to develop in order to engage and to be successful.

Topics covered include how to find appropriate academic sources, interpreting an assignment brief, planning, structuring, and APA referencing for assignments, reports, and dissertations, developing critical writing and analysis skills, designing, and delivering academic presentations, reflective practice for academic and professional development.


Module aims:

This module aims to:

  • introduce students to the academic and professional skills necessary to engage in post-graduate study;
  • support students to make a successful transition to post-graduate study;
  • support students to analyse their strengths and identify areas for continuing academic and professional development.

Module content:

This module introduces you to issues relating to social justice for persons with disability and mental health conditions. It will encourage discussion and critical debate regarding how these aspects are perceived globally, the nature of social inequalities encountered, and relevant policy, and legislative frameworks. Students will compare disability and mental health across two different countries (global north and global south) and examine the contribution made by a sociological perspective to understand key social processes implicated in the (re)production of inequalities.


Module aims:

This module aims to:

  • introduce students to varying cultural and societal concepts of disability and mental health;
  • encourage students to develop a critical awareness of social inequalities for persons with disabilities and mental health conditions in a national and global context;
  • provide students an understanding of theoretical frameworks and models related to disability and mental health;
  • enable students to evaluate relevant policy and legislation in different countries.

Module content:

This module explores concepts and theories of social justice and how education in its broadest sense can promote socially just outcomes. Learners will reflect on critical incidences in their professional and personal lives to understand how their own experiences shape their attitudes and working practices with regards to minority and marginalised groups. The module also encourages students to utilise this enhanced self-awareness to plan future personal and professional development.


Module aims:

This module aims to:

  1. introduce students to concepts and theories of social justice.
  2. support students to reflect on their own educational and personal experiences and how these shape the way they think about and work with marginalised individuals and groups.
  3. promote awareness of how education can lead to positive social change in settings and communities for marginalised individuals and groups.

Module content:

This module focuses on the relationship between globalisation and education. It begins by exploring key theories of globalisation and how globalisation influences national education policy making. After exploring key globalisation theories the module focuses on the economic, political and culture dimensions of globalisation and enquires into students’ personal and professional experiences of globalisation in different contexts. 


Module aims:

The module aims to:

  1. Define globalisation in relation to key theories.
  2. Explore way that globalisation influences educational policymaking.
  3. Develop a clear, coherent understanding of how globalisation impact on leadership.
  4. Provide opportunities for widening critical understanding of globalisation with particular to educational leadership.

Module content:

This module introduces you to the ecological systems theory to examine the cultural and social context of childhood and the many factors that affect the lives, wellbeing & development of children. Various social issues and inequalities relevant to the lives of children will be explored including the 'microsystem' of the family and school and the impact on childhood; the 'exosystem' of the community and its impact on childhood and; analysis of childhood and family policy within the 'macrosystem'.


Module aims:

This module aims to examine how society creates the concept of childhood and to systematically review the contexts and systems that influence the lives of children, the impact on their development, wellbeing, and life outcomes.

the student perspective education ma

The Student Perspective

Who you'll Learn from

Dr Paula Hamilton

Programme Leader, MA Social Justice and Globalisation in Education
Dr Paula Hamilton

Dr Steve Lambert

Associate Professor
Dr Steve Lambert

How you'll Learn

Modules are designed and taught by staff with national and international expertise who encourage a high level of student participation in critical discussion and debate in sessions.

Modules are delivered through lectures, group-work, case-based approaches, and enquiry-based learning and tutorials.

The course offers flexibility through a wide range of assessments, which have been carefully devised to allow you to tailor the course according to your own personal interest and career. Assessment methods include essays, critical reports, digital presentations, conference posters, and a research proposal. There are no exams on this course.

MA Education, Society and Globalisation Students: Highlights

Social Justice and Globalisation in Education MA student highlights

Entry Requirements

2:2 honours degree

The MA Social Justice and Globalisation in Education is open to graduates with a 2:2 honours degree in social sciences/humanities, e.g. primary education, education studies, sociology, childhood studies, social work, psychology or criminology.

Applicants must also demonstrate experience of working with children, young people, families and/or vulnerable adults in either an educational or community setting. This can be either on a paid or voluntary basis. Applicants with degrees in other subjects may be considered, along with non-graduates, if they can demonstrate sufficient work experience as outlined above.

Applicants whose first language is not English must provide evidence of proficiency to IELTS 6.5 with no less than 5.5 in each band or equivalent.

2:2 honours degree

The MA Social Justice and Globalisation in Education is open to graduates with a 2:2 honours degree. However, non-graduates with relevant professional experience may be invited for interview.

English Language Requirements

For more information on our English Language requirements, please visit International Entry Requirements.

Where you'll Study Exton Park, Chester

Fees and Funding

£8,775for a full-time course (2025/26)

Guides to the fees for students who wish to commence postgraduate courses are available to view on our Postgraduate Taught Programmes Fees page. Here you will also find information about part-time fees and project/placement year fees.

£15,000for a full-time course (2025/26)

The tuition fees for international students studying Postgraduate programmes in 2025/26 are £15,000.

Please note: For MSc programmes where a placement or project year is undertaken there will be an additional charge of £2,750 for the placement/project year (due at the start of the second year of the course).

The University of Chester offers generous international and merit-based scholarships for postgraduate study, providing a significant reduction to the published headline tuition fee. You will automatically be considered for these scholarships when your application is reviewed, and any award given will be stated on your offer letter.

For more information, go to our International Fees, Scholarship and Finance section.

Irish Nationals living in the UK or ROI are treated as Home students for Tuition Fee Purposes.

Your course will involve additional costs not covered by your tuition fees. This may include books, printing, photocopying, educational stationery and related materials, specialist clothing, travel to placements, optional field trips and software. Compulsory field trips are covered by your tuition fees. 

The University of Chester supports fair access for students who may need additional support through a range of bursaries and scholarships. 

Full details, as well as terms and conditions for all bursaries and scholarships can be found on the Fees and Finance section of our website.

Your Future Career

Job Prospects 

Primary and secondary school teachers, further education lecturers, pastoral support workers, and community/NGO workers. Due to the focus on social justice/inclusion, this MA provides a solid foundation for HR graduate schemes.

Careers service

The University has an award-winning Careers and Employability service which provides a variety of employability-enhancing experiences; through the curriculum, through employer contact, tailored group sessions, individual information, advice, and guidance.

Careers and Employability aims to deliver a service that is inclusive, impartial, welcoming, informed and tailored to your personal goals and aspirations, to enable you to develop as an individual and contribute to the business and community in which you will live and work.

We are here to help you plan your future, make the most of your time at University and to enhance your employability. We provide access to part-time jobs, extra-curricular employability-enhancing workshops and offer practical one-to-one help with career planning, including help with CVs, applications and mock interviews. We also deliver group sessions on career planning within each course and we have a wide range of extensive information covering graduate jobs and postgraduate study.