CEID programme structure

Grounded in a social justice perspective, the programme draws from many social sciences disciplines. Students can explore a range of subfields, including international development, policy and politics and higher education. 

Our goal is to help students become critical thinkers and skilled practitioners. We want them to feel confident tackling the biggest challenges in their field. 

We encourage our students to engage in collaborative, reflective practice and consider multiple perspectives. This allows them to develop a greater sensitivity towards and understanding of diversity. The programme's required courses ensure all students are aware of and can critically reflect on the main theories, concepts, and discussions in the field, as well as on their own assumptions.  

With this baseline knowledge, students are then free to explore their interests through option courses. These courses examine the politics of education, key actors and discourses in the field, and the complexity, challenges, and validity issues in making cross-national or cross-cultural comparisons.  

Structure

The masters degree programme is divided into two semesters, finishing with a dissertation. The programme’s 180 credits comprise: 

• taught compulsory and option SCQF Level 11 courses (120 credits) 
• the dissertation (60 credits)

Students who achieve an average mark of 50% or more on their taught courses can continue to the dissertation. 

Semester 1

In Semester 1 (September - December), you will complete three compulsory courses and up to one option course for a total of 50 or 70 credits. 

• Introduction to Comparative Education (20 Credits)
• Introduction to Education and International Development (20 Credits)
• Sources of Knowledge: Understanding and Analysing Research Literature (10 credits)
• Up to one option course (0 or 20 credits)

Semester 2

In Semester 2 (January - April), you will complete one compulsory course and two or three option courses for a total of 50 or 70 credits.

• Conceptualising Research: Foundations, Assumptions and Praxis (10 credits)
• Two or three option courses (40 or 60 credits)

Option courses

You must select option courses totalling 60 credits. Option course availability and content may change from year to year. 

List A – Foundational Option Courses (Choose 40-60 credits)

• Education Policy and the Politics of Education (20 credits)
• Anthropology of Education and Learning (20 credits)
• Comparative Analysis in Education (20 credits)
• Education and Conflict (20 credits)
• Social Inequalities in Education Worldwide (20 credits)
• Global Governance and Education (20 Credits)

List B – Supplemental Option Courses (Choose 0-20 credits)

• Higher Education in the Global Context (20 credits)
• Theories and Politics of Social Justice (20 credits)
• Policy Analysis for Social Justice (20 credits)
• Education for All (20 credits)
• Comparative Approaches to Inclusive and Special Education (20 credits)
• Global Childhood and Human Rights (20 credits)
• Foundations of International Child Protection (20 credits)
• Sport, Society, and International Development (20 credits)
• The Curriculum: Context, Change, and Development (20 credits)
• Ethics, Education, and Film (20 credits)

In place of the option course from list B, you may choose a course offered by Moray House School of Education and Sport or another School within the University.  The chosen course must be at level 11 and approved by the programme director. 

Course descriptions (2024-25)

Dissertation

The dissertation (April - August) is an independent, research-based study worth 60 credits. We take a capstone approach to the dissertation. This allows you to choose how you demonstrate your ability to critically reflect on and apply the knowledge you have gained through the programme. You may choose between two options:  

• a traditional dissertation  
• a placement-based dissertation