University College London (UCL)
Global Learning MA
London, United Kingdom
MA
DURATION
5 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
The Global Learning MA is designed for those interested in exploring how education can address global challenges. The program focuses on understanding international issues through a lens that combines social sciences, development studies, and education theory. Students will learn to analyze different perspectives, gain insights into complex global problems, and explore innovative approaches to learning around the world. The course emphasizes critical thinking and practical skills, helping students develop strategies for promoting equality, sustainability, and social justice in various educational contexts.
Students can expect a flexible structure, often combining taught modules with independent research. The program encourages engagement with real-world issues by connecting students with international organizations and projects. It aims to prepare learners for careers in education policy, development work, or international agencies. Throughout the course, students are supported by experienced faculty and have opportunities to specialize in areas like curriculum design, educational leadership, or community development. The program builds skills suitable for those looking to influence education systems globally or work in multicultural environments.
UCL Scholarships
There are a number of scholarships available to postgraduate students, including our UCL Masters Bursary for UK students and our UCL Global Masters Scholarship for international students. You can click the link below to search via the scholarships finder for awards that you might be eligible for. Your academic department will also be able to provide you with more information about funding.
External Scholarships
Online aggregators like Postgraduate Studentships, Scholarship Search, Postgraduate Funding and International Financial Aid and College Scholarship Search contain information on a variety of external schemes.
If you have specific circumstances or ethnic or religious background it is worth searching for scholarships/bursaries/grants that relate to those things. Some schemes are very specific.
Funding for disabled students
Master's students who have a disability may be able to get extra funding for additional costs they incur to study.
Teaching and learning
Each module is delivered online. They consist of 5 main activities spread over 10 weeks. You can complete the tasks by the deadlines within each 2-week block at times that suit you and your other commitments.
To maximise flexibility, learning is task-based and there are no compulsory ‘live’ sessions. You will be asked to:
- Watch pre-recorded lectures
- Contribute to online discussion forums
- Engage in online dialogue with tutors
- Work with peers to produce presentations, diagrams and analysis of resources
- Read relevant literature
- Write drafts of your assessments
Contact with tutors and peers during learning activities takes place via messaging on an online learning platform. Optional zoom sessions are offered to support assessment or to cover aspects of research skills. Individual tutorials are conducted through Teams or similar platforms.
Optional modules can be taken online or face-to-face subject to availability.
Assessment is mostly based on written coursework. Written work may include:
- Visual representations of theoretical ideas
- Essays that explore the relationship between theory and practice
- Policy writing for education for sustainable development
You will also complete either a dissertation or a report and participate in online study units that help you develop a clear research design. Additionally, you will need to do one video-based oral presentation for a compulsory module and a second if you also choose the programme's optional module. Please note that assessment for optional modules from other programmes will vary.
You are expected to study for 10-15 hours a week per module. Full-time students will study two modules at a time. Part-time and modular/flexible students will study 1 module at a time.
Modules
Full-time
The MA structure consists of either:
- 4 modules (2 compulsory and 2 optional) and a Dissertation
- 5 modules (2 compulsory and 3 optional) and a Report
The compulsory modules below will introduce you a range of theoretical perspectives related to global learning, education for sustainable development and global citizenship. They will then highlight how they influence policy and practice. The modules also introduce newer perspectives. These explore how education can reflect a more equal relationship with the natural world in our pursuit of sustainability and global social justice.
- Global Learning: Principles and Theoretical Perspectives (30 credits) – Term 1 (Autumn)
- Education for Sustainable Development: Perspectives from Policy and Practice (30 credits) – Term 2 (Spring)
You are strongly advised to take the below optional module within the programme:
- Global Citizenship Education: Research, Policy and Practice (30 credits) - Term 3 (Summer)
Part-time
The MA structure consists of either:
- 4 modules (2 compulsory and 2 optional) and a Dissertation
- 5 modules (2 compulsory and 3 optional) and a Report
The compulsory modules below will introduce you a range of theoretical perspectives related to global learning, education for sustainable development and global citizenship. They will then highlight how they influence policy and practice. The modules also introduce newer perspectives. These explore how education can reflect a more equal relationship with the natural world in our pursuit of sustainability and global social justice.
You will take the two compulsory modules in the first two terms of your first year. This is followed by one optional module in Term 3. We recommend this to be ‘Global Citizenship Education: Research Policy and Practice’. In your second year you complete your additional optional modules, and either a Report or Dissertation.
Flexible
The MA structure consists of either:
- 4 modules (2 compulsory and 2 optional) and a Dissertation
- 5 modules (2 compulsory and 3 optional) and a Report
The compulsory modules below will introduce you a range of theoretical perspectives related to global learning, education for sustainable development and global citizenship. They will then highlight how they influence policy and practice. The modules also introduce newer perspectives. These explore how education can reflect a more equal relationship with the natural world in our pursuit of sustainability and global social justice.
You can plan your study over 5 years. You will initially take the two compulsory modules. You will then choose optional modules from the programme and across IOE. Finally, you will complete either a Report or Dissertation in your final year.
Compulsory modules
- Report in Global Learning
- Dissertation in Global Learning
- Education for Sustainable Development: Perspectives from Policy and Practice
- Global Learning: Principles and Theoretical Perspectives
Optional modules
- Global Citizenship Education: Research, Policy and Practice
- Teaching Controversial Issues
- African Studies and Education
- Learning and Working in International Contexts
- Gender, Education and Development
- Education and Muslim Communities
- Learners, Learning and Teaching in the Context of Education for All
- Education and International Development: Concepts, Theories and Issues
- Education, Conflict and Peace
- Reimagining 'disaster education': perspectives and methodologies
- Migration, Education and Development
Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change.
Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MA in Global Learning.
What this course will give you
The MA prepares you for a rewarding career across education sectors internationally. You will develop the knowledge and skills you need to apply learning about global issues to educational environments. These skills are highly valued by employers within education as they help their learners to respond to the challenges of living and working in a global society.
The programme also offers the opportunity to be taught by staff from the Development Education Research Centre (DERC). DERC is a world-leading centre for global learning, education for sustainable development and global citizenship. It conducts research and offers consultancy in education, partnering with international NGOs like UNESCO and local organisations such as the British Council and Oxfam. DERC is part of IOE, UCL’s Faculty of Education and Society, which has been ranked number one in the world for Education since 2014.
The online format offers you the same educational quality as a campus-based programme but with added flexibility. You can study from anywhere, balance learning with work and benefit from collaborating with peers from diverse international and educational backgrounds.
With this programme, it is also possible to reduce the cost of studying to two-thirds of the total if you already have PGCE Master’s credits. This is valid for up to 5 years after the completion of your PGCE.
The foundation of your career
Previous graduates work across a range of areas such as:
- Teaching and Senior Leadership
- International organisations such as UNESCO and UNICEF
- International NGOs such as The International Red Cross and Oxfam
- Education Consultants
- Lecturers
Their work includes a range of projects within formal education (e.g. curriculum development) and non-formal education (e.g. education campaigns).
Many of our part-time and flexible students are already in their graduate destinations when they join us. The programme offers an excellent opportunity to support current work and advance your career.
Employability
You will develop the knowledge and skills to:
- Conduct research and apply the outcomes to your educational practice
- Analyse and design education policy
- Evaluate examples of educational resources
- Work cross-culturally in collaborative projects
- Reflect on your professional practice
You will also be able to run educational initiatives focused on global social justice. This includes:
- Embedding global and sustainability themes into the curriculum
- Helping schools achieve sustainability awards
- Managing international partnerships
- Creating educational programmes for NGOs
- Working as a lecturer or researcher in higher and further educationNetworking
The MA gives you an opportunity to become an active member of the Development Education Research Centre. DERC is a world-leading centre for global learning, education for sustainable development and global citizenship. You will also have the chance to join the international network of academics and researchers in global education (ANGEL). Through these memberships, you can join seminars, attend conferences and access new publications. You will also engage with experts and hear from top NGOs and organisations working on educational responses to global issues.