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Foundation Research Methods in Education (PGA) (2022 Entry)

About this taught graduate course

Course overview

The Postgraduate Award in Foundation Research Methods in Education will provide you with knowledge and understanding of the theoretical and methodological issues involved in conceptualising and designing educational research.

It includes general and specific aspects of research training including key dimensions of qualitative and quantitative research, their applications, understanding of relational aspects between them, and appreciation of the politics and ethics of doing educational research. The module is designed to contextualise educational research, in terms of its theoretical, epistemological and methodological underpinnings, for a broad cross section of students, enabling you to understand different facets of educational research in an integrated and coherent fashion.

The aim of the assessment method is to lead to research design and dissertation planning. In addition, practical skills are built into the module, through workshops, seminars and tutorials, designed to develop library, software, web and applied IT search skills, and research skills relevant to your needs and interests.

Skills from this course

  • Understand the stages in designing and carrying out research in the field of Education
  • Engage critically with the theoretical and methodological grounds on which education research is based
  • Assess the efficiency and effectiveness of educational research from different perspectives and methodologies
  • Gain familiarity with different research practices in relation to a range of empirical investigations within educational settings
  • Be able to identify a topic to research and design and carry out a small scale research project in a field of interest to you
  • Be able to communicate your research to different users

General entry requirements

Minimum requirements

2:ii undergraduate degree (or equivalent).


English language requirements

You can find out more about our English language requirements. This course requires the following:

  • Band B
  • IELTS score to 7 overall, two at 6.0/6.5 & rest 7.0+

International qualifications

We welcome applications from students with other internationally recognised qualifications.

For more information, please visit the international entry requirements page.


Additional requirements

There are no additional entry requirements for this course.

Core modules

Foundation Research Methods in Education (face to face or online)

This module encourages students in understanding, designing and implementing research in the field of education. It will introduce you to a range of established research strategies and techniques, including data collection and analysis. These skills will enable you to design and carry out a dissertation research project, as well as to disseminate its findings. As part of this module, you will present your research design and have the opportunity to receive feedback ahead of completing your dissertation.


Teaching

Depending on which module you select, the course is either delivered entirely online, through a dedicated distance learning portal or face to face over two terms. For the online variant, you will use a mixture of online text extracts and journals, and will undertake regular tasks alongside their end of module assignments. Support will be given via email with your subject tutor. Alternatively, the course will be delivered through a variety of teaching methods: lectures, seminars, discussions, presentations and case studies.


Typical contact hours

Support will be given via email with your subject tutor.


Assessment

The assessment on this course supports students to think about their dissertation project and for students taking the face to face route consists of a poster, a 5-10 minute presentation and a reflective account all of which focus on their dissertation research plans.


Additional course costs

You may wish to undertake some research with children or young people that may require a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check or a Certificate of Good Conduct for students from outside of the UK. A DBS check costs around £70 and a Certificate of Good Conduct can vary in price.

Find out more about our additional course costs.


Reading lists

Most departments have reading lists available through Warwick Library. If you would like to view reading lists for the current cohort of students you can visit our Warwick Library web page.


Your timetable

Your personalised timetable will be complete when you are registered for all modules, compulsory and optional, and you have been allocated to your lectures, seminars and other small group classes. Your compulsory modules will be registered for you when you join us.

Department content block about careers
Department content block about department

Tuition fees

Tuition fees are payable for each year of your course at the start of the academic year, or at the start of your course, if later. Academic fees cover the cost of tuition, examinations and registration and some student amenities.

Taught course fees  Research course fees


Fee Status Guidance

We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Students will be classified as Home or Overseas fee status. Your fee status determines tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available. If you receive an offer, your fee status will be clearly stated alongside the tuition fee information.

Do you need your fee classification to be reviewed?

If you believe that your fee status has been classified incorrectly, you can complete a fee status assessment questionnaire. Please follow the instructions in your offer information and provide the documents needed to reassess your status.

Find out more about how universities assess fee status

Additional course costs

As well as tuition fees and living expenses, some courses may require you to cover the cost of field trips or costs associated with travel abroad.

For departmental specific costs, please see the Modules tab on the course web page for the list of core and optional core modules with hyperlinks to our Module Catalogue (please visit the Department’s website if the Module Catalogue hyperlinks are not provided).

Associated costs can be found on the Study tab for each module listed in the Module Catalogue (please note most of the module content applies to 2022/23 year of study). Information about module department specific costs should be considered in conjunction with the more general costs below:

  • Core text books
  • Printer credits
  • Dissertation binding
  • Robe hire for your degree ceremony

Scholarships and bursaries

Scholarships and financial support

Find out about the different funding routes available, including; postgraduate loans, scholarships, fee awards and academic department bursaries.

Living costs

Find out more about the cost of living as a postgraduate student at the University of Warwick.

Find out how to apply to us, ask your questions, and find out more.

Taught course applications

Here is our checklist on how to apply for taught postgraduate courses at Warwick.

Research course applications

Here is our checklist on how to apply for research postgraduate degrees at the University of Warwick.

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Admissions statement

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Throughout the year we attend exhibitions and fairs online and in the UK. These events give you the chance to learn about our Master's and PhD study routes, and the wider context of postgraduate study.

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