International Master's Programme in Educational Research

The programme prepares students for conducting research in education. The studies are conducted within an enriching international student environment. The programme will develop the students' understanding of central themes in educational research, focusing on education and learning as individual, interactive and collective processes, and provide a comprehensive overview of scholarly inquiry related to education research and its practical applications.

A bachelor's degree (180 credits) in one of the fields; Educational Sciences, Social Sciences or Humanities, or a teacher's degree of at least 180 credits. Applicants must also prove their knowledge of English: English 6 or English, level 2 from Swedish Upper Secondary School or the equivalent level of an internationally recognized test, for example TOEFL, IELTS.

The International Master’s Programme in Educational Research is organised as a two-year full time education (120 higher education credits). The programme is accessible to both foreign and Swedish students. The programme is based on the broad and interdisciplinary research domain of educational sciences, wherein the variation in research in terms of perspectives, theories and methods is extensive. In addition to learning about educational research traditions and grappling with research methods often used in the educational sciences, students will actively explore their own unfolding identity as educational researcher and will be introduced to educational research as reflexive—or ‘identity shaping’—social practice by delving into research projects and discussing them with researchers. The programme concludes with a Master’s thesis (30 higher education credits) which students will conduct under the supervision of research active staff.

The programme consists of seven compulsory courses.

Year 1:

• Introduction to Educational Research, 15 hec
• Qualitative Approaches to Educational Research, 15 hec
• Quantitative Methods in Educational Research, 15 hec
• Introduction to Educational Research Practice, 15 hec 

Year 2:

• Reading Educational Research and Theory, 15 hec
• Writing Research Plans in Education, 15 hec
• Master Thesis in Education, 30 hec

General outcomes 

Knowledge and understanding

For a Degree of Master (120 credits) the student shall

• demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the main field of study, including both broad knowledge of the field and a considerable degree of specialised knowledge in certain areas of the field as well as insight into current research and development work, and 
• demonstrate specialised methodological knowledge in the main field of study.

Competence and skills

For a Degree of Master (120 credits) the student shall

• demonstrate the ability to critically and systematically integrate knowledge and analyse, assess and deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations even with limited information
• demonstrate the ability to identify and formulate issues critically, autonomously and creatively as well as to plan and, using appropriate methods, undertake advanced tasks within predetermined time frames and so contribute to the formation of knowledge as well as the ability to evaluate this work
• demonstrate the ability in speech and writing both nationally and internationally to clearly report and discuss his or her conclusions and the knowledge and arguments on which they are based in dialogue with different audiences, and
• demonstrate the skills required for participation in research and development work or autonomous employment in some other qualified capacity.

Judgement and approach

For a Degree of Master (120 credits) the student shall 

• demonstrate the ability to make assessments in the main field of study informed by relevant disciplinary, social and ethical issues and also to demonstrate awareness of ethical aspects of research and development work
• demonstrate insight into the possibilities and limitations of research, its role in society and the responsibility of the individual for how it is used, and
• demonstrate the ability to identify the personal need for further knowledge and take responsibility for his or her ongoing learning.

Local outcomes

• demonstrate the ability to assess sustainability concerns in educational research.

Students who are admitted to the programme according to the previous programme syllabus can apply for credit transfer of previously approved courses.

Language of instruction in the programme is English.

Evaluation of the courses within the programme is offered and functions as a guide for the on going activities and also for the development of future courses. The results of the evaluation will be communicated to the students in the course as well as to prospective students who will attend the next course. An evaluation of the whole programme will be carried out at the end of it, in accordance with current University of Gothenburg policy documents.

The study programme will be followed up and evaluated in accordance with the applicable Policy för kvalitetssäkring och kvalitetsutveckling av utbildning vid Göteborgs universitet (Policy for the Quality assurance and Quality Development of Education at the University of Gothenburg).

Students who follow the programme in the normal rate of study (full-time) have general guaranteed admission to the courses within the programme as long as the student fulfil the entry requirements for the course/courses.