New online education MA to create ‘world classroom’

As the echoes of the Covid era continue to reverberate, the University of East London has emerged as a pioneer in redefining the education landscape, with the launch of a new MA Education by Distance Learning course.

This paradigm shift to fully online education reflects not only a response to the changing demands of the post-pandemic world but also a commitment to inclusivity and accessibility in education.

Dr Richard Malthouse, course leader and senior lecturer from the School of Education and Communities, said,

 “A person who wants to study may come up against a range of obstacles, including location and the cost of living. In response, we have flipped everything. Rather than attending the university, we’ve created a virtual university where people can study at home anywhere in the world. They’re able to negotiate a job and family obligations and still enhance their career prospects.

“What appeals to me about this is that I can have a global classroom, opening it up to people who want to make the most of their lives but who might otherwise never have the chance.”  

The MA Education by Distance Learning course gives people with busy lives the chance to improve themselves or move their careers forward at their own pace, in the comfort of their homes, with the support of experienced tutors.  

While postgraduate education students and teachers are likely to make up the bulk of applicants, the traditional boundaries of education are being breached, and the online MA Education course will offer modules that can benefit professionals from various walks of life as they rise up the career ladder.  

Nurses, CEOs, and police officers have already pursued a traditional MA in education at the University. These students have recognised the utility of learning practice in its broadest sense and its wider application.

The new course focuses on fundamental educational processes, blending current policy, theory, and research into day-to-day practice. Students will develop analytical skills, engage in critical discourse, and enhance their teaching approaches. The lecturers are experienced teachers, social scientists and researchers able to bring practical insights to the theory.

The distance learning format ensures flexibility without compromising depth and with a full provision of one-to-one support as it follows our successful on-campus programme. The MA Education by Distance Learning course is a commitment to reshaping education by empowering educators to bring positive change to their classrooms, investigating areas such as creativity and imagination, public policy, coaching and mentoring.

The genesis of this ground-breaking initiative can be traced back to the pandemic, but cultural shifts since then have proved that distance learning is not just a temporary solution. Instead, it is a permanent change in what’s possible. 

Technological advancements have paved the way for a novel approach to education. Out of the Covid experience, UEL developed a range of technologies to ensure distant learners could access the full range of University support.  

Upon completion of the MA, graduates will not find themselves confined to the traditional role of educator. Instead, they will be ready for middle management positions, or to step into the realm of educational policy advising, or to serve as influential trainers and consultants.  

Dr Malthouse said, “The MA Education by Distance Learning programme isn't just about acquiring a degree; it's about empowering individuals to redefine what's possible in the educational landscape, irrespective of where they are on the globe.”

See our MA Education by Distance Learning course page as well as other Postgraduate degree courses.