The course aims to enrol high achieving graduates from education studies and related humanities, and is designed to develop a cadre of education scholars who are critically aware of educational developments internationally, and who have the skills to analyse such developments in terms of their impact on individuals, groups and societies.

The comparison of education systems heightens the ability to critically analyse national and regional efforts in the development of educational institutions and services, and to consider alternatives that might be more sound and effective. As educational policy-making increasingly falls under the influence of globalisation, and as educational agendas travel across countries and regions through the impact of such supra-national organisations and agencies as the World Bank, the World Trade Organisation, the OECD, UNESCO, and the European Commission, it becomes important to develop an understanding of how education is being shaped, and the directions it is taking in socialising present and future generations, and in preparing them as citizens and workers in an increasingly complex and inter-dependent world.

While the particular focus of the Masters is on educational developments in the European Union, and in the Mediterranean region more generally, a global comparative perspective is maintained throughout the course. Graduates of the course will be able to contribute to national and regional quests for positive policy options and alternatives in addressing common educational challenges. They may expect to be employed by state policy units, by international organisations specialising in education, and by research institutions.

The Course shall be open to applicants in possession of one of the following qualifications:

(a) a Bachelor degree with at least Second Class Honours in an area of study deemed relevant by the Board or

(b) a Bachelor degree with at least Category IIA and an average grade B in a main area of study deemed relevant by the Board or

(c) a degree from this or another university which the Board considers comparable to the degrees indicated in sub-paragraphs (a) and (b).

Senate, on the advice of the Board, may limit the number of students that may be admitted to the Course. The number of places available shall be announced at the time of the call for applications.

If there are more eligible applicants than the number of places available, applicants shall be selected after an interview by an interviewing board appointed by the Board and which shall be composed of at least three members. Preference shall normally be given to graduates in Education, including those who have obtained the Postgraduate Certificate in Education or those who have furthered their studies at postgraduate level in education.

The interviewing board shall select applicants according to the following criteria, the weighting of which shall be published at the time of the call for applications:

(a) degree type and classification
(b) work experience in the area or a related field
(c) performance during the interview and
(d) professional aptitude and disposition.

Applicants must provide proof of adequate English proficiency to the satisfaction of the Board, as applicable.

Students eligible for registration may be required to follow supplementary study-units laid down by the Board up to a maximum of 10 credits, after taking into consideration the relation of their previous studies to the Course.

The admission requirements are applicable for courses commencing in October 2012. For more detailed information please refer to the bye-laws for the course available here.