ObjectivesAssessment is the most critical part of a student’s experience. It has a significant impact on what students learn, is influentially related to career prospects and can have an important effect on student’s self-worth. Additionally, larger class sizes and heavy marking loads are becoming a regular feature of the teaching environment. Therefore, it is essential that assessment is efficient and fit for purpose. The course aims to enable educators working in Higher and Further education to explore the theory and application of assessment with colleagues and to participate in developing the scholarship of assessment. Learning will be work-based and problem-based and participants will develop their own assessment practice in the context of the subject specialism or professional responsibility. The course is research-orientated and opportunities to pursue and publish pedagogical research into assessment have been built into the structure of the course. The course is appropriate for those involved in designing and implementing student assessment (undergraduate and postgraduate) or in delivering staff development on assessment. It has been developed by the Write Now Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL), a collaboration between London Metropolitan, Liverpool Hope and Aston Universities.
Entry requirementsThe minimum entry requirement will normally be a lower second class Honours degree. Applicants should also be actively engaged in the delivery of post-compulsory education in a higher education or equivalent environment. If English is not your first language, you will require IELTS 6.5 min. with min. score of 6 (all components) TOEFL (old exam) 630, TOEFL (new) 267 or equivalent.
Academic titleMSc Student Assessment
Course descriptionCourse structure
The course is delivered online and consists of six-taught modules, plus a 10,000 word dissertation. Enrolment is also possible for individual modules, with intermediate exits of PG Certificate and PG Diploma. APEL/APCL is available for students who already hold a PG Certificate in TLHE. Short residential workshops are optional.
Course modules:
-Theory and Philosophy of Assessment
-Assessment for Learning
-Rethinking Assessment: A Critical Approach to Contemporary Practice
-Researching Assessment
-Writing for Assesssment
-E-Assessment
-Quality Assurance in Assessment
-Negotiated Learning
Assessment
Methods include seminar presentation, reports, essays, portfolios and a dissertation. Each will involve both online and traditional paper-based formats.
Career opportunities
The MSc provides a career boost and helps you improve the efficiency of student assessment in your own practice, as well as enabling you to develop research experience within the field of educational research.
Attendance & duration
-Full-time: 18 months
-Part-time: up to 48 months