M.A in Education
A two-year postgraduate programme that combines rigorous academic study with close faculty mentoring and sustained engagement with contemporary educational thought and practice.
M.A in education overview
The M.A. in Education is designed for graduates who want to think deeply about education and its role in society. Students develop strong analytical, reflective and practical capabilities that support careers across education, research, policy and allied fields. Students experience:
Discussion-led learning
Small, interactive classes that examine education through social, cultural and theoretical perspectives.
Project-based engagement
Coursework and group projects that connect academic ideas with real educational questions and contexts.
Academic exposure beyond the classroom
Participation in seminars, workshops and outreach activities that deepen understanding of learners, schools and systems.
Individual mentoring
Ongoing faculty guidance to strengthen research skills, academic writing and professional communication.
Programme details
Academic structure
The M.A. in Education follows a structured, progression-based academic model that builds conceptual foundations before moving into applied and research-oriented work.
- Duration: 2 years (4 semesters)
- Credit structure: Total of 80 credits
Programme progression
- Semesters 1 and 2: Core coursework focused on educational theory, history, society, culture, and policy
- Semesters 3 and 4: Advanced coursework, seminars, projects, and a research thesis
Illustrative first-semester courses include
- Education in India
- History of Indian Education
- Society and Culture
- Understanding Economy and Education
| Course Type | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core | Education in India: Themes & Perspectives | 4 |
| Core | Texts, Institutions and Transformation: A History of Indian Education | 3 |
| Core | Society, Culture and Education | 3 |
| Core | Learner, Learning and Development | 3 |
| Core | Understanding Economy & Education | 3 |
| Skill/Practice-based | Introduction to Academic Writing | 2 |
| Skill/Practice-based | Understanding and Using Educational Data | 2 |
| Course Type | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core | Foundations of Social and Educational Research | 4 |
| Core | Educational Ideas and Thought | 3 |
| Core | Children and Childhoods | 3 |
| Core | Education Policy in India | 3 |
| Elective | Sector-Based Elective (Select any one)* | 3 |
| Skill/Practice-based | Choice-Based Module (1) | 1 |
| Skill/Practice-based | Choice-Based Module (2) | 1 |
| Skill/Practice-based | Choice-Based Module (3) | 1 |
| Course Type | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core | Research Design and Methods – 2 | 4 |
| Core | Curriculum and Pedagogy | 4 |
| Elective | Theme-Based Elective (e.g., Urban & Education; Values & Education; Educational Leadership; Teacher Education; Diversity, Marginality & Education) | 4 |
| Elective | Discipline-Based Elective (e.g., History of Science & Tech Education; Advanced Sociology of Education; Advanced Economics of Education; Advanced Psychology of Education) | 4 |
| Skill/Practice-based | Choice-Based Module (1) | 2 |
| Skill/Practice-based | Choice-Based Module (2) / Optional | 1 |
| Course Type | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Elective | Political Economy of Higher Education | 4 |
| Elective | Evolution of the Modern University | 4 |
| Elective | Feminist Pedagogy | 4 |
| Elective | Educational Assessment & Evaluation | 4 |
| Elective | Schooling in a Changing Society / Sociology of School in India | 4 |
| Dissertation | Master’s Dissertation (Compulsory) | 12 |
Eligibility:
Admission to the M.A. in Education is open to graduates from diverse academic backgrounds who meet the University’s eligibility criteria.
Eligibility criteria
Candidates must meet one of the following:
- A Bachelor’s degree in any discipline with a minimum of 55% aggregate marks, or
- A B.Ed. or B.El.Ed. degree with a minimum of 55% aggregate marks, or
- A valid CUCET (PG) score
Application process
- Submit the online application through the Mahindra University admissions portal
- Upload academic transcripts and required supporting documents
- Attend an interview or interaction round, if shortlisted
Fee structure (per annum):
The fee structure for the M.A. in Education programme is outlined below. Hostel accommodation is optional.
| Fee component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Academic fees | ₹1,00,000 |
| Hostel charges | ₹2,10,000 |
| Caution deposit* | ₹20,000 |
*Refundable at the end of the programme or upon graduation.
All fees are subject to revision as per University norms.
Scholarships and financial aid
- Merit-based and need-based scholarships may be available
- Financial aid opportunities are announced through official admission notifications
Outcomes
This programme is designed to help graduates translate academic depth into meaningful professional and intellectual pathways across education systems.
Graduates of the M.A. in Education are prepared to:
- Build conceptual and analytical clarity around education, society, culture, and policy
- Conduct independent academic and field-based research, including qualitative inquiry and critical writing
- Contribute to curriculum design, academic content development, and teacher education initiatives
- Engage with education-focused organisations, including NGOs, policy bodies, schools, and research institutions
- Progress toward doctoral study (PhD) in education or related social science disciplines
The programme emphasises reflective thinking, structured argumentation, and research readiness—skills that remain relevant across teaching, policy, research, and leadership roles within education.
Hear what our students say…
“Here, teaching and research are not separate silos. Every project is an opportunity to involve students, to make them active contributors to new knowledge.”
“The University’s global partnerships have allowed me to co-teach with peers abroad and bring international perspectives into the classroom, something our students truly value.”
“What excites me at Mahindra University is the freedom to pursue interdisciplinary research. Collaborating with colleagues from engineering and social sciences has expanded my work in ways I never imagined.”
FAQs
This programme is well suited for graduates who are interested in understanding education beyond classroom practice, whether from perspectives of policy, society, culture, or research. It attracts aspiring educators, researchers, curriculum designers, and professionals looking to work in education-focused organisations.
No. Teaching experience is not mandatory. The programme is open to graduates from any discipline and includes foundational coursework that helps students from non-education backgrounds engage confidently with education studies.
Graduates move into roles such as educators, curriculum associates, academic researchers, programme officers in NGOs, education consultants, and policy or research assistants. Some also use the programme as preparation for doctoral study in education or allied fields.
Research is a core component of the programme. Students engage in close reading, academic writing, seminars, and a structured thesis in the later semesters, building strong preparation for research-intensive roles or further study.
Unlike professional teacher-training degrees, this programme focuses on education as a field of inquiry. It emphasises theory, research, and critical engagement with educational systems rather than instructional methods alone.
