Character Education (Online)MA

Where are you applying from?

Ranking
11th UK
QS World Rankings by Subject
Ranking details
Delivery format
Online
Start date
September 2025
Duration
3 years part-time
Award
Master of Arts
Entry requirements
2:1 Honours Degree
Full requirements
Fees
£3,633
Fee details

Course overview

Transform lives with our unique Masters in Character Education. Gain deep insights into character, wellbeing, and human flourishing to make a lasting impact.

Watch our course video

MA Character Education

Transcript

Julie Taylor (MA Character Education Graduate): I was really interested in character education, even though I didn't realize it was a thing in school. I really was interested in developing the whole child—I knew that what I was aiming for through education of children was more than just teaching them academically. I really wanted to pursue that kind of pastoral and holistic view of education. So the MA seemed a really interesting opportunity to learn more about the theoretical side, so that I could really understand what I was trying to do and how I could implement it in the best possible way.

Will Gord (student): The way that the course is structured is really well thought out. In the first year you focus on the theoretical side of character as well as looking at underlying theories, which really acts as a solid foundation as you progress into the second year, focusing on a more practical side: how that can be applied in your setting and the kind of things that you may be able to do to improve character education in your role as a professional.

Mark Kennell (student): One of the things that I really do enjoy about the MA in Character Education programme is the fact that it's online. I've returned to school after many years being out, and so being online has been very helpful and very convenient, as I am also working full-time. I'm able to engage in the studies at my own pace, watch the videos and use the tools that are presented, but also having the Zoom calls with my tutors to help provide support when I need it.

Will: The tutoring system on the course is fantastic. Not only are you assigned a personal tutor in each year, which you have as a sort of touch base for various questions and things that you might have to talk about, but you're also assigned an academic tutor for each of the modules. You're given extensive time with them to be able to talk through ideas, look at drafts of work, as well as feedback on things that you could do to improve. Even though I don't live in Birmingham, I've been able to have brilliant conversations with the tutors I’ve been assigned over online meetings, which has really helped me as a student to be able to create some fantastic outcomes during my time on the programme.

Robin Venn (graduate): The academic kind of course that we went through on the MA was absolutely brilliant—grounded in philosophy, but there were practical elements, understanding wider issues within education, and that made me very much want to carry it on in further study with a PhD. So the grounding, academically, has been superb, particularly in research methods.

Danielle Goodayle (student): I'm speaking to people who are studying in Australia, who are studying in France, and obviously I've got my UK friends who started as character colleagues but are now lifelong friends and colleagues going forward as we continue to spread the word in character education.

Will: Professionally, it has changed the way that I work as a teacher. So I work full-time as a teacher, and the way that I approach learning now is framed with character. The way that I plan my lessons and the way that I interact with the children that I get the pleasure of teaching, is completely different now that there's a focus on character in my role. Personally, it's made me reflect upon the type of person that I am, the type of person that I want to be, and it's given me a language which allows me to strive to be the best person that I can, as well as the best professional.

Danielle: What I did to solidify my decision was get in contact with the tutor, and I remember having a Zoom meeting, and I basically wrote a list of questions. And he answered them, and it just felt so right. And immediately, as soon as that Zoom call ended, I signed up, because everything I thought the MA in Character Education was going to be, he validated that. And it is the best investment I've ever made in myself.

Julie: I highly recommend the MA in Character Education. The theory to practice links will really support you in growing both personally and professionally.

The MA Character Education course helps you to develop your knowledge and expertise in your field of character education. Learn from leading scholars from the world-leading Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtues. Whether you're a teacher, business leader, or a parent, you'll gain the expertise to drive positive change in your school, organisation, or family home.

I highly recommend the MA in Character Education. The theory to practice links will really support you in growing both personally and professionally.
Julie Taylor
MA Character Education Graduate

This course will run over 3 years in a part-time, distance-learning mode.

In Year 1, you will study the following modules:

Theories of Character, Virtue and Flourishing (20 credits)
Research Methods in Character Education (20 credits)
History and Politics of Character Education (20 credits)

Course highlights

Our MA in Character Education course is the first of its kind, focusing on the profound impact of character and virtues on individuals and society.

Flexible learning - study at your own pace alongside existing commitments
Personalised support - receive guidance from an academic tutor for each module, plus a dedicated Personal Tutor throughout the MA
Expertise - learn from specialists at The Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtues, which focuses on how character and virtues impact on individuals and society
Interdisciplinary approach - draw insights from education, philosophy, psychology, sociology, social sciences and theology

A world-leading centre
in character education research and teaching

Course delivery

At Birmingham, you’ll learn from active researchers in Character Education, blending theory with practical insights to drive real-world impact.

Online live classes - Classes with this format meet at a regularly scheduled time online. You can interact live with your instructor and classmates as you all work together at the same time and same days
Online On Demand classes - On-Demand content and materials are available around the clock, whenever they are needed. Each learner can proceed through at their own speed.

Module information

The MA Character Education course comprises of 180 credits taught over 3 years, including a 60-credit dissertation project. There is also the option to be awarded the PGCert (60 credits taught over 12 months) or the PGDip (120 credits taught material over 24 months).

The modules listed for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Any optional module information listed for this programme is intended to be indicative, and the availability of optional modules may vary from year to year. Where a module is no longer available, we will let you know as soon as we can and help you to make other choices.

In Year 1, the following modules must be taken:

Module Title	Credits	Semester
LM History and Politics of Character Education	20	Semester 2
LM Research Methods in Character Education	20	Semester 2
LM Theories of Character, Virtue and Flourishing	20	Semester 1

In Year 2, the following modules must be taken:

Module Title	Credits	Semester
LM Character Education Interventions in Schools and Organisations	20	Semester 1
LM Character Education Leadership in Schools and Organisations	20	Semester 2
LM The Virtuous Practitioner	20	Semester 2

Entry requirements

To gain a place at Birmingham you will need to meet our general entry requirements, as well as those specific to your course. Your application will be reviewed by the course’s Admissions Tutor, who will decide whether your application should receive an offer.

Additional requirements for

2:1 Honours Degree

Typically, successful applicants will hold an undergraduate degree at 2.1 level or above and have some relevant and related experience in the field of education; however, account will be given to equivalent professional qualifications and experience.

Speakers of English as a second language will be required to hold an IELTs 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in each band or equivalent qualification.

English language requirements

If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification.

For this course we require IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any band, which is equivalent to:

TOEFL: 88 overall with no less than 21 in Reading, 20 Listening, 22 Speaking and 21 in Writing
Pearson Test of English (PTE): Academic 67 with no less than 64 in all four skills
Cambridge English: C1 Advanced - minimum overall score of 176, with no less than 169 in any component
LanguageCert ESOL SELT (UKVI): B2 'Communicator' with no less than 33 in each skill

English Presessional Programmes

Improve your knowledge of spoken and written English in preparation for studying at Birmingham with our pre-sessional English courses. If you have a conditional offer, you can take one of these courses as an alternative to retaking IELTS or other similar qualifications.

Presessional English course

Fees and scholarships

Fees information for:

£3,633

Scholarship information for:

Postgraduate Masters Loan

To help with the cost of studies, this loan is available to all UK students. You can use this loan towards fees, maintenance or other costs at your own discretion. It’s available for all full-time, part-time and distance learning Masters programmes, as long as you don’t already have a Masters qualification (or equivalent).If you’re a student from Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, you can apply for Masters loans from your country’s government.

Learn more about loans

Scholarships

To help you afford your studies, we’ve put more than £33 million into student support and scholarships. We also offer a range of advice on searching for funding and managing your finances.

Explore scholarships and funding

Birmingham Masters Scholarships

We want to welcome the brightest talent to our postgraduate community. That’s why our Birmingham Masters Scholarships award £3,000 to more than 300 students each year.

Birmingham Masters Scholarship

Application process

To apply for a postgraduate programme, you will need to submit your application and supporting documents online.

Select whether you are a UK student or an international student for relevant application deadlines.

Standard requirements for

29 August 2025
Application deadline for UK and non visa requiring applicants. We will close applications as soon as the programme is full. Early applications are encouraged.

Career opportunities

Our Character Education MA will prepare you for a range of careers in teaching and education.

You will be equipped to transform the educational ethos of your school by applying your learning in real-world settings. With a strong emphasis on connecting research to practice, this course paves the way for ambitious researchers to pursue further studies, including PhD programmes.

The way that I plan my lessons and the way that I interact with the children [...] is completely different now that there's a focus on character in my role.
Will Gord
MA Character Education Student

Careers Network

Get ready for tomorrow, with advice, guidance and opportunities at every step of your studies. From developing new skills to preparing for a PhD, our Careers Network can help you gain an advantage in the job market or advance in your field.

Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offers a range of events and support services including networking opportunities, career coaching, one-to-one guidance, careers fairs and links with leading graduate recruiters. We also offer subject-specific careers consultants and a dedicated careers website for international students.

Careers and employability