Location:

Brussels, Belgium

Program Type:

Full Degree

Degree Level:

Bachelor

Specialty:

Teacher Education

Program Overview

Program Description:

Number of ECTS: 120 Duration: 2 years Campus: Etterbeek Strategy: blended learning (face to face contacts + online learning) Language of instruction: Engli The two-year Master in Educational Sciences aims to prepare students for academic and professional interventions in the field of educational innovation. It prepares students for research into the nature, development and features of educational actors, institutions, related policies, and processes in educational development and educational practices. The programme consists of two years and includes an internship and master thesis during the second year. It comprises one set of compulsory courses and one set of optional courses. The optional courses allow students to focus on specific aspects of educational practice and research and further deepen their knowledge. Theoretical knowledge and research skills Next to theoretical knowledge, students will acquire research skills to conduct theoretical and empirical research. They will be able to connect the educational practices with the practice of research. The students will be involved in authentic research tasks or projects to learn how to apply theoretical frameworks and research methodologies. This programme aims to train students in applying relevant research software, conducting educational surveys and other research methodologies through this programme.

First year of the Master: relationship between theory and practice In the first Master year, students discover the different theories and their significance for the educational practice. The relationship between theory and practice will constantly act as the central focus. Students will scrutinize the different theories and methods critically and they will create their own opinions. They will be guided gradually and therefore they’ll receive a broad orientation on the educational sciences. Focus on curriculum design and educational innovation Next to this more general knowledge, we will focus on curriculum design and educational innovation. This includes learning competences on designing learning processes in formal education, educational work, company’s training programmes… To further complement these competences, students can choose courses that will enable them to technically support learning processes (educational technology, e-environments) and/or courses that offer them deeper insight into the management approaches to facilitate innovation in curricula. Second year of the Master : focus on research activities In the second year of the master programme, students will be introduced to numerous research activities of different educational fields: information- and communication technology in education, ICT support for learning processes … Naturally within this last year, students will turn into real professionals. This means that they are very familiar with theory, but moreover they will be able to manage practical issues as well. Therefore, the study programme consists of case studies in which theory and practice go together well, and in which internship (=practice) and a master thesis (= theory and research) are included. Students can perform their internship & master thesis in the European context or in their home country. Pedagogical Internship introduce you to reality of educational field The pedagogical internship aims to introduce students to the reality of the pedagogical and educational field. Students learn to cope with educational methods, insights and concepts in real practice. Of course they receive the guidance needed to complete this challenge. As the internship evolves, the student receives more responsibilities and builds more independency by performing the job as an educational expert. Core competencies that were achieved through the programme are further developed, practiced and examined in relation to the educational practice.

The educational strategy used in this programme is a blended learning approach. It encompasses a combination of online learning and face to face lessons. The flexibility (in time and place) of online learning is joined with the often needed face to face support and real life contacts with students, teachers and researchers. The programme appeals to innovative methods and interactive technologies to support student learning, such as using discussion forums, blogs and wikis to support online collaborative learning and peer interaction. In addition, teaching and learning strategies such as case-based learning supported by online tools will be applied in this International Master Programme. The programme includes an internship and master thesis during the second year. It comprises one set of compulsory courses and one set of optional courses. The optional courses allow students to focus on specific aspects of educational practice and research and further deepen their knowledge.

Setting Description:

The Vrije Universiteit Brussel, a dynamic and modern university with two green campuses in the Brussels-Capital region, offers high-quality education and research. Our research teams are internationally recognized in many disciplines of fundamental and applied research. We offer high-quality education to almost 10.000 students. Add to that our association partners and you have one of the biggest centers of knowledge in the capital of Europe. Thanks to this expertise and its strategic location, the Vrije Universiteit Brussel is your ideal partner for prestigious research and education with an outlook on Europe and the world