Master of Arts in Higher Education
The Master of Arts in Higher Education (MA HE) forms a key part of our Academic CPD Framework.
Overview
The MA HE programme is designed to further develop knowledgeable, skilled and critically reflective HE professionals through pursuing a scholarly and evidence based approach to their academic and professional practice aimed at enhancing the HE student experience.
The programme is designed for two groups of staff:
- Staff who already have an appropriate postgraduate certificate qualification (such as the MMU PGCert in Learning and Teaching in HE or an equivalent from another institution) and wish to develop their academic practice or HE scholarship further. Staff in this category may be admitted to the programme with 60 credits advanced standing.
- Staff who work in HE (but without a specific teaching remit) and who wish to complete an MA award which relates to their own aspects of HE. Staff in this category complete 30 option credits and the 30 credit ‘HE Today’ core unit before progressing to the PGDip stage. This route is therefore appropriate for HE staff with any relevant role, including for example, governance, librarianship, student support, leadership, strategic or operational management and so on.
The MA HE Programme Leader Dr Eileen Pollard is available at [email protected] to provide further details and guidance for anyone considering entry to the programme.
Course details
Applicants will normally be graduates working in an academic or professional services role in HE and must also be able to demonstrate the following to the satisfaction of the Programme Leader:
- A first degree in any subject or alternative educational qualifications that are deemed equivalent
Applicants with a 60 credit M level FE/HE PG Certificate or equivalent will normally be eligible for entry to the MA HE at the PG Diploma stage.Please note, we may request to see copies of Transcripts and Certificates of your previous studies.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is another route to entry on the MA HE. You can see guidance on RPL on our website here.
We welcome applications from external applicants who meet the entry requirements above.
All our units are currently delivered online using the Moodle virtual learning environment and Microsoft Teams. This combination offers participants the maximum flexibility of synchronous and asynchronous learning.
There are three stages to our MA HE. These stages must be completed in order. Within each stage, students should study the core module before commencing the optional module.
1. PGCert Stage
For participants not in a teaching role
Core module: HE Today followed by an optional module.
For participants in a teaching role
Complete the Postgraduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching in HE (PGCert LTHE) (apply separately here). Those who successfully complete the PGCert LTHE can then apply to join the MA HE at the PGDip Stage below.
2. PGDip Stage
Core module: Researching HE followed by an optional module.
3. MA Stage
Dissertation (60 credits)
The MA HE is offered at no cost to staff employed by Man Met, and there will be no charges incurred by your department or faculty.
For entry in the 2025/26 academic year, MA HE participants not employed by Man Met will pay fees as follows:
- £1709 per 30 credits for Home (UK) students (£3418 per 60 credits)
- £3334 per 30 credits for International students (£6668 per 60 credits)
The MAHE is studied part time over three years and therefore external participants may be eligible for a postgraduate loan from Student Finance. See the GOV.UK website for an overview of postgraduate loans and to register/login to your Student Finance account.
Upon enrolment, participants will be billed and it is your responsibility to arrange for fees to be paid. Our website has further details on how to pay fees, including payment in instalments. If a sponsor (your employer, for example) is paying on your behalf, they must email [email protected] to confirm they will pay before you can enrol.
Applications for the MA HE closed on 22 August 2025.
Our next entry point will be September 2026
If you would like to be notified when applications are open please complete this expression of interest form.
Applications are expected to reopen in the Summer of 2026.
Contact us
Contact us
If you have any further questions, please contact Programme Leader Eileen Pollard or our Programme Administration team, using the contact details below.