MA Learning in Communities
About this course
MA (Hons) in Learning in Communities, an education degree focused on community learning and development, youth work, and community capacity building. Core topics include Research Methods, Critical & Analytical Thinking, and Ethics & Professional Practice. Students complete supervised professional practice placements and conclude their studies with a dissertation. The first year covers policy contexts and teaching strategies alongside a first supervised professional practice placement. The second year explores community-based agencies and includes a second professional practice placement and optional courses from the wider university. The third year involves designing programmes of education, completing a professional portfolio of evidence, and presenting a professional viva. The fourth year focuses on independent study, research workshops, a fully developed research proposal, a systematic literature review, a written submission in the form of an academic journal article, and a dissertation.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A level: ABB (required: no specific A level subjects required) IB: 34 points with 655 at HL
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Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 58%: 19 offers from 33 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 13 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 98%
- Learning opportunities: 95%
- Assessment and feedback: 74%
- Academic support: 88%
- Organisation and management: 85%
- Learning resources: 87%
- Student voice: 85%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 95%
- Left higher education: 5%
What graduates do next
Based on about 28 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 80%
- Working and studying: 10%
- Unemployed: 10%
Most common jobs
- Teaching Professionals: 85%
- Find their work meaningful: 95%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 85%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 90%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 280 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 1%
- West Midlands: 1%
- East of England: 1%
- London: 1%
- South East: 1%
- Scotland: 94%
Who gets in
Based on about 25 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 10%
- Access course: 5%
- A degree: 5%
- Other HE qualification: 85%
Accreditation & quality ratings
- Approved by the Standards Council for Community Learning and Development for Scotland.
Modules
- learn about frameworks for locating practice in the wider policy context, and start to consider some of the implications
- prepare for the task of developing disciplined and systematic approaches to practice
- discover a range of teaching and learning strategies in CLD settings
- complete your first supervised professional practice placement
- study the principles and practice of working with people and groups
- explore the historical development of, and debates relating to, the distinct areas of practice
- research the structure, culture, operation and resourcing of community-based agencies
- have the opportunity to study option courses from subjects in the wider University
- complete a second professional practice placement
- learn to draw on a range of theoretical sources to make competent, confident and defensible judgements in practice
- deepen your understanding of the domains of practice through critical analysis of contemporary issues
- apply your knowledge, skills and understanding of practice through routine methods of enquiry and research
- learn how to design, plan and implement programmes of education and action in communities
- complete your professional portfolio of evidence
- present a professional viva (oral exam) as evidence of your overall learning.
- a dissertation
- a fully developed research proposal
- a written submission in the form of an academic journal article
- a systematic literature review
- study more independently and develop your research project
- share your research, and related research, with the student group
- benefit from research workshops where you can share and discuss practical approaches and draw on academic knowledge and advice
- community
- equality
- social justice
- citizenship
- democracy
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MA Learning in Communities at University of Edinburgh earn?
The median salary is £38,000 after 15 months, £31,000 after 3 years, £34,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £31,000 and £37,500. The £34,500 median after five years is £10,500 more than the UK median for Education.
What do graduates of MA Learning in Communities at University of Edinburgh do next?
90% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on MA Learning in Communities at University of Edinburgh?
98% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for MA Learning in Communities at University of Edinburgh?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 34 points in the IB. The average entrant had 180 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for MA Learning in Communities at University of Edinburgh?
58% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 19 offers from 33 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Is MA Learning in Communities at University of Edinburgh accredited?
Yes. Approved by the Standards Council for Community Learning and Development for Scotland.
How many students continue on MA Learning in Communities at University of Edinburgh?
95% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.