International Education (MSc/PGDip/PGCert) - January start at University of St Andrews

Programme overview

A taught programme in international education at MSc, PGDip and PGCert level, run by the International Education and Lifelong Learning Institute for students who study on campus in St Andrews. It covers leadership, management and administration in schools, universities, NGOs and similar organisations operating in international contexts.

Department: International Education and Lifelong Learning Institute (IELLI) | Duration: MSc 18 months; PGDip 12 months; PGCert 6 months | Intake: January 2027 (starts 25 January 2027) | Location: St Andrews, Scotland, United Kingdom

What you will study

The MSc and PGDip include five compulsory modules (Action Research and Reflection for Education Practitioners; Education and Researching; Leadership and Management in International Education; Organisational Development in International Education; Trends and Policies in International Education) plus three optional modules from Assessment and Evaluation in Education, English Medium Instruction, Language Teaching Methodology, Online Programme Design and Technology for Teaching. The MSc adds a 15,000-word dissertation; the PGCert is four modules of the student's choice. All assessment is coursework. Each module runs for five weeks with five and a half face-to-face contact hours, four modules per semester, plus a weekly online discussion forum worth 20 per cent of each module grade.

Career pathways

Graduates work in managerial and administrative roles in international education organisations such as schools, universities and education-facing NGOs, in educational agencies, as educational policymakers, as international officers and in education-related marketing roles.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

A 2.1 Honours degree (or typically a 3.0 to 3.3 out of 4.0 GPA, depending on the higher education system) in any discipline, from any education system; or significant professional or other relevant experience together with evidence of prior alternative learning such as professional qualifications or certifications. Recognition of prior learning (for example DELTA) is considered case by case. Application documents: CV with full education and employment history, personal statement, one signed professional or academic reference, academic transcripts and degree certificates, and evidence of English language proficiency (a test can be submitted after applying; offers are conditional on it). Application deadline: Friday 11 December 2026. English language (international applicants, IELTS Academic; equivalents accepted): overall 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each component (taught postgraduate profile for the subject area). Also accepted: PTE Academic 70 overall (64 in each skill), TOEFL iBT (pre-2026 scale) 81 overall (reading 16, writing 19, listening 16, speaking 19). Applicants from some countries and those with a degree taught in English at a qualifying institution may not need a test score. Test scores are normally valid for two years.

Domestic applicants: GBP 12,630 for the whole programme (2027/28). MSc programme fee (home); PGDip and PGCert priced separately on the course page Source

International applicants: GBP 27,200 for the whole programme (2027/28). MSc programme fee (overseas); PGDip and PGCert priced separately on the course page Source

Intake: Monday 25 January 2027

Duration: MSc 18 months; PGDip 12 months; PGCert 6 months

Explore more study programmes

Health Sciences