Social Justice and Community Action (Online Learning) MSc, PgDip (ICL), PgCert (ICL)
Online
DURATION
1 up to 6 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Request earliest startdate
TUITION FEES
GBP 15,200 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
Distance Learning
* Estimated full tuition fees for Social Justice and Community Action (MSc) | PgCert: £5,070 | PgDip: £10,135
Introduction
Our MSc / PgDip / PgCert in Social Justice and Community Action programme will equip you with the knowledge and practical skills to make positive social change. It is part-time and fully online, making it perfect for those who wish to combine study with busy lives.
From a local and global viewpoint, you will explore the theories, politics and practices of social justice and community action, connecting ideas like liberty, equality, citizenship and democracy to real-world practices, such as:
- grassroots activism
- community practice
- public policy development and implementation
- organisational management
We cover a wide range of topics, drawing insights from:
- critical education
- politics
- social policy
- sociology
- anthropology
- psychology
We use digital tools to provide a flexible, high-quality, collaborative learning experience.
Here's what you can expect from the programme:
- Engage with the major debates and dilemmas regarding social justice, equality, democracy, citizenship and community action, both globally and locally.
- Gain the skills and knowledge to apply social justice theories to real-world challenges.
- Critically evaluate research, policy and practice evidence and claims regarding social (in)justice.
- Develop the research and inquiry skills to investigate issues surrounding social justice, equality, democracy, citizenship and activism on all levels.
Accreditation
This programme is the flagship teaching initiative of the University of Edinburgh’s Global Justice Academy, a multi-disciplinary network of academics and research centres committed to global justice concerns. It is a joint initiative with the Moray House School of Education and Sport.
Online learning
Delivered fully online, this programme gives you the opportunity to work closely with your fellow students and tutors in a supported, collaborative, vibrant online learning environment, studying at the times and in the places that suit you best.
We deliver this programme through:
- live online lectures, pre-recorded lectures and podcasts
- live online tutorials and text-based discussion forums
- reflective blogs
- independent study
- group work
Specialist IT skills are not required.
Rankings
The University of Edinburgh is a World Top 30 University (QS World University Rankings 2025).
Career Opportunities
This programme is ideal for professionals working on social justice issues in research and policy, grassroots practice and education. We also welcome recent graduates who wish to enter the social justice field.
You will gain skills applicable to social justice work in the global public, third and private sectors. Graduates may find career opportunities, or opportunities for career advancement, in areas such as:
- grassroots community practice (community development, community organising, rights-based development work)
- education (formal, informal and non-formal)
- social and public policy development
- advocacy and campaigning
- social research, consultancy and monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (MEAL) in non-governmental organisations or in the public/private sectors
- trade unions
- academia
Curriculum
The flexibility of this programme means you can choose a pathway and study at a pace that suits you best. Study towards a:
- Postgraduate Certificate (PgCert)
- 60 credits earned over 1-2 years (part-time intermittent)
- Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip)
- 120 credits earned over 2-4 years (part-time intermittent)
- full Master's degree (MSc)
- 180 credits earned over 3 years (part-time),
- or 3-6 years (part-time intermittent)
The Postgraduate Certificate includes two compulsory courses and one option course.
The Postgraduate Diploma includes two compulsory courses and four option courses.
To obtain the Master's qualification, you will complete three compulsory courses, three option courses, and a supervised dissertation or applied research project.
Compulsory courses
- Theories and Politics of Social Justice
- Community Engagement: Co-Constructing Knowledge with Communities
- Activist Social Research (MSc students only)
Option courses
- Organisational Management for Social Justice
- Working with Children and Young People for Social Justice
- Policy Analysis for Social Justice
- Learning for Democracy
PgDip and Master's students may choose additional option courses, including any of the above not yet taken, plus:
- Analysing Development
- Politics and Theories of International Development
- Key Skills in Development Practice
- Digital Education in the Majority World
- Global Development Challenges
Additionally, they may choose from a wide range of online courses provided elsewhere in the University. For example:
- Child Migration and Mental Health
- Dynamics of African Development
- Education, Data and Change
- Global Health Governance
- Health Systems Analysis
- Migration and Forced Displacement in a Digital Age
- Post-digital Society
- Social Inequality and Child and Adolescent Mental Health
- Strategic Change Leadership for Creative Industries
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
Moray House Access Scholarship
Moray House School of Education and Sport is pleased to offer a scholarship covering tuition fees and living costs for one student. The scholarship is for UK nationals domiciled in the UK, from backgrounds or groups which are underrepresented in our School.
Mastercard Foundation Postgraduate Scholarships
Scholarships are available for the Social Justice and Community Action online taught programme (MSc and PgDip). The postgraduate study scholarships for the 2024/25 academic year will accept applications until 7th December 2023 at 5:00 PM (UK Time). Applicants must be residents and citizens or hold refugee status in a Sub-Saharan African country.
Please note: If the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is the only scholarship you are interested in applying for at the University of Edinburgh, please apply for the Mastercard Foundation scholarship only first. If you receive a scholarship offer from the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, then you can apply for the academic programme.
UK government postgraduate loans
If you live in the UK, you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan from one of the UK’s governments.
The type and amount of financial support you are eligible for will depend on:
- your programme
- the duration of your studies
- your tuition fee status
Programmes studied on a part-time intermittent basis (ICL) are not eligible.