Overview

Are you interested in improving your insight into education and the economy, education and social and economic development, and education and the world of work? The exciting newly redesigned Master of Education specialisation in Education and Work is aimed at postgraduate students in the fields of Education, Sociology, Development Studies, Economics, Philosophy, those working in higher education, the public service and policy-makers.

This programme is particularly useful for those interested in improving their insight into education and the economy, education and social and economic development, just transitions, and education and the world of work.

This degree is now offered in a block-release format to include students from outside of Johannesburg. Three face-to-face block release sessions offered in March, May, and August 2025 and the rest of the course is conducted online. 

The programme is of particular value to: 

• Public sector workers
• People with experience or interest in working in colleges
• Organisers of workplace-based training
• Anyone else interested in the complex intersection of theory and practice around education/work relationships in policy, training, and workplaces. 

The specialisation is offered by the Centre for Researching Education and Labour (REAL), a research centre in the School of Education. The Centre conducts research into areas of major theoretical and policy concern, focused on the complex relationships between education, knowledge, work, the economy, and society. The Centre provides an organisational base for bringing together researchers from different disciplines.

Three courses are currently offered in the Education and Work specialisation, with others chosen from those on offer in the School of Education.

Curriculum

EDUC7133A  Knowledge and Work

The course aims to develop a critical understanding of the ways in which forms of work organisation impact on:

• The constitution of socially useful knowledge
• The value and context of learning
• The origins and nature of knowledge production and learning

It will critically consider arguments about the ‘knowledge society’, and the idea that society has entered a new era where knowledge and learning are at the heart of the production process and of global competitiveness.

EDUC7131A Education, Skills, and Development

This course introduces students to the main debates regarding the role of education and skills in economic and social development. The relationship between education, state formation, and patterns of economic growth and social development will be explored.

EDUC7140A Economic Concepts for Research in Education, Skill Formation and Work

This course introduces students to critical debates in two key aspects of economic theory: development economics and labour market economics.

EDUC7030 Research Design

EDUC7031 Research Report 

Entry Requirements

Successful applicants to the MEd in Education and Work need to have a good Honours or four-year undergraduate degree (typically with an average of 65% or above) in any Social Science or related discipline. Candidates with relevant professional experience will also be considered upon assessment.

All applications should include the following items.

• Certified copies of degree/diploma/certificates
• Original copies of academic transcripts showing actual marks
• A motivation for selection into the course, including an indication of your research interest
• A completed CV Evidence of research written work e.g., Honours research report; research report you have written or extended assignment.
• You may be requested to complete a set task if you have no evidence of previous research.

Note: SAQA Clearance is required for degrees awarded outside of South Africa. SA Qualifications Authority (SAQA) Clearance: Foreign degrees have to be evaluated by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) in Pretoria.

Please use the speed assessment of 10 days. SAQA’s contact telephone numbers are:

Phone: +27 (0) 431 5000
Helpdesk: 0860 10 31 88
Fax: 012 431 5039
Email: ncoetzee@saqa.co.za or dmhlongo@saqa.co.za or saqainfo@saqa.org.za

University Application Process

University Fees and Funding

Click here to see the current average tuition fees. The Fees site also provides information about the payment of fees and closing dates for fees payments. Once you have applied you will be able to access the fees estimator on the student self-service portal.

For information about postgraduate funding opportunities, including the postgraduate merit award, click here. Please also check your School website for bursary opportunities. NRF bursaries: The National Research Foundation (NRF) offers a wide range of opportunities in terms of bursaries and fellowships to students pursuing postgraduate studies. External bursaries portal: The Bursaries South Africa website provides a comprehensive list of bursaries in South Africa.