Equity and Diversity in Society (Full-time) (MA)
The MA in Equity and Diversity in Society is designed for students who want to understand and help create fairer, more inclusive communities. This course explores equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), building knowledge on how these values shape our society and influence individuals, families, organisations, and policies.
In today’s world, where people from diverse backgrounds work and live together, knowing how to support diversity and equality is essential. This degree builds understanding through areas like social policy, sociology, and social and cultural theory. With a solid foundation in these topics, students develop the skills to address inequalities and support EDI practices professionally. For instance, you’ll study the policies and laws that protect EDI in the UK, like the Equality Act (2010), the Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act (2014), and the Wellbeing of Future Generations (Wales) Act (2015). These laws guide how we support fair treatment, especially in education and community services.
The course combines educational policy and practice with the latest educational theory and research in EDI, helping students become reflective and effective practitioners. Through a structured set of core modules, students gain practical knowledge and learn to think critically about social policies and their impact on different groups. This reflective approach helps you understand how EDI policies and theories work in real life and how they can adapt to social changes.
Flexibility is a major advantage of this programme. You can choose to study full-time or part-time, and courses are available face-to-face, online, or as a blend of both. Classes are offered live via Teams, with recordings so you can review them at your own pace. This means you can design your learning schedule around your life, whether you’re on campus or studying remotely. This flexibility makes it easier to balance your studies with other commitments while developing the skills needed to work in EDI.
The degree is available as an MA, Diploma, or Certificate, making it accessible at different levels for students interested in careers that support EDI, including community-based education and social work. No matter your starting point, this programme is a path toward meaningful career development in diversity and inclusion.
For details on modules, timetables, and application requirements, please reach out to our programme manager.
By joining the MA in Equity and Diversity in Society, you’ll gain the knowledge and skills to help create a fairer, more inclusive world. Through practical and theoretical learning, this programme prepares you to make a positive difference in the field of equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Course details
- Full-time
- Online
- English
- Welsh
Why choose this course?
What you will learn
Our teaching philosophy for the MA in Equity and Diversity in Society centres on blending theoretical knowledge with practical application. We believe in reflective, inclusive learning that equips students with real-world skills, drawing on current educational policy and practice. Through interactive modules, students explore social and cultural theory to become effective advocates for equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI).
Year 1: Foundations of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
In the first year, students build foundational knowledge in equality, diversity, and inclusion with an emphasis on social policy and sociology. Key modules cover the essential theories and legislation driving EDI practices, such as the Equality Act 2010 and the Wellbeing of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015. This year encourages critical thinking about diversity and prepares students for reflective practice in professional settings.
Year 2: Advanced EDI Practices and Policy Application
The second year focuses on the practical application of EDI principles within diverse contexts, including community-based education and social services. Students deepen their understanding of educational policy and practice through advanced study of current legislation and case-based learning. Reflective assignments and real-world projects encourage students to develop adaptable, responsive approaches to EDI that can be applied in their professional roles.
Compulsory
(60 credits)
(30 credits)
Optional
(30 credits)
(30 credits)
(30 credits)
(30 credits)
(30 credits)
Disclaimer
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The modules outlined above provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this course based on recent academic teaching. We continuously review our courses to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Where your course includes optional modules, these are to provide an element of choice within the course. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed.
You’ll typically complete 120 credits per year of study on a full-time course. For more information visit our Student Agreement.
Staff
Our People
You will be taught and supported by a wide range of professional staff and teams here to help you get the university experience you are looking for. Our teaching staff were ranked 2nd in Wales for Teaching, Assessment and Feedback and Academic Support (NSS 2024) meaning that the support and feedback you get will help you learn and develop strong academic skills. Our students have placed us 1st in Wales for Learning Opportunities and Student Voice (NSS 2024) meaning that there are a wide range of opportunities available to enhance your studies and that students play an active role in shaping their learning experiences. Our commitment to your learning has seen our students place us as 1st in Wales and joint 3rd in the UK for student satisfaction (Times Higher Education, 2024, ‘Overall Positivity’ measure). Find out more about our academic staff who teach across our courses.
Ratings and Rankings
Further information
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The School has its own Admissions Policy which adheres to the requirements of the University Admission Policy and the University’s Policy on Equality and Diversity. A robust planning system is undertaken with Support Services for those students with identified disabilities.
Traditional entry route requirement for students is normally a 2:1 or 1st class honours first degree or the vocational qualification equivalent and relevant experience. The School encourages students with a range of vocational qualifications and relevant experiences to apply.
General Requirements
- an initial degree of the University of Wales;
- an initial degree awarded by another approved degree awarding body;
- a non-graduate qualification which has been deemed to be of a satisfactory standard for the purpose of admission;
- a non-graduate may also be admitted to candidature provided that he/she has held, for a minimum of two years, a responsible position which is relevant to the scheme to be pursued.
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There are NO EXAMINATIONS in Equity and Diversity in Society (MA). The assessments within this programme aim to not only allow a student to demonstrate their academic understanding but also ‘upskill’ them through the use of assessments directly related to the needs of employers in this field, and may include:
- Assignments
- Case studies
- Community profile
- Designing a leaflet and supporting academic paper
- Dissertation
- Extended essays
- Questionnaire design
- Reflective diaries
- Seminar presentations.
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Students are responsible for meeting the cost of essential textbooks, and of producing such essays, assignments and dissertations as are required to fulfil the academic requirements for each programme of study.
If students wish to undertake data collection as part of their dissertation they will require a DBS prior to data collection.
There will also be further costs for the following, not purchasable from the University:
- Books
- Clothing
- Fieldwork
- Printing and copying
- Stationery
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You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available, please visit our Bursaries and Scholarships section.
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This programme aims to develop students’ intellectual independence and critical engagement with evidence. Although it is not primarily a vocational programme, it does prepare students to move in a vocational direction. Graduates exiting from this degree will be well placed to enter a range of careers, including, for example:
- Child Care Officer
- Education Officer
- Equality Agenda
- Family Aide
- Fostering Service Project Worker
- Health care professional
- Language and Numeracy Assistant
- Learning Coach
- Probation Officer
- Social Worker/Social Services
- Support Assistant for disabled people
- Teacher
- Voluntary youth organisation worker
Graduates may also choose to go on to complete postgraduate consider gaining professional endorsement via the Youth and Community Work (MA) or progressing to a PhD in Social Justice and Inclusion.