Table of contents

Study Model

Autumn 2025

Compulsory courses

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Spring 2026

Compulsory courses

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Autumn 2026

Compulsory courses

Elective courses or exchange

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Spring 2027

Compulsory courses

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Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the programme, students should be able to:

Knowledge

  • possess advanced knowledge within education and a self-chosen area of specialised knowledge within didactics or special education
  • have the capability of completing independent analyses and assessments of educational and instructional problems within various institutional and societal contexts
  • have the ability to define various scientific-theoretical perspectives and assess their application within educational research

Skills

  • have the methodological knowledge necessary to design a research project, complete this project while maintaining a critical approach to information sources used in the project
  • have the ability to critically analyse and assume a position regarding ethical issues in educational research and practice
  • have the ability to impart knowledge about the theoretical and empirical scope of education as academic subject

General skills

  • display creativity and innovation in seeing connections across different knowledge areas within education
  • have the ability to apply the subject area's varied scope of knowledge in order to solve complex educational problems in special education or didactics
  • assume a critical stance regarding various educational theories, origins and applications in different arenas

Admission requirements

The general admission requirement is a bachelor’s degree or the equivalent education of a minimum of three years duration (180 ECTS credits).

The following must be included:

Either: A major (at least 80 ECTS credits) in pedagogy or special needs. At least 20 credits must be on the supplementary level (Level 2).
Or: An integrated programme (a minimum of 120 ECTS credits) in pedagogy or special needs

Or: Teacher education (general /primary education, pre-school, post-graduate certificate in education based on university studies of at least 180 ECTS credits)

Or: Completed three years of teacher education

A weighted average grade of C or better is a requirement. The requirement is calculated on the basis of the bachelor’s degree as a whole.

Furthermore, the general regulations on admission to studies at the University of Agder will apply.

General description and profile of the programme

The master programme's subject area is education, and the programme's two specialisation areas are didactics and special education, within which focus is directed towards relevant topics for educational theory and practice development. The study offers an introduction to research and professional work and provides a basis for both advanced research training and educational practice, including employment outside of the school system. The didactics component is based on general didactic theory, emphasizing today's challanges in educational activity, such as skills, international educational policy, adult training, multiculturalism and digital media.
The field special needs education is based on a complex understanding between the areas rational and categorical perspective, individual- and system alteration.

Teaching and learning methods

There are in principle three working forms within this master's degree study programme: lectures, seminars and individual/group advisement. In There may be additional working forms in certain courses, for example those related to education as a profession. Please see individual course descriptions for more information.

Assessment methods

There are three considerations taken with regard to assessment: 1) totality and connection between content, dividend formulations, working and examination forms within each course (alignment), 2) varied and diverse examination forms throughout the study programme, and 3) progression towards writing the master's thesis.

Examination forms will vary between written 6-hour examinations, individual and group-based semester projects, oral examinations, individual at-home examinations as well as the master's thesis combined with an oral thesis defence.

Internationalisation

UiA facilitates student exchange through established mobility programmes like Erasmus+ and Norplus. The university also holds the Diploma Supplement Label.

See UiA’s website on student exchange: https://www.uia.no/en/student/go-on-exchange/go-on-exchange-study-abroad

The students may go on exchange to mobility partners in among other countries Denmark, Sweden, England or the USA, where they may choose courses that are relevant and can be incorporated into our master’s programme. Some of our most important partner institutions are listed on our website: https://www.uia.no/exchangestudies/search?soid=1831

These partner institutions are chosen because they have courses that are thematically suited to be included in our master’s programme.

The programme opens for exchange in the third semester (30 credits), but this may be extended to a full year and include work on the master’s thesis. Information will be given early in the first semester, and students are encouraged to go on exchange. In collaboration with universities in England, USA, Denmark and Sweden we are in the process of developing course packages specially adapted to our master’s programme.

Please do not hesitate to contact our coordinator for student exchange, Tone Frøysnes (tone.froysnes@uia.no) for further information.

Requirements for continuing in the study programme

There is a progression requirement for each course: In order to register for courses at the 500 level, students must have successfully completed PED416 and PED417 (both of which comprise the programmes educational-theoretical component). In order to register for PED511, students must in addition have successfully completed PED519.

Occupational profiles of graduates and access to further studies

The master's degree programme is a disciplinary education, even though certain professional adaptations have been made within a select number of individual courses. The study programme prepares graduates for admission to doctoral programmes in education science/education (including special education), and also prepares graduates for pursuing careers in the pre-school/school system as well as the public/private sector.

Qualification awarded

Completion of the programme awards a Master's Degree in Education
Last updated from FS (Felles studentsystem) Oct. 15, 2026 3:37:10 PM