Research Foundations & Educational Inquiry

Objective: To develop the ability to identify significant educational issues, critically engage with academic literature and establish a clear direction for independent master’s-level research.

Research Components:

• Research Problem Identification
• Critical Literature Review
• Development of Research Questions
• Academic and Professional Inquiry in Education

Objective: To develop the ability to design rigorous educational research using appropriate research methodologies aligned with the research problem, objectives and intended outcomes.

Research Components:

• Advanced Research Design and Methodologies
• Qualitative and Quantitative Research Approaches
• Research Ethics and Academic Integrity
• Data Collection and Analysis Planning

Objective: To develop a coherent and academically rigorous research proposal establishing the rationale, theoretical foundation, methodology and intended contribution of the proposed educational research.

Research Components:

• Research Proposal Development
• Conceptual and Theoretical Framework
• Methodological Planning
• Proposal Review and Approval

Objective: To strengthen the learner’s ability to conduct independent postgraduate research, critically evaluate evidence and apply appropriate academic methods throughout the research process.

Research Components:

• Developing Research Capability
• Critical Analysis and Academic Argument
• Research Data Interpretation
• Academic Writing and Scholarly Communication

Objective: To enable learners to investigate an approved educational issue independently while receiving structured academic supervision and research guidance.

Research Components:

• Independent Educational Research
• Academic Supervision
• Research Progress Reviews
• Data Collection, Analysis and Interpretation

Objective: To demonstrate advanced research capability through the completion of a substantial independent research project addressing a relevant issue in education, teaching, learning, leadership or educational practice.

Research Components:

• Master’s Dissertation Writing
• Research Findings and Discussion
• Educational and Professional Implications
• Final Review, Submission and Defence

Upon successful completion of all academic and graduation requirements, learners receive two master’s-level qualifications:

• Master of Education — EuroAmerican Institute (EAI), Malta
• Master of Education with an Approved Specialisation — EIMT, Switzerland

Together, they form the SwissEU™ dual-qualification pathway, combining a nationally recognised European master’s qualification with a Swiss master’s qualification featuring an approved specialisation.

The Master of Education – By Research enables learners to develop a specialised academic profile through the focus of their research.

Rather than selecting a specialisation primarily through taught modules, learners develop their area of expertise through the approved research topic, literature review, research methodology and dissertation.

The final specialisation is subject to academic review and approval and should remain academically aligned with the scope of education and the learner’s completed research.

Research areas may include:

1. TESOL®
2. Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Education
3. Educational Management and Leadership
4. Pedagogical Innovation
5. Educational Accreditation and Quality Management
6. Early Childhood Education
7. English-Medium Instruction (EMI)
8. Special Educational Needs (SEN)
9. Curriculum and Instruction
10. Educational Technology
11. Assessment and Learning
12. Teacher Development
13. Higher Education
14. Digital Learning and Online Education

Other education-related research areas may be considered subject to academic relevance, supervisory capacity and approval.

Start with Your Research Direction

The programme begins with an educational issue, professional challenge or research interest that is relevant to the learner’s academic or professional context.

Instead of following the same research topic as every other learner, each candidate develops an individual research direction subject to academic approval.

Identify

Define a meaningful educational problem or area of inquiry.

Investigate

Critically explore existing knowledge, theories and research evidence.

Research

Design and conduct an appropriate independent study under academic supervision.

Contribute

Develop findings, insights or practical implications that contribute to educational knowledge or professional practice.

Professional experience can provide a valuable starting point for educational research.

Teachers, academic managers, trainers, education leaders and other professionals often encounter important questions through their daily practice.

The Master of Education – By Research provides a structured academic pathway for transforming those questions into systematic research.

Professional Experience
↓
Educational Problem
↓
Research Question
↓
Academic Investigation
↓
Research Findings
↓
Professional & Academic Value

A research-based master’s programme can provide valuable preparation for learners who may later wish to pursue doctoral-level research.

Through the programme, learners experience key elements of the postgraduate research process, including:

• identifying a research problem;
• developing research questions;
• conducting a critical literature review;
• selecting appropriate methodologies;
• collecting and analysing research data;
• writing an academic dissertation; and
• presenting and defending research findings.

Where academically appropriate, research developed at master’s level may provide a foundation for identifying or refining a future doctoral research direction.

Admission to any subsequent doctoral programme remains subject to the admission requirements and academic assessment of the relevant institution.

Typical Route

Applicants should:

• Hold a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited or recognised institution; or
• Hold an equivalent qualification at EQF Level 6 or comparable level.

Applicants with backgrounds in education, teaching, training, educational management, academic administration or related professional areas may be particularly suited to the programme.

A clearly identifiable research interest or proposed area of educational inquiry is beneficial for admission to the research pathway.

Applicants who do not meet the standard academic entry requirements may be considered through an applicable APEL/RPL route, subject to academic assessment and approval.

Relevant professional experience, previous academic work, research activity or other evidence of preparedness for postgraduate research may be considered as part of the applicable admissions process.

• Minimum CEFR Level B2, IELTS 5.5, or equivalent, subject to the applicable admission requirements.

Direct academic engagement. Structured supervision. Integrated research support.

Learners participate in research development activities and academic engagement directly through Swiss Information and Management Institute (SIMI Swiss) under the Swiss Live Class Direct™ model.

Throughout the research journey, learners receive structured support in areas such as research design, methodology, academic writing, research development and dissertation preparation.

Under the SwissEU™ academic model, SIMI Swiss focuses on academic delivery, research support and the learner experience, while the respective qualifications are awarded by EAI Malta and EIMT Switzerland in accordance with their applicable academic regulations.

Swiss Live Class Direct™ provides learners with direct academic engagement without franchise-based teaching or intermediary academic providers.

Direct academic engagement. Structured supervision. Integrated research support.

Learners participate in research development activities and academic engagement directly through Swiss Information and Management Institute (SIMI Swiss) under the Swiss Live Class Direct™ model.

Throughout the research journey, learners receive structured support in areas such as research design, methodology, academic writing, research development and dissertation preparation.

Under the SwissEU™ academic model, SIMI Swiss focuses on academic delivery, research support and the learner experience, while the respective qualifications are awarded by EAI Malta and EIMT Switzerland in accordance with their applicable academic regulations.

Swiss Live Class Direct™ provides learners with direct academic engagement without franchise-based teaching or intermediary academic providers.

RESEARCH SUPPORT THROUGHOUT THE JOURNEY

The Master of Education – By Research is designed to support learners throughout the development of their research rather than leaving them to complete a dissertation independently.

Research support may include:

• Research topic development
• Proposal development support
• Research methodology guidance
• Academic supervision
• Research progress review
• Literature review development
• Data analysis guidance
• Academic writing support
• Dissertation formatting support
• English academic review
• Preparation for final submission and defence

Academic support assists the learner in developing the research but does not replace the learner’s responsibility for producing original academic work.