Education MA Graduate Success – Hear from our student Adam

Adam Muirhead recently completed his Education MA at Brighton in 2024. With a career already deeply rooted in youth work, Adam felt that gaining a postgraduate degree could really help with his future career progression.  

What’s inspiring about Adam’s student journey is how he balanced the responsibilities of a senior professional role with the demands of postgraduate study. His experience speaks to the heart of what our Education MA aims to provide: a flexible and supportive environment where you can explore new ideas and deepen your expertise.  

We spoke to Adam about his experiences here at Brighton and how the course has impacted his career straight after graduating.  

Can you tell us a bit about your career to date? 

I’m a senior Youth Work professional in a local charity, having worked my way up from volunteering and delivery positions.  My education has been a big part of that, having gained my original professional qualification from UoB too.   

I now manage the financial and strategic aspects of my organisation’s youth work provision with a nearly £1m per year budget.   

Why did you choose the MA at Brighton? 

I chose to do an MA as I felt that my lack of post-graduate study might hold me back in my career progression. I knew that the teaching team at the University of Brighton would be able to support me to follow my particular interests within the wider ‘Education’ brief.   

Most of my professional learning journey had been with UoB and I was familiar with the systems, spaces and support available. 

What was your experience of working and studying at the same time? 

I had a wonderful experience as my employer gave me a paid day per week to study.  I know not everyone has the same opportunity, so I felt very grateful. 

What skills and knowledge did you gain from the Education MA here at Brighton? 

The focus of my study was youth participation.  I’m now an expert in this field and have been able to export and devolve this knowledge through my work team and in other professional spaces.  

Beyond this, the research skills (including methods, ethics, and analysis) have already had such profound implications for approaching work in my setting.  I’ve been able to guide professional research with young people and present it professionally and compellingly in front of senior decision-makers to influence resourcing and improve outcomes for young people. 

What was the learning environment like at the university? 

In a word, lovely.  Welcoming, spacious, modern buildings.  Smiley, approachable staff.  And a set of incredible libraries/librarians. 

What were the course team like? How did they support you during your studies? 

The course team were great.  Excellent communication, regularly making themselves available.  Feedback on work was useful, with opportunities to discuss 1-2-1.   

This course isn’t like the ones where you’re just a number amongst 100s of other students, you get really close attention and personalised support through a professional, academic relationship. 

What advice would you give to anyone thinking about studying the Education MA? 

Have a chat with the team – they will put any worries at ease.  After you join, there’s loads of support available, and good flexibility around any of life’s hiccups that might pop up along the journey.   

Will it be hard work?  Of course!  Would it be worth it if it wasn’t??  There are peaks and troughs but planning effectively will help to keep on top of it all. 

What did you enjoy most about the MA? 

Becoming an expert and gaining confidence that translated to my professional role.  And meeting/working alongside the other students and staff team.   

If you value the relational aspects of your work, then you’ll get a lot from being part of a tight and super-supportive cohort, as I was. 

How do you think the MA will help you in your career?   

The confidence in my chosen study area is already paying off massively.  I’m completely redesigning our delivery at the charity where I work, backed by a profoundly interrogated rationale.   

This has already caught the attention of commissioners and funders who want to ‘buy in’.  The research skills are another huge asset, and allowing me to confidently project manage work with aspects of research. 

Join us here at Brighton 

Whether you’re looking to deepen your expertise in an area you’re passionate about or enhance your career prospects, our Education MA offers you the support and opportunities to help you succeed.  

Visit the Education MA course page to learn more about what the course has to offer; explore the curriculum, meet the teaching team and hear from more of our graduates.