MA in Educational Leadership 2022/23 entry
Overview
Our MA in Educational Leadership is a taught Master’s course which is delivered either entirely online or via a blended delivery model (online and in-person). The blended version includes two 3-day residentials at our campus near Silverstone each term. The course is designed for current or aspiring senior leaders. You will have at least five years’ experience in schools and be in an existing leadership or management position in primary or secondary schools in the UK or internationally.
The aim of the course is to improve the quality of leadership in schools. The course materials have been written by successful head teachers who have combined their experience in leading schools with extensive research into the literature on leadership theory. The result is a taught course, which will expose you to real leadership expertise. It aims to give you a comprehensive understanding of the principles that define effective leadership and the personal skills to implement them.
Our course maintains that:
- the skills of effective leadership can be learnt and improved.
- there is no single and exclusive inherited leadership characteristic.
- by developing an understanding of the core principles for effective leadership and applying these principles in an authentic manner, responding appropriately to the context, then the abilities of a leader can be improved.
The course promotes the principle that effective leadership makes a significant difference to the culture of a school, the well-being and effectiveness of its staff and the quality of teaching & learning, all of which impact on outcomes for pupils. The course develops authentic practical skills through the use of The Harvard Business School Case Study Method, in which analysis and discussion of professionally useful approaches to real life scenarios help to develop the skills and principles of effective leadership.
Register your interest
Course information
Our MA in Educational Leadership is a taught Master’s course which is delivered either entirely online or via a blended delivery model (online and in-person). The blended version includes two 3-day residentials at our campus near Silverstone. The course is designed for current or aspiring senior leaders. You will be in an existing leadership or management position in a primary or secondary school or college in the UK or internationally.
Our course maintains that leadership problems can be seen from the point of view of a 'principle', and we explore how leaders can apply these through their own personality and individual skill-sets. The principle-driven approach is a strength of the course, and the materials are designed to be helpful and developmental for school leaders in their day-to-day professional lives.
We will introduce you to a comprehensive range of academic material including theories of leadership, human psychology and current research on memory and learning. These are linked to practical application and relevance in leading modern educational institutions. Furthermore, the course uses real-life case study materials to reassure you that leadership can also be a source of amusement, inspiration and eccentricity.
The course comprises six mandatory modules, with study culminating in a final ‘action-research’ project. It is typically studied on a part-time basis over two academic years (six school terms), but this can be flexible. In line with the academic regulations, students can request for study to be paused or extended to aid personal or professional circumstances.
The course is also designed to be flexible in its delivery. It offers the option to study on a modular pathway with optional exit awards that would result in the award of either Postgraduate Certificate in Educational Leadership (PG Cert 60 credits level 7) or Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Leadership (PG Dip 120 credits level 7).
The blended version of the course includes two 3-day residentials at our Silverstone campus, which will bring course participants together and provide peer support and a valuable collaborative learning environment for students to learn from one another. Accommodation and meals for the residentials are included in the course fee.
The blended course is available for September start dates. The online course is available for September, January and April start dates.
Course Specification
Download Course Specification
Modules
In more detail...
If you have multiple years of experience in teaching and you’re a school leader, or aspire to be one, then this course could be for you. Designed by experienced head teachers, it incorporates a deep set of leadership theories to encourage you to reflect on how your learning can improve your professional practice.
We aim to provide a useful breadth of case studies across the course to highlight school-based issues across state-maintained, independent and specialist schools in primary and secondary settings. It also aims to integrate case studies from industries beyond education to help you gain a nuanced understanding of leadership.
The online teaching uses a sophisticated platform for a high-quality experience and helps you fit the course around the demands of your role. The taught modules and focus on teaching and learning are designed to help equip you with the skills needed to be an effective educational leader. The online Learning Platform provider may be subject to change.
- Learn to apply your course to your job
- Online, flexible study
- Course content crafted by experience educational leaders
- Designed to provide highly practical learning experiences
- Suitable for leaders in all educational settings
- Multiple start dates
- 24/7 access to online learning materials
- Designed to provide varied and engaging assessments
- Leadership theory
- Leadership of culture
- Leadership of people
- Leadership of teaching and learning
Online study including tutorials, group discussions, engagement with reading materials and case studies.
Assessment throughout the course is varied, engaging and designed to stimulate learning. It aims to include case study research, online discussions, written responses to real-life situations and longer written projects on ‘The Nature of Leadership’ and ‘The Leadership of Teaching and Teachers’.
In keeping with the course’s practical aspirations, you will also have the opportunity to complete an action-research project, in which you show how you apply theory to practice. This dissertation is a leadership-in-action or management of change project, and it should, therefore, involve the description and critical analysis of a process, over a period of time, rather than simply examining a theory or an issue.
On successful completion of the course, you should be able to:
- Understand the principles that define effective leadership and use personal skills to implement them.
- Integrate effective leadership theory into your professional practice.
- Lead with confidence, implementing a clear vision for your school and helping teaching and non-teaching staff embody your desired culture.
- Formulate processes that meet the performance, observation, target-setting and discipline needs of your school.
- Critically evaluate the teaching and learning practice in education to identify opportunities for development.
- Communicate with confidence and impact with other senior leaders.
- Aim to progress in your career.
Please note that we are unable to guarantee any study abroad or international opportunities and that any such opportunities referred to on this webpage may be subject to additional costs (e.g. travel, visas and accommodation etc.), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand the requirements in this regard, please contact the International Office for further details if you are an EU or International student.
Entry Requirements
Fees and funding
2022/23 Tuition fees
For advice and guidance on tuition fees3 and student loans visit our Postgraduate Finance page.
For the blended MA in Educational Leadership, the costs for accommodation, the venue and meals are included in the course fee. The cost of transport to and from the venue is the responsibility of the student.
Career prospects
The MA in Educational Leadership is designed to help you develop the skills needed for leadership in schools today.
Whether you’re an established head teacher, or looking to progress into a senior leadership role in your career, this course aims to expose you to real leadership expertise. It aims to give you a comprehensive understanding of the principles that define effective leadership and the personal skills to implement them.
You are encouraged to reflect on your own experiences and apply the action-based research project to your organisation.
Where our graduates work
Schools and educational settings
Disclaimer
1Accreditations
The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships shall be renewed in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery.
2UK and international opportunities
Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or International opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel COVID and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand the visa requirements, please contact the International Office.
3Tuition fees
The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For Home Students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.
For International Students, we may increase fees each year but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.
4Facilities
Facilities are subject to availability. Due to the ongoing restrictions relating to COVID-19, some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and may have reduced availability or restrictions on their use.
Student Contract
By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. The 2022/23 Contract is currently being updated so please revisit this page before submitting your application. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.
