MA in Educational Leadership

Study level: Postgraduate
A teacher helping an older student in class.

This MA in Educational Leadership provides you with a comprehensive understanding of the principles underpinning excellent leadership, and the skills and confidence to implement them.

Start date

January
May
September

Location

In schools

Course code

See how to apply

Study mode

Work-based learning with online study

Duration

2 years part-time

Cost

£5,000 - £8,000

Age phases

Primary
Secondary


Course overview

If you are an experienced teacher and 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.

Our MA in Educational Leadership is a taught master’s degree delivered via an online or blended delivery model (online and in-person). The blended version includes two 3-day residentials near Milton Keynes in the UK2.

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 of effective leadership and applying these principles in an authentic manner, responding appropriately to the context, the abilities of a leader can be improved.

Course details

In the first year, you will be presented with a clear set of values, behaviours, and approaches through the teaching of theory, key skills, central themes and fundamental principles of effective leadership. The online materials offer a rich and compelling narrative. They aim to explore theoretical and research-based evidence of effective leadership approaches, the importance of institutional culture and the needs of leaders and followers.

You will be presented with a variety of case study exercises that draw out the central themes. Critical evaluation and the development of effective, individual approaches are encouraged with the support of your university-assigned mentor.

Modules

In the second and final year, there will be a strong emphasis on the leadership of teaching and learning. You will have the opportunity to study best practice research in teaching and learning, the professionalisation of teaching, the science of learning, and the practical implications of theory for classroom practice.

The course concludes with an opportunity for you to apply the knowledge and skills acquired throughout the course to undertake an extended piece of individual Action Research which will show theory turning to practice through your dissertation. This dissertation is a project involving the leadership of change, drawing on the opportunities for educational leadership in your own context.

Modules

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.


Entry requirements

In order to gain entry to the course you must:

  • Hold an honours degree awarded by a higher education institution at a minimum of a second class (2:2) or equivalent professional experience.
  • Be employed in a school or college for the duration of study and hold a leadership position such as Headteacher, Principal, Deputy Head, Assistant Head, or a middle management position such as Head of Department, Head of Year, or Head of House.

For more information about this course, entry requirements or your educational setting suitability, speak to our team.

Contact us

In order to gain entry to the course you must:

  • Hold an honours degree awarded by a higher education institution at a minimum of a second class (2:2) or equivalent professional experience.
  • Be employed in a school or college for the duration of study and hold a leadership position such as Headteacher, Principal, Deputy Head, Assistant Head, or a Middle Management position such as Head of Department, Head of Year, or Head of House.

English language requirements

  • IELTS: 6.5 or higher, with no component less than 5.5, (or equivalent), or TOEFL 600, or to have completed some of your education, for example, a degree, in English.

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.

Contact us


Fees and funding

Student Full-time Part-time
UK Not available £5,000 - Online only
£6,500 - Blended learning
EU Not available Not available
International Not available £5,000 - Online only
£8,000 - Blended learning

For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our Postgraduate Finance page and see the University’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

Tuition fees3 cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. They also include accommodation and meals for the two 3-day residentials in Milton Keynes (blended route only).

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:

  • Travel to and from the two 3-day residentials in Milton Keynes (blended route only).

How to apply

Applications for this course should be made through our CU Apply portal. Below is the course code, please note down the code that is related to the course you wish to apply for.

Apply now

Course codes

Blended route – CRBT006
Online only – CRBT008

Applications for this course should be made through our CU Apply portal. Below are the course codes, please note down the code that is related to the course you wish to apply for.

Apply now

Course codes

Blended route – CRBT006
Online only – CRBT008


Frequently asked questions