Program Overview

Catholic School Leadership: Principles & Practice MA, PGDip, PGCert

Overview

This programme is unique in that it is the only Catholic School Leadership master's programme offered currently in the UK, supporting specifically the distinctive leadership development for people at all levels of Catholic education.

Course Description

This highly regarded postgraduate degree will be of interest to all who hold or are aiming for leadership positions in Catholic schools and colleges. The course integrates a Catholic philosophy of education with the principles and practice of contemporary school leadership.

Why St Mary's

Several students have cited the flexibility of this degree as a particular advantage since it is possible to complete the programme within one to five years. The variety of modes of delivery, including blended and full-distance, also makes the programme especially attractive. The combination of personalised learning and tutorial support - together with the excellent reading materials and online resources - is noted by students as distinctive.

Course Content

Modules

• Catholic Education (Core for PGCert, PGDip & MA)
• Leadership and Management in Catholic Schools (Core for PGDip & MA, Core option for PGCert)
• Spiritual and Theological Foundations (Core for PGDip & MA, Core option for PGCert)
• Leadership for Learning (Core for PGDip & MA, Core option for PGCert)
• Research Methods (Core for MA)
• Dissertation (Core for MA)
• Service-Learning Based Research (Core)

Entry Requirements

• Previous degree: 3rd
• The course is open to all who have a first degree and are committed to Catholic education.
• St Mary's is committed to promoting equality of opportunity and nurturing an inclusive and diverse student population.
• Applicants who have relevant experience of working in Catholic schools are also encouraged to apply.

Additional Requirement Information

• Students who have attained an NPQH Qualification are entitled to a 15 credit exemption from two modules, CSL7022 and CSL7024 upon provision of a NPQH certificate.
• Students who hold the NCTL National Professional Qualification in Middle Leadership (NPQML) or similar programme are entitled to a 15 credit exemption which applies to the assignment for either module CSL7022 or CSL7024 upon provision of the appropriate certificate.
• Students who hold the NCTL National Professional Qualification in Senior Leadership (NPQSL) or similar programme are entitled to a 15 credit exemption which applies to the assignment for either module CSL7022 or CSL7024 upon provision of the appropriate certificate.
• A full exemption from CSL7021 and CSL7022 is available to Students who have gained 60 credits from the Catholic Leadership Programme offered by the Diocese of Salford.
• A full exemption from up to two modules is available for Students who have gained a Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) with 60 credits at M-level.

International Requirements

• International students should check our country-specific pages for equivalents.
• If English is not your first language you will need to achieve an IELTS score of 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in any section.

Fees & Funding

September 2025

• Home: £9,240
• International: £17,820

January 2026

• Home: £9,240
• International: £17,820

Distance-learning

• Home: £9,240
• International: £11,910

Additional costs

• Tuition fees are annual and may increase as detailed in our tuition fee variation disclaimer.
• Your tuition fees will cover the cost of all mandatory elements of your programme.
• Additional costs could be incurred depending on optional modules chosen and other projects undertaken.

Alumni discount

• A 20% tuition fee discount is available for our alumni (undergraduate and PGCE) planning to study this Master's degree.
• Those studying for a PGDip of PGCert are not eligible for the discount.

Funding

• Except for any iQTS courses, you can check on the UK government website to see if you may be eligible for a loan of up to £12,167 to help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate programme.
• Home and international students for non-iQTS courses may also be eligible for external sources of funding.
• International students should check their eligibility for our International Scholarship.

Career Opportunities

• The MA in Catholic School Leadership: Principles and Practice is the only postgraduate course of study available in the UK that specifically supports the distinctive leadership development needs of leaders and aspiring leaders at all levels and within all phases of Catholic education.
• NPQH is no longer a requirement for headship, so aspiring headteachers will find that this course offers the ideal alternative qualification.