Master of Education – Leadership in Learning (Teach First)

Program Overview

Master of Education – Leadership in Learning (Teach First) - MA

Overview

The Masters award is available to ambassadors of the Teach First Leadership Development Programme (LDP). The LDP is a leadership programme, facilitated by Teach First colleagues that runs alongside the PGDE, which Teach First Participants engage with during their initial 2 years of practice. The award is open to all participants who have completed the Teach First PGDE and includes two full academic years of teaching in a Teach First partner school. The Masters content builds on the structure and content of the LDP and the PGDE.

What's covered in this course?

The Professional Practice Enquiry module is the culmination of your Masters in Leadership in Learning. It provides you with the opportunity to develop a systematic understanding of research, national and international frameworks, and practical knowledge in relation to your chosen area, and to develop your professional practice. You are encouraged to use self-direction and originality in pursuing your development focus through professional enquiry. The module provides you with opportunities to: act autonomously in designing and planning a master’s level, practice-based enquiry; to investigate the relationships between theoretical, practical and research knowledge and to consider the actual and potential impact on practice.

Why Choose Us?

• Act autonomously in relation to the selected leadership focus/aim
• Investigate the relationships between theoretical, practical and research knowledge
• Consider the actual and potential impact on practice
• Disseminate findings in a leadership context
• 1-2-1 supervisor for dissertation – advice and support

Entry Requirements

Essential requirements

• The Masters award is available to Teach First ambassadors of the LDP (The LDP is the Leadership Development Programme).
• A pass is required from the Teach First PGDE.
• If you have a qualification that is not listed, please contact us.

Fees & How to Apply

UK students

• Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament.
• Award: MA
• Starting: Sep 2025
• Mode: Part Time
• Duration: 1 year
• Fees: £860 per 20 credits
• Year 1 - 60 credits

International students

• Sorry, this course is not available to International students.

Course in Depth

Level 7

• In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 60 credits):
  • Professional Practice Enquiry: Leadership in Learning 60 credits

How you'll learn

• The course is Part-time and is assessed via coursework. There is a total of 600 hours study time directed and independent.
• The Masters module – Leadership in Learning aims to address:
  • The role of research, scholarly activity and evidence-based practice as an important part of professional development
  • Current issues, initiatives and developments in education and educational practice aimed at extending skills, knowledge and understanding in your subject/ phase area
  • Principles that underpin and inform practice-based enquiry approaches to educational research
  • Research methodologies and ethical considerations in relation to appropriateness, effectiveness, and resource implications of enquiry
  • Knowledge, skills and techniques in research methods and approaches appropriate to the professional workplace

Employability

Career Development

• Your chosen development focus for the module will be based on personal, professional and subject/ phase priorities. It may build on work carried out in earlier modules, or address an entirely different or new aspect of professional practice. The expectation is that this work is underpinned by a leadership focus, which will demonstrate your skills as a leader and your ability to demonstrate impact in terms of the Fair Education Impact

Facilities & Staff

Our facilities

• Our School of Education and Social Work is based at our City South campus in leafy Edgbaston.
• We’ve spent £41million expanding the education facilities at City South. These facilities offer hands-on practical experience, replicating the spaces you will come across in professional practice. Alongside classrooms and lecture theatres, we also have a range of specialist teaching and learning spaces for specific subjects including science, design and technology, drama and physical education.

Computer facilities

• The Seacole building has two open-access IT Suites which offer PCs, printers, photocopiers and scanners. There is also an IT Helpdesk for quick and easy help with your computing or internet issues.
• Our PCs utilise the latest Intel i5 core technology, all with:
  • Fast (unrestricted) internet connectivity
  • Ability to save files to USB, DVD & CD
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Research and statistical software
  • Storage space which can be accessed from any PC across the University and from home

Our staff

• Neil Sheasby
  • Teach First Master's Course Leader, Master's in Learning and Teaching Tutor, and Deputy Chair Ethics
  • Neil has worked at Birmingham City University since 2014, after leaving the Open University. He is currently the Course Leader for the Teach First Master's (Leadership in Learning) that builds on the structure and content of the LDP and the PGDE. Additional roles include delivering on the Master's in Learning and Teaching. He is also a...
• Dr Amanda French
  • Reader
  • Amanda has worked in higher, further, adult education and the voluntary sector for 30 years as a lecturer, writing developer and researcher. Her research interests include academic writing, learner development in higher education, participatory research, transition experiences in education, employment literacies, widening participation and social...