Program Overview

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Educational Leadership and Management MA

Key Information

Study mode: Full time, Part time Duration: One year full-time, two years part-time, September to September Credit value (UK/ECTS equivalent): UK 180 / ECTS 90 Application status: Open Start date: September 2025

Course Description

The King’s Educational Leadership and Management MA is intended for education professionals who aspire to positions of management and leadership in education, and for scholars with an interest in this field. Focused on the challenges faced by educational institutions around the world today, the programme is designed to develop the expertise and critical decision-making capabilities required of those tasked with leading 21st century educational organisations.

Key Benefits

• Gain your MA from one of the UK’s top-ranking schools of education in one of the world’s most renowned universities.
• Learn first-hand from leading experts with international reputations in the field.
• Develop the expertise required of professionals who lead today’s educational institutions.
• Be part of a community of education specialists joining the programme from countries around the world.
• Situated in the heart of London, within sight of the Houses of Parliament and the culturally vibrant South Bank.

Course Essentials

This course draws on various disciplines, such as sociology, political science, philosophy, economics, history and contemporary policy making to provide a critical perspective on contemporary education management and leadership. The course places education management and leadership in schools, colleges and universities within the current political, social and educational context. The course includes practical elements through which to explore and deepen understanding about the ideas explored in class.

Base Campus

Waterloo Campus is home of the Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing & Midwifery and facilities for other faculties. Please note that locations are determined by where each module is taught and may vary depending on the modules you study.

Regulating Bodies

King's is regulated by the Office for Students.

Entry Requirements

UK Applicants

• Standard requirements: A minimum 2:1 undergraduate Bachelor’s (honours) degree.
• Programme-Specific Requirements: Lower undergraduate grades may be considered in certain circumstances, for example if the applicant has a PGCE with master's level credits. It is recommended that applicants have some relevant professional experience, either in teaching or in other educational practice such as policy.

International Applicants

• Equivalent International qualifications: Select a country to view the equivalent qualifications.
• English language requirements: English language band B. To study at King's, it is essential that you can communicate in English effectively in an academic environment.

Selection Process

Applications must be made online using King’s Apply, the Admissions Portal. A non-refundable application fee of £130 applies. Due to the large volume of applications, this programme operates a partial “gathered-field” approach to decision making for applicants who meet our advertised academic entry requirements.

Personal Statement and Supporting Information

You will be asked to submit the following documents in order for your application to be considered:

• Personal Statement: Your personal statement should be around 700 words and answer the following questions:
  • Why are you applying for this specific programme, and how does it fit in with your future plans? (max 250 words)
  • How does your educational background or professional experience make you a suitable candidate for the programme? (250 words)
  • What are the aims and purpose of education, and how do these relate to education leadership and management (200 words)
• Previous Academic Study: A copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing the subjects studied and marks obtained.
• References: One academic reference is required. A professional reference will be accepted if you have completed your qualifications over five years ago.
• Other: Applicants may wish to include a CV (Resume) or evidence of professional registration as part of their application.

Teaching and Structure

Teaching Methods

• Lectures
• Seminars
• Self-Study
• Group Work

We will use a delivery method that will ensure students have a rich, exciting experience from the start. Face to face teaching will be complemented and supported with innovative technology so that students also experience elements of digital learning and assessment.

Location

This course is primarily taught at the King’s College London Waterloo Campus. We enjoy an unrivalled location in the heart of London, which allows you access to the wealth of cultural resources and institutions on the South Bank and throughout the capital.

Assessment

Your performance will be assessed through a combination of coursework and written examinations. Forms of assessment may typically include essays, blog posts, podcasts, presentations, and case studies. All students complete a 60-credit dissertation, which is assessed by an extended piece of writing based on independent research on a topic of your choice, related to the course.

Structure

Courses are divided into modules. You will take modules totalling 180 credits. Part-time students will take the required taught module in Year 1 and the dissertation in Year 2. They must take 90 credits of optional modules across the two years, typically taking one optional 30-credit module in Year 1 and two optional 30-credits modules in Year 2.

Required Modules

• Critical Perspectives in Educational Leadership and Management (30 credits)
• Research Methods and Dissertation (60 credits)

Optional Modules

In addition you will take 90 credits from a range of optional modules that may typically include:

• International & Comparative Education (30 credits)
• Education & International Development (30 credits)
• Educational Leadership and Change in Context (30 credits)
• The Political Economy of Education in a Globalised World (30 credits)
• Gender, Power, and Inequality in Educational Leadership (30 credits)
• Psychology & Learning (30 credits)
• The Social Context of Education (30 credits)
• Language & Power (30 credits)
• Recent Developments in Digital Technologies in Education (30 credits)
• Theories of Change in Schooling: Truth, Power, Evidence (30 credits)
• Social Justice & Education Policy (30 credits)
• Teacher Development (30 credits)
• Quantitative Methods in the Context of Education Research (30 credits)

Employability

The MA in Educational Leadership and Management will allow you to develop the analytical and problem- solving capabilities that are essential for anyone aspiring to occupy management or leadership roles in education today. Graduates of this course have gone on to posts around the world and across a range of education sectors, from primary/secondary schools through to Further and Higher Education.

Tuition Fees

UK

• Full time: £13,500 per year (2025/26)
• Part time: £6,750 per year (2025/26)

International

• Full time: £30,000 per year (2025/26)
• Part time: £15,000 per year (2025/26)

These tuition fees may be subject to additional increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King’s terms and conditions.

Deposit

If you receive an offer for this programme, you will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit to secure your place. Deposit payments are credited towards the total tuition fee payment.

• The Home deposit is £500.
• The International deposit is £2000.

Additional Costs

In addition to your tuition costs, you can also expect to pay for:

• Books if you choose to buy your own copies.
• Clothing for optional course related events and competitions.
• Library fees and fines.
• Personal photocopies.
• Printing course handouts.
• Society membership fees.
• Stationery.
• Travel costs for travel around London, between campuses and for project placements.
• Graduation costs.

Funding

To find out more about bursaries, scholarships, grants, tuition fees, living expenses, student loans, and other financial help available at King's please visit the Fees and Funding section.