Program Overview

Program Overview

The Educational Leadership and Management MA program at the University of Birmingham is designed to equip students with the specialist knowledge and skills required to drive change and innovation in educational practice. This program is ideal for experienced practitioners, policymakers, and researchers looking to advance their careers in education leadership and management.

Program Structure

The program is delivered over 12 months in a full-time mode and consists of a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops, and online materials. The curriculum covers key education theories, policies, and practices, preparing students to lead change in educational settings and produce world-leading research.

Course Highlights

• Integrated Diverse Learning: Combines cutting-edge educational theory with specialisms in contemporary disciplines.
• Learn from the Best: Be taught by leading researchers in the Top 5 ranked School of Education.
• Innovative Teaching: Gain a diverse set of skills through lectures, seminars, and online tools with mixed learning assessment methods.

Course Delivery

The program focuses on critical analysis and evidence-based learning, enabling new and aspiring education leaders to deliver change in their institutions and beyond. The delivery methods include:

• Lecture: Organized talks to large groups of students who take notes.
• Seminar: Small group sessions designed to complement lectures and are generally more informal in nature.
• Workshop: Hands-on learning that allows discussion regarding the given topic.
• Online Materials: Access to a wide range of state-of-the-art learning materials online and collaborative online learning spaces.

Module Information

The modules listed are an indication only and may be subject to change. The following modules must be taken:

• Assessing and Improving School Performance (20 credits, Semester 1)
• Research Methods in Education (20 credits, Semester 1)
• Education Policy, Governance and Regulation (20 credits, Semester 2)
• Leadership and Management in Education (20 credits, Semester 2)
• Dissertation (60 credits, Full Term)

Students must also choose a further two 20-credit modules from the list below:

• Education, Policy & Society (20 credits, Semester 1)
• Disability and Inclusive Development (20 credits, Semester 2)
• Education Futures (20 credits, Semester 2)
• Education, Curriculum Design, Planning and Social Justice (20 credits, Semester 1)
• Special Educational Needs of Pupils with Autism (Campus) (20 credits, Semester 2)
• Language, Discourse and Society (20 credits, Semester 2)
• Citizenship, Human Rights and the Environment (20 credits, Semester 2)

Entry Requirements

To gain a place at Birmingham, students will need to meet the general entry requirements, as well as those specific to the course. A 2:1 or above (or international equivalent) Bachelor's degree is required. International students will need to demonstrate a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification.

English Language Requirements

For this course, IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any band is required, which is equivalent to:

• TOEFL: 88 overall with no less than 21 in Reading, 20 Listening, 22 Speaking and 21 in Writing
• Pearson Test of English (PTE): Academic 67 with no less than 64 in all four skills
• Cambridge English: C1 Advanced - minimum overall score of 176, with no less than 169 in any component
• LanguageCert ESOL SELT (UKVI): B2 'Communicator' with no less than 33 in each skill

Fees and Scholarships

The full-time fee for the program is £11,250.

Application Process

The application deadline for UK and non-visa requiring applicants is 28 August 2026, and for international students requiring a visa, it is 3 July 2026. Early applications are encouraged, as the program will close once it is full.

Career Opportunities

The MA Educational Leadership and Management program will equip students for an exciting range of careers in education leadership and institutional management. Graduates will be in an ideal position to transform the future improvement and overall performance of their school, having learned to use research and evidence to develop new educational practices. The program also enables ambitious researchers to pursue further study on a PhD program.