Program Overview

Educational Leadership MA

The Educational Leadership MA is a distinctive, evidence-focused course that builds on National Professional Qualifications to develop capacity for leadership and expert practice in schools. It is designed for those aiming to make a difference through leadership that is focused on learning and school improvement.

Course Overview

This course will run over 28 months in a part-time mode. It is designed for experienced practitioners, policymakers, or researchers who want to put their learning into practice in the real world. With a thorough grounding in key educational leadership theories, policies, and practices, students will be prepared to lead change in their institution.

Course Highlights

• Engage with leading academics and expert local school leaders
• Be part of a research-informed community that harnesses cutting-edge and seminal research literature and conducts research and enquiry to review and improve practice and school improvement initiatives
• Develop capacity for rigorous and critical analysis of evidence from research and evidence from practice in improving schools
• Develop specialist areas of expertise through research, leadership enquiry, and other practice-focused assignments
• Be part of the Education Leadership Academy, which supports inclusive, values-driven leadership in schools across the world

Course Delivery

The blended learning format includes a combination of distance learning and face-to-face seminars. The assessment consists of a combination of academic and school-focused assignments and a dissertation, all designed to be tailored by students for their own subject specialism, phase, and professional interests.

Module Information

The programme comprises three 20-credit modules, followed by a 60-credit dissertation. 60 credits of learning are accredited by APEL on entry to the programme. The modules are:

• Assessing and Improving School Performance (20 credits)
• Education Policy, Governance and Regulation (20 credits)
• Leadership and Management in Education (20 credits)
• Dissertation (60 credits)

Entry Requirements

To gain a place, students must meet the general entry requirements, as well as those specific to the course. Additional requirements include:

• Prior experience and understanding of educational leadership
• A National Professional Qualification (NPQ), equivalent professional experience, or equivalent M-level credits related to school improvement and educational leadership
• A good first degree, diplomas, or other relevant qualifications
• For international students, proof of English proficiency is required

Fees and Scholarships

• The fee for the course is £11,250.
• Scholarship information is available, including the Birmingham Masters Scholarships, which award £3,000 to more than 300 students each year.

Application Process

To apply, students must submit their application and supporting documents online. The application process includes:

• Submitting an online application
• Providing supporting documents, such as transcripts and references
• Meeting the standard requirements for the country of origin

Career Opportunities

The course will equip students for an exciting range of careers in education leadership and institutional management. With a strong focus on connecting research to practice, this course also enables ambitious researchers to pursue further study on a PhD programme. The University of Birmingham is the most targeted UK university by top graduate employers, and the Careers Network offers a range of events and support services to help students achieve their career goals.