MA Educational Leadership

Start date
January 2025
Duration
MA 28 months part-time
Course Type
Postgraduate, Continuing professional development, Taught
Fees

January 2024
£3,390 (UK)
£7,050 (Overseas)
More Fees and funding details.

This distinctive, evidence-focused Educational Leadership Masters course 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.

The knowledge and experience you will gain from the course will place you in an ideal position to inform future improvement and make a difference to the overall performance of your school. It will enhance your ability to lead school improvement by using research and evidence to develop, and in some cases, challenge current practices.

On the MA Educational Leadership course you will:

  • Engage with leading academics and expert local school leaders;
  • Be part of a research-informed community which 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 your own specialist areas of expertise through research, leadership enquiry and other practice-focused
    assignments.

  • The Educational Leadership course is part of the Education Leadership Academy which supports inclusive, values-driven leadership in schools across the world.

The School of Education at the University of Birmingham has a long-standing reputation as a centre of excellence for teaching and research in a wide range of areas of educational practice and policy. It is an international leader in education and has a history of top-rated research dating back to its founding in 1896. It is one of the largest research-led schools of education in the UK employing over 100 academic staff and teaching more than 2,500 students. 

You may also be interested in the following:

Modules

Unless indicated otherwise the modules listed for this programme are for students starting in January 2025.

Prior leadership learning (60 credits)

Understanding School Improvement  (20 credits)

Leadership for School Improvement  (20 credits)

Educational Policy and Improving Schools (20 credits)

Dissertation (60 credits)

The Master’s dissertation (currently 12,000-15,000 words ) is an opportunity for you to develop in-depth understanding of an educational topic of personal and/or professional interest. 


Please note: The modules listed on the website for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods. On rare occasions, we may need to make unexpected changes to compulsory modules; in this event we will contact offer holders as soon as possible to inform or consult them as appropriate.

Fees

Fees starting January 2024

UK

Code 380G £3,390

Please note that this is the annual fee. The second year fee may rise with inflation.

International

Code 380G £7,050

Learn more about fees and funding

Scholarships and Loans

Scholarships may be available, please view the Scholarships webpage in the School of Education. International students can often gain funding through overseas research scholarships, Commonwealth scholarships or their home government. More details may be found on the  international scholarships page.

For further information contact the School directly or visit the Funding, Graduation & Awards Office via  online enquiries. 

How To Apply

How to apply

To apply for a postgraduate taught programme, you will need to submit your application and supporting documents online. We have put together some helpful information on the taught programme application process and supporting documents on our how to apply page. Please read this information carefully before completing your application.

Apply now

Our Standard Requirements

This is a ‘fast track’ professional learning programme which requires students to have prior experience and understanding of educational leadership.

All applicants are required to:

  • be currently working in a teaching, leadership or school support role;
  • have a National Professional Qualification (NPQ), equivalent professional experience, or equivalent M-level credits related to school improvement and educational leadership;
  • hold a good first degree, diplomas or other relevant qualifications.

We recognise that the knowledge and skills required for educational leadership are varied and educational leadership experience and learning comes in many forms. 

We are accepting the NASENCo award as an NPQ equivalent as standard. Examples of other relevant qualifications and programmes include the leadership pathways and programmes offered by SSAT and by the former National College. You may have completed a series of shorter courses or received ‘in-house’ training. We also are considering experiential learning and any achievements, experiences or duties which demonstrate the applicant has met the NPQ standards and has experience and understanding of senior leadership practice.

  • An NPQ which was achieved more than 5 years ago is typically suitable, especially if you have been working in a senior leadership role following your NPQ award.
  • If you are currently undertaking but yet to complete an NPQ, National SENCO award or another relevant programme you should include details of your learning to date and any indications that you are on track to complete the award. Examples include transcripts, details in a personal statement or CV, and references from programme tutors or directors.

In all cases, prior learning is assessed against the MA Programme aims and the NPQSL standards to ensure that you have the experience and understanding of education and senior leadership required to benefit from this Masters degree in Educational Leadership.

English language support - before your course starts

The University offers Presessional English courses for students who wish to improve their knowledge of spoken and written English in preparation for academic study at the University of Birmingham. Students with conditional offers have the option of attending one of these courses instead of retaking IELTS 

English language support - during your studies

BIA provides free English language services to international students who are currently studying on undergraduate or postgraduate courses at the University of Birmingham.  Services include Open-access English classes, online self-assessment, online materials through CANVAS, email answers to quick questions and individual one to one tutorials.  For a small fee, BIA also offers classes for partners of international postgraduate students and staff, social events including day trips and HOST visits.   

International Requirements


The Assessment, consists of a combination of academic and school focused assignments and a dissertation, all designed to be tailored by you for your own subject specialism, phase and professional interests.

The blended learning format includes a combination of distance learning and face-to-face seminars. The Distance learning content includes short research and study skills modules which support the core modules. 

This course is designed to provide a firm basis in theory and evidence for new and aspiring leaders in education. This leadership may be exercised in schools, colleges or administrating authorities or roles providing support for school improvement. Leadership may be in the form of direct responsibility for organisational strategy and practice or it may come in the form of leading professional development. With a strong focus on connecting research to practice and using and analysing evidence, this course also provides a firm basis for students wishing to pursue further study on MA and PhD programmes.