MA Education Leadership

Lead schools and learning organisations with evidence and empathy

Online only

24 months36 creditsEnglish

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Overview

Effective education leaders combine pedagogical expertise with organisational acumen. This MA covers school improvement, curriculum design, inclusive education, and education finance. You will analyse case studies from UK academies, African community schools, and international baccalaureate networks. Modules on coaching, conflict resolution, and community engagement prepare you for the human side of leadership. A school improvement project forms the capstone assessment.

Cohorts are practising teachers and leaders — discussions draw on your school context daily. The capstone is a live improvement plan for your institution, mentored by a serving headteacher. EdTech leadership modules cover AI policy and safeguarding.

Who This Programme Is For

Assistant and deputy headteachers preparing for headship
Curriculum leads in international and bilingual schools
NGO education programme managers

Faculty spotlight

Headteacher-in-residence Emma Laurent coaches school improvement; Professor Alex Morgan researches rural education access in Sub-Saharan Africa.

How you can study

Digital only

Study online

100% tuition-free online

Every programme can be completed fully online with zero tuition fees — study from anywhere in the world.

✦ Tuition: £0 / $0
✦ Course exams from $60 — 95% sponsorship rate
✦ Learn from anywhere · Live online seminars

Apply online →

What You Will Learn

Develop school improvement plans grounded in inspection frameworks and research
Lead curriculum design aligned with national and international standards
Manage education budgets, staffing, and stakeholder relationships
Implement inclusive practices for SEND and multilingual learners
Coach teachers using evidence-based professional development models
Design professional development programmes with measurable impact
Lead stakeholder engagement with parents, governors, and regulators

Curriculum

Year 1 — Leadership Core

Code	Course	Credits
ED501	Foundations of Educational Leadership Foundations of Educational Leadership — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway. Core concepts and frameworks in Foundations of Educational Leadership Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases Methods, tools, and professional standards Ethics, risk, and responsible practice Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project	3
ED502	Curriculum Design & Assessment Curriculum Design & Assessment — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway. Core concepts and frameworks in Curriculum Design & Assessment Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases Methods, tools, and professional standards Ethics, risk, and responsible practice Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project	3
ED503	School Improvement & Quality Assurance School Improvement & Quality Assurance — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway. Core concepts and frameworks in School Improvement & Quality Assurance Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases Methods, tools, and professional standards Ethics, risk, and responsible practice Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project	3
ED504	Education Law & Policy Education Law & Policy — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway. Core concepts and frameworks in Education Law & Policy Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases Methods, tools, and professional standards Ethics, risk, and responsible practice Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project	3

Year 1 — People & Practice

Code	Course	Credits
ED505	Inclusive Education & SEND Leadership Inclusive Education & SEND Leadership — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway. Core concepts and frameworks in Inclusive Education & SEND Leadership Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases Methods, tools, and professional standards Ethics, risk, and responsible practice Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project	3
ED506	Education Finance & Resource Management Education Finance & Resource Management — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway. Core concepts and frameworks in Education Finance & Resource Management Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases Methods, tools, and professional standards Ethics, risk, and responsible practice Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project	3
ED507	Coaching & Professional Development Coaching & Professional Development — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway. Core concepts and frameworks in Coaching & Professional Development Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases Methods, tools, and professional standards Ethics, risk, and responsible practice Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project	3
ED508	Research Methods in Education Research Methods in Education — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway. Core concepts and frameworks in Research Methods in Education Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases Methods, tools, and professional standards Ethics, risk, and responsible practice Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project	3

Year 2 — Capstone

Code

Course

Credits

ED601

Educational Technology Leadership

Educational Technology Leadership — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway.

Core concepts and frameworks in Educational Technology Leadership
Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases
Methods, tools, and professional standards
Ethics, risk, and responsible practice
Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project

ED602

Community & Stakeholder Engagement

Community & Stakeholder Engagement — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway.

Core concepts and frameworks in Community & Stakeholder Engagement
Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases
Methods, tools, and professional standards
Ethics, risk, and responsible practice
Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project

ED603

MA Education Leadership Dissertation

MA Education Leadership Dissertation — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway.

Core concepts and frameworks in MA Education Leadership Dissertation
Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases
Methods, tools, and professional standards
Ethics, risk, and responsible practice
Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project

Career Paths

School Principal / Headteacher
Curriculum Director
Education NGO Programme Lead
Academy Trust Executive
Education Policy Advisor

Programme Highlights

Designed with serving headteachers and Ofsted-experienced faculty
Modules on EdTech integration and digital learning leadership
Focus on low-income and rural education contexts globally
Peer learning cohort of practising educators
Capstone: live school improvement plan for your institution
Peer cohort of practising educators worldwide
Ofsted and international inspection frameworks compared critically

Admission Requirements

Bachelor's degree and minimum two years of teaching or education leadership experience
Statement of Purpose outlining your leadership aspirations
Two professional references, one from a senior leader
English proficiency: IELTS 5.5 or equivalent

Recognised & Accredited

Ready to begin?MA Education Leadership

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Overview

Who This Programme Is For

Assistant and deputy headteachers preparing for headship

Curriculum leads in international and bilingual schools

NGO education programme managers

Faculty spotlight

Headteacher-in-residence Emma Laurent coaches school improvement; Professor Alex Morgan researches rural education access in Sub-Saharan Africa.

What You Will Learn

Develop school improvement plans grounded in inspection frameworks and research

Lead curriculum design aligned with national and international standards

Manage education budgets, staffing, and stakeholder relationships

Implement inclusive practices for SEND and multilingual learners

Coach teachers using evidence-based professional development models

Design professional development programmes with measurable impact

Lead stakeholder engagement with parents, governors, and regulators

Curriculum

Year 1 — Leadership Core

Code	Course	Credits
ED501	Foundations of Educational Leadership Foundations of Educational Leadership — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway. Core concepts and frameworks in Foundations of Educational Leadership Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases Methods, tools, and professional standards Ethics, risk, and responsible practice Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project	3
ED502	Curriculum Design & Assessment Curriculum Design & Assessment — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway. Core concepts and frameworks in Curriculum Design & Assessment Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases Methods, tools, and professional standards Ethics, risk, and responsible practice Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project	3
ED503	School Improvement & Quality Assurance School Improvement & Quality Assurance — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway. Core concepts and frameworks in School Improvement & Quality Assurance Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases Methods, tools, and professional standards Ethics, risk, and responsible practice Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project	3
ED504	Education Law & Policy Education Law & Policy — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway. Core concepts and frameworks in Education Law & Policy Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases Methods, tools, and professional standards Ethics, risk, and responsible practice Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project	3

Year 1 — People & Practice

Code	Course	Credits
ED505	Inclusive Education & SEND Leadership Inclusive Education & SEND Leadership — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway. Core concepts and frameworks in Inclusive Education & SEND Leadership Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases Methods, tools, and professional standards Ethics, risk, and responsible practice Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project	3
ED506	Education Finance & Resource Management Education Finance & Resource Management — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway. Core concepts and frameworks in Education Finance & Resource Management Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases Methods, tools, and professional standards Ethics, risk, and responsible practice Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project	3
ED507	Coaching & Professional Development Coaching & Professional Development — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway. Core concepts and frameworks in Coaching & Professional Development Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases Methods, tools, and professional standards Ethics, risk, and responsible practice Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project	3
ED508	Research Methods in Education Research Methods in Education — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway. Core concepts and frameworks in Research Methods in Education Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases Methods, tools, and professional standards Ethics, risk, and responsible practice Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project	3

Year 2 — Capstone

Code

Course

Credits

ED601

Educational Technology Leadership

Educational Technology Leadership — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway.

Core concepts and frameworks in Educational Technology Leadership
Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases
Methods, tools, and professional standards
Ethics, risk, and responsible practice
Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project

ED602

Community & Stakeholder Engagement

Community & Stakeholder Engagement — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway.

Core concepts and frameworks in Community & Stakeholder Engagement
Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases
Methods, tools, and professional standards
Ethics, risk, and responsible practice
Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project

ED603

MA Education Leadership Dissertation

MA Education Leadership Dissertation — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway.

Core concepts and frameworks in MA Education Leadership Dissertation
Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases
Methods, tools, and professional standards
Ethics, risk, and responsible practice
Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project

Programme Highlights

Designed with serving headteachers and Ofsted-experienced faculty

Modules on EdTech integration and digital learning leadership

Focus on low-income and rural education contexts globally

Peer learning cohort of practising educators

Capstone: live school improvement plan for your institution

Peer cohort of practising educators worldwide

Ofsted and international inspection frameworks compared critically