The MSc in Educational Leadership (with Specialist Qualification for Headship) is a work-based Master’s course designed to enable aspiring school leaders and managers to gain a Master’s degree which contributes to the development of the knowledge, understanding and skills required to allow them to articulate and enact informed strategic vision, values and aims in relation to professional practice.
The MSc in Educational Leadership course has at its heart the Specialist Qualification for Headship (SQH) which is embedded in the Into Headship modules. This element of the programme will be accredited by the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) and so this work-based Master’s course incorporates both a professional and academic award.
The development of the Into Headship modules is the result of an ongoing formal collaboration with the Scottish College for Educational Leadership (SCEL), Local Authorities, the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS), Education Scotland, four other Universities and the highly successful SQH Western Consortium (Universities of Glasgow, Stirling and Strathclyde). Building on the success and impact of previous programmes, including the MSc in Educational Leadership (with Scottish Qualification for Headship), this new programme is designed to take account of current policy and the professional standards framework (GTCS, 2012) to offer participants an opportunity to develop strategic leadership and management competencies.
The programme, which is introduced for the first time in 2015, offers an opportunity for participants to further develop their professional learning and strategic leadership and management practices in a supportive, flexible, creative and challenging learning environment.
The Into Headship modules EDUP021 (Into Headship 1) and EDUP022 (Into Headship 2) will be accredited by the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS).
The MSc in Educational Leadership (with Specialist Qualification for Headship) programme will comprise three stages:
Middle Leadership
Into Headship
Extended Induction
Prior to 2018, candidates may undertake EDUP021 Into Headship 1 and EEDUP022 Into Headship 2 as a Postgraduate Certificate. After 2018 these modules will form the Diploma stage of this qualification.
Stage one: Middle Leadership
The aim of this stage is to develop an understanding of the principles underpinning middle leadership for those aspiring to lead and manage the improvement of educational practices which impact on outcomes for children and young people in their setting and/or wider educational community. During stage one students will undertake one of the core modules, either EDUP001 Engaging critically with professional practices (20 credits at SCQF level 11) or EDUP007 Examining Professional Practices: Work-Based Learning (20 credits at SCQF level 11), then complete the Postgraduate Certificate with EDUP003 Middle Leadership: principles and practices (40 credits at SCQF level 11).
Stage Two: Into Headship
The aim of this stage is to foster a future orientated strategic stance to initiate and lead change for improvement through engagement with the school community. This will be achieved through building and applying sound knowledge and understanding of strategic leadership and management theories and practices in the context of the role of the headteacher. The modules will enable participants to develop an understanding of the place of values in leading a school community and explore ways of addressing some of the challenges this poses as well as enhancing the interpersonal and personal skills, confidence and resilience for those preparing to move into headship. This stage will provide an opportunity to develop practice in the use of critical enquiry and reflection to enhance participants’ strategic leadership practices and to evaluate and strengthen the impact of these practices on the school community. This stage is designed to enable participants to develop the strategic leadership and management competences as specified by the by the appropriate professional standards provided by the GTCS in Scotland to facilitate their transition into headship.
Stage Three: Extended Induction
During stage three participants will complete the MSc in Educational Leadership (with Specialist Qualification for Headship) through undertaking the final two modules in the programme EDUP023 Extended Induction 1 (20 credits SCQF level 11) and EDUP024 Extended Induction 2 (40 credits SCQF level 11)
This course is offered on a part-time basis only. The period of study is normally three years for the MSc, although this programme is unlikely to be taken over three consecutive years. Candidates must complete six modules for the MSc degree. The modules will be delivered through a blended learning format designed to facilitate both individual and collaborative work. The format is a mix of face-to-face seminar days, guided self-study, online and work-based learning.
The MSc in Educational Leadership (with SQH) develops knowledge, understanding and skills to enhance leadership and management practices and support career-long professional development.
This award is gained through taking an educational leadership focus for 50% of the study, including the Dissertation.
The programme is flexible to enable students to demonstrate an educational leadership focus in any of the 30 credit modules of interest which are studied, although study might include the Leadership and Management module. Students must have an educational leadership focus for the final dissertation. In order to gain this award students need to submit the Educational Leadership evidence log to demonstrate the 50% focus.
This award enables experienced professionals to build upon their interests and experience of educational leadership. Less experienced professionals are supported in developing their knowledge of issues relating to educational leadership.
The MA Educational Leadership is offered as part of a suite of awards available through the MA Education Framework.
This programme is offered on a 1 year full-time basis, and part-time study for 2 or 3 years.
The programme supports you in developing your knowledge and understanding of issues and practice through enquiry and research. The programme provides a range of module choices, but you are encouraged to bring your own ideas and focus on your own particular professional interests.
Through this programme you will:
Taught sessions are built around discussion, discovery, shared learning and peer review with tutor support and expertise immediately at hand. All modules are constructed so that the focus of the work should be upon your individual interests and professional requirements.
Level 7
Core Modules
Optional
Work with academics who are internationally recognised for their leadership research and practice. Develop the skills, knowledge and dispositions to be an effective educational leader.
Complete coursework at a pace that suits you – part-time while you work, or full-time over 18 months.
The Faculty of Education offers a postgraduate study award to associate teachers in recognition of their work in supporting the Faculty’s initial teacher education programmes and students. More information on Associate Teacher Postgraduate Study Award
Students are required to complete 180 points and there are three options regarding how study can be planned. It is recommended to start with the two required content papers PROF500 & PROF502.
Required
One of the three Research Methods paper options, and at least 30 points of independent supervised research.
Research Methods / Research
OR
OR
And at least one from:
Optional
Choose remaining papers from:
30 points may be taken from outside the field of the degree. Master of Education Master of Disability and Inclusion Stud
The Educational Leadership (International) MBA will meet the needs of senior educational leaders, developing the scholarship and academic skills to support their reflective practice. It will enable them to reflect on the key areas of theory, empirical research and values that underpin educational leadership, and allow them to analyse how policy can impact on educational leadership.
This programme provides students the opportunity to develop as a strategic thinker, leader of learning and educational improvement, and manager of resources, exploring important national and international debates in and around educational reform, leadership, and teaching and learning.
Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.
The programme consists of four core modules (120 credits), and a dissertation/report (60 credits).
Core modules
Optional modules
There are no optional modules for this programme.
Dissertation/research project
Students undertake an independent research project which culminates in a dissertation of 20,000 words.
Teaching and learning
This programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, online materials and tutorial support involving module leaders and guest speakers. Assessment is through assignment submission and final dissertation. The programme is delivered through intensive two-day contact periods and tutorial support can be offered in person, via Skype or online.
Further information on modules and degree structure is available on the department website: Educational Leadership (International) MBA
Graduates of this Master's degree are currently working as:
Recent career destinations for this degree
Employability
This Master's degree provides the opportunity to:
Careers data is taken from the ‘Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education’ survey undertaken by HESA looking at the destinations of UK and EU students in the 2013–2015 graduating cohorts six months after graduation.
The quality, depth and breadth of research and development work carried out by the Department of Learning and Leadership at the UCL Institute of Education (IOE) has an outstanding reputation. The department is at the forefront of promoting new knowledge for and about leadership in London, nationally, and internationally.
The department supports educational and public sector leadership to improve the life chances of individuals and communities, working in partnership with practitioners and policymakers at the critical edge of research and practice.
The Educational Leadership (International) MBA provides a full overview of contemporary education leadership issues. This includes focusing on the role of schools within the wider community and how governmental policy makes its mark.
The Research Excellence Framework, or REF, is the system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions. The 2014 REF was carried out by the UK's higher education funding bodies, and the results used to allocate research funding from 2015/16.
The following REF score was awarded to the department: Learning & Leadership
78% rated 4* (‘world-leading’) or 3* (‘internationally excellent’)
Learn more about the scope of UCL's research, and browse case studies, on our Research Impact website.
The School Improvement and Educational Leadership programme is designed for you to make a difference in schools through leadership that is focused on learning. The knowledge and experience you will gain from this programme will place you in an ideal position to inform the future improvement and make a difference to the overall performance of your school. It will help provide you with the foundations to become a leader in school improvement using evidence-based analysis and by challenging current practices.
Download a flier for the School Improvement and Educational Leadership programme (PDF)
Download information on all the postgraduate study programmes in the School of Education (PDF)
The School Improvement and Educational Leadership programme is designed for those who are aiming to make a difference in schools through leadership that is focused on learning. Leadership in schools takes many forms: through school and departmental leadership teams, but also through collaboration between teachers and schools on specific problems in teaching and learning. You will be part of a research-led community which uses and develops evidence-based practice to identify and share approaches which can be shown to make a difference in particular contexts.
There are three 'M' levels associated with the programme in School Improvement and Educational Leadership.
Masters - 180 credits which are achieved by passing all four core (compulsory) modules, two optional modules and a dissertation (which is worth 60 credits).
Postgraduate Diploma - 120 credits which are achieved by passing all four core (compulsory) modules and two optional modules.
Postgraduate Certificate - 60 credits which are achieved by passing at least two of the core modules and one further optional modules.
Ask our current students and alumni a question
These are experienced postgraduates who have previously studied, or are currently studying, at the University of Birmingham, and they offer help and advice from a student perspective.
Chile Scholarships
This is an international programme which recruits students from around the world as well as from the UK. We welcome applicants from Chile who are applying through CONICYT’s scholarship programme in which the University of Birmingham is participating. Application of the ideas and evidence about School Improvement and Educational Leadership in a Chilean context will be addressed in the programme.
Specific information for students who wish to apply from Chile may be found on our International Pages.
The programme is offered as part of the School of Education’s work with partner schools. There is a strong emphasis on relating theory and evidence to practice. The teaching includes workshops, seminars and tutorials. Classes use a variety of reflective, analytical and enquiry-based activities using journals, qualitative and quantitative evidence of practice in individual schools and school systems. Support is provided through webCT which includes research discussions and case studies which are used for preparation tasks as well in workshops. Assignment and dissertation topics reflect students’ individual interests and contexts.
This programme 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. Leadership may be in form of direct responsibility for organisational strategy and practice or it may come in form of leading professional development.
MA Educational Leadership is ideal if you're an educational professional currently working in, or aspiring to work in, a leadership position.
The course is taught by leading academics in the field of leadership, management, school effectiveness and improvement. Senior educational experts also contribute, including head teachers, inspectors, local authority officers and policy-makers.
Teaching encourages student participation, shared experiences and opportunities for practical application. Depending on your background and experience, you may find the approach rather different from your previous experiences of university.
The programme is taught by leading academics in the field of leadership, management, school effectiveness and improvement. Senior educational experts also contribute, including head teachers, inspectors, local authority officers and policy-makers.
The course is taught by world-leading researchers who focus on the realities of professional practice through using the social sciences. This includes Professor Mel Ainscow (an international expert in inclusive education), Professor Michael Apple (the world's leading critical educationalist), Steve Courtney (an expert on school restructuring, change and leadership), Professor Helen Gunter (known internationally for her work on policy and leadership), Professor David Hall (an expert in policy enactment and distributed leadership), Ruth McGinity (an expert on localised policymaking, change and leadership), Dr Susie Miles (known internationally for her specialist knowledge of inclusion and disability in developing country contexts), Professor Mel West (an international expert in school improvement and school effectiveness).
The course units are delivered through lectures, tutorials, group-work, case-based approaches, and enquiry-based learning, associated with school visits. Comprehensive training is provided in the use of electronic databases, library resources. We encourage both individual and co-operative learning and research and hope to foster an ethos of lifelong learning. We aim to build on the expertise of our students, many of whom are experienced leaders in education, and who bring with them a wealth of knowledge and practical experience from a wide range of different countries.
Assessment for the full-time course is by 8 x 3000 word assignments and a dissertation of 15,000 words.
Typical course units include: Educational Leadership; Examining Educational Policy; Contemporary issue sin Educational Leadership and Policy Development; Research Methods in Education; Leading Educational Change and Development; International Perspectives on Equity and Inclusion; Inclusive Education.
Practical support and advice for current students and applicants is available from the Disability Advisory and Support Service. Email: [email protected]
Over the past decade graduates of this course have returned to over 40 countries around the world. They have mainly either entered or returned to teaching, lecturing or educational administration, while others have proceeded to further advanced studies.
The Applied Educational Leadership and Management MA is designed for education leaders or managers who work in a school or college, or work in an educational planning, development or inspection role for a national or regional organisation. It will enable students to contribute towards the improvement of educational systems and institutions, and to reflect on the quality of the learning and teaching they manage.
As an applied programme, this MA will improve a student's understanding of educational management and leadership whilst enabling them to apply theory and research to their own working environment. It will foster a student's continuing professional development, allowing them to consider issues related to the policy context of education. It will also give them the chance to contribute towards the improvement of educational systems and institutions.
Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.
The programme consists of two core modules (60 credits), two optional modules (60 credits), and a dissertation (60 credits).
A Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits) consisting of two core modules (60 credits) and two optional modules (60 credits) is also offered.
A Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits) consisting of two core modules is also offered.
Core modules
Optional modules
Students choose two of the following:
Dissertation/report
All students submit a dissertation of 15,000 words.
Teaching and learning
This programme is delivered via online learning, allowing you to study flexibly whilst balancing work and personal commitments.
The learning strategy for this programme is collaborative in that students share their skills and experience with others. Students are supported by an online learning environment which incorporates focused conferencing and work spaces linked to specific activities for each module. There are also informal discussion areas and links to online resources including library support. Study materials and readings are provided.
Study time is estimated at about 10-15 hours a week.
Further information on modules and degree structure is available on the department website: Applied Educational Leadership and Management MA
Graduates of this programme are currently working across a broad range of areas. Some are working as senior and middle leaders in education institutions worldwide, while others have jobs as government ministers and advisers. Graduates can also be found working as local government leaders and consultants.
The Department of Learning and Leadership's excellent reputation stems from the quality, depth and breadth of its research and development work, and from its promotion of educational leadership both nationally and internationally.
The department supports educational and public sector leadership to improve the life chances of individuals and communities, and works with practitioners and policymakers at the centre of research and practice.
The department is at the forefront of developing research, new knowledge and publications for and about leadership and learning.
Accreditation:
The MA AELM is administered by University of London International Programmes, and taught by the UCL Institute of Education. The awarding body is the University of London.
The Research Excellence Framework, or REF, is the system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions. The 2014 REF was carried out by the UK's higher education funding bodies, and the results used to allocate research funding from 2015/16.
The following REF score was awarded to the department: Learning & Leadership
78% rated 4* (‘world-leading’) or 3* (‘internationally excellent’)
Learn more about the scope of UCL's research, and browse case studies, on our Research Impact website.
The master's program in Catholic Educational Leadership prepares graduates for effective leadership as administrators in Catholic elementary and secondary schools and for diocesan positions. The program consists of 30 credits, 24 of which are core credits.
To meet the needs of working professionals, the program follows a schedule of alternate weekend classes that convene nine times a semester (Friday evenings and all day Saturdays). See our Teaching Weekend schedule.
The remaining 6 credits are earned in elective courses selected from among those in Catholic Educational Leadership or those offered by other master's degree programs in the School of Education.
The program is offered during three semesters of the academic year: fall, spring, and summer. The summer CEL semester, referred to as the SummerWest program, includes a wide variety of course offerings; the summer faculty are from many parts of the country and bring expertise in theory and practice in elementary and secondary Catholic schools.
The Catholic Educational Leadership Program Learning Outcomes
Maynooth University, Department of Education are offering an exciting and innovative Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Leadership and Management (Future Leaders) for teachers who seek, or are currently in, leadership roles. The Future Leaders programme includes a combination of practical skills and theoretical foundations to support preparation for leadership and management positions at all levels.
The programme is designed and delivered by experienced leaders from a variety of professional education roles and has input from national and international academic/practitioner experts in the areas of educational leadership and management.
The diploma is offered at Level 9, with 60 credits and will be completed over one year on a part-time basis.
The programme will cost €2,900 & the current postgraduate student levy see link below:
https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/study-maynooth/postgraduate-studies/fees-funding-scholarships/fees
All fee payments and student levy queries should be referred to the Fee’s Office at Maynooth University: [email protected]
Location:
The course will be offered in the academic year (2018/2019) in the following venues (times & days) subject to sufficient numbers:
Maynooth University: Monday – 5.00-8.00pm
Tralee Education Centre: Monday – 5.00-8.00pm
North Dublin Centre (Drumcondra Area – Venue to be confirmed): Tuesday – 5.00-8.00pm
Carrick-on-Shannon Education Centre – Wednesday – 5.00-8.00pm
Laois Education Centre (Portlaoise) : Thursday - 5.00-8.00pm
Information Sessions / Open Nights:
If you would like to find out more about the programme and meet members of the course staff, the following open nights/information sessions will provide full details.
(i) Maynooth University, Education Lecture Theatre, Education House (located in Car Park 12, North Campus - 6.00-7.30pm on Monday 26th February 2018 – (suitable for Drumcondra area candidates also)
(ii) Tralee Education Centre – Monday 19th February 2018 - 5.00 – 6.30pm.
(iii) Carrick-on-Shannon Education Centre – Wednesday 21st February 2018 – 5.00-6.30pm
(iv) Laois Education Centre (Portlaoise) – Thursday 22nd February 2018 – 5.00-6.30pm
Please register your interest in attending the Information Session/Open Night of your choice by completing the following online form . Please ensure that you select the centre you wish to attend.
Please note: Registering your interest for an Open Night/Information Session is not a guarantee of a place on the programme or application for same.
How to apply for the programme :
The PAC system is now open for applications to the Future Leaders Programme, Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Leadership and Management (PGDELM) and will close at 12.00 noon on 8th May 2018.
Application Process:
(i) Places on the course will be limited.
(ii) Fully completed eligible applications only will be considered.
In order to be prepared to make an official application via the Postgraduate Application Centre (PAC) http://www.pac.ie, please have the following documents ready:
Please note: A *certified copy is a copy of an original document that has been verified as being a true copy after the original document has been sighted by an authorized person (a member of An Garda Siochana, a Solicitor, or Commissioner for Oaths)
Modules include:
Course Duration: 1 year part-time
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