Educational Leadership MA/PGCert/PGDip
Accreditations
You are viewing Course summary
Part-time PG Education Online Information Event
Join our online information event to find out more about our part-time Childhood, Education, and Professional Development (CEPD) postgraduate courses.
Course Summary
Enhance your leadership potential and make a lasting impact in education with our MA in Educational Leadership. Designed for current and aspiring leaders across all educational settings, this course empowers you to critically engage with leadership theories and apply them to real-world challenges. With a strong emphasis on professional practice, you will refine your ability to lead with confidence, drive positive change, and shape the future of education.
Our expert staff bring a wealth of academic and sector experience, ensuring that your learning is grounded in both research and contemporary practice. You will benefit from a flexible, personalised approach, with opportunities to gain accreditation for prior learning, including National Professional Qualifications (NPQs). Whether you are looking to progress within your current role or transition into new opportunities, this MA will equip you with the knowledge and skills to advance your career.
In addition to your Master's degree, you will also achieve a prestigious Chartered Management Institute (CMI) award in Strategic Leadership. This dual accreditation highlights your expertise and enhances your professional standing, giving you a competitive edge in the field.
Part-time students can select from a range of modules in order to personalise the course based on their prior experience and career aspirations. If you are not sure that a full MA is for you, then why not start with our Postgraduate Certificate, which is achieved by completing three modules. After this, you can progress onto the Postgraduate Diploma and then the MA.
Full-time students benefit from a carefully selected range of modules that will enhance your understanding of contemporary approaches to leadership.
Our philosophy is grounded in professional practice, with theories of leadership linking directly to leadership practice. We want you to be able to apply what we teach directly to your workplace. Our curriculum is informed by a steering group comprising senior leaders from multi-academy trusts across the country, as well as policy representatives from the government and sector representative organisations. This ensures that your learning is current, applicable and up to date.
If you engage in the course you will:
- become a better informed and confident leader who can help shape the future of leadership
- be able to apply theoretical frameworks to real problems in education.
- stand out from the crowd as a leader when applying for your next career step.
You can enter the course by making a claim for previous learning through the Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) process and then undertake modules for the remainder of your course taking into account your setting and individual needs. Use your prior learning to accelerate your journey to gain a Master's degree. For example, if you are a headteacher or deputy headteacher with a NPQH, you could gain your MA in Educational Leadership by completing one taught module, plus a dissertation.
On successful completion of your MA in Educational Leadership you will also gain a prestigious Chartered Management Institute (CMI) award in Strategic Leadership. This additional qualification is fully embedded into your MA in Educational Leadership. It provides you foundation Chartered Manager status (fCMgr) with a route through to full Chartered Manager status. This qualification will enhance your employability and offers recognition in addition to your MA in Educational Leadership as to your leadership skills.
Accredited excellence
Tailored to your professional journey
Learn from experts, lead with confidence
Educational Leadership- Hear From the Students
What You'll Study
You will complete a series of modules which you select in order to meet your needs, interests and aspirations. The only compulsory module that you need to complete is the dissertation. Full-time students will complete six taught modules, plus the dissertation. Part-times will complete the number of modules based on your individual circumstances.
The modules will develop your understanding of leadership and your ability to be an effective leader in a constantly changing educational landscape. You will learn how to successfully lead change, how to be an effective mentor to those in leadership roles. Or how your behaviours as a leader have a profound impact on those around you.
MODULES
- Leading Organisations: Theory into Practice (20 Credits) Optional: Leadership underpins everything that we do in education. How, as leaders, we lead is imperative to the success of our team and organisation. This module critiques contemporary approaches to leading educationally focused institutions in constant change and instability. Learning will focus on the application of a range of approaches to leadership in differing contexts. The module will focus on key topics such as different approaches to leadership, the impact that leadership has on organisational culture and effective and dysfunctional teams.
- Leading Change (20 Credits) Optional: Change is one of the few constants in education. Understanding the causes of change and the way that change progresses both within educational organisations and with individuals is a key professional quality involved in the leadership of education, whether in schools or other organisations within the education sector. Leading change, from setting a vision and overcoming resistance, through implementation and consolidation, is a core skill of successful educational leaders. In this module we will consider causes of educational change, ways in which changes can and do impact organisations, a range of models of change that can be used to effectively explain change and help in planning for future change, and we will consider effective ways in which to plan change.
- Leading People and Organisational Behaviour (20 Credits) Optional: Within education, people are essential. Without them, we do not have educational settings. They also account for the largest expenditure in financial terms. Therefore, as leaders we need to ensure that we understand the people that we work with. Applying psychological theories enables leaders to understand better people and the behaviour of those around them to develop more effective, resilient workplaces and support wellbeing. As part of this module, you will understand a range of the theories, concepts, and potential applications of psychology in various leadership contexts.
- Leading SEND and Safeguarding (20 Credits) Optional: Safeguarding and provision of education for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities are a core function of every educational setting. These roles are complex and importantly transcend every aspect of an organisation's life, intersecting with the curriculum, pastoral and support provision. It is well known that effective leadership within is one of the most significant factors in improving outcomes for children and young people, and so it is within these areas that an understanding of effective leadership can enhance these roles and contribute to improved outcomes. This module does not provide training in being a safeguarding lead or a SENDCO. Its purpose is to develop the leadership capacity of those in these roles or aspiring to them and to help them become more effective. We will consider issues around SEND and safeguarding cultures in education, leadership characteristics of effective leaders, professional learning of leaders and colleagues, and tools to empower leaders to develop these areas within their organisation.
- Leading Education in a Globalised Community (20 Credits) Optional: As educational leaders, we operate in a rapidly evolving educational landscape which necessitates the development of a more purposeful 'global literacy' across a range of knowledge domains so we can be more agile in our leadership responses. This module focuses on the impact of globalisation on the practice of educational leadership. At the heart of this module is an exploration of the complexities of leadership practice within domestic and international contexts, underpinned by exposure to broader international learning scenarios where leaders' decisions are paramount to educational success.
- Research Methods & Design (20 Credits) Optional: This module provides a comprehensive introduction to research methods and design, equipping you with essential skills for conducting rigorous and impactful research. You will explore a range of different approaches to conducting research, gaining practical experience in research planning, data collection, and ethical considerations. Emphasis is placed on selecting appropriate research designs for various questions and contexts. By the end of the module, you will be prepared to independently design and execute research projects that contribute meaningfully to your field of study.
- Research Project (60 Credits) Core: This module offers you an opportunity to undertake an independent research project in an area related to your final award. Through this module, you will develop critical research skills by designing, conducting, and presenting a research study that addresses a significant area of professional interest. This module encourages you to make a meaningful contribution to the field while honing skills essential for research, critical thinking, and current/future professional practice.
The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the course that will take the form of either core or option modules and should be used as a guide. We review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects. If during a review process, course content is significantly changed, we will contact you to notify you of these changes if you receive an offer from us.
Dr Steve Lambert
Associate Professor
Dr Mark Whalley
Senior Lecturer
Dr Kendall Jarrett
Senior Lecturer
Part-time students – modules are taught online. Each week you will complete a series of activities which may include video lectures, reading, completion of online tasks and reflective activities. You can complete these tasks at any point during the week, based on their individual circumstances. You will have regular contact with your Personal Academic Tutor, who will support you through your learning. You will also attend an online twilight session. Each module equates to approximately 200 hours of study and you should factor these hours into your existing work.
You will benefit from experienced tutors with recent relevant experience in a range of education settings.
You will also benefit from our optional dissertation Bootcamp and residential teaching sessions at Exton Park, Chester.
Full-time (international and home) students – will study in Chester, and will have weekly lectures and seminars.
Assessments include essays, portfolios of your own learning, academic posters and research-based projects. This course is assessed by 100% coursework, and the structure of the course means that you are only working on one assignment at any one time.
Entry Requirements
2:2 honours degree
Applicants will normally work in an educational environment, e.g. school, college, academy, local authority, free school or other educational setting.
The minimum entry requirement is usually a 2:2 honours degree plus relevant experience. Candidates without these qualifications will be invited to attend an interview to ensure their suitability for the course.
Students from countries outside the UK are expected to have entry qualifications roughly equivalent to UK A Level for undergraduate study and British Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) for postgraduate study. To help you to interpret these equivalents, please click on your country of residence to see the corresponding entry qualifications, along with information about your local representatives, events, information and contacts.
See below for your country specific requirements. Please note, some programmes have special entry requirements and if applicable, these are listed below.
English Language Requirements
For more information on our English Language requirements, please visit International Entry Requirements.
Online Learning IT specification
In order to maximise your learning experience, we recommend the following:
PC/Mac with the following operating system:
- Windows 8.1 or higher (Windows 10 recommended)
- macOS 10.14 or higher (the latest version recommended)
Internet connection:
Your internet connection should be at least 2.0Mbps.
Supported web browsers:
- Windows: Edge RS2 or later, or Chromium-based version, Firefox 87+, Chrome 72+
- macOS: Safari 14+, Firefox 87+, Chrome 72+
Cameras, microphones and headsets:
To fully participate in lessons, you will require speakers or headphones, a microphone, and a webcam. These devices may be built-in to your device, or you may need to connect an external headset and camera.
NPQ credits towards your MA
If you have completed a National Professional Qualification (NPQ) then you can use this as credits towards your MA in Educational Leadership, up to a maximum of 100 credits.
|
National Professional Qualification |
Maximum number of masters credits at level 7 |
What your programme will look like.
|
|
National Professional Qualification for Leading Teacher Development (NPQLTD) |
40 Credits |
4 taught 20-credit modules, from the list of available modules plus the 60-credit dissertation |
|
National Professional Qualification for Leading Teaching (NPQLT) |
40 Credits |
|
|
National Professional Qualification for Leading Behaviour and Culture (NPQLBC) |
40 Credits |
|
|
National Professional Qualification for Early Years Leadership (NPQEYL) |
40 Credits |
|
|
National Professional Qualification for Leading Literacy (NPQLL) |
40 Credits |
|
|
National Professional Qualification for SENCOs (NPQ for SENCOs) |
60 Credits |
3 taught 20-credit modules, from the list of available modules plus the 60-credit dissertation |
|
National Professional Qualification for Senior Leadership (NPQSL) |
60 Credits |
|
|
National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH) |
100 Credits |
1 taught 20-credit modules, from the list of available modules plus the 60-credit dissertation |
|
National Professional Qualification for Executive Leadership (NPQEL) |
100 Credits |
This is the maximum number of credits available. You do not have to bring in the maximum number, you could for example, bring in 80 credits from an NPQH and do two taught modules and the dissertation.
Whatever combination you bring into the programme cannot exceed 100 credits. There is a standard fee of £220 to bring NPQs into the course, regardless of how many credits.
The location
Modern learning resources and library
Fitness facilities
Student Services
Chapel, chaplaincy and multi-faith spaces
Accommodation
Catering
Fees and Funding
£9,630for the MA course (2025/26)
Guides to the fees for students who wish to commence postgraduate courses in the academic year 2025/26 are available to view on our Postgraduate Taught Programmes Fees page.
£15,000for a full-time course (2025/26)
The tuition fees for international students studying Postgraduate programmes in 2025/26 are £15,000.
Please note: For MSc programmes where a placement or project year is undertaken there will be an additional charge of £2,750 for the placement/project year (due at the start of the second year of the course).
The University of Chester offers generous international and merit-based scholarships for postgraduate study, providing a significant reduction to the published headline tuition fee. You will automatically be considered for these scholarships when your application is reviewed, and any award given will be stated on your offer letter.
For more information, go to our International Fees, Scholarship and Finance section.
Irish Nationals living in the UK or ROI are treated as Home students for Tuition Fee Purposes.
Your course will involve additional costs not covered by your tuition fees. This may include books, printing, photocopying, educational stationery and related materials, specialist clothing, travel to placements, optional field trips and software. Compulsory field trips are covered by your tuition fees.
If you are living away from home during your time at university, you will need to cover costs such as accommodation, food, travel and bills.
The University of Chester supports fair access for students who may need additional support through a range of bursaries and scholarships.
Full details, as well as terms and conditions for all bursaries and scholarships can be found on the Fees and Finance section of our website.
Your Future Career
Job Prospects
Many of our graduates have secured senior or promoted roles as a result of achieving their MA in Educational Leadership. We have a track record of students progressing to headship after completing their course, while others have taken on more senior leadership roles in departments within their settings. Their enhanced understanding of the leadership within education has informed their own practice as leaders, ensuring that they have a bigger impact on their own educational setting. After completion, some students have gone onto successfully complete doctoral degrees here at the University of Chester and further afield, while others are using the result of their dissertation to influence policy and practice across groups of schools.
Progression Options
Careers Service
The University has an award-winning Careers and Employability service which provides a variety of employability-enhancing experiences; through the curriculum, through employer contact, tailored group sessions, individual information, advice and guidance.
Careers and Employability aims to deliver a service which is inclusive, impartial, welcoming, informed and tailored to your personal goals and aspirations, to enable you to develop as an individual and contribute to the business and community in which you will live and work.
We are here to help you plan your future, make the most of your time at University and to enhance your employability. We provide access to part-time jobs, extracurricular employability-enhancing workshops and offer practical one-to-one help with career planning, including help with CVs, applications and mock interviews. We also deliver group sessions on career planning within each course and we have a wide range of extensive information covering graduate jobs and postgraduate study.
