MA Educational Leadership in Practice
“At The University of Manchester we believe educators are powerful influencers and have important voices in a rapidly globalising world. It is our intention to empower educational leaders to face tough challenges in globalising educational spaces with compassion and competency”
– Dr. Alexander Gardner-McTaggart Lecturer in Educational Leadership
Educational Leadership in Practice
MA in Educational Leadership
Be the positive change your educational organisation needs
Education is constantly under pressure to conform to external requirements, especially with standardisation and teaching to the test sweeping the globe, steering policies and pressurising educational leaders.
This programme will build your intellectual and practical confidence in all interactions; with teachers, parents, students, managers, board members and policymakers, to engage at a higher level and influence change.
Learn on the job
Take a critical and theoretical approach with practice-based learning that enables you create change in the workplace from day one.
Build a global network
Network with peers and experts during conferences held twice a year at our prestigious Manchester Centre.
Practise new skills
Learn from world-leading academics in educational policy and educational leadership including Prof Helen Gunter and Dr Alexander Gardner-McTaggart.
Face-to-face international programme conferences
Attend two major 3-day programme conferences during the year in Hong Kong and Singapore. You will undertake practical activities based on your units in small multinational groups and learn from industry peers, experts and academics.
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INTAKE
September 2025 |
APPLICATION DEADLINE
1st August 2025 (Friday) |
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DURATION
Master’s - 24 month, part-time. |
WORKLOAD
Approx 20 hours per week |
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ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
A good honours degree (minimum 2:1) or the overseas equivalent, in a related area. An initial qualification in teaching, or at least one year’s professional experience in a public or private educational organisation, are desirable but not essential requirements. Applicants with a 2:2 will be considered if they have at least three years teaching experience. As part of the application process you will be asked to provide contact details for one referee, professional or academic. The University will contact your referees directly after you submit your application and direct them to complete our online reference form. |
COST
£18,530* inclusive of GST (*subject to changes) PROMOTION APPLY NOW to enjoy GST absorption for a limited period only. Please contact us for more details. |
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LEARNING MODE
A mix of online content with face-to-face conferences twice a year |
Build your intellectual and practical confidence in all interactions
Programme Details
If you’re a teacher or an educator looking to move into a leadership role within an education organisation, this programme is for you. It will give you vital knowledge and skills to take your career to the next level, empowering you to lead with confidence and make a real impact.
Our Educational Leadership in Practice (MA) is the only global blended programme that is taught from a critical approach and not a functionalist one. This practice-orientated learning will enable you to be the change your organisation needs.
You can expect to study units covering topics such as:
Models of educational leadership
- Explore conceptualising educational leadership practice as adjectival models
- Examine what this means in diverse international contexts
- Examine and evaluate a range of key models
Engaging with research in educational leadership
- What is educational leadership?
- What topics can be researched in education?
- Why should research in education be taken seriously?
Leading educational change
- Examining what is meant by ‘change’
- Counter-productive and productive motivators for and mechanisms for change
- Critical perspective on leading change
Education policy and leadership
- What is policy and how is it ‘done’?
- Policy architecture
- Welfarism, social democracy and neoliberalism as policy architecture
Educational Leadership as a Social Practice
- Educational leadership practice in a Globalising education system
- Getting and doing the job
- Using research evidence
Optional Unit/Accreditation of Previous Learning
- Digital Media and Information Literacy
- Leadership of International Schools
Research Skills and application of research to professional practice
- Select and formulate a dissertation question/topic
- Study design and methodology
- Ethical, safety, social responsibility issues
Project-based enquiry
This takes the form of a report on literature or project-based enquiry. In this independent project, you will investigate some elements of your educational leadership practice.
- Gain a deep understanding of theories, research, intellectual debates, and best practice from across the globe.
- Reflect on how these could apply to your own practice.
- Develop higher-order thinking skills to inspire you as a leader of education.
- Apply educational leadership skills and find solutions to real-world problems from local and global education organisations.
You will be studying with international experts and global leaders in the delivery of Educational Leadership with over 22 years’ of teaching and research experience.
Your Course Director
Dr. Alexander Gardner-McTaggart
Programme Director, MA Educational Leadership in Practice, MIE
Attend two major 3-days course conferences during the year in Hong Kong and Singapore. You will undertake practical activities based on your units in small multinational groups and learn from industry peers, experts and academics.
There are no examinations. Assessments comprise of individual coursework.
Teacher - Students Ratio - 1:35 students
