In the current climate there are structural and political pressures to improve educational performance and opportunities within educational institutions and with this the quality of leadership comes under scrutiny. This MSc recognises that a high-quality educational system depends on leaders from all walks of life and all types of positions, regardless of title. It is intended, therefore, to provide leadership development for people who work in all manner of roles in the educational system: classroom teachers, formal school leaders, local authority personnel, policymakers, and any individual with a direct interest in the primary and post-primary school sectors.
The programme aspires to equip you with the necessary knowledge, skills, and creative capacity to respond to a variety of leadership challenges faced in contemporary educational institutions. We will challenge traditional notions of 'leaders' and 'leadership' pointing to new, more collaborative and more organic models of leading.
It is expected that graduates will be able to inform their professional practice with the latest research evidence in the field to nurture meaningful relationships in educational communities, address issues of equity and diversity, support teaching and learning, and ultimately ensure quality outcomes which are tailored to contextual needs. We seek to develop in students the ability to critique current leadership practices and to enact changes that will improve education for all.
Educational Leadership highlights
Our educational research has been ranked 4th within the UK in relation to research intensity with 87% assessed as 'internationally excellent or world leading' (REf, 2014).
Student Experience
- Students are actively involved in sessions (student-led) and there are opportunities for small group work and presentations.
- Assignments are tailored to topics of interest to each individual student.
- There is an international outlook on leadership issues.
- The international mix of students enables exchanges of knowledge, experience, and perspectives.
- Credit transferStudents who have completed other master's-level awards, eg PGCE or Professional Qualification for Headship (PQH) within the last 10 years are eligible to credit transfer. The credit transfer application must be submitted at the same time as the online programme application as retrospective applications are not accepted.
- The programme is tailored to working professionals. It is partly delivered online, while face-to-face teaching sessions take place in the evenings to facilitate attendance. Part-time students can remain in their workplace during their studies and directly apply new knowledge in their settings.
