It's time to lead in education
Education is increasingly under pressure to meet external demands, particularly with the rise of standardisation and teach-to-test approaches, which are shaping policy and placing significant pressure on educational leaders across the globe.
Our MA Educational Leadership in Practice will equip you with the skills and confidence to navigate these challenges and take a leadership role within education. Through your studies, you will build your intellectual and practical confidence to engage at higher levels, lead effectively and influence change within your organisation.
This master's has a strong international focus, ensuring that what you learn is globally applicable and connecting you with educators across the world.
Expertise in Research-Backed Education
Career Synchronised Learning
Build a Global Network of Educators
Accredited by
Licensed by The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research
Programmes accredited by the Commission for Academic Accreditation
Key Information
Qualification: MA
Duration: 24 months
Next intake: September 2025
Workload: Approx 20 hours per week
Programme Structure
Delivery
Where and when you will study
This online and blended, part-time master's means you can study from anywhere in the world and fit it around your day-to-day life. You will be expected to learn while you continue to work, and to use examples from your work throughout your study.
You will complete four taught units in year one, followed by two taught units and a research project in year two. You'll learn through a mix of interactive teaching and have plenty of opportunities to work collaboratively with your peers.
Structure
- Our online learning MA in Educational Leadership in Practice caters to the training needs of professionals around the world, whether you're looking to enhance your skills in leadership within schools or further your career in this area.
- Successful leaders in education require a wide range of transferable skills and subject-specific knowledge in areas such as in education and social policy, leading organisational and educational change.
- At the start of your course in September, you'll have the chance to network with academics teaching the course, meet your peers and grow your network of global educational practitioners at a three-day workshop in Manchester. In your second year, you will have the opportunity to attend a workshop at a centre of your choice.*
- The Master's teaching comprises five core 20-credit units, one optional unit or apply for APL (see info below) and a 60-credit research project.
*Subject to availability and visa requirements. The advertised fee covers your tuition. It does not cover your accommodation, travel costs or any other expenses that you may incur when attending face-to-face workshops.
Course Units
Models of Educational Leadership
- Explore conceptualising educational leadership practice as adjectival models
- Consider what this means in diverse international contexts
- Examine and evaluate a range of key models
Leading Educational Change
- Examining what is meant by ‘change’
- Counter-productive and productive motivators for and mechanisms for change
- A critical perspective on leading change
In this unit, you'll delve into the complexities of educational change within broader ideological and political landscapes. Learn to critically evaluate reform initiatives for their impact on equity and gain actionable insights as a leader to drive meaningful transformations. Explore the role of values in shaping change and understand whose interests are served by proposed reforms.
Education Policy and Leadership
- What is policy, and how is it ‘done’?
- Policy architecture
- Welfarism, social democracy and neoliberalism as policy architecture
In this unit, you'll explore the global dynamics that shape educational policies and reforms. Gain valuable insights into the role of educational leadership in driving policy changes nationally and internationally. Understand the key concepts that underlie shifts in education policy and how they affect leadership decisions. Enrich yourself with the knowledge to navigate and influence the evolving educational policy landscape.
Educational Leadership as a Social Practice
- Educational leadership practice in a globalising education system
- Getting and doing the job
- Using research evidence
Upon completing this unit, you'll master the art of collaboration in educational leadership. Dive deep into research, conduct your own investigations, and directly apply new insights into your professional setting. Sharpen your analytical skills and join in-depth debates to broaden your perspective. Take away practical tools to overcome collaboration barriers and bring meaningful change to your educational environment.
Engaging with Research in Educational Leadership
- What is educational leadership research?
- What topics can be researched in education?
- Why should research in education be taken seriously?
In this unit, you'll learn about the empirical literature base and develop the skills to review this literature purpose and practice as well as determine trustworthiness. You'll engage in theory and understand the impacts and uses of this research. You'll have the opportunity to reflect on your own practice and think about how your learning might influence your professional work.
Optional Course Unit/Accreditation of Previous Learning
- Digital Technologies and Educational Leadership
- Leadership of International Schools
Leadership of International Schools unit is arranged into 4 themes:
Theme 1: Historical overview and Examining internationalism and Global Citizenship
Theme 2: A critical perspective on implementing emancipatory education
Theme 3: Problematic influencers of change in international settings
Theme 4: Productive motivators for leading internationally
Independent Supervised Study/Project
- Research skills and the application of research to professional practice
- Project-based enquiry
Fees & Entry Requirements
Please find below our tuition fees for the programme commencing September 2025. If you need assistance or want to speak to a course counsellor, please contact us; we will gladly help.
MA Educational Leadership in Practice - Total Tuition Fee - GBP £17,850 paid as follows:
MA Educational Leadership in Practice Fees
GBP 17,850
GBP 1,000
GBP 3,464
GBP 4,462
GBP 4,462
GBP 4,462
Discount Policy
20%
15%
15%
- Bursary
- Family Loyalty Discount
- Student Referral Discount
10-15%
10%
15%
10%
*** Limited places are available for discretionary discount that is with the discount pot allocation
Terms & Conditions
12.5% scholarship is going to be discretionary, subject to difficult conversions, i.e. when the candidate is either getting a better offer or having a financial restriction.
Discretionary discounts will be subject to available balance in the discount pot
Family Loyalty discounts are for Alumni and Students to be encouraged to refer their spouse and siblings
Student Referral discounts are for those new students who came as a referral from our alumni and current students
Supporting Documents
An essay of 300 words explaining why he/she should be granted the exceptional discount
Offer letter from the competition showing a further discount and thus a lesser tuition fee
Company sponsorship
Many companies sponsor employees for the MA Educational Leadership in Practice programme. We can help you put together a business case outlining the benefits to your organisation and schedule a meeting or call with your HR department to discuss the programme.
Further, we have Strategic Talent Partnerships with several organisations. Our STPs get a preferential rate. Click HERE to see if your organisation is an STP.
0% Interest Instalment Plan with Emirates NBD
Our students can pay the semester or entire fees using Emirates NBD credit card and get 6-12 months instalments at 0% interest.
- One-time AED 49 processing fee per transaction.
- Log on to ENBD Online / Mobile Banking or Call 600 540000 to assist with the 0% interest instalment plan. More details are listed on this page
- Students can apply for free for life Emirates NBD credit card through this link. This offer is only valid for UAE residents
Entry Requirements
Qualifications:
- A good honours degree (minimum 2:1) or its international equivalent is required.
- While an initial teaching qualification or at least one year's professional experience in an educational setting is desirable, it is not mandatory.
- Applicants with a 2:2 will be considered if they have at least three years of teaching experience.
Supporting Documents:
- Two professional or academic references.
- A detailed CV outlining your complete work experience.
- A personal statement (approximately 500 words) explaining your motivation for choosing this course.
English Language Requirements
For Non-native English Speakers: You must meet one of the following:
- IELTS: Minimum overall score of 6.5, with at least 6.5 in writing and no less than 6.0 in other sections.
- TOEFL iBT: Score of 90 or more overall, with a minimum of 22 in writing and no section score below 20.
- Cambridge English (CAE or CPE): Overall score of 176 or more, with 176 in writing and no sub-section below 169.
- Grade C if taken before January 2015 (the Cambridge First Certificate in English is not acceptable).
- Pearson PTE Academic: Overall score of 59, with at least 59 in writing and no section below 51.
Test Validity:
English language test results must be valid on the course start date and are typically valid for two years. Ensure your test report is valid at the beginning of your studies.
Application Process and Selection
Application Deadline
Next intake: September 2025
Complete the Online Application:
- Start by registering and completing the online application form here
- Upload the required documents listed below.
Required Documents:
- Statement of Purpose (Essay): Detailing your motivations for applying.
- Academic Qualification Documents: Upload scanned copies of your degree certificate(s) and transcript(s). Provide a certified translation if the original documents are not in English. Include the grading scale if the degree is from a non-UK university.
- CV: Should be clear, well-formatted, and no longer than two pages, detailing your academic credentials and professional experience in reverse chronological order.
Details of all your qualifications, including your Bachelor's degree, any Master's degree, postgraduate diplomas/specialisations and professional qualifications.If you have work experience, please include the following: Each job you have taken since graduating from your undergraduate degree in reverse chronological order, starting with your current position. Include the month/year start and end date, company name and job title for each position undertaken.
- Reference: One reference is required at the time of application. You may provide contact details for two referees who can attest to your academic or professional capabilities.
If you do not have professional experience, choose two lecturers or professors at your last University who can provide an academic reference. If you have professional experience, you can select both referees from your work area or provide one academic and one work-related reference. If you cannot provide a reference when submitting your application form, we will send a reference template to your referees directly.
English Language Proficiency:
Ensure that you provide evidence of your English language proficiency as per the admissions requirements.
Consideration of Your Application:
- Your application will be reviewed once all documents are submitted, including your CV, transcripts, English language evidence, and at least one reference.
- The decision is typically within two weeks if the application is complete.
Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL):
- You may apply for APL for a course unit if you have equivalent qualifications or professional experience (no older than 5 years) relevant to the learning outcomes of an optional course unit.
- A formal application, including a portfolio of evidence, is required. An academic panel will review it, and you may be called for an interview.
- Note: Credits from a University of Manchester degree cannot be used for APL without rescinding the prior degree.
If you need advice or assistance with our admissions process, contact us on our email or speak to our programme counselor.
Email: elip.me@manchester.ac.uk
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