of graduate employers say relevant experience is essential to getting a job with them
Why should I choose this course?
- FLEXIBLE LEARNING – Our education master’s course combines online sessions and support materials with one weekend per module of face-to-face learning on campus
- PRACTICAL APPLICATION – Apply your learning directly to the industry by working within an educational setting alongside your studies
- DIVERSE SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE – Gain a holistic view of the education sector with study covering a spectrum of educational environments and opportunities
- IN-DEPTH RESEARCH – Undertake numerous research projects examining education in depth, including identifying areas of change and innovation
Our facilities
Our learning spaces at University College Birmingham ensure you have the right environments to build your knowledge, from lecture theatres to interactive group working spaces and extensive library resources. You will have access to these facilities on study weekends and throughout your education course, as well as online support.
Course breakdown
- POSTGRADUATE
Core modules
Strategic Leadership in Education
This module begins with a focus on different styles of leadership and the effect that this would have on decision-making in educational settings. Different models of leadership are evaluated with reference to current theories and ideas. Strategic thinking is considered and how this links to organisational structures and whether there are alternative ways of this being organised. This module will equip you with an understanding of how to become a leader for positive change in education and will be underpinned by some key themes: ● What does it mean to be an effective leader? ● How can you develop leadership within a team? ● A critical evaluation of different models of leadership, understanding what models are effective and why ● Developing collaborative learning communities ● Change management
SEND, Diversity and Inclusion Leadership
This module will build on the concepts of equality and diversity in work with children, young people and adults, and examine the role of leaders in ensuring inclusion. You will consider the potential challenges of supporting individuals in relation to issues around identity such as race, sexuality, gender and disability and explore strategies for building an inclusive workplace. Theoretical perspectives such as intersectionality will be explored and linked to practice. You will be challenged to examine how attitudes and perceptions towards diversity can contribute to inequality. Strategies aimed at the removal of such barriers will be identified, analysed and evaluated.
Research and Innovation
Future industry direction, via proactive leadership, is central to this module. You will have the opportunity to develop a small scale piece of work-focused research in which you will identify an area of change and/or innovation. You will identify barriers and strategies to sensitively designing and implementing innovations within a work context. In this module, the leadership qualities required for successful innovation will be integral to your learning.
Professional Postgraduate Profile
This module provides you with the opportunity to analyse and explore your future development and professional growth. Guided by an experienced lecturing team you will tailor your existing skills toward a specified employability goal. You will learn how to gain postgraduate advantage through strategically evidencing the knowledge and abilities acquired throughout the MA. This module will enable you to identify and maximise your unique selling point in the world of work.
Coaching and Mentoring in Education
This module examines mentoring and coaching issues faced by those who have responsibility to mentor others in their workplace environment. The principles of mentoring and coaching will be studied, including specialist coaching and collaborative co-coaching and the role of leadership within these. The development and emerging theories and models within mentoring and coaching will be analysed, evaluated and directly applied to the workplace environment. You will examine the mentoring and coaching issues faced by those who mentor others in the workplace, looking at the principles of coaching as well as specialist coaching.
Masters Research Project
This module introduces you to the disciplines and techniques required for critical appraisal of complex data and industry practice, creating research designs and accompanying research techniques, building theoretical frameworks, and the scheduling and execution of a research project. The module will develop your skills and expertise in the essential research tools you will need for both successful postgraduate study and as a leader in your chosen service industry sector.
The modules listed above for this course are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up to date and informed by industry as well as the latest teaching methods. On occasion, we may need to make unexpected changes to modules – if this occurs, we will contact all offer holders as soon as possible.
Entry requirements
Academic
MA Educational Leadership – A grade classification of 2:2 is required, or international equivalent.
PGDip Educational Leadership – A grade classification of third-class is required, or international equivalent.
A subject-related UK or International honours degree from a recognised institution.
Work experience – You will need to provide official documentation before enrolment confirming that you are working or volunteering in an appropriate education environment for a minimum of two full days per week.
Work-based
We also consider applicants who are currently employed and wish to apply to University College Birmingham.
To apply, you must have five years of relevant managerial work experience, demonstrating in-depth knowledge of the sector for the subject matter you are interested in pursuing.
A reference detailing your roles and responsibilities from your line manager and a meeting with the programme team will usually be scheduled prior to a place being offered.
EU/international students
For Academic and English entry requirements for EU and international students, please visit the Country Specific Information page.
Additional
If your degree is not related and you do not have relevant managerial work experience, please contact Admissions so that we can discuss your application on an individual basis before you apply.
If you have any questions, please send us an email:
Home and EU applicants: pg@ucb.ac.uk
International applicants: international@ucb.ac.uk
Key information
Teaching and assessment
Teaching will be via a number of methods including small group sessions, online, independent research and presentations from guest speakers. Assessment will be reflective of industry requirements and will feature a variety of appropriate assessment methods including presentations, portfolios, written work and case studies, much of which you will tailor to your working environment.
Accreditations, endorsements and partnerships
University College Birmingham works with a wide range of organisations to ensure you receive the best possible training and qualifications recognised by industry.
Work placements
Work placements are vital for gaining real-life experience and for building your confidence and skills before you finish your course – and they may even lead to a job when you graduate.
Students undertaking this course should be working within an educational setting (if you are unsure if your setting is appropriate, please speak to the programme leader or our Admissions team).
If you are not currently working within the sector, you will be required to find a relevant placement prior to commencing the course.

Effective leaders are able to gain the trust of others in pursuit of positive change. Those who lead have the responsibility to lead with wisdom and for the good of others and the wider community. The MA in Educational Leadership invites you to take up the challenge to become an effective leader who can inspire and empower others and serve those in the sector.
Career opportunities
The example roles and salaries below are intended as a guide only.
National education manager
Average Salary: £35,000 – £40,000
Pastoral support manager
Average Salary: £29,000 – £31,000
Nursery deputy manager
Average Salary: £26,000
Learning and development training manager
Average Salary: £50,000

Chris’s Story
Chris brings a wealth of leadership experience and in-depth knowledge of special educational needs issues to our Educational Leadership course.
Meet your lecturers

