MA Education (Leading Sport in Schools) (fully online)
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Leading Sport in Schools - Master's Explained
Discover our MA Education (Leading Sport in Schools) and how you can enhance your career in school sport.
2 February 2026
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Find out moreAbout the Course
This two-year online course is offered in conjunction with ICE Education, who provide training, recruitment and advisory services to stimulate high quality PE and School Sport.
There are approximately 1000 Directors of Sport in UK independent schools, and a similar number in UK curriculum schools overseas. These positions have changed significantly in their structure, operation and success criteria over the last 10 years. The traditional entry route, via PE teaching, does not provide an adequate preparation for the demands of this role. There is currently no specific qualification that either prepares candidates for this role, provides a suitability indicator for employers or improves the performance of incumbents. This programme addresses this.
For those working in international schools, an MA qualification is often required for appointment to SMT roles and in some countries higher qualifications such as Master’s degrees are required for their general teaching body.
This MA is an online programme that is made up of four taught modules and culminates in the awarding of a Master’s degree following the successful completion of a fifth module which is a dissertation. The essence of the course is the development of a broad understanding of the context of school sport and physical activity, current sector issues and the role of the leader in determining a positive sports culture and programme success in schools.
- Module 1: The Historical Context of Sport and Physical Activity in Schools (25 Credits)
- Module 2: Contemporary Issues in School Sport and Exercise (25 credits)
- Module 3: Leadership and Management in School Sport (30 Credits)
- Module 4: Building a Positive Culture of Sport and Physical Activity (40 credits)
- Module 5: Education Research Dissertation (60 credits)
- Total credit value = 180
Entry Requirements
To apply for this course, you must:
- UK degree (2.2 or above). For equivalent qualifications, contact education@buckingham.ac.uk to confirm that your qualification meets the University entry requirements.
- be working in a school
Teaching & Assessment
A 5,000 – 6,000-word written assignment at the end of each module and in one module a presentation.
The final dissertation will be 12,000 – 15,000 words.
Materials will be made available for each of the modules so that students can access recorded lectures, online discussion seminars, reading lists and guided study materials from wherever they are in the world.
The course will also encourage students to examine current and historical practices within their own, and other schools, and to research examples of good practice elsewhere. A range of case studies will be presented for analysis and various practical projects will provide students with the opportunity to apply newly discovered research materials to their own school-based context.
Course Fees
The fees for this course are:
| Start | Type | First Year | Total cost |
|---|---|---|---|
Sep 2026 Part-time (2 Years) MA Education (Sport in Schools) Sep'26 Applications close on 31 July 2026 | UK | N/A | £6,800 |
| INT | N/A | £6,800 |
The University reserves the right to increase course fees annually in line with inflation linked to the Retail Price Index (RPI). If the University intends to increase your course fees it will notify you via email of this as soon as reasonably practicable.
Course fees do not include additional costs such as books, equipment, writing up fees and other ancillary charges. Where applicable, these additional costs will be made clear.
Fees are invoiced at the beginning of the course, instalments can be arranged directly with the Finance department upon receipt of the invoice.
Applicants must pay a £300 non-refundable deposit which is then offset against your tuition fees when invoiced.
This is a 180 credit, 2-year, part-time Master’s course and so is eligible for a Postgraduate Master’s loan (www.gov.uk/masters-loan) for those living in the UK.
How To Apply
Please use the ‘Apply’ button at the bottom of this page; or contact The Faculty of Education on +44 (0)1280 820222 or by email: education@buckingham.ac.uk.
Before we can accept you, you will need to supply:
- A copy of your passport photo page
- A copy of your degree certificate
- A supporting reference from your Headteacher
Some courses are limited in terms of numbers and we operate a first-come-first-served system. Applications can take at least 6 weeks to process. Please consider school holiday closures and ensure applications are submitted in good time to avoid disappointment.
Please click the ‘Apply Now’ button to view the application deadline and start your application.