MEd Educational Leadership and Management (fully online)
Discover the latest research on Educational Leadership and Management for aspiring or existing Leaders and Managers in the Education sector.
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About the course
Are you an aspiring leader in an educational context? Or are you looking to elevate your existing managerial school role? Engage with the latest research on Educational Leadership and Management in our wide-ranging course, covering a multitude of leadership topics.
Designed for those who are already Leaders and Managers in an educational context, or for those who aspire to take on a leadership role, this popular course explores a wide range of different topics relating to Leadership and Management in an educational setting. It draws upon research from other disciplines, such as business theory, and applies these ideas to contemporary challenges in leading within schools today.
Throughout your research, you will learn how to synthesise arguments and further develop your own critical voice as you pick up a new set of skills. This offers the perfect opportunity for a new and refreshing challenge that allows you to reflect on your own leadership whilst becoming up to date with the latest ideas and research within education.
As you will be studying in an area where you have genuine interest, you will be making a valuable investment in yourself, and your findings are therefore more likely have a positive and impactful affect within your workplace.
Students will engage with and have the opportunity to connect with like-minded peers throughout the UK and across the world via online delivery.
Course Highlights
The MEd in Educational Leadership and Management is an intellectually stimulating course that allows teachers to:
- Engage with issues in Leadership Theory.
- Develop a critical understanding of relevant literature
- Understand what is expected of Level 7 Academic Writing.
- Learn how to navigate the topic of research methodology.
- Plan a piece of research that can contribute to debates around Leadership in Education.
- Understand the ethical implications of being a researcher.
- Invest in yourself and develop the way that you think and navigate situations.
- Makes you a desirable candidate at your workplace and to future employers.
- Equips you with the ability to talk about particular areas of leadership with your acquired knowledge and experience.
Course breakdown
Taught over an 18-month period, the structure of the course enables topics to be studied in depth.
Throughout this course, you will complete a number of modules enabling you to develop your understanding of the impact of contemporary Leadership and Management theory on practice, of the research process as well as your topic of interest. We will cover a wide range of topics that are relevant to educational leadership today. Please view the Curriculum Handbook to see further details about the modules.
During this time, you will also critically engage with scholarship, which informs your dissertation, and you will learn about different research methods. You will be expected to read widely around your subject area.
The course culminates in the production of a 12,000-15,000-word dissertation with a suitable research focus.
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Teaching and assessment
All of our postgraduate courses are taught and delivered online, so no matter where you are in the world, you can study with one of the most established teacher training providers in the UK.
Teaching methods
The course is delivered through study days, online lectures, extensive course materials and independent study. It benefits from distance-learning, with the expectation that you will attend online, four pairs of study days over the course of the 18 months.
You will hear from a wide range of valuable speakers, including experienced leaders. These study days take place on Thursday and Friday mornings (UK time), and so you will need to be able to have time away from work to attend as they are an integral part of the course, and non-attendance may impact your work.
There is an induction session in early September to introduce you to how the course will run.
Every master’s student is allocated a supervisor. You will regularly communicate via platforms including Microsoft Teams, Zoom and email, always at times that are suitable for both parties. You will also have access to regular online study sessions throughout the course.
When the course starts, you will have access to MOODLE, the University’s online learning platform. You will then access the course handbook and all resources required for successful completion of the course. In the handbook there is a week-by-week guide which indicates what work is expected that week. This will either be:
- Study days
- A recorded film to watch
- A reading
- A podcast with accompanying literature
- Independent study towards a module
- A Webinar
The webinars are recorded and shared on Moodle once the session is complete. These sessions are optional in terms of attendance as we know that many students struggle to be available at certain times. However, all these webinars are recorded and should then be watched after the live event. As you progress through the course, you will then have access to a library of films that you can re-visit, to support you to a successful outcome.
Assessment Methods
You will complete a number of modules that link to leadership theory, as well as prepare you for the completion of a 12,000 to 15,000 word dissertation at the end of the course.
It is important to understand that you, as a master’s student, will be expected to work independently and you are expected to fully engage with the guidance provided to complete the required modules.
Master’s degrees are awarded to students who demonstrate:
- A systematic understanding of knowledge, and critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights, much of which is at, or informed by, the forefront of their academic discipline, field of study or area of professional practice.
- A comprehensive understanding of techniques applicable to their own research or advanced scholarship.
- Originality in the application of knowledge, together with a practical understanding of how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in the discipline.
- Conceptual understanding that enables the student:
– to evaluate critically current research and advanced scholarship in the discipline.
– to evaluate methodologies and develop critiques of them and, where appropriate, to propose new hypotheses.
Typically, holders of a Masters will be able to:
- Deal with complex issues – both systematically and creatively, make sound judgements in the absence of complete data, and communicate their conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
- Demonstrate self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems, and act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks at a professional or equivalent level.
- Continue to advance their knowledge and understanding, and to develop new skills to a high level.
QAA, The Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies, February 2024
After your course
Upon completion of your MEd in Educational Leadership and Management, you can put what you have studied, researched and learnt into practice. Many students use their research to develop their existing roles or to apply for specialist roles that allow them an opportunity to continue to work on their area of interest.
Research gives you an authoritative voice. As you develop your critical voice it becomes even more possible for you to speak confidently on a range of issues., whilst opening up new career opportunities to you.
A number of students also share their research through conferences and publications. Whichever route you choose your work is contributing to an area that is in need of research development.
Career opportunities
- Promotion to leadership
- Applying for specialist roles relating to your research
- Continued research on your area of interest
- Sharing your research with others through conferences and writing
Career skills
- Leadership skills
- Developing your communication skills
- Ability to plan and complete a project
- Perseverance
- Resilience
Careers and Employability Support
Our courses strive to effectively combine academic challenge with the transferable skills that will stand you in good stead for future employment. The Buckingham tutorial teaching model means that our students are well prepared as they embark on their careers and future study.
Find out more about our Careers and Employability Service.
“Upon completing my postgraduate degree, I have undoubtedly obtained the necessary independent and research skills to embark on my professional journey. The extensive knowledge I have acquired through this advanced degree sets me apart from other candidates, giving me a distinct advantage.”
Eleanor, Postgraduate student
Entry requirements
For a list of course specific requirements, please see our typical offers below. To see our full list of general university requirements including information for flexible entry, mature students and alternative qualifications, see our University entry requirements.
The standard entry requirements for this course are:
- A degree from a UK University (2.2 or above) or equivalent.
- You must be working in a school or educational environment.
To enrol on the course you are likely to be an experienced graduate teacher who is either currently aspiring to leadership or is already in a leadership role.
International Applicants
Find out about our requirements and see useful information for international applicants:
If you are uncertain whether you will be eligible to apply for this course, please contact our Education Admissions team.
Course fees
The fees for this course are:
| Start | Type | 1st Year | Total cost |
|---|---|---|---|
Month Year Full-time (2 Years) | UK | £00,000 | £00,000 |
| INT | £00,000 | £00,000 | |
Month Year Full-time (2 Years) | UK | £00,000 | £00,000 |
| INT | £00,000 | £00,000 |
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.
Applicants must also pay a £300 non-refundable Registration Fee.
Fees are invoiced for in September, at the beginning of the course, and can be paid in termly instalments or in one lump sum. Termly instalments can be arranged directly with the Finance department upon receipt of the invoice.
This is a 180 credit, 18-month, part-time Master’s course and so is eligible for a Postgraduate Master’s Loan for those living in the UK.
Applicants from China should apply through the Buckingham International School of Education: https://bise.openapply.cn/
Scholarships and Bursaries
We have bursaries and scholarships available for both home and international students at undergraduate and postgraduate level, and these are awarded based on location, merit or financial need.
Funded scholarships and bursaries may be awarded across all schools of study, and represent a partial remission from tuition fees. Bursaries are means-tested and are intended for those who need a contribution towards their fees in order to study at Buckingham.
Students applying for this course may be eligible for the following:
View all scholarships and bursaries.
How to apply
Apply direct
Apply online from this page as the most flexible option.
Need help?
Contact the Faculty of Education on +44 (0)1280 820222 or email: education@buckingham.ac.uk
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.