MA Educational Leadership

Please submit the following documents with your completed application form: 

• copies of official degree certificates and transcripts of your previous study, showing the subjects taken and grades obtained. If these documents are in languages other than English, please provide official translations;

• your CV;

• copies of English Language Certification, such as IELTS, TOEFL or Pearson test score report. 

Ensure that you enclose all the necessary documents to avoid any delays.

Staged admissions process

As there is a high demand for our courses, we operate a staged admissions process with selection deadlines throughout the year.

Due to the competition for places and high quality of applications that we receive, we give preference to students from high-ranking institutions and with grades above our minimum entry requirements.

Please ensure you submit all supporting documentation with your application before the application deadline to avoid a delay in processing.

• Stage 1 : Application received by 3 December 2021 ; Application update by  10 February 2022
• Stage 2: Application received by 14 January 2022 ; Application update by  10 March 2022
• Stage 3: Application received by 18 March 2022 ; Application update by  12 May 2022
• Stage 4: Application received by 29 April 2022 ; Application update by  16 June 2022
• Stage 5: Application received by 1 July 2022 ; Application update by 28 July 2022
• Stage 6: Application received by 19 August 2022 ; Application update by  31 August 2022

While we aim to give you a decision on your application by the deadline date, in some instances due to the competition for places and the volume of applications received, it may be necessary to roll your application forward to the next deadline date.

Applications received after our final selection deadline will be considered at our discretion if places are still available.

Please note, all places are subject to availability and if you apply at one of the later stages, some courses may already be reaching capacity or be closed to further applications. We, therefore, recommend that you apply early in the cycle to avoid disappointment.

MA Educational Leadership is ideal if you're an educational professional currently working in, or aspiring to work in, a leadership position. 

The course is taught by leading academics in the fields of leadership, management, and school improvement. 

Senior educational experts may also contribute, including head teachers, inspectors, local authority officers and policy-makers. 

Teaching encourages student participation, shared experiences and opportunities for practical application. 

Depending on your background and experience, you may find the approach different from your previous experiences of university.

• Examine current theories for examining education policy and practice from a leadership perspective.
• Develop your understanding of key leadership issues that influence teachers' performance.
• Enable colleagues to identify issues and develop appropriate school improvement strategies.
• Develop your practical approaches to school improvement and effectiveness.
• Develop your transferable skills which integrate current research and best practice.

• Education has been a discipline of study at Manchester since 1890.
• Our students come from all over the globe, and our qualifications are recognised across the globe.
• Our research improves the quality of education across the world, with 78% of our activity defined as 'world-leading' or 'internationally excellent' (Research Excellence Framework 2014).

The course is taught by world-leading researchers who focus on the realities of professional practice using the social sciences, this includes: 

• Dr Steve Courtney (an expert on school restructuring, change and leadership);
• Dr Bee Hughes (an expert in school structures, leadership, and critical policy studies);
• Dr Stephen Rayner (an expert in school reform, and school governance);
• Dr Catherine Atkinson (an expert in diversity in education, particularly around gender and sexuality);
• Dr Tee McCaldin (an expert in assessment and examinations, student leadership and research methods). 

Course units are delivered through lectures, tutorials, groupwork, case-based approaches, and enquiry-based learning. Comprehensive training is provided in the use of electronic resources. 

We encourage both individual and co-operative learning and research and hope to foster an ethos of lifelong learning. 

We aim to build on the expertise of our students, many of whom are experienced teachers, and who bring with them a wealth of knowledge and practical experience from a range of different countries.

Assessment is by eight 3,000-word assignments, or the equivalent, and a dissertation of 15,000 words.

The course is taught by the Manchester Institute of Education (MIE), which has its own Student Hub, here you will find all of your teaching staff and support staff. It is also a place to relax with fellow students. 

MIE is located in the University's Ellen Wilkinson building, which is centrally located on the University's Oxford Road campus, close to the Main Library, Alan Gilbert Learning Commons and the Students Union.

Manchester Institute of Education (MIE) graduates go on to shape education policy and practice through positions in NGOs and in the public and private sector. 

Potential careers include:

• teaching;
• lecturing;
• research;
• teacher education;
• educational administration;
• leadership;
• consultancy;
• publishing;
• testing;
• assessment. 

Careers support  

The University has its own dedicated Careers Service  that you would have full access to as a student and for two years after you graduate. At Manchester you will have access to a number of opportunities to help boost your employability  

Careers support for international students  

The Careers Service provide specialist resources, advice and events for international students to help with career planning and making the most of your time while studying in Manchester.  

• Working in the UK after study
• Working during study
• Professional and alumni networks for international students  

Global networks  

The University of Manchester is proud to have the largest global alumni community  of any campus-based university in the UK. 

International alumni groups are a great way to keep in touch with fellow Manchester graduates in your country. It is an opportunity to build professional and social networks.