BA Education, Leadership and Culture

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BA Education, Leadership and Culture is an innovative programme that champions educational practice and leadership beyond formal (e.g. school) settings and across social, cultural and generational boundaries. The degree allows you to get practical experience in three emerging educational sectors:

•  The cultural, creative and heritage sectors
• The digital education sector
• The urban and community education sector

The focus of the programme is to enable students to utilise cultural resources, pedagogies and spaces that facilitate creative, inclusive and equitable learning for individuals and communities across the life course. In this way, you will gain a rich theoretical and practical understanding of educational leadership practice in relation to arts, heritage and the creative industries, urban transformation, the digital environment, and sustainable development at local, national and global level.

A key feature of the programme is that students can put theory into practice through integrated training, fieldtrips, and work placements. These activities are facilitated through project-based and collaborative learning with public and third-sector partners such as museums and heritage institutions, creative venues, civic organisations and educational charities, schools and universities, digital creators, and other stakeholders with a cultural and educational mission.  

The BA Education, Leadership and Culture builds on world-leading expertise at the Manchester Institute of Education and is underpinned by the university’s values of inclusivity and social responsibility. It features authentic and creative learning and assessment approaches through which you develop as culturally responsive and ethical leaders who are empowered to tackle real-world challenges.

The programme features three coordinated and interconnected thematic strands to provide you with a comprehensive and career-oriented learning experience. These are:

Culture, creativity and heritage

This thematic strand allows you to gain deep practical and theoretical insights into the relationship between education and the cultural and creative industries. Courses offered in this strand explore innovative and inclusive approaches in cultural education as practiced in museums, heritage settings, schools, arts and creative venues, and multicultural urban spaces. Your learning is complemented by study trips and collaborative work with cultural institutions to enhance the knowledge, understanding and skills acquired in the classroom. These skills will allow you to navigate towards a career in the cultural and creative industries, heritage and museum education, educational tourism, events- and project management, among others.

Digital education and learning design

The theme of digital learning and skills development is firmly embedded as a way of learning in all courses and particularly emphasised in core units in the first and second year of study. Through lectures, seminars and practical training workshops, you will gain a profound understanding of how our digitally connected world shapes the future of leaning and educational practice. You will apply your knowledge and creativity in designing digital learning tools such as podcasts, e-books, social media content, or virtual/augmented learning environments. These competences put you at the forefront of a growing number of careers in digital learning development, including teaching and professional training, e-learning design, educational journalism, e-marketing, or content creation.

Urban cultures and learning communities

The third thematic strand relates to innovative educational practices and interventions in urban contexts and thus engages with one of the most imminent global challenges of the 21st century – urbanisation. Using the city of Manchester as a vibrant and immediate learning ‘laboratory’, and working with educational, cultural and civic partners, you will explore cutting-edge approaches to area/place-based education, school and community engagement, and social, intercultural and intergenerational learning. Guided by values of social justice and engaging in real-world problem-solving tasks, you will gain a deep understanding of education as a catalyst for equitable and sustainable urban change. The knowledge and skills developed through this strand prepare you, among others, for careers in NGOs, the civil services, urban/regional development, educational consulting and policy making.

The programme will support you to: 

• Gain key insights and build experience in education and educational leadership in a wide variety of cultural contexts.
• Develop your own educational leadership practice, working towards equitable and sustainable social change.
• Engage with progressive theoretical debates and be enabled to apply your knowledge collaboratively in both formal and non-formal educational contexts.
• Obtain knowledge on inclusivity, sustainable leadership, and the purposeful curatorship of knowledge/information in increasingly diverse and complex socio-cultural spaces.
• Benefit from practical experience in collaborative work and cultural co-production for the purposes of civic and democratic inquiry and practical problem solving in local, national, and global contexts.

• Inform students of education occurring in both formal and informal settings
• Develop theoretical understanding of education across cultural, generational, and institutional boundaries
• Provide opportunities for students to engage in real-life education projects that create meaningful social and cultural change
• Build ability to approach educational challenges through creative, collaborative, and inclusive means
• Develop understanding of the relationship between education, citizenship, and culture across communities, sectors, and industries
• Value knowledge developed through student’s own and others’ reflective thinking, practice, and experience

Three Dynamic Career Pathways

• Culture, Creativity and Heritage
• Digital Education Innovation
• Urban and Community Leadership

Real-World Experience Guaranteed

Put theory into practice through our extensive network of partners. Engage in meaningful projects with museums, heritage sites, creative venues, digital innovators, and community organiszations. Experience education in action through field trips, internships, and collaborative projects that span cultures and continents.

World-Class Education, Global Impact

Building on the Manchester Institute of Education's renowned expertise, you'll develop as a culturally responsive leader equipped for today's global challenges. Our commitment to inclusivity and social responsibility ensures you'll graduate ready to make meaningful change in educational settings worldwide.

Beyond Traditional Learning

Join a programme that breaks educational boundaries, combining innovative assessment approaches with creative problem-solving. Develop the cross-cultural skills needed to lead in both Western and Eastern contexts, positioning you at the forefront of educational transformation.

Important notice: factors affecting fieldwork and placements

The School of Environment, Education and Development (SEED) recognises the value of fieldwork and placements. However, the safety and wellbeing of our students and staff remains our priority.

The School will assess on a regular basis the viability of any travel and fieldwork and communicate any significant changes to our students at the earliest possible opportunity.

The role of SEED

• changes to the rules and guidance on travel and activities implemented and published by the UK and overseas governments;
• a risk assessment conducted by or on behalf of the University identifying unmanageable risk;
• changes that enhance the educational value and student experience of the activity;
• changes to the situation of a placement provider (for example, which cause them to be unable to accept students);
• the unavailability of appropriate insurance cover;
• the unavailability of appropriate travel and accommodation and any significant changes to their financial costs;
• where fieldwork and placements are a compulsory element of the Programme, they will be replaced with something academically similar;
• where a trip or placement is not a compulsory element of the Programme, it may not be replaced.

We will consult with affected students at the earliest possible opportunity and explore the options available to them.

The duty of students

Preparation, attendance and conduct

Attendance at preparatory classes is a compulsory pre-requisite of the fieldwork and placements to ensure safety and learning outcomes are met.

Students who do not attend the compulsory preparatory classes may be prevented from participating in the fieldwork or placement. It is the duty of students to discuss any attendance issues with the field course or placement convenor.

Students are representatives of the university during their fieldwork or placement.

Behaviour deemed by the convenor to be unacceptable may result in students being sent home.

Where a student is unable to attend or complete the fieldwork or placement (e.g. due to mitigating circumstances), is prevented from attending due to absence from compulsory preparatory classes, or returned home due to poor conduct:

• a suitable alternative assessment will be offered (as appropriate) to ensure that the programme ILOs are met, and that the student is not academically disadvantaged;
• the University accepts no responsibility for any costs incurred by the student in relation to the fieldwork or placement.

Immigration, passport and visa requirements

It is the responsibility of the individual student to ensure they have:

• a valid passport to enter the destination country (including sufficient months prior to expiry);
• a valid visa (where required) and comply with its requirements.

The School cannot guarantee that visas required for fieldwork or a placement will be granted by the relevant authority. Please note that countries may change their immigration and visa regulations at short notice.

Where a student is unable to attend fieldwork or a placement because they do not have the required visa or passport:

• a suitable alternative assessment will be offered to ensure that the programme ILOs are met and that the student is not academically disadvantaged;
• the University accepts no responsibility for any costs incurred by the student in relation to the fieldwork or placement.

In line with the teaching and learning approaches, the programme will go beyond exam and essay-based assignments by adopting ‘authentic’ methods of assessment where students can emphasise real-world impact and communication of findings.   

Assessment of core course units will encourage collaborative group and project-based work and will seek to develop your confidence and a sense of professional identity. For example, you will communicate with both academic and non-academic audiences; write and communicate for different socio-cultural contexts; explore and analyse different media and communication channels. Supported by critical and research-based teaching and learning, you will be encouraged to develop your own interests, content, and experiences through a variety of educational formats (e.g., podcasts, blogs, journals, e-books, etc.).  

The programme values and makes use of a range of feedback approaches including formative feedback from tutors, peer-to-peer feedback, and feedback from professionals or external collaborators in the field of Education, Leadership and Culture.

This course is taught by the Manchester Institute of Education (MIE), which has an incredibly strong heritage - education has been a field of study at The University of Manchester since 1890.

You will benefit from studying within an environment that has a national and international reputation for quality in teaching, scholarship, and research in this field.  

We pride ourselves on close staff-student relationships and guided, one-to-one supervision.

The Institute promotes equality and diversity, and you will study in an environment that embraces values of cultural diversity and is fundamentally committed to equality of opportunity, regardless of race, disability, religious or other beliefs, sexual orientation, or age.MIE provides opportunities for progression to taught and research master's degrees, as well as our Ofsted 'Outstanding' Primary PGCE.

Graduates will be able to demonstrate a broad knowledge of education, leadership and culture and competency in professional educational environments.

Potential career routes for BA(hons) Education, Leadership and Culture graduates include:

Culture, Creativity and Heritage

• Museum Education Specialist
• Education Specialist at leading national and international museum
• Heritage Education Manager at UNESCO World Heritage sites
• Arts Education Coordinator at theaters, galleries, and cultural centers
• Cultural Events Director organising international festivals and exchanges

Digital Education Innovation

• EdTech Content Developer creating materials for global platforms
• Virtual Learning Experience Designer crafting immersive environments
• Digital Education Consultant supporting organisational transformation
• Educational App Producer developing international learning applications

Urban and Community Leadership

• Community Education Officer leading diverse urban initiatives
• Youth Program Director managing UNICEF-style educational programs
• Social Impact Coordinator driving NGO educational projects
• Educational Tourism Manager designing cultural exchange experiences

You’ll develop a range of skills that are vital for a variety of careers such as: written and oral communication; knowledge brokerage and exchange; teamwork, collaboration, and networking; project management; intercultural awareness and proficiency in research and critical evaluation. For more information, see careers and employability .

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 .