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Education (Leadership and Management)

MA

Postgraduate degree

Award
MA Education (Leadership and Management)
School/s
School of Education
Campus or location
Newton Park
Course length
One year full-time or two years part-time.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for our postgraduate courses vary. We're generally looking for a good honours degree or equivalent.

Some courses also require an interview or the submission of a portfolio of work.

Please contact our admissions team for more information: admissions@bathspa.ac.uk.

A Master's in Education Leadership and Management designed for those who aspire to become, or are currently working as, leaders in an educational organisation.

  • Benefit from the opportunity to reflect on and challenge your professional experience.
  • Take part in lively discussions on contemporary issues in education and leadership.
  • Learn the practices that characterise effective leadership and how to bring about change.

In a globally connected and rapidly changing world, education offers each individual the best chance of navigating an unknown future. In this course you’ll explore the opportunities and challenges that educational leaders face as they are given greater autonomy to have a positive impact on pupils and learners.

This Master's in educational leadership is designed for those who are interested in becoming or are presently working as mid-level and senior managers and leaders in schools or other educational organisations, in a variety of global contexts.

Drawing on internationally-based research, the MA Education (Leadership and Management) offers a critical and cultural understanding of leadership as a socially constructed and ethical practice.

“Doing my Master's at Bath Spa was one of the best decisions I could've made for myself. All the lecturers were amazing and helpful during my course.”

Manassiah Boye, MA Education (Leadership and Management)

What you'll learn

Overview

MA Education (Leadership and Management) is designed to develop your understanding of leadership theory and practice.

We’ll help you develop and improve your expertise as an educational leader through practice-based inquiry, in which you'll relate theory and research to your own working environment. You’ll gain a critical understanding of the practices that characterise effective leadership and learn how to bring about change and improvement.

Taught sessions will provide an understanding of the ways in which leadership impacts the climate and culture of a school or educational setting.

Course structure

Trimester one
In the first trimester you’ll gain a broad understanding of the context in which educational leaders operate.

You'll examine the place of education in contemporary societies and explore how educational reform is constructed and implemented to deliver social and economic change. You'll also examine the way that leadership is played out within educational settings, focusing on what leaders do to engage followers in order to bring about change within an ethical framework. 

Trimester two
You’ll learn how to undertake research within educational settings. A range of different methodologies will be explored and we’ll support you to write a proposal for your own research project.

You will also study another leadership module related to coaching and mentoring. In this module, you will develop your coaching and mentoring skills and reflect on the contribution they can make to the practice of leadership.

Trimester three
In your final trimester, you’ll write a dissertation on an aspect of educational leadership that particularly interests you. You’ll be supported by a tutor and benefit from one-to-one tutorials. You’ll also be able to attend optional research seminars.

Course modules

This course includes or offers the following modules. Please check the programme document for more information on which modules are core, required or optional.

  • Education and Society
  • Research Methods in the Social Sciences
  • Dissertation
  • Leadership in Practice
  • Leading, Mentoring and Coaching
  • Research and Professional - Part 1
  • Research and Professional - Part 2
How will I be assessed?

There are no written exams on this course; each module is assessed through coursework. This typically involves an essay for a 30 credit module.

In some modules, you may be assessed by presentations or online activities.

The 60 credit dissertation focuses on an area agreed with a specialist tutor, who will offer guidance on structure and academic writing.

How will I be taught?

All modules are taught through lectures, small group seminars and individual tutorials.

To find out more about how we teach and how you'll learn, please read our Learning and Teaching Delivery Statement.

Opportunities

Research seminars

Our School of Education runs a series of research seminars throughout the academic year where staff and postgraduate students present their research. You’ll be welcome to attend these seminars and there is the opportunity for you to talk about your own research interests within an informal and supportive setting.

Careers

You’ll graduate with practical and theoretical knowledge, well-placed to apply for middle, senior or leadership roles in schools or other educational institutions. Many students on our educational leadership awards gain promotion within 12 months of completing the course.

The grounding in academic work provides a foundation for further research at PhD level which can lead to employment in Higher Education.

Adobe Creative Campus

Develop a wealth of indispensable digital skills that you can take into your future career. One of only three Adobe Creative Campuses in the UK, we provide all Bath Spa students with access to the full Adobe Creative Suite, giving you the tools to communicate creatively, whatever your course or chosen professional field.   

Facilities and resources

"I wanted to broaden my understanding of educational leadership with a particular focus on the wider educational landscape in England. Bath Spa has helped me to understand Master's level work at the same time as enabling and supporting me to pursue my own academic direction and approach to research and study."

Jon Barr, MA Education (Leadership and Management)

Fees

2024 entry
Student Annual tuition fee
UK full time £8,595
UK part time £4,298*
International full time £15,905

Fee notes

*Fees shown are for part time study over two years, although some courses may be available over longer periods.

Interested in applying?

What we look for in potential students

You’ll have a 2:2 (or above) bachelor’s degree from a recognised higher education institution or a relevant professional qualification. See our Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) web page to learn more.

If English is not your first language, you'll need to provide evidence of proficiency in the English language. The Admissions team assesses applications individually, but for postgraduate courses we're looking for an IELTS score of 6.5 overall.

Ideally, you’ll be working within an educational context and have some professional experience of leadership, either formally or informally, to inform your academic study.

How do I apply?

Ready to apply? Click the "apply now" button in the centre of this page.

Need more guidance? Head to our how to apply webpages.

Get ahead

To prepare for the course we recommend you read:

When to apply

Many of our postgraduate courses have a limited number of student spaces. To avoid the disappointment of the course being full, we recommend that you apply now.

Late applications (generally those made after 31 July) will only be considered if places remain on the course.

Need more information or still have questions? Contact us to discuss your situation.

Course leader: Mahmoud Emira
Email: m.emira@bathspa.ac.uk

Website feedback to web@bathspa.ac.uk