University College London (UCL)
Applied Educational Leadership MA
London, United Kingdom
MA
DURATION
5 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
GBP 9,200 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
Distance Learning
* the fee in Year 1 is £4,500 for UK or £9,200 overseas and covers 60 credits of the total 180 credits. The programme is modular/flexible only
The Applied Educational Leadership MA program is designed for students who want to develop practical skills to lead change in educational settings. It covers a broad range of topics including leadership theories, organizational change, policy analysis, and strategy development. The course emphasizes real-world application, encouraging students to reflect on their own practice and think critically about how they can improve educational environments.
Students can expect a flexible learning structure that balances coursework with professional responsibilities. The program offers opportunities for networking and collaboration with peers, experienced educators, and leaders in the field. It aims to support students in gaining the confidence and knowledge needed to handle complex challenges in education, whether they work in schools, local authorities, or other education organizations. The focus is on building leadership skills that are both practical and responsive to diverse educational contexts.
UCL Scholarships
There are a number of scholarships available to postgraduate students, including our UCL Masters Bursary for UK students and our UCL Global Masters Scholarship for international students. You can click the link below to search via the scholarships finder for awards that you might be eligible for. Your academic department will also be able to provide you with more information about funding.
External Scholarships
Online aggregators like Postgraduate Studentships, Scholarship Search, Postgraduate Funding and International Financial Aid and College Scholarship Search contain information on a variety of external schemes.
If you have specific circumstances or ethnic or religious background it is worth searching for scholarships/bursaries/grants that relate to those things. Some schemes are very specific.
Funding for disabled students
Master's students who have a disability may be able to get extra funding for additional costs they incur to study.
Teaching and learning
AEL is primarily taught through guided self-study and online dialogue with peers and tutors. Because students are based worldwide and have busy lives, teaching is asynchronous - there are no 'live' sessions - and there are two longer terms per year rather than the standard three.
Content is presented through Module Guides that overview the field in a structured, logical way. Online forums enable students to share their understandings and professional experiences over the course of a week or more, giving time for multiple perspectives to be voiced and for new ideas to emerge. This 'slow pedagogy' enables deeper engagement and reflection, and requires students' ongoing commitment and participation. It promotes equity by allowing all students' voices to be heard without restrictions related to pressures of time and confidence in face-to-face seminars. It also develops the skills of critical academic writing on an ongoing basis.
Each taught module is assessed through a range of assignments including written and other assessment types including presentations and reflective blogs. There is a final dissertation.
These assessments require in-depth reading and synthesis of theoretical and empirical research, thoughtful engagement in the online dialogue, and critical application of learning to professional contexts. In addition, the dissertation develops the practical skills of designing, implementing and writing up a substantial research project.
The AEL MA is built around personal study, supported by online material and dialogue. Recommended study time is around 10 hours per week.
Because the student cohort is global, there is no compulsory face-to-face teaching; students are never required to be online at a particular time. Tutors give extensive feedback on draft assignments, as well as responses to forum contributions. During the dissertation year, students are supported by both the module tutor, who supports generic research and study skills, and a supervisor, who supports them individually with to develop and complete their research project.
Modules
Flexible
AEL's pedagogy is centred around self-study and asynchronous online dialogue with peers and expert tutors. For each module, students are provided with rich materials and a schedule for online activities, where they will work both individually and in small groups through forum discussion. The wide range of student and tutor perspectives is central to the value of the online dialogue. Designed with busy professionals in mind, the two-term structure gives students longer to study, discuss and write than on three-term programmes.
The AEL programme has two terms a year: September-February and February-July.
Students take one taught module each term. They study the two compulsory modules in the first year, then choose two out of four optional modules in the second year. Having completed these, they finish with the year-long dissertation module.
Each taught module starts in either Term 1 or Term 2; the dissertation starts in both terms. Students can start the AEL programme in either term.
As a modular/flexible programme, students can apply in advance to defer their studies on a term-by-term basis, up until the 5-year registration limit.
The listed fee is for the full 180-credit programme at this year’s rate. Fees are due annually for modules worth 60 credits, and are subject to yearly increases of up to 5%. This means you will pay 1/3rd of the programme fee each year at the updated rate.
Compulsory modules
- Leading and Managing Educational Change and Improvement
- Leadership for the Educational Learning Organisation
- Dissertation
Optional modules
- Developing Personal Leadership Skills
- Exploring Educational and Social Policy
- Finance and Resource Management
- Values, Vision and Moral Purpose
Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change.
Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MA in Applied Educational Leadership.
What this course will give you
The Department of Learning and Leadership's excellent reputation stems from the quality, depth and breadth of its research and development work, and from its promotion of educational leadership both nationally and internationally.
The department is at the forefront of developing research, new knowledge and publications for and about leadership and learning. This informs the content of the AEL programme.
AEL has an outstanding team of tutors with long experience as educational leaders and researchers in the field.
The foundation of your career
The programme links rigorous academic content to practical application throughout. Students develop skills in leading staff, working with teams, increasing motivation, leading change, assessing research claims and developing research-engaged institutions. Wider philosophical and value stances are explored, enriched by informed professional perspectives from a diverse global cohort. This leaves students better prepared for a wide range of professional contexts in changing times.
Employability
Graduates of this programme work across a broad range of areas. Some are working as senior and middle leaders in education institutions worldwide, while others have jobs as government ministers and advisers. Graduates can also be found working as local government leaders and consultants. An increasing number work in or start edu-businesses. Many AEL students gain promotion during the programme as it offers evidence of their dedication to personal and professional development.
Networking
The AEL MA programme gives you the opportunity to build valuable professional networks with educational leaders from around the world over a period of three or more years. You also have access to UCL's academic networks, particularly via the Centre for Educational Leadership's programme of online seminars, and those offered more widely by IOE, UCL’s Faculty of Education and Society and UCL. Finally, your course tutors are themselves leading researchers and practitioners in your field of study; online discussion gives you ample opportunity to engage with them.
Accreditation
Students studying the AEL MA degree while working in an International Baccalaureate (IB) school can apply for the IB Advanced Certificate in Leadership Research.