MA Education Leadership (Online)
Bristol, United Kingdom
MA
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
15 Mar 2026
EARLIEST START DATE
22 Mar 2026
TUITION FEES
GBP 7,150
STUDY FORMAT
Distance Learning
The MA Education Leadership (Online) is designed for educators and aspiring leaders who want to shape learning environments, guide teams and drive meaningful change. Ideal for teachers, administrators, managers, and professionals transitioning into education leadership, the programme develops the strategic, analytical and interpersonal skills needed to lead effectively within today’s complex educational landscape. It focuses on evidence-based practice, critical reflection and the real-world drivers that influence improvement across schools, colleges and wider education settings.
Students explore key areas such as personal leadership, organisational culture, change management, education policy, and evidence-informed decision-making. Modules are designed to build progressively, helping learners strengthen their ability to navigate ambiguity, influence stakeholders and lead teams with confidence. The final Educational Enquiry allows students to investigate a real challenge in their own context, applying theory and research to produce a meaningful impact.
Delivered entirely online, the programme provides flexible study that fits around work and life commitments. Learners benefit from a supportive Virtual Learning Environment with 24/7 access to materials, global discussion forums and continuous opportunities for collaboration. Expert faculty with backgrounds in psychology, leadership and educational innovation guide students through a learning journey that emphasises real-world application and long-term professional growth.
Graduates leave with a strong leadership toolkit, including skills in communication, strategic planning, data-informed improvement, coaching, policy analysis and organisational development. These capabilities prepare them to progress into roles such as department head, academic manager, programme lead, policy advisor or education consultant.
The MA Education Leadership empowers professionals to become reflective, ethical and influential leaders—equipped to elevate practice, inspire others and contribute to positive transformation in education.
Why study MA Education Leadership?
Education plays a central role in individuals' lives, and effective leadership is crucial for ensuring high-quality, purposeful education. Whether you're a teacher, administrator, policymaker or moving into the area of education, developing your leadership knowledge and skills within the educational context equips you to be a successful education leader. Understanding your own strengths, collaborating with others, navigating complex environments and making impactful decisions are essential components of effective educational leadership.
This course is suitable for students coming from a wide range of backgrounds. You may be about to start, or have recently started, an organisational leadership position in education. You may already be in a leadership position, and you're now looking to pursue this within an educational setting. You could be new to education but have a leadership aspect to your role.
Alternatively, you may work in an educational organisation, and you wish to move into leadership. The course is for you, too, if you're an education professional looking to move into leadership, or you're looking to expand your knowledge and practice in leadership within education.
Depending on your background and goals, the MA Education Leadership offers you the chance to carry out a final project on a work-based focus in your role; to improve and refine your leadership practice; to better understand yourself as a leader when working with others; to develop a deeper understanding of both the theory and practice of leadership; and to gain skills and experiences in education leadership to enhance your career.
Graduates from this course will advance and extend their careers in education environments. Developing your own leadership role whilst gaining wider insights and opportunities in training, education, policy and development, as well as leading in a range of contexts where education is a key element.
Learning and Teaching
Your teaching will be delivered in an online, asynchronous format to give you maximum flexibility to arrange your studies around your existing commitments.
We use a range of methods, including online lectures, tasks, project work, discussion forums and supervision. Our learner-centred approach enables you to follow your interests by selecting the focus of your work and assessments, feeding into the specific context of your professional role. All course activities will be context-based and relevant to leading in a variety of educational environments.
As part of your learning, you'll complete self-directed study, such as independent reading and assignment preparation, as well as directed tasks, such as exploring case studies and reviewing literature.
Engage with our supportive virtual learning community and collaborate with your peers using online group forums and discussion boards.
See our glossary of learning and teaching terms.
Study Time
You'll complete the course over two years. This involves self-directed study and participation in online activities (12-18 hours per week) with the support of an online tutor.
There is an expectation of significant weekly engagement with learning materials and resources, but the course has been designed to fit flexibly alongside work and other life commitments.
Assessment
You'll be assessed using a variety of methods to enhance your learning experience. These methods have been designed to develop your skills and reflect authentic professional roles. These include action plans, proposals, needs analyses, interviews, self-assessment, peer assessment, blog posts and reports, all incorporated into portfolios and case studies of work. You'll complete a final module portfolio-based assessment which includes an in-depth evidence-based report, reflection and professional conversation.
Each assignment will provide evidence of your professional learning. Demonstrate the skills you've gained and support the development of your practice as a leader. Assignments will also involve feedback (self, peer and/or tutor) designed to encourage you to build a reflective approach towards your education leadership practice.
Throughout the part-time online MA Education Leadership course, we model a values-based approach to leadership, which you'll learn to analyse in relation to your own professional context. You'll develop your enquiry-based skills to gain insight into your professional leadership practice. This enables you to become an authentic leader, preparing you for the next steps in your career.
At the start of this MA Education Leadership course, you'll complete an initial 15 credit module, designed to help you reflect on your own strengths, values, understanding of leadership and personal goals. This will provide the basis for supporting your professional and academic skills.
You'll then work through a range of modules that support the development of your education leadership approach, as well as enhancing your skills in evidence-based practice.
At the end of the course, you'll engage in an enquiry applying the skills and knowledge you have gained throughout the course to a work-based challenge.
You'll create a portfolio to showcase your learning and development.
You'll study:
- Personal Leadership
- Change and Influence in Education Leadership
- Debates and Innovation in Education Leadership
- Developing Individuals and Teams
- Education Policy and Practice
- Evidence-Based Education Leadership in Practice
- Leadership of Complex Education Systems
- Organisational Cultures in Education
- Educational Enquiry.
The University continually enhances its offer by responding to feedback from our students and other stakeholders, ensuring the curriculum is kept up to date, and our graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need for the real world. This may result in changes to the course. If changes to your course are approved, we'll inform you.