MA Education (Leadership)

The MA Education (Leadership) is for those who may not have worked in education, but aspire to be education leaders one day. It aims to make a real difference in schools through leadership that is focused on learning and school improvement. We welcome applications from all aspiring or current educational leaders.

Educational leadership takes many forms including school leadership and management, curriculum or subject leadership, advisory work, teaching training and educational technology. On the MA Education (Leadership) pathway, you will be part of a research-led community that studies and develops critical and practical understanding of research- and evidence-informed practice in education.

You will study the skills, knowledge and characteristics of effective educational leaders and how leaders can improve schools. You will engage with cutting-edge research in the fields of educational effectiveness, improvement and leadership; examine issues in real schools and improvement projects; and hear from outstanding educational leaders from the West Midland region who have been invited to share their expertise and experience of educational leadership in practice.

All assignments and the dissertation may be tailored to suit your own subject specialism, context and interests. By developing your understanding of evidence- and values-informed education, along with skills of reflective and critical analysis for improving education, this pathway is suitable whether your aim is to make a difference leading a classroom, a school or an entire school system.

The MA Education (Leadership) pathway is part of the School of Education’s Educational Leadership Academy which connects, collaborates with, and develops educational leadership across the region and beyond. It is underpinned by and promotes evidence- and values-driven approaches to educational leadership.

Employability

The MA Education (Leadership) has been designed to provide a firm basis in theory and evidence for new and aspiring leaders in education. This leadership may be exercised in schools, colleges or administrating authorities. Leadership may be in the form of direct responsibility for organisational strategy and practice, or it may come in the form of leading professional development.

The knowledge and experience you will gain from this programme will place you in an ideal position to inform the future improvement and make a difference to the overall performance of your school. It will enhance your ability to lead school improvement by using research and evidence to develop new, and in some cases challenge current, practices. With a strong focus on connecting research to practice, and using and analysing evidence, this course also provides a firm basis for students wishing to pursue further study on a PhD programme.