Educational Leadership and Management (with Professional Experience)

Entry requirements

A second-class honours degree in a Social Sciences, Business, Law or other relevant subject, or the subject specialism and professional experience of a qualified teacher now wishing to pursue the MSc Educational Leadership & Management. Applicants with pre-existing Masters credits will be considered for RPL depending on the direct relevance of prior study to the MSc Educational Leadership and Management course.

English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 (or equivalent) with no component score below 6.0.

Months of entry

September

Course content

Overview

Get valuable sector experience and earn a Master's qualification on this 2-year MSc Educational Leadership and Management (with Professional Experience) degree.

During year 1, you'll study with us at University, learning how to rethink the practices of leadership and management in education. Alongside other students, industry specialists and our expert academics, you'll debate the big issues affecting the sector, such as school reform, policies and spending, and child development. You'll hone the critical perspectives you'll need to come up with fresh approaches to common challenges, such as accessibility, classroom management and budgeting.

In your second year, you'll apply your studies on an educational work placement, developing your management skills in a school or college, or within a setting such as early years, SEN or pupil referral.

You'll graduate with first-hand experience and the objective mindset needed to succeed as an educational leader. You'll be ready to take on senior management roles that improve the delivery of teaching and education for all.

Course Highlights

• Work for 8-10 months in an educational setting, such as a school, sixth form or independent training provider, applying your learning and building a professional network
• Learn to critique the hierarchies, structures and practices within education, exploring the gaps in a given argument in order to find new approaches
• Benefit from the rich industry knowledge and experience of teaching staff, and get theoretical knowledge and professional know-how on this industry led course
• Use the skills you acquire to ready yourself for promotion to senior leadership, change jobs or take your career overseas
• Debate and network with industry professionals from the education sector, guest lecturers and other students through events, lectures, seminars and social media channels

Accreditation

This is a dually accredited course by the CMI.

Career development

Careers this Master's prepares you for

A leadership role in education gives you the potential to be a 'leader of learning'. You'll be able to impart your vision, mission and values to all you work with. That includes teachers, support colleagues, governors, children and parents/carers. This Master's in Educational Leadership and Management (with Professional Experience) will spark new perspectives and prepare you to tackle common problems affecting everyone in the education sector and beyond. You'll develop the skills and experience that make an effective, open-minded leader in education. You can seek out ambitious job roles and take on new responsibilities in educational leadership and management across school, college and higher education settings. Or explore other fields, such as marketing, recruitment and policy-making.

Graduates of this course have gone onto work in areas such as:

• school management
• higher education institutions management
• teacher education
• course leading and management

You'll benefit from:

Networking events

Applied projects with companies such as IBM, Boeing and Hampshire County Council

• 1-to-1 appointments
• CV and cover letter advice
• Interview preparation and practice
• Workshops to enhance your employability skills
• Recruitment events including the Student and Graduate Opportunities Fair
• Support starting your own business

Placement year

The second year of this degree is dedicated to gaining professional experience.

You'll do this by doing either an 8-10 month work placement or professional experience programme, after you've completed your year of taught studies.

Work placement

A work placement gives you the opportunity to get valuable professional experience in the education sector.

You can begin looking and applying for placements after completing your first teaching block. You'll get support from the Careers and Employability Centre and the Faculty Placement Team in identifying and applying for suitable placements, and enhancing your employability skills.

Placement opportunities are likely to be in the following areas:

• primary or secondary schools
• early years care and education settings
• sixth forms or colleges
• higher education institutions
• pupil referral units
• SEN-specialist schools
• independent training providers
• voluntary/third sector education providers
• local authorities

Examples of likely placement roles include:

• project manager
• audit/quality manager
• setting administrator
• procurement manager
• human resource manager
• marketing executive

Note that work placements can't be guaranteed because it depends on their availability and the specific needs of placement providers. We'll give you information, advice and support so that you're able to secure your placement.

We can also support you to develop a plan for your own education-related business during your professional experience placement. You could spend time scoping the rationale for your business, identifying costs and potential growth opportunities, and visiting similar enterprises to gain experience and ideas.

Professional experience programme

If you're unable to secure a work placement, you'll complete a professional experience programme designed to meet your career aspirations.

You'll further develop your employability and teaching skills and prepare yourself for the workplace.