Course Content
There are 4 taught modules which are delivered through pre-reading, online lectures and seminars, contributions to online forums and essay writing. This is followed by the fifth module that is independent study linked to the preparation of their final dissertation. The Modules are:
Module 1 - The Leadership Landscape: Role, Responsibilities and Relationships (25 credits)
This module sets the MEd in the broader context of the range of theory that currently exists relating to Educational Leadership and Management. The application of this will be to consider how this is reflected in different forms of leadership within schools. They will look at what it means to be a leader and how leadership is often portrayed in conflict with management. The course will also look at their role as a reflective practitioner and how this can enhance their understanding of the course.
Module 2 - Leadership in Action: Making Changes (25 credits)
This module introduces the concept of change management and its place within educational leadership. This is linked to the challenges facing schools today and ways in which the educational landscape has changed over the last fifty years. This module looks at the different ways in which leaders can bring change about in their institutions and how this links to the different kinds of contexts that you can find in modern schools. An understanding of these processes includes practical applications to modern leadership challenges, for example with regard to finance and funding concerns.
Module 3 - Developing Strategy (30 credits)
The module begins with a focus on different styles of leadership and the effect that this would have on decision making in schools. This is then linked to a unit on managing people, whether this is dealing with staff or working with the parental community. The module looks at managing underperformance and connects this back to work on change management. Strategic thinking is looked at and how this links to organisational structures and whether there are alternative ways of this being organised. The module links all of this to Teaching and Learning issues and how leadership is linked to pedagogy. The research project is introduced in more detail at this point.
Module 4 - Researching Leadership and Management (40 credits)
The focus of this module is the development of the research project in relation to each student’s educational context. This looks at research topics such as finding your critical voice, exploring research paradigms and methodologies, how data can be analysed and confidence in relation to ethics and validity. The project is set in the context of the educational leadership academic community and the implications for the immediate and wider settings. These issues are linked to educational research and the organisations that exist looking at these topics, e.g. BERA, BELMAS
Module 5 - Dissertation (60 credits)
This is the culmination of the programme and the production of a 12,000-15,000 word dissertation. The students will work independently on this whilst also being supported by their tutor and with the option of attending online webinars.
Course Delivery
Taught over an 18-month period, this course is designed to be taken part-time, alongside a role in a school.
All aspects of the course will be delivered online so that students can access them from wherever they are in the world.
You will be guided through each stage of the course:
- An induction session will introduce you to how the course will run.
- You will attend four pairs of online study days over the course of the 18 months, where you will hear from a wide range of valuable speakers. These study days take place on Thursday and Friday mornings (UK time), and so you will need to be able to have time away from work to attend as they are an integral part of the course, and non-attendance may impact your work.
- Every Master's student is allocated a supervisor to support your learning.
- You will have access to regular online study sessions throughout the course.
- Our online learning platform, MOODLE, will provide easy access to all resources needed for successful completion of the course.
- You will be given a week by week guide which will indicate what work is expected that week. This will either be:
- a recorded film to watch
- a reading
- a podcast with accompanying literature
- independent study towards a module
- a Twilight session which will be live, but recorded and shared on Moodle.
It is important to understand that you, as a Master’s student, will be expected to work independently and you are expected to fully engage with the guidance provided to complete the required modules.
Entry Requirements
All applicants are required to have a bachelor’s degree and to be currently working at a school or another educational environment.
You will also need to have IELTS 6.5 (with 6.0 or above in each component) or equivalent English level qualification. To see what is accepted by the University, visit our FAQ page on Language Requirements.
Fees
Registration Fee: £300 (non-refundable)
Tuition Fee: £6,300
Fees are invoiced for in September, at the beginning of the course, and can be paid in termly instalments or in one lump sum. Termly instalments can be arranged directly with the Finance department upon receipt of the invoice.
All fees are charged directly by the University of Buckingham, BISE will not add any additional charges for our services.
How To Apply
Click Apply Now below to apply online through Buckingham International School of Education. We will support you to complete your application before submitting it directly to the University of Buckingham.
If you have any queries, click Ask a Question and our admissions team members will endeavour to reply to your enquiry within 24 hours.
Our admissions staff are based in Mainland China and Hong Kong and our hours of business are 10am to 7pm (GMT+7), Mon-Fri.
Admissions for September 2026 intake will close on 31 July 2026.