MA Education with Leadership and Management
Combine contemporary theories of leadership with practical strategies in educational contexts
Year of entry: 2026 (September)
Leadership is one of the most important factors influencing learning outcomes and the overall success of educational systems. Our MA Education with Leadership and Management is designed to address the global need for skilled education leaders capable of driving change in complex and diverse contexts.
This course is designed for students aspiring to step into leadership roles, and those focused on shaping educational policy or advancing research. Through case studies, comparative analysis, and collaborative discussions, you will explore how leadership practices and education policies differ across countries while identifying transferable strategies that can be adapted to your own contexts.
Our interdisciplinary approach brings together expertise from the Department of Education and the School for Business and Society, enabling you to gain perspectives that bridge educational theory with business management principles and societal understanding. This multi-perspective delivery method ensures that you not only understand educational leadership in isolation but also appreciate its intersection with broader organisational and social dynamics.
Course content
The MA in Education with Leadership and Management is not just a pathway to professional advancement; it is a call to action for those dedicated to reimagining education systems that serve all learners and create meaningful societal impact. You'll take a total of 180 credits, including core modules, option modules and a dissertation.
The programme offers opportunities for you to take optional modules on contemporary topics such as global education policy and emerging technologies, including AI, allowing you to tailor their learning to specific interests and emerging sector needs. It adopts a multidisciplinary approach, bringing together expertise from the Department of Education and the School for Business and Society.
Modules
Core Modules
- Research Methods for Education 1
- Theories of Learning and Development
- Leadership: Theory and Practice
- Research Methods for Education II: Researching Answers or Professional Practice in Education*
*You must choose this module in Semester 2 in order to take the Professional Practice Dissertation.
Option Modules
You will also study two option modules, one from the Department of Education and one from the School for Business and Society.
- Social and Ethical Leadership
- Human Resource Management and Sustainability
- Continuity and Change in Organisations
- Intercultural Communication in Education
- Higher Education in the 21st Century
- Artificial Intelligence and Technology Enhanced Learning: Key Issues and Debates
Our modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff, and in line with Department/School academic planning.
Dissertation
- Independent Study Module (Dissertation)
- Professional Practice Dissertation (you need to choose the Professional Practice in Education module in Semester 2 to take this option)
You will develop, design, implement and manage your own original research project, supervised by a member of staff with the relevant experience for your topic.
Learning outcomes
Every course at York is built on a distinctive set of learning outcomes. These will give you a clear understanding of what you will be able to accomplish at the end of the course and help you explain what you can offer employers. Our academics identify the knowledge, skills, and experiences you'll need upon graduation and then design the course to get you there.
Learning outcomes for this course
- Critically engage with and apply a range of leadership and management theories in diverse educational settings, both nationally and internationally.
- Conduct independent research to address challenges in educational leadership and management.
- Assess and synthesize how emerging digital technologies can transform educational leadership practices, and develop implementation strategies for technology-enhanced leadership approaches.
- Apply ethical leadership principles to address social challenges and enhance public value in diverse educational environments.
- Reflect critically on personal leadership practices to foster continuous professional development.
- Communicate leadership and management strategies to diverse stakeholders in educational contexts, fostering collaboration and understanding.
Fees and funding
Annual tuition fees for 2026/27
| Study mode | UK (home) | International and EU |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time (1 year) | £12,000 | £26,900 |
Fees information
UK (home) or international fees? The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK (home) or international student. Check your fee status.
Find out more information about tuition fees and how to pay them.
Funding information
Discover your funding options to help with tuition fees and living costs.
We'll confirm more funding opportunities for students joining us in 2026/27 throughout the year.
If you've successfully completed an undergraduate degree at York you could be eligible for a 10% Masters fee discount.
Funding opportunities
Chevening Scholarships
We are pleased to work with Chevening Scholars to offer funding for our Masters programmes. Chevening Scholarships provide one year of fully-funded postgraduate study in the UK for international (including EU) students. The scholarships are open to early and mid-career professionals who have the potential to become future leaders.
Teaching and assessment
You’ll work with world‐leading academics who’ll challenge you to think independently and excel in all that you do. Our approach to teaching will provide you with the knowledge, opportunities, and support you need to grow and succeed in a global workplace.
Teaching format
You will be taught through a combination of formal lectures, seminars, practical exercises and workshops.
You will spend time working on your own, reading assigned texts and researching supporting materials, as well as working with others in seminars to discuss and present your work.
Teaching location
You will be based in the Department of Education on Campus West. Teaching for this course takes place at various locations on Campus West.
About our campus
Our beautiful green campus offers a student-friendly setting in which to live and study, within easy reach of the action in the city centre. It's easy to get around campus - everything is within walking or pedalling distance, or you can always use the fast and frequent bus service.
Assessment and feedback
Types of assessments used throughout this course include:
- assessed essays
- exams
- research proposal and ethics audit
- a dissertation on an original piece of your own research.
Careers and skills
The course will equip you with knowledge needed for leadership roles in education and related sectors.
The variety of option modules allows you to tailor a study pathway in line with your individual interests and professional goals.
Career opportunities
- Headteacher, Deputy Head or Senior School Leader
- Higher Education Administrator
- Educational Policy Officer
- Educational Consultant or Advisor
- Training and Development Manager
- Leadership roles in NGOs, charities and EdTech companies
Transferable skills
- Organisational Management
- Qualitative and quantitative research methods
- Policy and Data analysis
- Critical reasoning
- Communication skills
- Strategic decision-making
- Collaboration
Turn ambition into achievement with our expert guidance and connections. From your first day here to life after graduation, we'll help you find your career advantage.
Entry requirements
| Qualification | Typical offer |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate degree | 2:2 or equivalent in a relevant subject such as Education, Management, Social Sciences, or Humanities. |
| Other international qualifications | Equivalent qualifications from your country |
English language
If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. We accept the following qualifications:
| Qualification | Minimum requirement |
|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic and Indicator) | 6.5, minimum 6.0 in each component |
| Cambridge CEFR | B2 First: 176, with 169 in each component |
| Oxford ELLT | 7, minimum of 6 in each component |
| Oxford Test of English Advanced | 136, minimum 126 in each component |
| Duolingo | 120, minimum 105 in all other components |
| LanguageCert SELT | B2 with 33/50 in each component |
| LanguageCert Academic | 70 with a minimum of 65 in each component |
| Kaplan Test of English Language | 478-509, with 444-477 in all other components |
| Skills for English | B2: Merit overall, with Pass with Merit in each component |
| PTE Academic | 61, minimum 55 in each component |
| TOEFL | 87, minimum of 21 in each component |
| Trinity ISE III | Merit in all requirements |
For more information see our postgraduate English language requirements.
If you haven't met our English language requirements
You may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language courses. These courses will provide you with the level of English needed to meet the conditions of your offer.
The length of course you need to take depends on your current English language test scores and how much you need to improve to reach our English language requirements.
After you've accepted your offer to study at York, we'll confirm which pre-sessional course you should apply to via You@York.
Next steps
Contact us
Get in touch if you have any questions
Dr Daniel Kyereko
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