





Are you an educational leader or aspiring leader looking to create a more effective learning environment for your students?
If you’re actively involved in shaping policies, provision, or practices within educational settings, this Masters is ideal for you.
This course covers everything from current critical issues across the educational landscape through to the principles, values and ethics for effective leadership and management.
With options for both full-time and part-time study, this programme offers flexibility to suit your needs.
About this course
Whether you’re a head teacher, education officer or aspiring educational leader, this course is the building block to becoming an effective leader.
You’ll gain key study skills focused on critical thinking and analysis, along with introducing key theoretical concepts to create a more effective learning environment for your students.
Expect to dive into experiential learning, navigating real-world educational leadership challenges, as well as gaining insights from guest speakers who are experienced leaders. There will be the opportunity to work collaboratively with your peers to tackle practical issues using cutting-edge research tools and seamlessly connect theory to practise, with a strong ethical leadership focus.
Finally, you’ll get to apply your knowledge through your independent research project under the guidance of dedicated tutors, making a real impact on your profession.
After finishing this course, you'll not only have vital skills but also the self-assurance to enter educational leadership positions with unwavering confidence.
We offer modules in both the daytime and evening, so you can find a pattern of delivery that fits with your other commitments, whether you are working, volunteering or studying full time. You can choose evening modules such as Coaching and Mentoring, Early Childhood, Leadership and Management or Social Justice and Community Engagement as well as the mandatory modules shared by all pathways.
Module options
For a full Masters degree, you'll study 180 credits over the duration of your course. Some programmes offer a Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) qualification or a Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) qualification. For a PGDip, you'll study 120 credits, and for a PGCert, you'll study 60 credits.
Filters
Contemporary and Critical Issues in Education: Theory, Policy and Context
This module forms an essential component of your masters programme. It supports the development of key skills that are necessary for study at Level 7, including the development of core and essential skills relating to critical reflection and critical analysis, alongside an introduction to critical theory. It allows engagement with issues relating to specialist areas relevant to your programme of study while also opening up avenues for broader exploration. Drawing on diverse perspectives from a range of global contexts, it ensures that education is explored across broad and diverse perspectives.
core
30 credits
Approaches to Leadership and Management in Education
You will use a problem-based learning approach to engage in activities to explore how social theories relate to educational leadership. This approach will allow you to reflect to enhance your skills and abilities underpinning effective educational leadership. Guest speakers who are educational leaders will share and reflect upon their experiences in a meaningful and context-relevant way. The module will prepare you to exercise leadership in educational contexts and to face the challenges this will bring.
core
30 credits
Research Methodologies (Education)
You will explore cutting edge research methodologies used in education, developing your critical understanding of how they can be used to address real world problems. An inquiry-based teaching approach will enable you to work with peers to weigh the merits of each in terms of their suitability for particular contexts and issues.
core
30 credits
Principles, Values and Ethics for Effective Leadership and Management
You will engage in problem-based learning activities and engage in activities to explore how social theories relate to leadership and management in education-related settings. This will provide you with an opportunity for personal reflection to encourage the development of skills and abilities to underpin effective educational leadership. Guest speakers who are educational leaders will share effective practices and reflect upon their experiences in a meaningful and context-relevant way.
core
30 credits
Extended Research Project (Education)
This module provides you with an opportunity to apply your knowledge and research skills in the field of education. Supported via dedicated course tutors, your dissertation supervisor, and high-quality workshops and online content, you will undertake an independent research project on a topic related to your programme of study. This will allow you to apply your skills in real-world contexts and gain an understanding of conducting and reporting on research. This module will help you develop key transferable skills for both the workplace and further study.
core
60 credits
Our academics
You'll benefit from the outstanding support of academic staff who are experienced education practitioners.
We truly believe that education can challenge inequalities and injustices in society and seek social and educational change to enhance fairness, equity, and social justice.

Dr Elspeth Nelson
Lecturer
Elspeth is a Lecturer in Education and Childhood at the University of Hull, teaching, supervising PhDs, and working with the Teaching Excellence Academy. She aims to broaden her research with local higher education in further education providers.

Professor Richard Woolley
Head of the School of Education
As Head of the School of Education, Richard’s career spans primary, further and higher education, and leadership. His research focuses on inclusion, diversity and equality. He’s a Principal Fellow of the HEA and a National Teaching Fellow.
Entry Requirements
What do I need?
There are no formal entry requirements for this qualification
Typical offer
2:2 in any subject area
Fees & Funding
How much is it?
Scholarships
We offer a number of awards, bursaries and scholarships for eligible students. They’re awarded for a variety of reasons including academic achievement and/or to help those on lower incomes.
Scholarships and bursaries are separate to student loans. And the best bit is, you don’t pay a penny back.
Alumni Postgraduate Scholarship
University of Hull undergraduates progressing to a taught masters course may receive a 20% discount on the cost of their tuition fees.
Find out if you’re eligible by visiting the University of Hull Alumni Postgraduate Scholarship page.
See more Scholarships
We offer a range of scholarships and awards to students at the university to help with their financial load.
To view all of our scholarships and determine whether you're eligible, please visit our Scholarships and Awards page.
Our facilities

Future prospects
As a student in the MA Leadership and Management in Education course, you'll delve into contemporary educational practices and in-depth examination of pivotal issues and policies influencing the field.
Beyond expanding your knowledge, you'll also gain the practical skills that boost your role within your chosen learning community. This course can significantly improve your prospects for progressing into middle or senior leadership positions in schools, as well as in not-for-profit and public sectors.
Take your career to the next level
Like what you’ve seen? Then it’s time to apply.
Make your application online now, and our admissions team will get back to you as soon as possible to make you an offer.
Not ready to apply yet?
We regularly deliver virtual and on-campus events to help you discover your perfect postgraduate course, whether it’s a subject you already love or something completely different. Our events are an opportunity for you to chat to tutors and current students and find out about the career options a postgraduate degree could lead to.
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All modules presented on this course page are subject to availability and this list may change at any time.