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Overview
If you're currently working, or aspire to work in an education-connected role and want to gain a qualification that demonstrates that you have developed your leadership and management skills, our Educational Leadership and Management course is for you.
Offered as a MSc, PgDip and PgCert, you can study this course full-time, part-time or part-time by distance learning. The MSc and PgDip take one year full time and two years part time. The PgCert takes six months full time and one year part time.
You'll work collaboratively with other students, teaching staff and industry experts from educational institutes, as you learn how to take your enthusiasm for education and use it to better the sector through challenging conventional thinking, identifying common problems in the sector, such as time management, and creating solutions for them.
You’ll be encouraged to critique the way the education sector works, and prepare yourself to take positive and decisive action as an educational leader, able to respond to issues in education such as accessibility and classroom management and to create and implement new approaches to teaching.
If you're more interested in the theoretical perspectives that underpin education in general, please take a look at our MA Education Studies course.
Prefer to study with a work placement?
You can also study for this Educational Leadership and Management Master's (with Professional Experience).
Join our Postgraduate Open Events
From finding out which postgraduate option is right for you, to exploring the perfect course, browse our upcoming webinars and in-person events and book your place today.
Eligibility
This course accepts UK, EU, and International students.
Course highlights
- Challenge conventional thinking and develop the skillset and confidence you need to identify problems in the educational sector and find solutions for them
- Begin your postgraduate education with a choice of an MSc, PgDip or PgCert course
- Benefit from the rich industry knowledge and experience of teaching staff as you gain theoretical knowledge and professional know-how on this industry led course
- Use the skills you acquire to ready yourself for your next promotion, to change jobs or go international with your career
- Network with industry professionals from the education sector, guest lecturers and other students through events, lectures, seminars and social media channels
- Choose between a January or September start
Accreditation
This is a dually accredited course by the CMI.
Number 4 in the UK for student support
Our education courses are ranked fourth in the UK for student support in the 2024
MSc, PgDip and PgCert courses
An MSc is a Master of Science postgraduate qualification. A Master’s degree will give you an extensive insight into a field you're passionate about, and provide you with the skills required to put your knowledge to work. A Master's can also lead to further study, such as PhD.
An MSc is worth 180 credits and will involve producing in-depth research in the form of a dissertation.
PgDip and PgCert courses are shorter than a Master's degree, but are taught at the same level.
These shorter courses are ideal if you want to take your undergraduate studies further, but don't want to commit to something as intensive as a Master's degree. As these courses are shorter than Master’s degrees, they’re easier to fit around your current job.
A PgDip is worth 120 credits, and the shorter version, a PgCert, is worth 60. While they can be studied on their own, a PgCert can lead to a PgDip, which can lead to a full Master’s course. This means you can study to the level you want, with the option to continue your studies to the next stage.
Why study Educational Leadership and Management?
Looking to develop your leadership and management skills in an education career? Our MSc Educational Leadership and Management could be for you. Meet some of our academics and students, and discover what they love about the course.
David Mather
Students come to us with a set idea of what leadership and management is, and they leave with an entirely different idea. The MSc in Educational Leadership is really designed for those who wish to be educational leaders or indeed are educational leaders.
Dr Angeline Dharmaraj-Savicks
The course helps administrators, practitioners and middle management to develop their professional skills, to be able to manage change effectively and be more productive in their role.
David Mather
The course is taught by academics, former educational leaders and managers. As such, we combine really theoretical ideas around leadership and management with really practical-based experience.
Dr Matthew Round
The programme challenges perceived and conventional thinking and wisdom in a number of ways. We look at a variety of things like legislative acts, induction, retention, recruitment, and then we challenge it based on critical thinking, but also looking at the work of researchers and academics as well, and the main reason for that is to try and come up with ways to improve the criticality and the engagement that colleagues have while they're in their individual settings.
Mary Ijuka
My experience as a campus-based student has been quite amazing. There’s always help when I need it. I could set up meetings with, say, the course leader or the Learning Development Centre and the library is so close.
Samuel Kondau
One of the things I loved so much about the course was the easy accessibility of the teachers. They make themselves available at all times.
Cressida Abela
The lecturers are warm, your opinion is always valued, we were able to ask practically anything. That is something I really appreciated because I can’t say it's the same for every university, especially in my home country.
Edwina Harvey
They'll give you a specified time that you should spend on your degree apprenticeship on a weekly basis. However, there is an understanding that we're all professionals or we're doing different things with our lives at the same time, and so we're able to manage our time in our own way.
David Mather
No matter how you engage in this course, ultimately what we're aiming to do is really develop the idea and the importance of educational leadership and management, the idea that these are skills that can be developed and things indeed that can be challenged.
Dr Angeline Dharmaraj-Savicks
We have a unique ability to tailor the course to each student. Students are able to expand their learning to fit their own career needs.
Binta Ogohi
The course could lead you into a number of different career progressions. A school leader, a course leader, on boards that are not necessarily in schools that help make decisions for education.
Edwina Harvey
Since doing the course, I'm finding that lots of current educational research is coming from Portsmouth. There's a real vibrancy in terms of research and being really invested in thinking and learning and moving forward in the world.
Dr Matthew Round
ºÚÁϳԹÏas a city is an incredible place to work and learn. It is rich in diversity and activities and events. The seafront is gorgeous, it's steeped in history. It is visually stunning. But more than that, we've got colleagues here that have been head teachers, deputy head teachers. We've got incredible colleagues that work in support services, the University library and IT services. The way the University is set up to develop and deliver on the student experience I think is second to none.
Contact information
Contact AdmissionsEntry requirements
Eligibility
This course accepts UK, EU, and International students.
January 2025 start
- A minimum of a second-class honours degree, and experience in an educational setting.
Please get in touch if you're not sure if your undergraduate subject is relevant to this degree.
Equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications will also be considered, such as previous study, employment, voluntary work and training courses, including courses and qualifications you didn't complete. Learn more about our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
If you're applying as an international student with a non-UK degree, you’ll need to show you meet the UK entry requirements listed above.
To find out if your non-UK degree or other qualification is accepted, please visit our page for your country and view the UK equivalent of your qualification.
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 (or equivalent) with no component score below 6.0.
You do not need an IELTS or equivalent certification if:
- you have a UK degree
- you have a degree from a majority English speaking country (not taught by Distance Learning)
- you are a national of a majority English speaking country
Degrees taught solely in English from non-majority English speaking countries will be considered on a case by case basis. Find out more about our English language requirements.
If you do not meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
September 2025 / January 2026 start
- A minimum of a second-class honours degree, and experience in an educational setting.
Please get in touch if you're not sure if your undergraduate subject is relevant to this degree.
Equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications will also be considered, such as previous study, employment, voluntary work and training courses, including courses and qualifications you didn't complete. Learn more about our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
If you're applying as an international student with a non-UK degree, you’ll need to show you meet the UK entry requirements listed above.
To find out if your non-UK degree or other qualification is accepted, please visit our page for your country and view the UK equivalent of your qualification.
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 (or equivalent) with no component score below 6.0.
You do not need an IELTS or equivalent certification if:
- you have a UK degree
- you have a degree from a majority English speaking country (not taught by Distance Learning)
- you are a national of a majority English speaking country
Degrees taught solely in English from non-majority English speaking countries will be considered on a case by case basis. Find out more about our English language requirements.
If you do not meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Course costs and funding
Tuition fees (January 2025 start)
MSc Educational Leadership and Management tuition fees are paid annually and differ depending on whether you choose to study full time, part time, or by distance learning.
UK, Channel Islands, and Isle of Man students
- Full time:&²Ô²ú²õ±è;£10,400
- Part time: £5,200 per year
- Part time distance learning: £4,450 per year
EU students
(including Transition Scholarship)
- Full time:&²Ô²ú²õ±è;£10,400
- Part time: £5,200 per year
- Part time distance learning: £4,450 per year
International students
- Full time:&²Ô²ú²õ±è;£17,900
- Part time: £8,950 per year
- Part time distance learning: £4,450 per year
PgDip Educational Leadership and Management tuition fees are paid annually and differ depending on whether you choose to study full time, part time, or by distance learning.
UK, Channel Islands, and Isle of Man students
- Full time:&²Ô²ú²õ±è;£6,930&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
- Part time:&²Ô²ú²õ±è;£3,470 per year
- Part time distance learning: £2,970 per year
EU students
(including Transition Scholarship)
- Full time:&²Ô²ú²õ±è;£6,930&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
- Part time:&²Ô²ú²õ±è;£3,470 per year
- Part time distance learning: £2,970 per year
International students
- Full time:&²Ô²ú²õ±è;£11,930&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
- Part time:&²Ô²ú²õ±è;£5,970 per year
- Part time distance learning: £2,970 per year
PgCert Educational Leadership and Management tuition fees are paid annually, meaning costs are the same whether you decide to study full time or part time, however the cost of distance learning is different.
UK, Channel Islands, and Isle of Man students
- Full time:&²Ô²ú²õ±è;£3,470
- Part time:&²Ô²ú²õ±è;£3,470
- Part time distance learning: £2,970
EU students
(including Transition Scholarship)
- Full time:&²Ô²ú²õ±è;£3,470
- Part time:&²Ô²ú²õ±è;£3,470
- Part time distance learning: £2,970
International students
- Full time:&²Ô²ú²õ±è;£5,970
- Part time:&²Ô²ú²õ±è;£5,970
- Part time distance learning: £2,970
Tuition fees (September 2025 / January 2026 start)
MSc Educational Leadership and Management tuition fees are paid annually and differ depending on whether you choose to study full time, part time, or by distance learning.
UK, Channel Islands, and Isle of Man students
- Full time:&²Ô²ú²õ±è;£10,900
- Part time: £5,450 per year
- Part time distance learning: £4,700 per year
EU students
(including Transition Scholarship)
- Full time:&²Ô²ú²õ±è;£10,900
- Part time: £5,450 per year
- Part time distance learning: £4,700 per year
International students
- Full time:&²Ô²ú²õ±è;£17,900
- Part time: £8,950 per year
- Part time distance learning: £4,700 per year
PgDip Educational Leadership and Management tuition fees are paid annually and differ depending on whether you choose to study full time, part time, or by distance learning.
UK, Channel Islands, and Isle of Man students
- Full time:&²Ô²ú²õ±è;£7,270&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
- Part time:&²Ô²ú²õ±è;£3,630 per year
- Part time distance learning: £3,130 per year
EU students
(including Transition Scholarship)
- Full time:&²Ô²ú²õ±è;£7,270&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
- Part time:&²Ô²ú²õ±è;£3,630 per year
- Part time distance learning: £3,130 per year
International students
- Full time:&²Ô²ú²õ±è;£11,930&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
- Part time:&²Ô²ú²õ±è;£5,970 per year
- Part time distance learning: £3,130 per year
PgCert Educational Leadership and Management tuition fees are paid annually, meaning costs are the same whether you decide to study full time or part time, however the cost of distance learning is different.
UK, Channel Islands, and Isle of Man students
- Full time:&²Ô²ú²õ±è;£3,630
- Part time:&²Ô²ú²õ±è;£3,630
- Part time distance learning: £3,130
EU students
(including Transition Scholarship)
- Full time:&²Ô²ú²õ±è;£3,630
- Part time:&²Ô²ú²õ±è;£3,630
- Part time distance learning: £3,130
International students
- Full time:&²Ô²ú²õ±è;£5,970
- Part time:&²Ô²ú²õ±è;£5,970
- Part time distance learning: £3,130
ºÚÁÏ³Ô¹Ï graduates may receive a 20% alumni tuition fee discount.
Fees are subject to annual increase. Read our tuition fees terms and conditions.
You'll be able to pay your fees in instalments. Find out how to pay your tuition fees.
Funding your studies
Explore how to fund your studies, including available scholarships and bursaries.
If you're a UK student choosing to study MSc Educational Leadership and Management, you may be eligible for a Government Postgraduate Master's Loan, which you can use to help with course fees and living costs. This loan is not available for PgDip or PgCert students.
Loans, scholarships and bursaries
Browse funding such as the Government Postgraduate Loan, our scholarships for new and returning students, and subject specific loans.
Funding for international students
Learn more about sponsorships, scholarships and loans for students applying from outside of the UK.
Fees and funding for Master's courses
Explore Master's funding options, including loans, scholarships, bursaries and more.
Additional costs
These course-related costs aren't included in the tuition fees so you'll need to budget for them when you plan your spending. Additional costs could include:
- Accommodation: If you choose to study on-campus, accommodation options and costs can be found on our accommodation pages
- Recommended reading: You can borrow key texts from the library and if you choose to purchase these texts they may cost up to £60 each.
- General costs: such photocopying, memory sticks, printing charges, binding and specialist printing. We suggest budgeting £75 per year.
- Final project transport or accommodation: where necessary, which related to your research activities. The amount will depend on the project you choose.
Read more about tuition fees and living costs, including what your tuition fees cover.
Modules
Full-time
If you choose to study MSc Educational Leadership and Management full time, you'll study over one year.
Core modules
You’ll gain insider perspectives on the policy-making process, from agenda-setting to real-world implementation.
Study change models, quality control approaches and evaluation methods driving systemic improvements.
You’ll explore motivating leadership styles that empower organisations and communities, and investigate education governance across institutional, local, national and global contexts.
You’ll design and write up an education research proposal for your dissertation.
You’ll start by thinking about any research skills you might need to improve on and develop ways to strengthen your skillset, through core training, chosen focus areas and applied learning.
Then, you’ll work on your own postgraduate research proposal planning out the specific research methods you’ll use and taking ethical issues into account. You’ll include clear objectives and document your literature and data sources.
You’ll explore key and contemporary human resource theory, focusing on employee motivation, capabilities development and organisational culture change.
You’ll consider educator identity, wellbeing, evaluation and support systems alongside leadership pipelines and approaches to talent optimisation.
Analyse real-world case studies investigating recruitment, professional learning, conflict resolution, team dynamics and resource constraints.
Optional modules
You’ll review the importance of analytical frameworks in evaluating the business landscape and their importance in informing marketing strategies, considering stakeholder needs alongside practical constraints.
You’ll also focus on a case study of an educational organisation to evaluate its financial and marketing effectiveness and make appropriate recommendations for improvement.
You’ll learn how provision often reproduces societal norms and divisions by preparing students to fulfil their expected roles in society.
You’ll focus on the economic, social, cultural and political issues that impact societal norms, divisions and lives through education policies, curriculum and modes of learning.
You'll consider both what we know about how people learn languages and the practical considerations determined by the context in which the classroom teaching happens.
You'll learn about planning activities, lessons and courses for a variety of situations, as well as strategies for motivating learners.
For the first half of the module, you’ll cover a wide range of project management tools and techniques for managing different aspects of a project (for example time, cost, quality and risk).
The emphasis is on the ability to critically appraise and justify their use.
For the second half of the unit, you’ll take an in-depth look at the project management processes within the project life-cycle.
You’ll focus on the relationships between the key participants within the different project phases, using case studies drawn from real life.
With academic guidance, you'll choose your own literature or empirical topic within a field of education that fits the parameters of your intended Master’s exit award.
You'll bring together everything you’ve learned to design and evaluate ethical methodologies, conduct systematic research, and communicate your ideas professionally in your dissertation or report.
With academic guidance, you'll choose your own literature or empirical topic within a field of study that fits the parameters of your intended Master’s exit award.
You'll bring together everything you’ve learned to design and evaluate ethical methodologies, conduct systematic research, and communicate your ideas professionally in your report.
If you choose to study PgDip Educational Leadership and Management full time, you'll study all core modules and one optional module over one year.
Core modules
You’ll gain insider perspectives on the policy-making process, from agenda-setting to real-world implementation.
Study change models, quality control approaches and evaluation methods driving systemic improvements.
You’ll explore motivating leadership styles that empower organisations and communities, and investigate education governance across institutional, local, national and global contexts.
You’ll design and write up an education research proposal for your dissertation.
You’ll start by thinking about any research skills you might need to improve on and develop ways to strengthen your skillset, through core training, chosen focus areas and applied learning.
Then, you’ll work on your own postgraduate research proposal planning out the specific research methods you’ll use and taking ethical issues into account. You’ll include clear objectives and document your literature and data sources.
You’ll explore key and contemporary human resource theory, focusing on employee motivation, capabilities development and organisational culture change.
You’ll consider educator identity, wellbeing, evaluation and support systems alongside leadership pipelines and approaches to talent optimisation.
Analyse real-world case studies investigating recruitment, professional learning, conflict resolution, team dynamics and resource constraints.
Optional modules
You’ll review the importance of analytical frameworks in evaluating the business landscape and their importance in informing marketing strategies, considering stakeholder needs alongside practical constraints.
You’ll also focus on a case study of an educational organisation to evaluate its financial and marketing effectiveness and make appropriate recommendations for improvement.
You’ll learn how provision often reproduces societal norms and divisions by preparing students to fulfil their expected roles in society.
You’ll focus on the economic, social, cultural and political issues that impact societal norms, divisions and lives through education policies, curriculum and modes of learning.
You'll consider both what we know about how people learn languages and the practical considerations determined by the context in which the classroom teaching happens.
You'll learn about planning activities, lessons and courses for a variety of situations, as well as strategies for motivating learners.
If you choose to study PgCert Educational Leadership and Management full time, you'll study one core module and one optional module over 6 months.
Core modules
You’ll gain insider perspectives on the policy-making process, from agenda-setting to real-world implementation.
Study change models, quality control approaches and evaluation methods driving systemic improvements.
You’ll explore motivating leadership styles that empower organisations and communities, and investigate education governance across institutional, local, national and global contexts.
Optional modules
You’ll review the importance of analytical frameworks in evaluating the business landscape and their importance in informing marketing strategies, considering stakeholder needs alongside practical constraints.
You’ll also focus on a case study of an educational organisation to evaluate its financial and marketing effectiveness and make appropriate recommendations for improvement.
You’ll learn how provision often reproduces societal norms and divisions by preparing students to fulfil their expected roles in society.
You’ll focus on the economic, social, cultural and political issues that impact societal norms, divisions and lives through education policies, curriculum and modes of learning.
You'll consider both what we know about how people learn languages and the practical considerations determined by the context in which the classroom teaching happens.
You'll learn about planning activities, lessons and courses for a variety of situations, as well as strategies for motivating learners.
Part-time
If you choose to study MSc Educational Leadership and Management part time, you'll study across two years, either on campus or by distance learning.
Year 1 - Core modules
You’ll gain insider perspectives on the policy-making process, from agenda-setting to real-world implementation.
Study change models, quality control approaches and evaluation methods driving systemic improvements.
You’ll explore motivating leadership styles that empower organisations and communities, and investigate education governance across institutional, local, national and global contexts.
You’ll explore key and contemporary human resource theory, focusing on employee motivation, capabilities development and organisational culture change.
You’ll consider educator identity, wellbeing, evaluation and support systems alongside leadership pipelines and approaches to talent optimisation.
Analyse real-world case studies investigating recruitment, professional learning, conflict resolution, team dynamics and resource constraints.
Year 1 - Optional modules
You’ll review the importance of analytical frameworks in evaluating the business landscape and their importance in informing marketing strategies, considering stakeholder needs alongside practical constraints.
You’ll also focus on a case study of an educational organisation to evaluate its financial and marketing effectiveness and make appropriate recommendations for improvement.
You’ll learn how provision often reproduces societal norms and divisions by preparing students to fulfil their expected roles in society.
You’ll focus on the economic, social, cultural and political issues that impact societal norms, divisions and lives through education policies, curriculum and modes of learning.
You'll consider both what we know about how people learn languages and the practical considerations determined by the context in which the classroom teaching happens.
You'll learn about planning activities, lessons and courses for a variety of situations, as well as strategies for motivating learners.
Year 2 - Core modules
You’ll design and write up an education research proposal for your dissertation.
You’ll start by thinking about any research skills you might need to improve on and develop ways to strengthen your skillset, through core training, chosen focus areas and applied learning.
Then, you’ll work on your own postgraduate research proposal planning out the specific research methods you’ll use and taking ethical issues into account. You’ll include clear objectives and document your literature and data sources.
Year 2 - Optional modules
For the first half of the module, you’ll cover a wide range of project management tools and techniques for managing different aspects of a project (for example time, cost, quality and risk).
The emphasis is on the ability to critically appraise and justify their use.
For the second half of the unit, you’ll take an in-depth look at the project management processes within the project life-cycle.
You’ll focus on the relationships between the key participants within the different project phases, using case studies drawn from real life.
With academic guidance, you'll choose your own literature or empirical topic within a field of education that fits the parameters of your intended Master’s exit award.
You'll bring together everything you’ve learned to design and evaluate ethical methodologies, conduct systematic research, and communicate your ideas professionally in your dissertation or report.
With academic guidance, you'll choose your own literature or empirical topic within a field of study that fits the parameters of your intended Master’s exit award.
You'll bring together everything you’ve learned to design and evaluate ethical methodologies, conduct systematic research, and communicate your ideas professionally in your report.
If you choose to study PgDip Educational Leadership and Management part time, you'll study across two years, either on campus or by distance learning.
In your first year you'll study two core modules and one optional module.
In your second year you'll study one core module.
Year 1 - Core modules
You’ll gain insider perspectives on the policy-making process, from agenda-setting to real-world implementation.
Study change models, quality control approaches and evaluation methods driving systemic improvements.
You’ll explore motivating leadership styles that empower organisations and communities, and investigate education governance across institutional, local, national and global contexts.
You’ll explore key and contemporary human resource theory, focusing on employee motivation, capabilities development and organisational culture change.
You’ll consider educator identity, wellbeing, evaluation and support systems alongside leadership pipelines and approaches to talent optimisation.
Analyse real-world case studies investigating recruitment, professional learning, conflict resolution, team dynamics and resource constraints.
Year 1 - Optional modules
You’ll review the importance of analytical frameworks in evaluating the business landscape and their importance in informing marketing strategies, considering stakeholder needs alongside practical constraints.
You’ll also focus on a case study of an educational organisation to evaluate its financial and marketing effectiveness and make appropriate recommendations for improvement.
You’ll learn how provision often reproduces societal norms and divisions by preparing students to fulfil their expected roles in society.
You’ll focus on the economic, social, cultural and political issues that impact societal norms, divisions and lives through education policies, curriculum and modes of learning.
You'll consider both what we know about how people learn languages and the practical considerations determined by the context in which the classroom teaching happens.
You'll learn about planning activities, lessons and courses for a variety of situations, as well as strategies for motivating learners.
Year 2 - Core modules
You’ll design and write up an education research proposal for your dissertation.
You’ll start by thinking about any research skills you might need to improve on and develop ways to strengthen your skillset, through core training, chosen focus areas and applied learning.
Then, you’ll work on your own postgraduate research proposal planning out the specific research methods you’ll use and taking ethical issues into account. You’ll include clear objectives and document your literature and data sources.
If you choose to study PgCert Educational Leadership and Management part time, you'll study across one year, either on campus or by distance learning.
In your first six months you'll study one core module.
In your second six months you'll study one optional module.
First 6 months - Core modules
You’ll gain insider perspectives on the policy-making process, from agenda-setting to real-world implementation.
Study change models, quality control approaches and evaluation methods driving systemic improvements.
You’ll explore motivating leadership styles that empower organisations and communities, and investigate education governance across institutional, local, national and global contexts.
Second 6 months - Optional modules
You’ll review the importance of analytical frameworks in evaluating the business landscape and their importance in informing marketing strategies, considering stakeholder needs alongside practical constraints.
You’ll also focus on a case study of an educational organisation to evaluate its financial and marketing effectiveness and make appropriate recommendations for improvement.
You’ll learn how provision often reproduces societal norms and divisions by preparing students to fulfil their expected roles in society.
You’ll focus on the economic, social, cultural and political issues that impact societal norms, divisions and lives through education policies, curriculum and modes of learning.
You'll consider both what we know about how people learn languages and the practical considerations determined by the context in which the classroom teaching happens.
You'll learn about planning activities, lessons and courses for a variety of situations, as well as strategies for motivating learners.
Changes to course content
We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.
Therefore, course content is revised and regularly reviewed. This may result in changes being made in order to reflect developments in research, learning from practice and changes in policy at both national and local levels.
After studying the MSc, I found myself seeing things in my school in new ways. I gained an understanding of the school’s organisational culture and noticed how that culture grew and developed. I also became more aware of the decisions I take as a leader, and how they were likely to impact the team members who report to me.
How you'll spend your time
We recognise that you'll probably be juggling more demands when you do your Master's degree, as you may be working or you may have family responsibilities.
We'll give you as much indication here as we can of how much time you'll need to spend in on-campus or in online lectures and seminars and how many hours you can expect to spend in self-directed study, but please note that these indications are always subject to change.
Course structure
This MSc and PgDip course will take:
- 1 year (full-time)
- 2 years (part-time)
This PgCert course will take:
- 6 months (full-time)
- 1 year (part-time)
You can expect:
- Up to 3 hours of teaching time per module each week
- Up to 10 hours of independent study per module each week
If you choose to study the MSc version of this course, you will spend the last 3 months focusing on your dissertation or major project.
Teaching
Master's study is deeper and more specialised than an undergraduate degree. This means you'll focus on something that really matters to you and your career as you work closely with academics committed to the subject.
You'll spend more time in independent study and research than you did for your undergraduate degree. If you choose campus based study, the majority of your teaching time will be in-person and face-to-face.
Teaching methods on this course include:
- seminars
- group work
- lectures
- student presentations
- one-to-one tutorials
If you choose to study online, this Educational Leadership and Management course is delivered by supported distance learning. You will receive high-quality course materials via Moodle, our online learning environment.
You'll get to chat with fellow students, discuss and present your work and keep in touch with tutors. You'll get plenty of support throughout your studies, including help on writing and structuring essays, and how to undertake research.
You'll need access to a computer and a web connection. You may be able to access some of the resources through a tablet or smartphone, with limited functionality. You don't need to be especially computer literate, although typing skills are useful.
Assessment
You'll be assessed through:
- online tests and quizzes
- reflective commentaries
- case studies
- article critiques
- essays
- reports
- digital presentations
- research proposal
- dissertation
Assessment methods will vary depending on whether you choose the MSc, PgDip or PgCert course.
You’ll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark.
You can get feedback on all practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future.
Teaching staff
These are some of the expert staff who'll teach you on this course:
Term dates
September start
The Master's academic year runs from September to the following September. There are breaks at Christmas and Easter. Over the summer you'll be writing your project / dissertation.
January start
Courses that start in January have the same amount of teaching as September-start courses, but they normally run over a longer time period.
January-start courses normally run between 14–18 months, beginning in January and ending in the spring / summer of the following year. There are breaks at Christmas, Easter and in the summer. In the last few months you’ll be writing your project / dissertation.
Joining us as an international student
You'll feel at home in our international community and our diverse city. You'll be joining over 5,000 international students from more than 150 countries who are studying with us.
Learn more about international student life and how we can help you with visas, applications, arrival and settling in.
Career development
Careers this postgraduate degree prepares you for
You'll graduate with the skills and knowledge you need to to seek out ambitious job roles and take on new responsibilities in educational leadership and management.
This course is ideal for teachers, trainers, lecturers and instructors across the educational sector, who aspire to senior leadership and management positions. Build on your previous studies and experience to bring your skills, theories and expertise to a postgraduate level.
Designed as an industry led course, teaching staff work with and consult experts in the education sector to build a curriculum that reflects the current field, its methods and challenges. Helping you to graduate with the rich academic knowledge, industry know-how and the confidence to advance your career in education.
Graduates of this course have gone onto work in areas such as:
- School management
- Higher education institutions management
- Teacher education
- Course leading and management
Career planning
During your course you'll have expert career support from your tutors and from our Careers and Employability Centre, which you can access for 5 years after you graduate.
You'll benefit from:
- Networking events
- 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
Supporting you
Master's study is more focused on independent learning than undergraduate study, but you'll get lots of support via video and phone from teaching and support staff to enhance your learning experience and help you succeed. If you choose to study on-campus, you'll also get face-to-face support. You can build your personalised network of support from the following people and services:
Types of support
Your personal tutor helps you make the transition to postgraduate study and gives you academic and personal support throughout your course.
As well as regular scheduled meetings with your personal tutor, they're also available at set times during the week if you want to chat with them about anything that can't wait until your next meeting.
You'll have help from a team of faculty learning development tutors. They can help you improve and develop your academic skills and support you in any area of your study.
They can help with:
- Improving your academic writing (for example, essays, reports, dissertations)
- Delivering presentations (including observing and filming presentations)
- Understanding and using assignment feedback
- Managing your time and workload
- Revision and exam techniques
During term time, Faculty Academic Skills Tutors (AST) are available for bookable 1-to-1 sessions, small group sessions and online sessions. These sessions are tailored to your needs.
Support is available for skills including:
- University study
- Getting into the right study mindset
- Note-taking and note-making skills
- Referencing
- Presentation skills
- Time management, planning, and goal setting
- Critical thinking
- Avoiding plagiarism
If you have a disability or need extra support, the Additional Support and Disability Centre (ASDAC) will give you help, support and advice.
Our online will help you plan for managing the challenges of learning and student life, so you can fulfil your potential and have a great student experience.
You can get personal, emotional and mental health support from our Student Wellbeing Service, in person and online. This includes 1–2–1 support as well as courses and workshops that help you better manage stress, anxiety or depression.
If you require extra support because of a disability or additional learning need our specialist team can help you.
They'll help you to
- discuss and agree on reasonable adjustments
- liaise with other University services and facilities, such as the library
- access specialist study skills and strategies tutors, and assistive technology tutors, on a 1-to-1 basis or in groups
- liaise with external services
Library staff are available in person or by email, phone, or online chat to help you make the most of the University’s library resources. You can also request one-to-one appointments and get support from a librarian who specialises in your subject area.
The library is open 24 hours a day, every day, in term time.
The Maths Café offers advice and assistance with mathematical skills in a friendly, informal environment. You can come to our daily drop-in sessions, develop your maths skills at a workshop or use our online resources.
If English isn't your first language, you can do one of our English language courses to improve your written and spoken English language skills before starting your degree. Once you're here, you can take part in our free In-Sessional English (ISE) programme to improve your English further.
How to apply
Unlike undergraduate applications, which go through UCAS, applications for this Master's course are made directly to us.
There's no deadline for applications to this course. We accept applications right up until the start dates in September and January, as long as there are places available. If you wait until your start month to apply, you may find that the course is full.
If you're applying to study on-campus as an international student, remember that you'll need to leave plenty of time to get your visa organised.
You can find more advice about applying in our postgraduate application checklist. International students and current students and recent graduates of the ºÚÁÏ³Ô¹Ï also have some different application options, which are detailed below.
Extra information for international students
If you're an international student, you can apply directly to us using the same application form as UK students.
You could also get an agent to help with your application. Check your country page for details of agents in your region. To find out what to include in your application, head to the how to apply page of our international students section.
If you don’t meet the English language requirements for this course yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Ready to apply?
You need to choose MSc Educational Leadership and Management when you apply for this course, even if you want to study the PgCert or PgDip. You’ll graduate with a PgCert or PgDip when you complete the course.
Start this course in January 2025
On-campus
Distance learning
Start this course in September 2025
On-campus
Distance learning
Start this course in January 2026
On-campus
Distance learning
I'm a current ºÚÁϳԹÏstudent, or a recent ºÚÁϳԹÏgraduate
If you're currently in your final year of study at Portsmouth, or you graduated since July 2024, you're eligible to make a fast track application. You'll have:
- a shorter application form to complete
- access to the 20% Alumni fee discount
- a guaranteed conditional offer, for most Master's courses
After you apply
Once we receive your application, we may ask you for further information. We will then either make you an offer or suggest alternatives if your application is unsuccessful.
You'll usually get a decision within 10 working days, so you shouldn't have to wait too long. Some courses have an interview stage – we'll let you know if you need to prepare for one.
Learn more about how we assess your application.
Admissions terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the ºÚÁϳԹÏ, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.