International Education Leadership and Policy MA

Overview

This specialist programme is suitable for educators such as teachers, school leaders, lecturers, inspectors, administrators and officials who want to gain an insight into educational policy issues of current global significance and their implications for the effective leadership of educational institutions.

The policy themes are covered in the first semester, and the leadership and management implications are covered in the second semester. Both areas emphasise an international comparative perspective.

Optional modules are to be taken from across the School of Education to place your studies in a broader context, including those that cover research methods; technology, education and society; and special educational needs. There is also access to modules offered in the School of Politics and International Studies.

Participants from around the world come together to learn from each other as well as our tutors: all of whom are expert researchers in their fields. You’ll learn to apply critically educational theories to real challenges affecting schools, further and higher education worldwide.

Additional opportunities

You’ll have a wide range of opportunities to enhance your learning, including field trips to a local school and to London to discuss educational policy development with a local MP and civil servants. These opportunities are optional and all students who wish to attend will be required to contribute towards relevant costs.

Learning and teaching

Most of our taught modules use a combination of lectures, seminars and tutorials, and you’ll also be able to enhance your learning by attending the visits we organise to government departments and educational institutions.

However, independent study is also an important part of this programme, allowing you to form your own ideas and develop high-level skills.

Assessment

We assess the module Contemporary Global Challenges for Research-informed Education Policy and Practice through an oral presentation on an educational policy issue supported by either a PowerPoint or a Poster to the equivalent of a 3,000 word assignment (worth 50%) and a 3,000 word essay assignment (worth 50%).

The assessment for Critical Perspectives on Leadership Theory and Practice is through a single essay of around 6,000 words. This will provide a transition in the preparation of a more extended piece of writing leading up to the 12,000 word critical study.

Optional modules selected from the School of Education and/or the School of Politics and International Studies may use various methods of assessment, such as assignments, reflective logs and portfolio work.

Career opportunities

Our graduates have pursued a range of careers. Most involve either gaining promotion to more senior leadership and management positions in educational institutions when they return to their own countries, or pursuing doctoral research programmes (EdD and PhD) at Leeds and elsewhere.