Top 10 in UK for student experience (Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024)
Strong career outcomes
96% of graduates in employment, vocation or further study within 15 months of graduation (HESA 2024)
A quality learning experience
Top 5 in UK for teaching quality (Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024)
Fully flexible study
100% online part-time learning
Affordability
Pay your fees per module, as you go
Career path
11 industry-focused MBA degrees, 5 MSc Computer Science programmes, and 3 MSc Psychology pathways
Lead with vision and drive meaningful change in education with St Mary’s 100% online MA Education Leadership.
St Mary’s University London’s 100% online MA Education Leadership is designed for educators and professionals who aspire to senior leadership roles in schools, educational institutions, and beyond.
You’ll explore strategic leadership, inclusive leadership practice, transformational change, and the social, political, and ethical foundations of effective leadership. Through a combination of critical reflection and applied learning, you’ll develop the insight and tools to lead teams, shape organisational strategy, and influence policy across diverse educational contexts.
The programme also strengthens your reflective practice and communication skills, helping you understand how leadership styles, organisational culture, and interpersonal dynamics shape educational outcomes. By engaging with both global and local perspectives, you’ll graduate equipped to lead with purpose, confidence, and impact in an ever-evolving educational landscape.
You’ll develop your capacity to…
Apply key theories from sociology, psychology, philosophy and history to inform inclusive curriculum design and effective leadership in education
Use research methodologies and reflective frameworks to support professional learning, evidence-based decision-making and continuous educational improvement
Interpret and evaluate educational data to generate insights, develop research-informed practice and communicate findings clearly to diverse academic and professional audiences
Identify complex challenges in education and propose ethical, innovative solutions that drive meaningful, context-sensitive change
Lead and manage collaborative projects with confidence, coordinating effectively with stakeholders to deliver inclusive, accessible and sustainable outcomes
Critically evaluate and apply educational policy and leadership theory to design and implement strategies for institutional improvement and long-term impact.
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And grow your career…
Education professionals with a master’s-level qualification are increasingly in demand across the globe. This programme opens pathways to leadership, research and policy roles in education, from curriculum development and school leadership to consultancy, government, NGOs and international agencies. It also supports career progression in teaching and further doctoral study.
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With a programme designed for you…
St Mary’s 100% online MA Education is built for working professionals. With fully flexible and part-time online learning, you can balance study with your career and personal commitments. Supported by expert tutors and a collaborative virtual environment, you’ll gain practical, career-relevant knowledge without putting your life on hold.
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Programme Modules
Leading Educational Change and Improvement
Develop the knowledge and confidence to lead positive change in educational contexts. This module explores the emotional, political, and strategic dimensions of leadership, drawing on theories and real-world examples. You'll examine models of improvement and learn to navigate the complexities of change, resistance, and sustainability across diverse educational systems.
£645
People, Culture and Organisations
Examine how culture shapes individuals, teams, and organisational performance in education and related sectors. This module explores the practical and theoretical aspects of organisational culture, team dynamics, identity, and leadership. Through case studies and professional reflection, you'll gain tools to analyse and overcome cultural and interpersonal challenges within educational settings.
£645
Technology, Access and Education Equity
Examine how technology can both bridge and reinforce barriers to educational access. Through case studies and policy analysis, you’ll design strategies to promote digital inclusion and educational equity.
£645
Reflective Practice and Professional Growth
Investigate your professional identity through reflective enquiry. You’ll engage with theory, literature and your own experiences to develop a responsive, informed approach to professional practice and growth.
£645
Global Education Perspectives
Critically examine global education systems, policies and practices. You’ll explore the influence of international organisations such as UNESCO and the World Bank, while using comparative education approaches to understand shifts in global educational agendas and their implications for sustainability and citizenship.
£645
Leadership for Inclusive Education
Explore leadership strategies that promote equity, access and social justice in educational settings. You’ll evaluate policies, frameworks and practices that support inclusive education for diverse and marginalised learners.
£645
Curriculum Design and Development
Deepen your understanding of curriculum theory and explore how curriculum reflects values, ethics and power. Through applied practice, you’ll enhance your curriculum design skills to suit varied contexts and learners.
£645
Dissertation
Conduct an independent research project on a topic of your choice. Supported by expert supervision, you’ll apply your learning to design, execute and present a rigorous, ethical piece of educational research.
£1,290
Education in a Dynamic Evolving Landscape
Analyse how global and local dynamics, policies and innovations are reshaping education. You’ll investigate emerging trends and challenges to inform future-oriented educational strategies.
£645
Research Methods
Gain practical skills in designing and evaluating educational research using both qualitative and quantitative methods. This module focuses on ethical research design, data collection, and analysis across a range of paradigms. You'll also learn to interpret and communicate findings effectively, preparing you for your dissertation.
£645
Research Proposal
Develop a fully formed, ethically sound research proposal to guide your MA dissertation. You'll critically review academic literature, define a clear research question, and select appropriate methods and analysis. The proposal will form the foundation for your independent research project.
£645
Entry requirements
To study St Mary's University's 100% online MA Education Leadership, you will need to have completed:
An undergraduate degree at 2:2 (or higher), or
3 years’ relevant experience in the Education sector
English language requirements
Applicants whose first language is not English, or most recent education or work experience was not in English will need to demonstrate proficiency by completing an approved English language test such as IELTS (6.0 overall with no individual sub-scores under 5.5), Pearson PTE (55 overall minimum), or equivalent.
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