The September 2027 Intake is now open for application
Qualification: Master of Arts (MA) in Educational Leadership in Practice
Duration: 2 years
Study format: Part-time - Online (with two optional face to face conferences annually)
Be the positive change your educational organisation needs
Education is constantly under pressure to conform to external requirements, especially with standardisation and teach to test sweeping the globe, steering policy and pressurising educational leaders.
This programme will build your intellectual and practical confidence in all interactions; with teachers, parents, students, managers, board members and policymakers, to engage at a higher level and influence change.
Hear from Dr Paul Armstrong, Course Director, about our blended master's in Educational Leadership in Practice. >>
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Flexible Study
Continue to work and apply the skills you learn immediately into the workplace with the flexibility built into this programme.
-Study at your own pace (2 to 5 years to complete)
-Deferrals at no additional cost
-Online learning (with non-credit bearing in-person elements)
World-Recognized UK Master's Degree by Studying Online from East Asia
The same Master degree certificate as our full-time and part-time students in Manchester, while studying online alongside your work in East Asia
International Cohort of Educators
Learn with and from a diverse and international cohort who are all experienced educators from the education industry, whether based in schools or education-related companies. This programme is designed for educators' needs.
-Average Years of Work Experience: 10+
-Gender Balance: 50%
-Nationalities: 10+
Top-Ranked
The University of Manchester is ranked 27th in the world (QS World University Rankings 2022) (for 3 consecutive years) and 6th in the UK (QS World University Rankings for Education and Training 2021).
Build a Global Network
Network with peers and experts during non-credit bearing conferences held half-yearly at Hong Kong and Singapore.
Practice New Skills
Learn from world-leading academics in educational policy and educational leadership including Prof Helen Gunter and Dr Alexander Gardner-McTaggart.
Who this programme is for?
If you are looking to move into a leadership role within an education-related organisation, e.g., a Principal, Head, Board-member, NGO leader, Administrator, senior management and policy maker, this programme is for you.
Our programme aims to reinvigorate your practice, elevating your goals and approach, interviewing with confidence for leadership, holding your own and making a mark. It will give you the chance to be the change in your organisation. Your wide knowledge base and transferable skills in problem-solving, strategic thinking, teamwork, creativity and communication will fit what most employers are seeking.
How it will benefit your career?
- Gain a deep understanding of theories, research, intellectual debates, and best practice from across the globe.
- Reflect on how these could apply to your own practice.
- Develop higher-order thinking skills to inspire you as a leader of education.
- Apply educational leadership skills and find solutions to real-world problems from local and global education organisations.
Registration No. 253164. It is a matter of discretion for individual employers to recognise any qualification to which this course may lead.
Course units
Read our brochure or schedule a one-to-one course introduction for more details.
Please also feel free to contact our admissions team at [email protected] to hear more about the flexibility of this programme, with features including:
- Defer your studies at no additional cost to prioritize work/family
- Maximum study period of 5 years
- Online studies (with a global cohort of educators)
1. Engaging with research in educational leadership
- What is educational leadership research?
- What topics can be researched in education?
- Why should research in education be taken seriously?
2. Models of educational leadership
- Explore conceptualising educational leadership practice as adjectival models
- Consider what this means in diverse international contexts
- Examine and evaluate a range of key models
3. Leading networks, partnerships and collaborations
- Educational leadership practice in a globalising education system
- Getting and doing the job
- Using research evidence
4. Optional course units (Select One)
- Digital technologies and educational leadership
This unit examines the impact of digitization on educational leadership, equipping you to apply theoretical frameworks to evaluate technologies, foster reflective practice, and enhance both personal and institutional approaches to teaching, learning, and organizational change.
- Leadership of International Schools
This unit examines leadership in international schools, focusing on internationalism, equity, teacher retention, and transformative leadership through human rights and Global Citizenship Education.
5. Leading Educational Change
- Examine what is meant by ‘change’
- Counter-productive and productive motivators for and mechanisms for change
- Critical perspective on leading change
6. Educational policy and leadership
- What is policy and how is it ‘done’?
- Policy architecture
- Welfarism, social democracy and neoliberalism as policy architecture
7. Research Skills in Practice
8. Literature/Practice Based Enquiry
Registration No. 253164. It is a matter of discretion for individual employers to recognise any qualification to which this course may lead.
Read comments on the programme from our most recent graduates (the Class of 2024) here.
Hear from our students - Watch the video >>
Mariana Ganusiak, Class of 2024
Programme Director, Chatteris Educational Foundation (Hong Kong)
"The degree has better equipped me with the tools to deliver real impact. This mindset – along with the concrete skills picked up through my educational journey here – will stand me in good stead as I seek to break new ground." Find out more >>
Adrian Man, Class of 2024
Teacher, St. Paul Co-Educational College Primary School
"For me, the ELiP is more than just a course. Inclusive, innovative and globally aware, it is veritably a catalyst for redefining my leadership identity. I grew as an educator not only because of insight gained from formal lectures, but as a result of the feedback received from tutors and peers during late-night online tutorials and discussion sessions. My personal take – whether you’re crafting policies or mentoring colleagues, the ELiP could be the community you’re looking for if you’re equipping yourself for complex challenges as an educator. This a programme that teaches educators to lead not only with competence but with courage and compassion – the key to delivering real impact." Find out more >>
David Buckley
Accreditation Chair
Council of International Schools
Vice Principal at Glenealy School (HK)
English Schools Foundation (ESF)
"This course not only provided me with a theoretical framework, but it also examined educational leadership issues in diverse international contexts. At a time of great change in the industry, I need to take a more critical approach to educational issues and social policy. My role is quite practical, but I missed the theoretical side of it. The broad scope of the course allowed me to learn about things outside of my sphere, opening my eyes to wider issues and finding fresh approaches to pursue. I could broaden my horizons and influence my organisation’s decisions by creating impactful change." Find out more >>
Alas Haddad
IBDP Coordinator
National Orthodox School
"I’m currently the IBDP coordinator at my school. We’ve recently implemented the IB programme and so in order to better lead people that are new to this type of curriculum and new to this programme entirely, I thought this course could really give me the support that I need."
Karina McLaughlin
Class Teacher, Senior Leader, Maths and Phase Lead
"I chose Manchester because I came here for my undergraduate degree and my PGCE, so I know of the university’s reputation and there wasn’t really anywhere else offering the course, as it is here, and this was the best fit for me really, I’m excited. I’m a mum of four, so I knew I needed something online but also I wanted that personal connections and accountability to someone rather than an online-only course. I felt like the blended option gave me that University feel, while still being able to complete the course online, bit of both."
Martin Lipton
Deputy Head Teacher
Phorms Campus Berlin Süd
"From looking online at the different courses, Manchester offered me the best opportunity to work alongside top researchers in their field who were able to give me insight into educational leadership, because obviously I’m looking to move into a position where I am leading or a leading figure in the education, particularly within the bilingual or international context."
Melody Grace
English, Drama, PSHE and Re Teacher and Exams Officer
"One of the reasons I chose Manchester was because the course is focused on being kind of on the leadership not just education in general and being able to do it as blended learning course from a distance living in Suffolk is ideal being a full-time teacher."
Registration No. 253164. It is a matter of discretion for individual employers to recognise any qualification to which this course may lead.
Standard Entry Requirement
2:1 Bachelor's degree with honours (or the overseas equivalent),
Applicants should be working in an educational-related role with a teaching training qualification or 1 year's teaching or relevant professional experience in a public or private educational organisation
Non-Standard Entry Requirements
Applicants who do not meet the standard criteria may still be considered under the following conditions:
1) 2:2 Bachelor's degree (or the overseas equivalent), with
- Current employment in an education-related role;
- Three years of teaching or relevant professional experience in a public or private educational organisation
2) Other recognised postgraduate qualifications (e.g. Master's, PGCert), with:
- Current employment in an education-related role;
- at least three years of teaching or relevant professional experience in a public or private educational organisation and strong evidence of career progression.
3) No degree, but with:
- Current employment in an education-related role;
- A minimum of 8 years of relevant teaching or professional experience at a managerial level in a public or private educational organisation.
English language requirements
Applicants who are not native speakers or do not hold a degree from an English-speaking country, will need to meet one of the following requirements or pass an online Pearson English Test arranged by the university after their application:
IELTS profile of 6.5 overall with no less that 6.0 in all components.
or
TOEFL internet-based score of 90 or more overall, with no other section below 20.
Or
Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE) or Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) overall score of 176 or above, with no sub-section below 169
Or
Grade C if taken before January 2015 (the Cambridge First Certificate in English is not acceptable).
Or
Pearson test of English score of 59 or more overall, with no other subsection below 51
Or
HKDSE score of 4 overall with no less than 4 in all components
Or
HKCEE score of B overall with no less than B in all components
English language test validity
Some English Language test results are only valid for two years. Your English Language test report must be valid on the start date of the course.
Application Process:
- Click here to submit an online application and upload supporting documents:
- Attend the University's online English Language Test (if applicable)
• CV
• Digital copies of degree certificates and transcripts
• Evidence of English language proficiency (if applicable)
• Statement of purpose (300-500 words)
Tuition Fee and Scholarships (September 2026 Intake)
Regular Tuition Fee: £17,800 (MA)
Scholarship and Discount:
- Payable in 4 equal instalment payments before the start of each semester
- Early Bird Offer: 15%. Apply on or before 30 June 2026 to receive 15% reduction on your tuition fee.
- Alumni Loyalty Bursary: 15%
- Scholarship available: Please contact us for details
One-discount policy: If you qualify for more than one discount or scholarship, you will be awarded the one that is the highest amount.
For details, please check with our admissions team.
Extended Non-Means Tested Loan (ENLS) for Hong Kong resident
If you are a Hong Kong permanent resident, you may be eligible for a Extended Non-Means Tested Loan provided by the Government Student Financial Assistance Agency. The maximum loan is capped at the tuition fee payable, and the loan repayment period can extend to 15 years after programme completion (for details, please call 21506223).
*Name of Institution: University of Manchester / Course Code: B11060003
Tax deduction expenses of self-education (SEE) in Hong Kong
Tuition fees of The University of Manchester - MA Educational Leadership in Practice is deductible under salaries tax. The link below will take you to further information about what you can claim for and when you should make a claim. More on deductions for expenses of self-education.
Registration No. 253164. It is a matter of discretion for individual employers to recognise any qualification to which this course may lead.
