Is this course for me?
You may be based in the UK or anywhere in the world and are likely to be, or aspire to be:
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a leader or manager in a school or college
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an educational consultant
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working in an educational planning, development or inspection role for a national or regional organisation.
This course is available via distance learning, allowing you to study flexibly whilst balancing work and personal commitments.
Course summary
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You study |
Study period |
Cost (2012-2013) |
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MA |
4 modules + dissertation |
3-5 years |
£9,495 |
|
Diploma |
4 modules |
2-5 years |
£7,385 |
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Certificate |
2 modules |
1-5 years |
£4,165 |
|
Individual modules |
All core and optional modules are offered as credit-bearing Individual modules. This is an ideal option if you're keen to update your professional knowledge, enhance your career or sample the programme. The Individual module fee is £1,875 in 2012-2013. |
Course aims
The course will:
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equip you with the knowledge to improve your understanding of educational management and leadership
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enable you to apply theory and research in your job
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foster your continuing professional development through reflection on practice
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allow you to consider issues related to the policy context of education
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give you the chance to contribute towards improvement of educational systems and institutions and to reflect on the quality of learning and teaching.
Your time commitment
We estimate that you will need to study for about 10-15 hours a week.
Prestige
The course has been developed by the Institute of Education, the largest institution in the UK devoted to the study of education and related areas. Founded in 1902, the Institute is a world-class centre of excellence for teacher training, higher degrees, research and consultancy in education and related areas of professional practice and the social sciences. The Institute hosts over 100 research and consultancy projects at any one time.
Comprehensive study materials and support
The learning strategy for this course is collaborative in that you share your skills and experience with other students. You are supported by an online learning environment which incorporates focused conferencing and work spaces linked to specific activities for each module. There are also informal discussion areas and links to online resources including library support. Study materials and course readings are provided.
Summary of key dates
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Application deadline |
30 June |
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Online induction module starts |
September |
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Registration deadline |
31 August |
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Programme starts |
September |
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Examinations take place |
May/June |
MA: 4 modules (2 core, 2 optional) plus a dissertation Postgraduate Diploma: 4 modules (2 core, 2 optional)
Postgraduate Certificate: 2 core modules Any of the modules can be studied individually as a Short course for continuing professional development.
Core modules
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Leading and managing educational change and improvement
This module introduces some of the basic theories relating to leadership and management in educational settings and considers how they might work in a range of situations and national cultures. Students are made aware that most theories of leadership and management are ‘Western’ in nature and are encouraged to consider their applicability to their own cultural context.
The individual organisation is looked at from the point of view of its structures, its own institutional culture and the way power is distributed. The implications of the changing division and allocation of power between national and regional government and the individual educational institution are considered. The key themes of institutional effectiveness and educational improvement and change are introduced in this module along with the related concept of evaluation.
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Leadership for the learning community
This module starts by considering the question: what do we mean by learning? It then goes on to consider the implications for leaders and managers if they are to promote effective learning and the role of the wider community in supporting and enabling learning. The role of the staff within a school, college or educational system is key to success, and this module considers two ways in which human resource management links to learning and the implications of this for leaders and managers. The importance of continuing professional development for staff and the support and growth of learning communities is stressed. Finally, the module considers the importance of practitioners both using available research evidence and data from outside and from inside the institution and system.
Optional modules
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Finance and resource management
Make your institution more efficient, effective and equitable. Improve your understanding of fi nancial management and the financial systems within which you operate. Develop skills of costing, budgeting and planning.
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Developing personal leadership skills
This module builds on the theories presented in the core modules to develop leadership skills that will benefit your organisation. Improve your skills and insights as a leader and manager of people utilising a range of case studies. Understand team building, decision-making and conflict resolution. Gain personal skills such as time and stress management and action planning.
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Exploring educational policy
For the first time the Institute of Education’s world-class expertise in education policy is being presented through distance learning. Identify how your institution is affected by national and international policy and change, including initiatives of access, equity and social justice. Understand national and global forces and how they impact on you and your institution.
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Values, vision and moral purpose
Values and ethics are central to educational leadership and management. Moral philosophy is applied to real life situations to help you understand and examine your own values. Work with others to develop a vision and mission for your organisation. Examine strategies for change and improvement of organisational culture. Gain new insights into your role.
Dissertation (MA only)
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Dissertation IOE
You will be supported by your tutor and through online seminars to develop a small research project on a topic of your choice related to educational leadership and management. The dissertation provides the opportunity for an extended piece of writing that will be valuable to you and your institution and will also provide excellent experience if you wish to continue your studies at doctoral level.
Please note that modules are offered in September and January as follows:
September modules:
YEAR 1: Leading and managing educational change and improvement (Core module 1) YEAR 2: Finance and resource management OR Developing personal leadership skills.
January modules:
YEAR 1: Leadership for the learning community (Core module 2) YEAR 2: Exploring education policy OR Values, vision and moral purpose
How you study
The programme is supported by a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) which incorporates:
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focused conferencing and work spaces linked to specific activities for each module
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informal discussion areas
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online learner support
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links to online resources including library support.
When you register, we will send you an individual study pack containing hard copy materials, specially written for the course by a team of academic experts in the field of educational management and leadership. You will be given additional hard copy readings, specially selected to complement and extend the dedicated written material.
The teaching and learning strategy for the programme stresses the importance of working with colleagues in the VLE to develop your understanding of the areas of study. Comparing experience with colleagues in a range of locations and cultures will allow you insights into professional practice.
In your work you will be supported by tutors who will mediate the online conferences and who will also provide advice and responses to individual queries. Working within a VLE will provide you with a unique opportunity of acquiring a range of skills associated with online learning including group working skills and technical skills.
What our students say
" It's important to me that we can communicate with the tutors. They are always willing to provide help. Their support gives you a lot of courage."
Demetra Ioannou current student, Cyprus
Fees
Fees are subject to annual review. When you register you can either pay the total amount upfront or pay as you go (a one-off registration fee plus a fee for each module).
| 2012-2013 | |
|---|
| Registration fee | £ 945 | |
| Fee per module | £ 1610 | |
| Fee for dissertation (MA only) | £ 2110 | |
| Individual module (combined fee) | £ 1875 | |
| Total Postgraduate Certificate | £ 4165 | |
| Total Postgraduate Diploma | £ 7385 | |
| Total MA | £ 9495 | |
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Note
The University reserves the right to amend previously announced fees, if necessary.
All fees must be paid in pounds sterling, which may be paid either by credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, Electron or JCB) or by banker's draft, cheque or UK postal order, made payable to 'The University of London' and crossed 'a/c payee'.
Other costs
Besides the fees payable to the University, you should also budget for the fee levied by your local examination centre to cover their costs.
Assessment
Each individual module (except for the dissertation) will be examined by a combination of a three-hour unseen written paper and coursework. The dissertation will be assessed by submission of a 15,000-word research project.
Examinations take place once a year in June. If you fail an examination at the first sitting you will be allowed one further attempt. Examinations are normally held in a student's country of residence. We have examinations centres in over 140 countries worldwide. For further details please see the Assessment and examinations section of our website.
Academic Requirements
A second class honours degree or the equivalent from an institution acceptable to the University of London.
Work experience
At least two years relevant work experience.
Technical skills
Word-processing, Internet and email skills are all basic requirements of this programme. No previous experience of computer conferencing is required as these skills will be developed during the course.
If you do not meet the entrance requirement you may still apply. Each application will be considered on an individual basis.
Informal queries about course entrance requirements before application can be addressed to the course administrator: i.bowditch@ioe.ac.uk
What our students say
" Being a busy professional and a mother, the best part about studying by distance is that I can study from my own home, at my own pace, and from the comfort of my own chair. I can fit the degree into my busy lifestyle."
Jeanda Fung current AELM student, Hong Kong
Language Requirements
For awards at FHEQ level 7, students must provide satisfactory evidence showing that they have passed within the previous three years a test of proficiency in English at the following minimum level:
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IELTS with an overall grade of at least 6.5 with a minimum of 6 in each sub test; or
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TOEFL with a score of 600 of 250 on the computerised test plus a Test of Written English (TWE of at least 4.5); or
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a test of proficiency in English language from the prescribed list published by the University.
Where an applicant does not meet the prescribed English language proficiency requirements but believes that they can demonstrate the requisite proficiency for admission the University may, at its discretion, consider the application.
Note: Some programmes will require greater proficiency in English language; these requirements will be reflected in the relevant programme regulations.
Computer Requirements
Online access and general computer requirements
As one of our students you need to have regular access to a computer and the internet; this may be for accessing the Student Portal, downloading course materials from the Virtual Learning Environment, and accessing resources from the Online Library. You will also need to have access to appropriate software, for example, a PDF reader and suitable hardware capacity on your computer, e.g. for document storage. Additional requirements include that you have JavaScript and cookies enabled to access particular online systems, for example, the Student Portal.
Supported Browsers include:
Internet Explorer 7+
Firefox 5+
Chrome 13+
Screen resolution (recommended)
1024 x 768 or greater
Certain programmes may have their own specific requirements, please refer to the relevant Regulations.
Academic leadership: Institute of Education
A postgraduate College of the University of London, the Institute of Education [external link] is the largest institution in the UK devoted to the study of education and related areas. Founded in 1902, the Institute is a world-class centre of excellence for teacher training, higher degrees, research and consultancy in education and related areas of professional practice and the social sciences.
Academic leaders
Liz Wood, Programme Director
Liz is a Consultant/Senior Lecturer in Education Leadership and Management. She developed and updated the MBA for Bursars at Lincoln University before joining London Centre for Leadership in Learning where she is currently also director of the MBA Education Business Management (International). She was involved in developing the National College’s school business management blended learning programmes which include a strong distance-learning element.
Liz’s main interest and research is focused on school business management and professional development. She has presented at conferences in the UK, US and Jamaica, is a member of the Training and Development Agency’s School Business Management Development Group and was contracted to the TDA as school business management development programme manager.