Course summary

Enhance your leadership potential Do you aspire to lead meaningful change and make a lasting impact in education? The Educational Leadership MA/PGDip/PGCert at the University of Chester is designed to help you confidently take the next step in your career. Whether you’re preparing for a new leadership role or working towards progression in your current position, this course equips you with the insights, skills and critical perspectives you need to lead effectively in today’s increasingly complex educational landscape. You’ll explore contemporary leadership theories and apply them directly to your own professional context, allowing you to reflect on your own leadership practice while engaging with the broader challenges and opportunities facing the education sector. Accredited and career-focused Accredited by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), this course will give you a distinctive edge in your professional development. Upon successful completion of the MA, you’ll gain both an academic qualification and a CMI award in Strategic Leadership, an industry-recognised credential that reflects your leadership and strategic management capabilities. If you’re considering a full MA, you can begin by studying for the PGCert, which is achieved after completing three modules, before progressing onto the PGDip and then the MA. Expert teaching grounded in current practice Your learning will be supported by experienced academics and education professionals with extensive sector expertise and research knowledge. Our teaching team draws on leadership expertise in schools, colleges, and wider educational organisations, as well as current research and policy engagement. This ensures that your learning is firmly rooted in real-world practice. Bridging theory and practice through case studies, field insights and leadership challenges, this course will enable you to gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of education leadership along with the skills to respond with clarity and confidence. Flexible, personalised study that suits you This course offers flexible delivery, designed to accommodate the busy schedules of working professionals. There’s the option to attend full-time in-person at our Exton Park campus for the MA, which is just a stone’s throw away from Chester’s city centre. You can also study the course part-time online for the PGCert, PGDip, and MA. We help to accommodate different learning needs and professional commitments, making it accessible to educators in various settings. Through the Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL), you may be able to transfer relevant prior qualifications, such as National Professional Qualifications (NPQs), to gain credit towards the MA and accelerate your journey. Advance your career and influence change Following successful course completion, many graduates have gone on to secure senior leadership positions, progress into promoted roles, or pursue further academic study. Many use their dissertation findings to inform and influence practice and policy within their organisations, making a direct and lasting impact in their professional communities. Chester’s award-winning Careers and Employability service is also on hand to support with applications, CV writing tips, mock interviews and helpful career guidance. Take the next step If you’re ready to develop your leadership skills and advance your career, visit our Applying for a Postgraduate Course page to begin your application: https://www.chester.ac.uk/study/how-to-apply/postgraduate/