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The Applied Educational Leadership MA is designed for middle or established leaders and managers in schools, colleges, or other educational institutions. It will enable students to develop themselves and their educational systems, and to reflect on the quality of the learning and teaching they manage.
Covid-19 programme updates
Due to COVID-19, there may have been updates to this programme for the 2020 academic year. Where there has been an update, these are indicated with a red alert and a link which will provide further information.
Key information
Programme starts
January 2020, September 2020
Modes and duration
The course is designed to be completed in 3 years, but its modular format allows for flexible deferral up to the 5 year limit - and beyond if necessary.
Application dates
Tuition fees (2020/21)
Note on fees:
The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website. The fee for this programme is set by, and payable to, the University of London. Further details can be found on the University of London International Programmes website.
The MA AEL is administered and accredited by University of London, and taught by the UCL Institute of Education.
Entry requirements
A minimum of a second-class Bachelor's degree from a UK university, or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard, in any subject, and at least two years' relevant work experience. Word processing, Internet and email skills are all basic requirements of this programme. You must have regular access to a computer (or mobile device*) with an internet connection to use the University of London International Programmes website and the Student Portal. These are where your programme's study resources are located. (*Full mobile access is not available for all programmes).
English language requirements
If your education has not been conducted in the English language, you will be expected to demonstrate evidence of an adequate level of English proficiency.
The English language level for this programme is: Good
Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.
International students
Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.
Visa information
International students may take this programme at home via distance learning without requiring a visa. This programme is not suitable for students on a Tier 4 visa.
International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below.
Select your country:
About this degree
As an applied programme, this MA will improve a student's understanding of educational leadership theory, enable them to apply it to their own working environment, and to undertake research in their settings. It will foster students' continuing professional development, allowing them to consider issues related to the policy context of education. It will also give them the chance to think through, apply and evaluate strategies for leading change.
Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.
The programme consists of two core modules (60 credits), two optional modules (60 credits), and a dissertation (60 credits).
A Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits) consisting of two core modules (60 credits) and two optional modules (60 credits) is also offered.
A Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits) consisting of two core modules is also offered.
Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded a MA in Applied Educational Leadership. Upon successful completion of 120 credits, you will be awarded a PG Dip in Applied Educational Leadership. Upon successful completion of 60 credits, you will be awarded a PG Cert in Applied Educational Leadership.
Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability is subject to change.
Compulsory modules
- Leading and Managing Educational Change and Improvement (AELM)
- Leadership for the Learning Community (AELM)
Optional modules
Students choose two of the following:
- Developing Personal Leadership Skills (AELM)
- Exploring Educational and Social Policy (AELM)
- Finance and Resource Management (AELM)
- Values, Vision and Moral Purpose (AELM)
Visit the University of London Worldwide website for more information, including module descriptions, which can be seen by clicking on the module title.
Dissertation/report
All students submit a dissertation of 15,000 words.
Teaching and learning
This programme is delivered via online learning, allowing you to study flexibly whilst balancing work and personal commitments.
The learning strategy for this programme is collaborative in that students share their skills and experience with others. Students 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 readings are provided.
Study time is estimated at about 10-15 hours a week.
The AEL MA programme is built around personal study, directed through module handbooks and VLE activities. These include participation in online dialogues with peers and tutors. There is no face-to-face study, and students are never required to be online at a particular time. Tutors give extensive feedback on draft assignments, as well as comments on online participation. During the dissertation year students are supported by both the module tutor, who supports generic research and study skills, and a supervisor, who helps them develop and write up a research project.
Additional costs
There is an additional registration cost for taking the compulsory examinations at the end of taught modules. There are hundreds of registered centres worldwide. Further details are available on the programme website.
Accessibility
Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support & Wellbeing team.
Funding
Scholarships and bursaries for this programme are offered and administered by the University of London Worldwide. They are few in number and internationally competitive. More details are available on the AEL website.
If you aim to apply for funding, please apply for your course as soon as possible to give yourself time to pursue it.
Scholarships relevant to this department are displayed below.
IOE-Clarke Scholarships
- Note:
- Deadline Monday 25 May 2020 (5pm London time).
- Value:
- Tuition fees, stipend, flights (1 year)
- Eligibility:
- Overseas
- Criteria:
- Based on both academic merit and financial need
IOE-ISH Centenary Masters Scholarships
- Note:
- Deadline: Monday 18 May 2020 (5pm London time).
- Value:
- Full tuition fees and accommodation (1 year)
- Eligibility:
- Overseas
- Criteria:
- Based on both academic merit and financial need
For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.
Careers
Graduates of this programme are currently working across a broad range of areas. Some are working as senior and middle leaders in education institutions worldwide, while others have jobs as government ministers and advisers. Graduates can also be found working as local government leaders and consultants. Many AEL students gain promotion during their course of study.
Employability
The applied nature of the course course prepares and supports students for transition into more senior leadership roles in education; for those in senior positions, it helps to develop their leadership of their institutions. The excellent reputations of UCL Institute of Education and University of London Worldwide support this.
Why study this degree at UCL?
The Department of Learning and Leadership's excellent reputation stems from the quality, depth and breadth of its research and development work, and from its promotion of educational leadership both nationally and internationally.
The department is at the forefront of developing research, new knowledge and publications for and about leadership and learning. This informs the content of the AEL course.
AEL has an outstanding team of tutors with long experience as educational leaders and researchers in the field.
Accreditation:
The MA AEL is administered and accredited by University of London, and taught by the UCL Institute of Education.
Department: Learning & Leadership
Application and next steps
Applications
Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.
There is no application fee for this programme.
Who can apply?
This programme is suitable for educational professionals who may be based in the UK or anywhere in the world and who are likely to be educational leaders or managers in a variety of settings.
Application deadlines
- January 2020 entry
- 1 November 2019
- September 2020 entry
- 1 March 2020
- September 2020 entry
- 19 July 2020
AEL has two starting points per year, in September and January. Application deadlines are in March and July for the September start, and in November for the January start.
For more information see our Applications page.
Apply nowWhat are we looking for?
When we assess your application we would like to learn:
- why you want to study Applied Educational Leadership at graduate level
- why you want to study Applied Educational Leadership at UCL
- what particularly attracts you to the chosen programme
- how your academic and professional background meets the demands of this challenging programme
- where you would like to go professionally with your degree
Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate whether your reasons for applying to this programme match what the programme will deliver.
A high level of English language proficiency is required. For those who have not studied at Degree Level in the English language, an IELTS overall score of 7.0 or higher, with no less than 7.0 in reading and writing, will be required.
UCL and the University of London are regulated by the Office for Students.
Page last modified on 13 August 2020