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“At the University of Bolton, we take great pride in providing a quality, supportive learning environment for our students.” Professor George E Holmes DL | President & Vice Chancellor
“...tutors are very supportive and you’re not just a student ID number, at this university you are an individual with a name.” Ellisse Vernon | BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing
Suitable for experienced teachers, lecturers and other education professionals, this master’s programme is ideal if you aspire to take the lead in the education sector. Offering training in essential leadership skills, this course is designed to help you take your career to the next level.
Key information
Award:
MA
Mode of Study:
Full-time
Duration:
18 months
Location:
University of Bolton
Start date:
25/09/2023
Course Details
Education is a highly complex and increasingly competitive sector. Schools, colleges, universities and other training organisations are under constant pressure to achieve greater successes with fewer resources. The need for inspiring, effective and knowledgeable leaders is greater than ever and a multitude of opportunities are available to appropriately qualified individuals.
Aimed at existing education professionals, this course offers in-depth knowledge and understanding of the principles and theories that underpin educational leadership, as well as an enhanced and critical awareness of current issues facing educational leaders.
We offer a supportive environment in which you can explore the role of leaders and leadership in educational settings, including understanding and interpreting educational data, how to present data to a team and how to work collaboratively with education stakeholders. We’ll encourage you to reflect on your own professional practice and guide you in your journey towards becoming a perceptive, responsive and decisive educational leader.
Highlights
Our students are drawn from a wide variety of backgrounds – sharing the individual and unique educational insights and perspectives of your peers help to enrich your learning experience.
We promote research and critical enquiry helping you learn to make sound, evidence-based independent judgements.
You’ll have the chance to develop enhanced key skills in line with your personal and professional development needs; for instance, autonomy, and professional accountability in relation to educational leadership and in leading learning communities.
We’ll support you as you learn to critically reflect on and evaluate your own leadership skills, and develop innovative solutions for improvement considering national and local contextual influences.
Intensive use of learning technologies and multimedia resources, such as virtual learning environments and eLearning tools, enhance your ICT skills and raise your awareness of resources from across the educational spectrum.
Key Features
Our team of highly experienced, enthusiastic and dedicated experts offer face-to-face and blended sessions as well as one-to-one support.
We embed the concepts and practice of inter-professional working throughout the programme.
Our academic team is actively involved in educational research, helping you to explore issues from a robust research-informed knowledge base.
We’ll support you to develop critical thinking and research evaluation skills and apply these during your independent master’s-level project.
Our well-stocked library offers a comprehensive selection of relevant texts and access to an extensive online database of multimedia sources including eJournals, podcasts, vodcasts and eBooks.
By choosing to study with us, you'll have the chance to enjoy Bolton's many shops, bars, restaurants and leisure facilities. Manchester, one of the UK's most multicultural and lively cities, is less than 20 minutes away by train. Not forgetting, the North West of England is renowned for its beautiful countryside, coastline and heritage. This makes Bolton an ideal base from which to explore some of the best cultural and outdoor activities the UK offers.
Normally, you’ll have at least an Upper Second Class (2.1) Honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject, and appropriate work experience.
An initial qualification in teaching, if this is not formally part of your first degree, is desirable and experience in the education sector is strongly advised because you’ll need to critically reflect on your experience and relate theory to practice.
Your application form must be accompanied by a 250-word reflective statement. Your statement should include information about your professional teaching experience and the area(s) you wish to research during your master's-level project.
Two references highlighting your potential to produce master’s level (level 7) academic work will be required. In particular, we need information about your professional teaching experience, so please encourage your referees to provide this information if they are able to.
We may wish to interview you as part of the application process. This may be on an open day, over the telephone or via video conferencing.
The dissertation module, EDM7070, offers course members the opportunity to undertake an in-depth investigation of an educational topic or issue that is of particular interest and relevance to their professional work and development. It is crucial that you have access to a person, or persons, who will act as participants for the research.
We'll also consider applications where appropriate work experience can be demonstrated in lieu of, or in addition to, the published academic qualifications in line with the University’s Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL) procedures.
If English isn’t your first language, you’ll also need IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any band (or equivalent). We also accept a range of other English language qualifications – please visit our English Language Requirements web page for more details.
Where changes are made to material information contained in this course description or a decision is taken to suspend a course between the offer of admissions and enrolment, we will inform applicants at the earliest possible opportunity and will outline the various options available to the applicant.
This programme addresses the professional development needs of experienced practitioners in education and public sector roles. This MA is designed to develop your abilities as an educational leader.
By the end of the course, we anticipate that you’ll have developed reflective and critical capabilities, alongside the necessary knowledge and skills to respond to a variety of educational leadership challenges within your organisation. As a graduate of a master’s degree from the University of Bolton you’ll also possess a number of career-enhancing skills such as interpersonal skills, research skills, oral and written skills, and the ability to work independently.
What can I do with this qualification?
This MA programme aims to prepare you for leadership roles in education institutions worldwide, including schools, colleges, universities, early years settings and pupil referral units. As a graduate of the course, you’ll be prepared for additional responsibilities at a more senior level.
Alternative career options
Graduates can also use the qualification as a stepping-stone to enter a range of other careers, and for some of these roles, both relevant experience and/or postgraduate study may be required. Some of these careers include:
Educational charity work
Educational policy
Quality and inspection
Training
Lecturing
Social Work
Educational consultancy
Local government
Course fees
Home students starting this course in the first year will be required to pay a Home fee of £5,280 for the academic year 2023/24.
Overseas students starting this course in the first year will be required to pay a Overseas fee of £13,550 for the academic year 2023/24.
Useful information
Please note the total course fee for a Home student starting this course in 2022/23 will be £7,020. As this is an 18-month course, the fees are £4,680 for the first year and £2,340 for the final semester.
Important note regarding tuition fees for the 2022-2023 academic year:
EU nationals who meet residency requirements (have settled or pre-settled status) may be eligible for 'Home' fee status.
If you do not meet these residency requirements, overseas fees will apply. Irish citizens living in the UK or Ireland will be eligible for 'Home' fee status under the Common Travel Area arrangement.
Please read the student finance for EU students web page on www.gov.uk for information.
The fees for a student's course of study will be set for the
normal duration of that course subject only to inflationary increases – measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) recorded in
March each year to take effect for subsequent start dates.
For details of how to apply for this course, please choose your status from the options below:
You may apply directly to the University using the University's online application form. Please select your chosen
start date from the list below:
You should have to hand:
Details of the educational establishments you attended and dates
Your certificates for the qualifications you are using to gain entry to the course –
you will need to enter the completion date and upload copies
Details of any employment history including name, address, dates and role
Personal statement – this can be either input into the relevant field or uploaded separately
Details including e-mail addresses of two referees, at least one of which should be
someone who can provide an academic reference
Please make sure any documents you wish to upload in support of your application are in pdf or jpeg format.
Personal statements may be word documents.
Please ensure your data is correct at each stage of the application before you proceed to the next page.
If you use the back button at any time during the application, you should check the validity of the data
you have already input.
If you experience difficulties during the application process, contact the Admissions Team on 01204 903394
or admissions@bolton.ac.uk
In order to determine your suitability for this course as an international student and also to confirm you meet any initial eligibility criteria, we need you to answer a few short questions.
Have you completed an English Language qualification prior to application or have a valid exemption as per the list below?
(The qualification/exemption must be uploaded with this application)
E.g. Applicants from Nigeria/Africa must upload their WAEC or NECO certificate before the application is
submitted for a prompt response and offer.
Acceptable English Language Tests – Undergraduate and Postgraduate
These tests must have been taken within 2 years of the start of the course
Test
Entry Requirements
IELTS Academic (taken within 2 years)
Undergraduate programmes 6.0 with no band below 5.5 Postgraduate programmes as per entry requirements
IELTS Indicator
Undergraduate programmes 6.0 with no band below 5.5 Postgraduate programmes as per entry requirements
PTE
Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0
Overall score of 50 with no less than 42 in each component
Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5
Overall score of 58 with no less than 50 in each component
Postgraduate requiring IELTS 7.0
Overall score of 65 with no less than 58 in each component
TOEFL iBT Including Special Home Edition
Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0
Overall score of 80 with the following component scores:
Reading – 18
Writing – 17
Listening – 17
Speaking - 20
Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5
Overall Score of 88 with the following component scores:
Reading – 20
Writing – 19
Listening – 19
Speaking 21
Postgraduate requiring IELTS 7.0
Overall Score of 100 with the following component scores:
Reading – 23
Writing – 24
Listening – 22
Speaking 22
Pearson Versant
Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0
Overall score of 55
Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5
Overall score of 60
Postgraduate requiring IELTS 7.0
Overall score of 65
Trinity College (Integrated Skills)
Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0
ISE II –Distinction in each component
Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5
ISE III – Pass in each component
Postgraduate requiring IELTS 7.0
ISE III – Merit in each component
Other qualifications we currently accept (which do not require an additional SELT)
GCSE in English Language (from a UK awarding body)
Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0
Grade C
Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5
Grade B
Irish Leaving Certificate Ordinary Level English
Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0
Grade C/C3 (20 points)
IGCSE English as a First language
(for syllabus 0500 Listening and Speaking must be separately endorsed on the certificate)
Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0
Grade C
Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5
Grade B
IGCSE English as a Second language
(for syllabus 0510 Speaking must be separately endorsed on the certificate)
Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0
Grade C
Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5
Grade B
Cambridge Advanced English
Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0
170 points with no component below 160
Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5
180 points with no component below 170
Postgraduate requiring IELTS 7.0
185 points with no component below 180
International Baccalaureate (IB)
Standard or Higher Level English Language (Syllabus A)
Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0
Grade 4
Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5
Grade 5
International Baccalaureate (IB)
Standard or Higher Level English Language (Syllabus B)
Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0
Grade 5
Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5
Grade 6
European Baccalaureate English Language
Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0
Grade 70%
Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5
Grade 80%
Acceptable European qualifications
English component must be obtained within the last 4 years
Country
Qualification
Austria
Reifeprufungszeugnis/Maturazeugnis at 2.0
Belgium
Diplome d'acces a l'enseignment superieur/Diplome van Hoger Secundair Onderwijs at 75%
Bulgaria
Diploma Za Sredno Obrazovanie at Grade 3
Croatia
Svjedodzba o Maturi at grade 4.0
Cyprus
Apolyterion at 15
Czech Republic
Maturitni Zkou'ce/Maturita at grade 2.0
Denmark
Studentereksamen/HF/HHX/HTX/IBB /Diplomingenior at grade 9
Estonia
Riigieksamitunnistus or Gümnaasiumilõputunnistus at 70%
Finland
Ylioppilastutkintotodistus or Studentexamensbetyg at grade 5
France
Baccalauréat (le bac) or the Option Internationale du Baccalauréat at grade 12.5
Germany
Zeugnis der Allgemeinen Hochschulreife or Abitur or a Fachgebundene Hochschulreife at grade 2 / gut
Greece
Apolyterion at grade 15
Hungary
Erettsegi at grade 4
Italy
Diploma di Esame di Stato at grade 8/80%
Latvia
Atestats Par Visparejo Videjo Izglitib at grade 8
Lithuania
Brandos Atestatas at grade 8
Malta
Matriculation Certificate at grade C
Moldova
Diploma de Bacalaureat or Atestat de Studii Medii de Cultura Generala at grade 9
Netherlands
Diploma Middelbaar Beroepsonderwijs (MBO) or Diploma Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs (VWO) at grade 8
Norway
Vitnemal-Videregaende Opplaering at grade 4
Poland
Swiadectwo Dojrzalosci / Matura at grade 70%
Portugal
Diploma de Ensino Secundario at grade 14
Romania
Diploma de Bacalaureat (English with all components at B2)
Slovakia
Vysvedcenie O Maturitnej at grade 2
Slovenia
Maturitetno Spricevalo at grade 4
Spain
Titulo de Bachillerato at grade 8
Sweden
Fullstandigt Slutbetyg Fran Gymnasiesk at grade C
Switzerland
Maturitatszeugnis or Maturite Federal at grade 5
Ukraine
Aтестат про повну загальну середню освіту at grade 10
Acceptable International Regional qualifications
Must be obtained no more than 4 years before the proposed start date of the course
Country
Qualification
Grade
Bahamas
General Certificate of Secondary Education
Grade C in English
Botswana
General Certificate of Education Ordinary Level
Grade C/4 in English
Brunei
Cambridge O Level
Grade C6 in English
Cameroon
GCE O level
Grade C in English
Hong Kong
HKCEE
Grade C in English (Syllabus B)
Hong Kong
HKDSE
Grade 4 in English
Kenya
Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education
Grade C in English
Malaysia
Malaysian 1119
Grade 6C in English - IELTS 6.0
Singapore
Singapore Cambridge O Level
Grade C6 in English
South Africa
South Africa National Senior Certificate
Grade 5 in English
Tanzania
Certificate of Secondary Education
Grade C in English
Uganda
Certificate of Education
Grade 6
Zambia
Zambia School Certificate
Grade 6 in English
Zimbabwe
General Certificate of Education Ordinary Level
Grade C in English
Caribbean Examination Council
General proficiency Grade III in English
Nigeria/Ghana
WAEC/NECO
Grade C6 in English
I confirm I hold one of the above English Language Qualifications/Exemptions before making an application. I will upload the evidence with this application.
Unfortunately we would be unable to sponsor under the Student Route Visa. If you do not require a visa to study in the UK please email us for further advice: intadmissions@bolton.ac.uk
Have you read and understood the course entry requirements and confirm that you fully meet the requirements?
(Please click on Entry Requirements tab above to ensure you comply with all the requirements for this course)
I understand that the university reserves the right to withdraw their offer at any stage once the quota for the course has been filled.
I understand that I will be required to pay specific fees before CAS issuance is considered by the university.
I must declare any agent or consultant at the start of my application and they must be on the list of approved agents.
(We also have Branch Offices in Africa,
South Asia, Middle East and
Central Asia who fully manage
applications in their respective regions.)
I am able to complete the course in the normal duration.
I am able to arrive on time for the published start date.
I confirm that I will be 18 years old or more on the start date of the course.
I understand that the following documents will be uploaded as part my application:
(a) Passport with at least 6 months validity before start of course.
(b) Personal statement (written by myself).
(c) CV if applicable.
(d) Previous qualifications.
(e) English language certificate or proof of exemption.
(f) Professional references if applicable.
(g) Bank Statements and TB Certificate if applicable at the CAS issuance stage.
I have read and understood all questions and answered them correctly and truthfully to the best of my ability and knowledge.
The University welcomes applications from international students from all over the world.
We try to make the application process as simple and as fast as possible for our international applicants.
How you apply is determined by your current location and what you are choosing to study:
Apply direct to the University. Links for the next available intakes of this course are shown below.
Please click the link which will direct you to the online application form. Please read the user
guidance before completing this.
Apply via one of our approved in-country referral partners. A list of our partners may be found on the
International pages of this website.
Apply via UCAS for courses starting in September only – visit
www.ucas.com.
Should you have any queries please contact the International Team on +44 (0) 1204 903110 or email
international@bolton.ac.uk
This course is designed to help you develop and build on your current knowledge and experience as an education practitioner and a leader. Experience and practice underpinned by informed research are valued and drawn upon throughout.
We’ll use a wide variety of teaching and learning strategies on this course. These may include lectures, presentations, seminars, workshops, collaborative discussion and group work, debates and tutorials. You can also expect a range of assessment methods, such as essays, reports, presentations, portfolios and course work. Your learning journey will be supported by the intensive use of technology and multimedia resources.
Personal and independent study is essential and you should expect to devote a significant amount of time to the course.
Modules
The modules listed below may be a mixture of compulsory and optional. You may not have the opportunity to study all the modules shown as part of the course.
Policy and Curriculum Development
Leading Learning Communities
Advanced Mentoring
Advanced Coaching
Critical Enquiry and Reflection
Dissertation
Assessment methods
Level
Assesment method
Level one
Coursework 100%
Learning activities
Level
Learning activity
Level one
Guided independent study 84%, Scheduled learning and teaching activities 16%
Disclaimer
The university will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver your course as described in its published material and the programme specification for the academic year in which you begin your course. The university considers changes to courses very carefully and the university will minimise any changes. Please be aware that our courses are subject to review on an ongoing basis and changes may be necessary due to legitimate staffing, financial, regulatory and academic reasons. The content of course modules and mode of associated assessments may be updated on an annual basis. This is to ensure that all modules are up-to-date and responsive to employment and sector needs. The published course material and the programme specification contain indicative ‘optional modules’ that may be subject to change due to circumstances outside of our control. For this reason, we cannot guarantee to run any specific optional module.
