Study educational leadership abroad

Educational leadership degree programs are designed for education professionals who want to develop their leadership and management skills. It will give you the knowledge you’ll need to respond to a variety of leadership challenges faced in contemporary schools and educational institutions.

As an educational leadership student, you’ll explore ways of leading, and examine the role that a leader plays in the school environment. You’ll learn how to nurture relationships in educational communities, address issues of equity and diversity, and be well prepared for a fulfilling career as an educational leader.

Studying educational leadership abroad means gaining access to some of the best programs and faculties in the world. It could be a great way to start a new career overseas or use the knowledge and skills you’ve learned to improve your job prospects at home.

Educational leadership programs are almost exclusively offered as postgraduate degrees. This is because they are aimed at current teachers and education professionals who are looking to expand their knowledge and tackle leadership roles.

You can take on a master’s in educational leadership as an MA or MEd, depending on where you choose to study. You can also study a postgraduate diploma (PGDip) or certificate (PGCert) programs, which are shorter than a master’s course and usually don’t include a dissertation.

Although not common, doctoral-level programs are also available in many countries. You can often choose between a PhD or an EdD (Doctor of Education) program, with both taking between three and six years, depending on the pace of your study. EdD programs are designed for professional educators, whereas PhDs are to prepare graduates for research or teaching roles.

Most programs will include a number of taught modules that will take place in lectures and seminars. You will also be expected to do a lot of private study, reading, and research, as well as produce a final dissertation.

The modules and subjects you will study tend to vary for each program, by some of the common areas include:

• Leadership and management
• Equality, diversity and inclusion
• Early childhood education
• Education and social justice
• Critical concepts and issues in education
• Dissertation

As an educational leadership student, it’s likely you will already have a successful career as a teacher or educator. A degree in educational leadership will open up a number of opportunities for you to improve your career prospects and pursue roles like:

• Department head
• Senior teacher
• Headteacher
• Deputy headteacher
• School administrator
• Education manager

Use your time at university to improve your employability by taking on internships if available, or joining clubs and societies that allow you to develop your leadership skills.