Find your perfect leadership programs abroad
Find leadership programs you love that match your needs and aspirations, where you stand a high chance of acceptance.
Leadership degrees abroad
Leadership is a broad field of study that analyzes how leaders operate in a range of social and cultural contexts. It looks at topics including power, ethics and mobilization.
As a leadership student, you’ll develop a detailed understanding of leadership as both a behavior and a relationship. You’ll examine theories and models of leadership, applying them to a variety of organizational settings.
Studying abroad will help to uncover your leadership potential. By immersing yourself in a new country and culture, you’ll hone your skills in adaptability and resourcefulness. You’ll also gain a global perspective by observing how the dynamics and responsibilities of leadership vary between different groups and locations.
Leadership program structure
Leadership is an academic field that is quickly growing in interest and popularity. It can be studied as a certificate program, BA, BSc, MA or PhD.
Undergraduate programs typically last between three and four years, whereas a master’s would take between one and two years to complete. You can also study leadership as a PhD which usually takes between four and seven years to finish.
In the US, you can select leadership as a major or minor component of your bachelor’s degree. You’ll allocate a certain number of credits to your leadership studies alongside completing your general education.
Leadership is a far-reaching discipline, so the exact content and structure of programs will vary depending on your university. You’ll usually be taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops, tutorials and independent study.
You’ll likely be assessed mainly through written coursework and practical delivery, but exams and presentations may also feature.
Here’s a list of core modules which appear in most leadership programs around the world:
- Approaches to leadership
- Leadership and development theories
- Leadership issues and dilemmas
- Attributes of productive leaders
- Making strategic decisions
- Conflict management
- Promoting organizational change
- Organizational systems and group dynamics

Best countries to study leadership
Leadership study abroad programs
What are the top leadership undergraduate programs abroad?
Arizona State University (in partnership with Kaplan International)Entrepreneurial Leadership (West Valley Campus) - BA
- 4 years
- Full-time
- On campus
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Subject area
- Leadership
- Location
- Phoenix, USA
- Next available start date
- August 2025 +2 more
- Annual tuition fee
- 35,430USD
- Admission requirements
- Am I eligible?
Auburn University at MontgomeryInterdisciplinary Studies: Leadership and Professional Studies - BSIS
- 4 years
- Full-time
- On campus
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Subject area
- Leadership, Professional Studies, General Studies
- Location
- Montgomery, USA
- Next available start date
- June 2025 +3 more
- Annual tuition fee
- 29,703USD
- Admission requirements
- Am I eligible?
Bellevue CollegeHealthcare Management & Leadership: Healthcare Management - BAS
- 2 years
- Full-time
- On campus
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Subject area
- Leadership, Healthcare Management
- Location
- Bellevue, USA
- Next available start date
- July 2025 +4 more
- Annual tuition fee
- 21,075USD
- Admission requirements
- Am I eligible?
California State University, Long BeachKinesiology: Sport Psychology and Leadership - BSc
- 4 years
- Full-time
- On campus
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Subject area
- Leadership, Kinesiology
- Location
- Long Beach , USA
- Next available start date
- August 2025 +2 more
- Annual tuition fee
- 18,400USD
- Admission requirements
- Am I eligible?
Centennial CollegeBusiness Administration: Leadership and Management (Optional Co-op) - OCADip
- 3 years
- Full-time
- On campus
- Program type
- Undergraduate diploma
- Subject area
- Leadership, Business Management, Business Administration
- Location
- Toronto, Canada
- Next available start date
- September 2025 +2 more
- Annual tuition fee
- 18,373CAD
- Admission requirements
- Am I eligible?
See all undergraduate degrees in leadership abroad
What are the top leadership postgraduate programs abroad?
Alliant International UniversityBusiness Administration: Management and Leadership - MBA
- 16 months
- Full-time
- On campus
- Program type
- Master's
- Subject area
- Leadership, Business Management, Business Administration
- Location
- San Diego, USA
- Next available start date
- July 2025 +6 more
- Annual tuition fee
- 28,872USD
- Admission requirements
- Am I eligible?
American Institute of Applied Sciences in SwitzerlandInternational Business Administration: Leadership & Change - MIBA
- 2 years
- Full-time
- On campus
- Program type
- Master's
- Subject area
- Leadership, Business Administration
- Location
- La Tour-de-Peilz, Switzerland
- Next available start date
- September 2025 +2 more
- Annual tuition fee
- 22,000CHF
- Admission requirements
- Am I eligible?
American UniversityPublic Policy: Nonprofit Policy, Management, & Leadership - MA
- 2 years
- Full-time
- On campus
- Program type
- Master's
- Subject area
- Leadership, Nonprofit Studies, Business Management, Public Policy
- Location
- Washington DC, USA
- Next available start date
- September 2025 +1 more
- Annual tuition fee
- 36,000USD
- Admission requirements
- Am I eligible?
Arizona State University (in partnership with Kaplan International)Classical Liberal Education and Leadership (Tempe Campus) - MA
- 2 years
- Full-time
- On campus
- Program type
- Master's
- Subject area
- Leadership
- Location
- Phoenix, USA
- Next available start date
- August 2025 +2 more
- Annual tuition fee
- 38,526USD
- Admission requirements
- Am I eligible?
Bath Spa UniversityEducation: Leadership and Management - MA
- 1 year
- Full-time
- On campus
- Program type
- Master's
- Subject area
- Leadership, Education, Business Management
- Location
- Bath, UK
- Next available start date
- September 2025 +1 more
- Annual tuition fee
- 16,625GBP
- Admission requirements
- Am I eligible?
See all postgraduate degrees in leadership abroad
Future leadership careers
Global employers are always keen to find individuals who can successfully manage and mobilize teams. You’ll be prepared to lead by example in a multitude of roles, including:
- Police or probation officer
- Human resources manager
- Project manager
- Sales manager
- Teacher
- Politician
- Coach
Employers will often ask for evidence of your leadership capabilities besides your degree, such as leading a student society or club. It’s also a good idea to seek out some work experience in a company or team that you can see yourself heading up one day. Most universities will have a careers service to help you secure these opportunities.
