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Study leadership abroad
An in-depth guide to studying leadership as an international student.
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
How to study leadership abroad
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University & program search
Find the right program for you and your career aspirations -
Application guidance
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Leadership study abroad programs
Leadership undergraduate programs
Bachelor's in leadership
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Human Kinetics/Sport Management & Leadership (Co-op) - BHK University of Windsor, Canada
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
27,590 USD
Fee in university's local currency 33,564 CAD
- Start date
- September, January
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Agricultural Education (Grades 6 - 12): Leadership and Communication - BSc Louisiana State University, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
28,700 USD
Fee in university's local currency 28,700 USD
- Start date
- August, May, January
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Applied Arts: Early Childhood Leadership - BA (Hons) Sheridan College, Canada
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
18,172 USD
Fee in university's local currency 22,107 CAD
- Start date
- September
-
Nonprofit Leadership and Management - BSc Arizona State University, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
29,834 USD
Fee in university's local currency 29,834 USD
- Start date
- August, May, January
-
Business Administration: Leadership - BSc Midway University, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
24,500 USD
Fee in university's local currency 24,500 USD
- Start date
- January, August
Diploma in leadership
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Business - Leadership & Management (Level 5) - NZDip Freedom Institute of Higher Education, New Zealand
- Program type
- Undergraduate diploma
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
17,500 USD
Fee in university's local currency 17,500 USD
- Start date
- July, January
-
Business Administration - Leadership and Management - OCADip Centennial College, Canada
- Program type
- Undergraduate diploma
- Duration
- 3 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
13,588 USD
Fee in university's local currency 16,531 CAD
- Start date
- May, September, January
Certificate in leadership
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Intercultural Leadership - Cert University of Regina, Canada
- Program type
- Undergraduate certificate
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
14,796 USD
Fee in university's local currency 18,000 CAD
- Start date
- September, May, January
Pathway in leadership
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Business Management with Leadership (Foundation) - FD Leeds Beckett University, UK
- Program type
- Undergraduate pathway
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
15,379 USD
Fee in university's local currency 10,900 GBP
- Start date
- September, January
Leadership graduate programs
Master's in leadership
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School Building Leadership - MSEd Manhattan College, USA
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
17,100 USD
Fee in university's local currency 17,100 USD
- Start date
- August, January
-
Leadership and Administration in Nursing - MSN Texas State University, USA
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
15,034 USD
Fee in university's local currency 15,034 USD
- Start date
- January, August
-
American Indian Studies (Tribal Leadership and Governance) - MSc Arizona State University, USA
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
24,318 USD
Fee in university's local currency 24,318 USD
- Start date
- August
-
Applied Leadership - MSc Freedom Institute of Higher Education, New Zealand
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 18 months
- Annual tuition fee
-
42,000 USD
Fee in university's local currency 42,000 USD
- Start date
- July, January
-
Sport, Fitness and Recreation Leadership - MSc DePaul University, USA
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
24,320 USD
Fee in university's local currency 24,320 USD
- Start date
- September, March, January
Doctorate in leadership
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Business Administration: Strategic Leadership in 21st Century - DBA Westcliff University, USA
- Program type
- Doctorate
- Duration
- 3 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
15,500 USD
Fee in university's local currency 15,500 USD
- Start date
- October, August
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Instructional Leadership - EdS University of West Alabama, USA
- Program type
- Doctorate
- Duration
- 3 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
22,680 USD
Fee in university's local currency 22,680 USD
- Start date
- August, January
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P-20 & Community Leadership - EdD Murray State University, USA
- Program type
- Doctorate
- Duration
- 3 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
13,200 USD
Fee in university's local currency 13,200 USD
- Start date
- August, January
Diploma in leadership
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Business Administration - Leadership and Management - OCDip Fanshawe College, Canada
- Program type
- Postgraduate diploma
- Duration
- 20 months
- Annual tuition fee
-
13,170 USD
Fee in university's local currency 16,022 CAD
- Start date
- September
-
Applied Leadership - PGDip Freedom Institute of Higher Education, New Zealand
- Program type
- Postgraduate diploma
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
28,000 USD
Fee in university's local currency 28,000 USD
- Start date
- July, January
-
Leadership and Organizational Excellence - PGDip University of California, Riverside Extension, USA
- Program type
- Postgraduate diploma
- Duration
- 9 months
- Annual tuition fee
-
18,200 USD
Fee in university's local currency 18,200 USD
- Start date
- September
-
Midwifery Practice and Leadership - PGDip/MSc Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
- Program type
- Postgraduate diploma/Master's
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
25,768 USD
Fee in university's local currency 21,297 EUR
- Start date
- September
-
Strategic Management & Leadership - GDip C3S Business School, Spain
- Program type
- Postgraduate diploma
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
6,050 USD
Fee in university's local currency 5,000 EUR
- Start date
- September, February
Certificate in leadership
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Business Leadership - GradCert Buckinghamshire New University, UK
- Program type
- Postgraduate certificate
- Duration
- 9 months
- Annual tuition fee
-
3,810 USD
Fee in university's local currency 2,700 GBP
- Start date
- February, September
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Leadership - GradCert Central Michigan University, USA
- Program type
- Postgraduate certificate
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
9,555 USD
Fee in university's local currency 9,555 USD
- Start date
- May
-
Instructional Leadership - GradCert University of West Alabama, USA
- Program type
- Postgraduate certificate
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
15,444 USD
Fee in university's local currency 15,444 USD
- Start date
- August
-
Leadership and Human Capital - PGCert Northeastern University, USA
- Program type
- Postgraduate certificate
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
24,000 USD
Fee in university's local currency 24,000 USD
- Start date
- May, January
Pathway in leadership
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Leadership (Global Pathways) - PGP Northeastern University, USA
- Program type
- Postgraduate pathway
- Duration
- 4 months
- Annual tuition fee
-
15,200 USD
Fee in university's local currency 15,200 USD
- Start date
- July, March, November
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.
