Education Leadership MA
About This Programme
The MA in Education Leadership at the University of Birmingham Dubai is a two-year, part-time, evidence-focused programme for educators who want to lead school improvement and social inclusion. It combines current research, practical leadership experience and guidance from leading academics and experienced school leaders, bringing global leadership perspectives to local educational challenges. Students study how teaching and school organisation affect learning, how to assess school performance and plan improvement, and how leadership, teamwork and change management drive better schools, drawing on research and practice from the UK, the UAE and elsewhere, then explore education policy, governance, equity and accountability. Classes run on evenings and on monthly Saturdays, and participants must be working in an educational setting throughout, applying what they learn to their own leadership context.
Course Highlights
- An evidence-focused programme for educators committed to school improvement and social inclusion.
- Part-time and research-informed, with evening classes and monthly Saturday sessions for working professionals.
- Teaching from expert academics and experienced school leaders, with an international cohort, developing inclusive, values-driven leadership.
- Critical analysis of research and practice evidence to challenge and improve current educational systems, with skills linked to UK and UAE standards.
- Ranked 64th for Education and Training, as stated on the course page.
What You'll Study
Teaching is led by experienced academics and school leaders from an international context, through evening classes and monthly Saturday meetings designed around working professionals. The programme builds the capacity to analyse evidence from research and from practice rigorously and critically, and to apply it to improving schools in each participant's own leadership context.
Course modules
The MA is 180 credits: 60 credits of recognised prior leadership learning (an entry requirement) plus 120 credits studied over two years part-time, made up of two 20-credit compulsory modules, one 20-credit optional module and a 60-credit dissertation. Understanding School Improvement covers how teaching and school organisation affect learning, assessing school performance and improvement strategies; Leadership for School Improvement covers leadership and teamwork, development planning and managing change, informed by UK, UAE and international research; the final semester turns to education policy, stakeholders, governance, equity and accountability.
- Prior Leadership Learning60 credits
- Understanding School Improvement20 credits
- Leadership for School Improvement20 credits
- Dissertation60 credits
There is also one 20-credit optional module.
- Evaluation and Policy Analysis for Inclusive Education20 credits
Entry Requirements
Two references are needed: one academic (for example a previous university tutor) and one professional that confirms the applicant's current role in an educational setting and shows their motivation and ability to study. A personal statement of 500 to 700 words should cover motivation and commitment and leadership experience in education, including leadership programmes attended, any master's credits already awarded, mentoring experience and involvement in school projects.
Careers
The MA opens leadership roles in schools, colleges and education authorities, from shaping organisational strategy and leading professional development to further research through a PhD, with the theory and practical experience to drive school improvement using evidence-based practice. The University says it is consistently one of the UK universities most targeted by leading graduate employers (High Fliers Research, 2026). The Careers Network Dubai offers information, advice and guidance to identify options, build skills and reach opportunities.
Accreditation & Professional Recognition
Accredited by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and listed as Active on the Commission for Academic Accreditation register as the Master of Arts in Education (Leadership).
Programme Details
Award
Master of Arts (MA)
Start Date
September 2026 (applications closed; September 2027 details to follow)
Typical Offer
2:2 degree plus 60 postgraduate credits of prior learning
Duration
2 years part-time
Qualification
Masters
Subject Area
Education
Campus
Dubai
Study Pattern
Part time
Delivery Format
In person
Tuition Fee
AED 41,136/yr
AED 41,136 a year, part-time, for September 2026 entry, charged in each of the two years; the fee covers tuition, examinations and graduation, can be paid in full or in three instalments a year, and does not include visa or living costs. Applications for September 2026 entry to this programme are closed, and details for September 2027 entry will be published later. Applications are made online through the University of Birmingham Dubai Admissions portal, with no application fee; postgraduate applicants upload transcripts for study completed so far, their degree certificate if available, and a CV, alongside the references and personal statement this course requires. Decisions are usually made within 10 working days of all documents arriving. A non-returnable AED 5,000 deposit, deducted from tuition, is paid on accepting an offer. Scholarships of up to 30% are assessed from the application itself, with no separate form; University visa sponsorship is for full-time students.
Related Programmes in Education
Education (Learning and Teaching) MA
AED 41,136/yr
Education Inclusion and Special Educational Needs PGCert / MA
AED 41,136/yr
Postgraduate Certificate in Education International PGCEi
AED 41,136/yr
Postgraduate Certificate in Education: Primary 5-11 years with iQTS PGCE
AED 78,333/yr