Program Overview

This University of Greater Manchester's Masters by Research degree (MRes) in Educational Leadership is a multidisciplinary research training programme which has been designed to be truly novel and sui generis. The programme is designed for those currently in, or aspiring to, senior or middle leadership in schools, colleges, universities or other professional settings. It is highly relevant for education practitioners, researchers, policymakers, and scholars interested in exploring leadership in an educational context and developing advanced research skills to inform evidence-based leadership decision-making. Completing this programme will enhance your professional effectiveness, in leadership, educational reform, and managing change. You will develop the knowledge and political skills needed to improve public and private educational environments.

The programme is delivered through a staged and flexible approach enabling you to develop research skills as preparation for a PhD or Professional Doctorate. Opportunities will be available for students to undertake applied research projects involving knowledge exchange.

The MRes programme will provide a common foundation for PhD or Professional Doctorate programmes with an interim award available following the gaining of 60 credits (PgCert) and an exit award of the 180 credit MRes.

Highlights

• The MRes Educational Leadership has been carefully designed to allow you to develop a systematic and critical knowledge and understanding of strategy and leadership though the study and application of advanced research methods and skills using a scaffolded approach to learning.
• The MRes dissertation provides the opportunity for you to undertake in-depth independent and original research or advanced scholarship on a subject of interest within the field of leadership and/or strategy.
• A range of academic and professional assessments which are carefully planned throughout the student journey.
• Professionals who hold a University of Greater Manchester MRes take back to their organisation a greater knowledge and a higher understanding of today's diverse educational leadership landscape gained through a research-driven programme.
• You'll be strongly encouraged to bring your own education leadership-related issues to the table as the basis of your research. The course requires you to design, implement and disseminate an original research study.

Key Features

• We will support you in developing a systematic understanding of knowledge, and a critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights within educational leadership and system change.
• We'll guide you as you develop the ability to deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively, make sound judgements in the absence of complete data, and communicate the conclusions of the research clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
• Demonstrate advanced understanding of how established techniques of research and enquiry can be practically applied to create and interpret knowledge in the discipline.
• You will evaluate and critically apply current research and advanced scholarship in the discipline, evaluate methodologies and develop critiques to develop creative solutions and/or hypotheses.
• Through a blended learning approach, you will develop the qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment requiring the exercise of initiative and personal responsibility; and decision-making in complex and unpredictable situations.
• You will develop critical self-awareness and independent learning strategies in order to develop academically and professionally.