Why this programme

• Develop ethical, inclusive and evidence‑informed leadership capabilities through a distinctive programme focused on real‑world educational challenges.
• Flexible online delivery enables you to study alongside professional and personal commitments while engaging with a diverse international learning community.
• Responds directly to global skills gaps in educational leadership, including data literacy, collaborative professionalism and ethical system design.
• Grounded in a situated learning approach that connects theory to practice through reflective enquiry and problem‑focused coursework.
• Draws on the University of Glasgow’s world‑leading research strength in Education, consistently ranked among the top institutions globally and in the UK.
• Prepares leaders to operate across schools, higher education, policy, international and non‑formal education settings. 

Career prospects

You will be equipped with the tools, knowledge, and attitudes to lead improvement efforts in a variety of educational contexts. The degree will support your career development as a school and system leader in state, independent and international schools, educational government agencies and organisations. 

Typical career pathways include: 

• Headteachers, deputy headteachers and department heads 
• Educational consultants and advisers 
• Policy officers and civil servants 
• Curriculum designers and developers 
• Learning and development managers 
• Educational administrators in schools, colleges and universities 
• Leadership roles in private, public and international education organisations 

The programme also provides a strong foundation for further postgraduate study, including doctoral research, for those wishing to pursue academic or policy‑focused careers. 

Fees & funding

Additional fees

• Fee for re-assessment of a dissertation (PGT programme): £370
• Submission of thesis after deadline lapsed: £350
• Registration/exam only fee: £170

Entry requirements

2.1 Hons (or non-UK equivalent) 2.1 Hons in a subject related to Education or a BA Childhood Practice qualification.

Entry with a Postgraduate Certificate (PgCert): Students who have successfully completed 60 credits from a relevant PgCert (e.g. Into Headship) will normally progress to complete year 2 courses and complete a dissertation.

Entry with a Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip): Students who have successfully completed 120 credits from a relevant PgDip (e.g. In Headship) will normally progress directly to the dissertation to be awarded the MSc.

International students

We are proud of our diverse University community that includes students and staff from more than 140 different countries.

• Find out more about entry requirements and other country-specific information
• International student support & visas

How to apply

To apply for a postgraduate taught degree you must apply online. We cannot accept applications any other way.

Please check you meet the Entry requirements for this programme before you begin your application.

Documents

As part of your online application, you also need to submit the following supporting documents:

• A copy (or copies) of your official degree certificate(s) (if you have already completed your degree)
• A copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing full details of subjects studied and grades/marks obtained
• Official English translations of the certificate(s) and transcript(s)
• One reference letter on headed paper
• Evidence of your English language ability (if your first language is not English)
• Any additional documents required for this programme (see Entry requirements for this programme)
• A copy of the photo page of your passport

You have 42 days to submit your application once you begin the process.

You may save and return to your application as many times as you wish to update information, complete sections or upload supporting documents such as your final transcript or your language test.

For more information about submitting documents or other topics related to applying to a postgraduate taught programme, see how to apply for a postgraduate taught degree

Guidance notes for using the online application

These notes are intended to help you complete the online application form accurately; they are also available within the help section of the online application form. 

If you experience any difficulties accessing the online application, see Application System Help.

• Name and Date of birth: must appear exactly as they do on your passport. Please take time to check the spelling and lay-out.
• Contact Details: Correspondence address. All contact relevant to your application will be sent to this address including the offer letter(s). If your address changes, please contact us as soon as possible.
• Choice of course: Please select carefully the course you want to study. As your application will be sent to the admissions committee for each course you select it is important to consider at this stage why you are interested in the course and that it is reflected in your application.
• Proposed date of entry: Please state your preferred start date including the month and the year. Taught masters degrees tend to begin in September. Research degrees may start in any month.
• Education and Qualifications: Please complete this section as fully as possible indicating any relevant Higher Education qualifications starting with the most recent. Complete the name of the Institution (s) as it appears on the degree certificate or transcript.
• English Language Proficiency: Please state the date of any English language test taken (or to be taken) and the award date (or expected award date if known).
• Employment and Experience: Please complete this section as fully as possible with all employments relevant to your course. Additional details may be attached in your personal statement/proposal where appropriate.

Reference: Please provide one reference. This should typically be an academic reference but in cases where this is not possible then a reference from a current employer may be accepted instead. Certain programmes, such as the MBA programme, may also accept an employer reference. If you already have a copy of a reference on letter headed paper then please upload this to your application. If you do not already have a reference to upload then please enter your referee’s name and contact details on the online application and we will contact your referee directly.

Application deadlines

• Applications for this online programme will be accepted up until it starts.