The University of Law to launch UK first human rights scholarship with the Clooney Foundation for Justice. Find out more
Conflict in Israel and Gaza – support for students. Find out more

MA, PG Dip, PG Cert

MA Higher Education Administration, Management and Leadership

Develop your skills and boost your career with our MA Higher Education Administration, Management and Leadership. Designed for those working in higher and further education management, administrative or developmental roles, this unique programme – we are the first university to offer a full masters in this area – will help you to progress your career aspirations.

On our educational leadership course, you will broaden your understanding of current issues within the Higher Education sector, whilst also building on your professional skills in leadership, management, self-reflection and performance.

We have designed this online, part-time course to fit around existing work commitments. You can also choose to study this course as a one-year Postgraduate Certificate or two-year Postgraduate Diploma.

Whilst the course can be studied in your own time, you will have the opportunity to attend weekly, online, interactive two-hour workshops. These will take place during normal office hours and will be recorded for those who cannot attend.

“[The course] has exposed me to so much knowledge that I didn't know I needed…increased my confidence and ability to communicate with others.”
Emily Lewis, PG Cert Student
 
Person pressing productivity icons on a digital display Student on laptop

Key Facts

Entry requirements

Undergraduate degree or equivalent, in any discipline. Plus a minimum of six months of professional experience in undertaking administrative duties, managing a service or leading a project or group of inidividuals in their daily Higher Education activities.

Course requirements ➔

Entry requirements

Duration

Taught route: up to 24 months (part-time online)

Next start date

September 2024

See all Start Dates

Apply

 

Apply for this course directly with the University of Law

 

Apply now ➔

ULaw online learning methods and dedicated online lecturers will prepare you for the demands of the modern world.

Join our 97,000 alumni, in more than 11,800 organisations, and over 155 countries.

We have an overall 5 Star rating from QS World University Rankings and 5 stars in Teaching, Employability, Online Learning, Academic Development and Inclusiveness.

Course Details

Higher Education Administration, Management and Leadership

This higher education leadership course will help you to enhance your career by gaining a critical understanding of the current issues within the Higher Education sector. This knowledge will help you to develop informed perspectives and make sound decisions regarding policies, resource allocation, student services, and academic programmes.

Throughout the course and beyond, you will have the opportunity to truly have an impact on students and the institutions within which you work, contributing to their growth and development as well as that of your own career. As a business professional working within the education sector, you can shape the educational experiences of students, improve educational outcomes, promote diversity and inclusion, develop innovative programmes, and create supportive campus environments.

What skills will you gain?

You will acquire professional skills at three different levels including self, organisation and others:

  • Develop your professional capacity as reflective practitioners, enabling you to self-assess your skills and performance within your professional context.
  • Develop an understanding of leadership and management within Higher Education, and associated opportunities for career progression.
  • Contribute to enhancing the student experience by building your skills and knowhow to develop efficient processes to support students in their Higher Education studies.

Benefits of studying with The University of Law:

  • Build your professional network: You will have the opportunity to engage and connect with other faculty members, guest speakers, fellow students, and alumni who are experienced managers and leaders in higher education, opening doors to job opportunities, mentorship, collaboration, and your professional development.
  • Flexed to fit around your existing commitments: With multiple start dates and the convenience of studying online and part-time, you can build your career whilst maintaining your work and personal commitments.
  • An excellent learning experience: You’ll get the quality and rigour you’d expect of any professional leadership course, as it is aligned with the Association of University Administrators (AUA) Professional Behaviours and CPD Framework.
  • Enjoy Flexibility: Studying at our online campus gives you the opportunity to work at your own pace and around your other commitments, within given deadlines, and at your preferred time of day, with the benefit of our expertise, experience and employability focus.
  • Save you the time and money: Our online programmes cut the need for commuting to and from campus and allow you to study anywhere, across devices. However you can be reassured that the course won’t be compromised on quality or be less demanding than our on campus courses.

You’ll also be provided with all learning materials, including guidance for each module, eBook core texts, podcasts, presentations, articles to read, a discussion board and a wiki.

If your role involves teaching, we also offer the MA Education which is a Master's degree designed to develop the skills and abilities to enhance your educational practice and effectively support students.

Course Structure

The PGCert Higher Education Administration, Management and Leadership is studied part-time online over 8-9 months.

Two compulsory modules:

  • Higher Education in Context (30 credits) - covering emerging issues, technology, Quality Assurance, and widening participation.
  • Professional Practice in Higher Education (30 credits) - covering personal development, teamwork, and leadership.

The PGDip Higher Education Administration, Management and Leadership is studied part-time online over 16-17 months.

Two compulsory modules:

  • Levels of Leadership (30 credits) - covering contemporary leadership models, and the development of own leadership and behaviours.
  • Change Management (30 credits) - covering drivers, models, and barriers

The MA Higher Education Administration, Management and Leadership is studied part-time online over 24 months.

One compulsory module:

  • The Change Project (60 credits) - Develop a change project linked to your professional context (under supervision); develop leadership and management skills.

Course Start Dates

  • MA Higher Education Administration, Management and Leadership
    • Part-time: Online
  • MA Higher Education Administration, Management and Leadership
    • Part-time: Online

Make an Enquiry

 

Effective leaders in Higher Education (Virtual Event)

This interactive session will introduce a contemporary leadership theory: the five practices of exemplary leadership in higher education, as proposed by Kouzes and Posner. Participants will discuss the values, traits and characteristics that people look for in a leader, explore the key principles of the five practices, and share their own personal-best leadership experiences.

Course Information

 

To get a full picture of how you can fit these part-time, online courses around your existing commitments, take a look at our course dates.

Calendar

 

Throughout this programme, a variety of assessments are used.

Taught modules:

  • Assessment of taught modules consists of a written submissions of 3,000 words (60% weighting), and oral presentations or poster presentations of 2,000 words equivalent (40% weighting).

For those students completing the full Master's course, assessment methods also include:

  • 13,000 word Management Project
  • 2,000 oral presentation
Student working from a text book

 

Taught route:

The course consists of 4 x 30 credit modules and a 60 credit project that run sequentially across three academic years.

Students studying

Fees and Applying

 

Applications for this course are now open.

Apply for the MA, PGDip or PGCert Higher Education Administration, Management and Leadership directly with the University.

Student reading in library

2023/24 Course Fee (for courses starting on or after 1 July 2023)

MA Higher Education Administration, Management and Leadership: £12,500
PGDip Higher Education Administration, Management and Leadership: £8,300
PGCert Higher Education Administration, Management and Leadership: £4,200


2024/25 Course Fee (for courses starting on or after 1 July 2024)

MA Higher Education Administration, Management and Leadership: £13,150
PGDip Higher Education Administration, Management and Leadership: £8,800
PGCert Higher Education Administration, Management and Leadership: £4,450


By studying a Master's degree you could be eligible for a Postgraduate Loan.

If you’re one of our alumni, you may be eligible to receive our £1000 Academic Master's Alumni Discount.

We also have a range of scholarships and bursaries available to help you invest in your future.

Calculator

 

We have students from over 120 different countries throughout our campuses, with a dedicated team to help international students.

Student looking at smart phone