Overview
Stirling’s Masters in Education Leadership (Specialist Qualification for Headship) is a practice-based course for aspiring and early-career school leaders.
You’ll develop the knowledge, skills, and critical understanding needed to put informed strategic vision, values and aims into practice. You'll graduate equipped to lead meaningful change and improvement within an educational setting.
Choose a pathway
The MSc Educational Leadership (Specialist Qualification for Headship) offers four different pathways. Your route will be based on your experience and career stage in educational leadership and management.
The "Into Headship" and "In Headship" routes within the course are nationally approved Postgraduate Certificates. The certificates were developed in partnership with Education Scotland and other stakeholders across the education community. Into Headship enables you to demonstrate the Standard for Headship which anyone applying for Head Teacher posts in Scotland must hold.
Prospective candidates for the Postgraduate Certificates "Into Headship" and "In Headship" must be sponsored by their local authority to apply through Education Scotland.
Advance your educational management and leadership skills
The course was developed in partnership between universities, local authorities and Education Scotland.
On our Educational Leadership Masters degree you’ll:
- develop the strategic leadership and management competencies set out by the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) Professional Standards Framework;
- lead and evaluate a Strategic Change Initiative in your own setting, applying evidence-informed approaches;
- evolve your skills in using critical reflection to enhance your practice;
- demonstrate emotional intelligence, adaptability and resilience in the context of strategic leadership;
- plan and execute a significant project of research, investigation or development;
- build strong professional networks both within and beyond the course.
Tailor the course to fit your career and commitments
Our part-time course follows a flexible blended learning model. You’ll be taught through a blend of on-campus seminar days, live online sessions, and guided self-study. You’ll also complete work-based projects in your own school or organisation.
The mix of in-person and online teaching helps you balance your studies with your existing commitments, while maintaining high levels of interaction with peers and tutors.
Learn from leading education experts
You’ll be taught by an expert, supportive education teaching team. They’ll help you build the knowledge, confidence, and practical skills to lead improvement within your own setting and across the wider educational landscape.
For those taking the Into Headship and In Headship routes, there are two compulsory national conferences which are great opportunities for networking and collaborative learning. They are organised and funded by Education Scotland.
Top reasons to study with us
Professional accreditation
The Postgraduate Certificate Into Headship enables candidates to demonstrate the Standard for Headship and is accredited by the General Teaching Council for Scotland. This means this work-based Masters course incorporates both a professional and academic award. Into Headship – one of the core components of this Masters – is a mandatory qualification for candidates applying for head teacher positions in Scotland.
Flexible learning
If you’re interested in studying a module from this course, the Postgraduate Certificate or the Postgraduate Diploma then please email Graduate Admissions to discuss your course of study.
Research overview
In the Research Excellence Framework 2021, 100% of our research impact and environment in Education was classed as world leading or internationally excellent, placing us in the top 20 in the UK for research impact and research environment.
Our expert teaching team are on hand to introduce you to cutting-edge empirical and theoretical research in a multi-disciplinary and professional environment.
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
A minimum of a second class Honours degree (2.1 preferred) or equivalent in a relevant subject.
Applicants for the MSc Educational Leadership (with Specialist Qualification for Headship) should be registered or eligible to register with the General Teaching Council for Scotland.
Prospective applicants for the Postgraduate Certificate “Into Headship” must have demonstrated experience of significant leadership practice as appropriate in their sector and be sponsored by their local authority to apply through Education Scotland. You must normally be within two to three years of taking up a post as a head teacher and be sponsored by your local authority to apply through Education Scotland.
International entry requirements
English language requirements
If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
- IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each sub-skill.
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) 62 overall with 60 in each sub-skill.
- IBT TOEFL 80 overall with 18 in reading, 23 in writing, 19 in listening and 21 in speaking.
See our information on English language requirements for more details on the language tests we accept and options to waive these requirements.
Pre-sessional English language courses
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, University of Stirling International Study Centre offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree.
Find out more about our pre-sessional English language courses.
Course details
Gain essential qualifications for headship in Scotland and grow within the national framework for educational excellence.
Modules
The MSc Educational Leadership (Specialist Qualification for Headship) course has different routes depending on where you are in your career. Here's what you will study on each route.
Specialist Qualification for Headship pathway
Year 1:
- EDUP001: Engaging Critically with Professional Practices
- EDUP103: Middle Leadership: principles and practices
Year 2:
- EDUP021: Into Headship 1
- EDUP122: Into Headship 2
Year 3:
- EDUP123: In Headship 1
- EDUP124: In Headship 2
Alternative route for those who demonstrate Professional Actions of Middle Leaders (GTCS 2012) but are not in a substantive Head Teacher post
Year 1:
- EDUP021: Into Headship 1
- EDUP122: Into Headship 2
Year 2:
- EDUP001: Engaging Critically with Professional Practices OR
- EDUP007: Examining Professional Practices (Work Based Learning)
- EDUP106: Coaching and Mentoring: principles and practices
Year 3:
- EDUP123: In Headship 1
- EDUP124: In Headship 2
Alternative route two for students who demonstrate Professional Actions of Middle Leaders (GTCS 2021) in a Head Teacher post
Year 1:
- EDUP021: Into Headship 1
- EDUP122: Into Headship 2
Year 2:
- EDUP123: In Headship 1
- EDUP124: In Headship 2
Year 3:
- EDUP001: Engaging Critically with Professional Practices OR
- EDUP007: Examining Professional Practices (Work Based Learning)
- EDUP106: Coaching and Mentoring: principles and practices
Route for those who are starting the course in a Head Teacher post
Year 1:
- EDUP123: In Headship 1
- EDUP124: In Headship 2
Year 2:
- EDUP007: Examining Professional Practices (Work Based Learning)
OR - EDUP001: Engaging Critically with Professional Practices
- EDUP106: Coaching and Mentoring: principles and practices
Year 3:
- EDUP008 Leading Critical Collaborative Professional Enquiry 1
- EDUP109 Leading Critical Collaborative Professional Enquiry 2
Modules
Teaching
This course is offered on a part-time basis only. The period of study is normally three years for the Masters, although this course is unlikely to be taken over three consecutive years. You must complete six modules for the Masters degree.
Modules are delivered through a blended learning format designed to facilitate both individual and collaborative work. The format is a mix of face-to-face seminar days, guided self-study, online and work-based learning.
Course director
Dr Romina Madrid
Fees and funding
Fees and costs
University of Stirling alumni will automatically be awarded a fee waiver for the first year of Masters studies through our Stirling Alumni Scholarship.
Applicants from the UK or Republic of Ireland who hold a first-class honours degree or equivalent will automatically be awarded a £2,000 scholarship through our Postgraduate Merit Scholarship.
If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees.
If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Eligible students could receive a scholarship worth between £4,000-£7,000. See our range of generous scholarships for international postgraduate students.
If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees.
If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
This course is only available to students with a tuition fee status of Scottish. Applicants are sponsored by their local authority and are fully funded by the Scottish Government.
| Module | 2025/26 Fee | 2026/27 Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Engaging Critically with Professional Practices (EDUP001 - 20 credits) | £530 | £555 |
| Middle Leadership: Principles and Practices (EDUP103 - 40 credits) | £1,060 | £1,110 |
| Into Headship 1: Developing as a strategic leader (EDUP021 - 20 credits) | TBC | TBC |
| Into Headship 2: Leading strategic change (EDUP122 - 40 credits) | TBC | TBC |
| In Headship 1 (EDUP123 - 20 credits) | TBC | TBC |
| In Headship 2 (EDUP124 - 40 credits) | TBC | TBC |
| Examining Professional Practices (Work-Based Learning) (EDUP007 - 20 credits) | £1,060 | £1,110 |
| Coaching and Mentoring: Principles and Practices (EDUP106 - 40 credits) | £1,060 | £1,110 |
| Leading Critical Collaborative Professional Enquiry 1 (EDUP008 - 20 credits) | £530 | £555 |
| Leading Critical Collaborative Professional Enquiry 2 (EDUP109 - 40 credits) | £1,060 | £1,110 |
You will be liable to pay tuition fees for every module you enrol on. Your fees will be held at the same level throughout your course. If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on a modular fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Additional costs
There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees.
Cost of living
If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income.
International (including EU) students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support.
Payment options
We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods - including the option to pay fees by instalments. Learn more about how to pay
After you graduate
Graduates of the MSc Educational Leadership can apply for headship or promoted positions in local authority or grant-aided schools across Scotland. You could also progress to larger or more complex school settings if you’re already in a leadership role.
You could also pursue advanced study, such as the Doctor of Education (EdD).
A head teacher in Scotland can earn between £62,556 and £115,539 annually. This depends on your years of service and size of school (source: EIS, August 2024).
