This course offers participants in Education and Training an opportunity to engage in educational leadership development with a focus on the 'skills economy' in Northern Ireland. The fundamental aim of the Postgraduate Certificate qualification (leading to the Master's in Education / Teaching at Stranmillis) is to develop leaders involved in teaching and learning in the 21st Century. Building capacity and developing people as learning leaders makes this course a first of its kind for the principled learning leader. The course is suitable for anyone with an aspiration for leadership in Education and Training, particularly interested in the 10X and Skills Strategy 2030, or, for the current middle leader who is keen to develop their coaching and mentoring abilities within school or College more widely.
The Postgraduate Certificate programme will focus upon the development of learning leadership in practice for those working in the education and training sector. Practitioners will develop their knowledge and research skills of the learning leaders within schools, education and training, and further and higher education sectors by developing a critical and evidence-based, research capacity to inform and influence educational (principled) leadership practices in the future.
The programme is delivered online, with twilight teaching seminars bi-weekly.
How will I study?
You can visit our 46 acre campus and meet staff and students at any time. You may however wish to study completely online. Our online modules are led by a team of experienced lecturers who manage the environment and the student experience individually and in a professional manner. Opportunities for peer learning and professional discussion are an important part of the programme.
Contact time
Classes are normally held once weekly (in the evening) via the College’s virtual learning environment – Canvas. Days will be agreed in advance of the programme with plenty of notice for study. We will also record all components of the programme for anyone who cannot attend on a particular evening.
Who will be teaching me?
You will be taught, assessed and supported by an exceptional team of internationally recognised, research-led and experienced practitioners. Our staff are practitioners as well as researchers, offering a unique interactive learning experience.
How will I be assessed?
There are no written examinations. Modules are assessed by coursework. This brings a real-work experience to the course, facilitated by tutors.
Entitlement
Students who accumulate 60 CAT points on this programme, will graduate with a Postgraduate Certificate.
Please note this course does not give you Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
STR7009 LEARNING LEADERSHIP
COMMENCING TUESDAY 7TH OCTOBER 2025 (5-7PM)
STR7014 STATEGIC AND OPERATIONAL LEADERSHIP: FROM CULTURE AND VISION TO SCHOOL/COLLEGE IMPROVMENT
COMMENCING TUESDAY 2ND FEBRURARY 2026(5-7PM)
The second module is very focused on the skills of the educational leader and how this impacts the whole organisation. Developing a collaborative approach to leadership using distributed approaches to team development and the promotion of a collective vision is a key part of the initial leadership journey. The 026module will then progress leaders by focusing on resources and building capacity within teams as they work to operationalise often strategic or challenging change initiatives in the workplace. 10X and the skills economy require outcome-focused deliverables, particularly at the current time. The assessment for the module will align to the school/college development plans, with a whole-school/college plan for improvement, affording the student the opportunity to develop and inform practice while on the course.
All modules are 30 CATs. The Postgraduate Certificate may be taken as an award or progressed toward a full Master’s award. Both modules amounts to one-third of the full programme.
All Modules are taught online, with full tutor support throughout.
For full programme specification click here.
Applicants will normally hold a relevant 2:2 Honours degree or above in a related discipline. Applicants who do not meet the requirements above may be considered on an individual basis, where there is evidence of relevant experience. Applicants may be required to attend an interview to determine their suitability for entry.
The deadline for applications is 5pm on Monday 4th August 2025. Applications received after this date will be treated on a case by case basis.
How to Apply
Please click ‘apply now’ at the top of the page to complete the application.
The next intake for this programme is for September 2025.
Tuition Fees
| 2025 - 26 MEd /MA ECS/ MTeach | CATS Points | NI/ROI | GB | EU Other* | International |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rate per module | 30 | £1,217 | £1,542 | £3,584 | £3,584 |
| Dissertation Module | 60 | £2,434 | £3,084 | £7,168 | £7,168 |
| Full-Time Course | 180 | £7,300 | £9,250 | £21,500 | £21,500 |
Please note the Postgraduate Certificate is 60 CATS.
Additional Course Costs
There are no additional costs. The course is supported by a fully online library at Stranmillis and Queens University. You will have access to thousands of ebooks and ejournals in support of your study with us. Library and writing inductions will be supported for all online and new students
This course offers participants in Education and Training an opportunity to engage in educational leadership development with a focus on the 'skills economy' in Northern Ireland. The fundamental aim of the Postgraduate Certificate qualification (leading to the Master's in Education / Teaching at Stranmillis) is to develop leaders involved in teaching and learning in the 21st Century. Building capacity and developing people as learning leaders makes this course a first of its kind for the principled learning leader. The course is suitable for anyone with an aspiration for leadership in Education and Training, particularly interested in the 10X and Skills Strategy 2030, or, for the current middle leader who is keen to develop their coaching and mentoring abilities within school or College more widely.
The Postgraduate Certificate programme will focus upon the development of learning leadership in practice for those working in the education and training sector. Practitioners will develop their knowledge and research skills of the learning leaders within schools, education and training, and further and higher education sectors by developing a critical and evidence-based, research capacity to inform and influence educational (principled) leadership practices in the future.
The programme is delivered online, with twilight teaching seminars bi-weekly.
How will I study?
You can visit our 46 acre campus and meet staff and students at any time. You may however wish to study completely online. Our online modules are led by a team of experienced lecturers who manage the environment and the student experience individually and in a professional manner. Opportunities for peer learning and professional discussion are an important part of the programme.
Contact time
Classes are normally held once weekly (in the evening) via the College’s virtual learning environment – Canvas. Days will be agreed in advance of the programme with plenty of notice for study. We will also record all components of the programme for anyone who cannot attend on a particular evening.
Who will be teaching me?
You will be taught, assessed and supported by an exceptional team of internationally recognised, research-led and experienced practitioners. Our staff are practitioners as well as researchers, offering a unique interactive learning experience.
How will I be assessed?
There are no written examinations. Modules are assessed by coursework. This brings a real-work experience to the course, facilitated by tutors.
Entitlement
Students who accumulate 60 CAT points on this programme, will graduate with a Postgraduate Certificate.
Please note this course does not give you Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
STR7009 LEARNING LEADERSHIP
COMMENCING TUESDAY 7TH OCTOBER 2025 (5-7PM)
STR7014 STATEGIC AND OPERATIONAL LEADERSHIP: FROM CULTURE AND VISION TO SCHOOL/COLLEGE IMPROVMENT
COMMENCING TUESDAY 2ND FEBRURARY 2026(5-7PM)
The second module is very focused on the skills of the educational leader and how this impacts the whole organisation. Developing a collaborative approach to leadership using distributed approaches to team development and the promotion of a collective vision is a key part of the initial leadership journey. The 026module will then progress leaders by focusing on resources and building capacity within teams as they work to operationalise often strategic or challenging change initiatives in the workplace. 10X and the skills economy require outcome-focused deliverables, particularly at the current time. The assessment for the module will align to the school/college development plans, with a whole-school/college plan for improvement, affording the student the opportunity to develop and inform practice while on the course.
All modules are 30 CATs. The Postgraduate Certificate may be taken as an award or progressed toward a full Master’s award. Both modules amounts to one-third of the full programme.
All Modules are taught online, with full tutor support throughout.
For full programme specification click here.
Applicants will normally hold a relevant 2:2 Honours degree or above in a related discipline. Applicants who do not meet the requirements above may be considered on an individual basis, where there is evidence of relevant experience. Applicants may be required to attend an interview to determine their suitability for entry.
The deadline for applications is 5pm on Monday 4th August 2025. Applications received after this date will be treated on a case by case basis.
How to Apply
Please click ‘apply now’ at the top of the page to complete the application.
The next intake for this programme is for September 2025.
Tuition Fees
| 2025 - 26 MEd /MA ECS/ MTeach | CATS Points | NI/ROI | GB | EU Other* | International |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rate per module | 30 | £1,217 | £1,542 | £3,584 | £3,584 |
| Dissertation Module | 60 | £2,434 | £3,084 | £7,168 | £7,168 |
| Full-Time Course | 180 | £7,300 | £9,250 | £21,500 | £21,500 |
Please note the Postgraduate Certificate is 60 CATS.
Additional Course Costs
There are no additional costs. The course is supported by a fully online library at Stranmillis and Queens University. You will have access to thousands of ebooks and ejournals in support of your study with us. Library and writing inductions will be supported for all online and new students