POSTGRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN EDUCATION: LEADING SKILLS DEVELOPMENT

Entry Year
2024/2025
Entry requirements
2:2 (Hons) degree
Duration
1 year (Part-time - Online)
Course image

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?

Teaching and learning is delivered through a blended approach of online lectures, virtual learning activities, reflective, self-directed study.

Contact time

Classes are normally held once weekly (in the evening) via the College’s virtual learning environment – Canvas.

Who will be teaching me?

You will be taught, assessed and supported by an exceptional team of internationally recognised, research-led and experienced practitioners.

How will I be assessed?

There are no written examinations. Modules are assessed by coursework.

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)

 

Course image

STR7009 Learning Leadership

This first module in the programme focuses on evidence and impact.  You will learn about leadership research and styles, focusing on the behaviours and habits of the skills-focused leader.  The learning leader will develop people and is emotionally aware of the focus on the team over the tasks or operational part of the job while working toward the shared educational goal of learner-centered practices.  Leading skills will be considered on the module, highlighting in particular the needs of the contemporary middle (or senior) leader.  Strategies and tools to support leadership behaviours will permeate the module.

STR7014 Strategic and Operational Leadership:  From Culture and Vision to School/College Improvement

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 module 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.

Course image

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.

Course image

How to Apply

Application for admission to all Masters Programmes should be made by downloading the application form and reference form (see ‘Apply Now’ link above) and returning the completed forms by email only to masters@stran.ac.uk

The next intake for this programme is for September 2024. Applications will close on Friday 6th September 2024.

Tuition Fees

2024 - 25 Tuition Fees
MEd / MA ECS / MTeach
CATs PointsNI / ROIGBEU Other*International
Rate per module30£1,217£1,542£3,584£3,584
Dissertation module60£2,434£3,084£7,168£7,168
Full-time Course180£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

Course image

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?

Teaching and learning is delivered through a blended approach of online lectures, virtual learning activities, reflective, self-directed study.

Contact time

Classes are normally held once weekly (in the evening) via the College’s virtual learning environment – Canvas.

Who will be teaching me?

You will be taught, assessed and supported by an exceptional team of internationally recognised, research-led and experienced practitioners.

How will I be assessed?

There are no written examinations. Modules are assessed by coursework.

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)

 

Course image

STR7009 Learning Leadership

This first module in the programme focuses on evidence and impact.  You will learn about leadership research and styles, focusing on the behaviours and habits of the skills-focused leader.  The learning leader will develop people and is emotionally aware of the focus on the team over the tasks or operational part of the job while working toward the shared educational goal of learner-centered practices.  Leading skills will be considered on the module, highlighting in particular the needs of the contemporary middle (or senior) leader.  Strategies and tools to support leadership behaviours will permeate the module.

STR7014 Strategic and Operational Leadership:  From Culture and Vision to School/College Improvement

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 module 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.

Course image

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.

Course image

How to Apply

Application for admission to all Masters Programmes should be made by downloading the application form and reference form (see ‘Apply Now’ link above) and returning the completed forms by email only to masters@stran.ac.uk

The next intake for this programme is for September 2024. Applications will close on Friday 6th September 2024.

Tuition Fees

2024 - 25 Tuition Fees
MEd / MA ECS / MTeach
CATs PointsNI / ROIGBEU Other*International
Rate per module30£1,217£1,542£3,584£3,584
Dissertation module60£2,434£3,084£7,168£7,168
Full-time Course180£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

REASONS TO STUDY AT STRANMILLIS

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Global Campus

Stranmillis is a truly global campus, attracting students and staff from over 30 partner universities worldwide.

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Research Excellence

78% of our research activity was deemed to be 'recognised internationally' in terms of originality, significance and rigour (REF 2021).

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Academic staff

70% of our academic teaching staff are qualified to doctoral level.

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Academic standards

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Student Success

We are proud to have a 96% student success rate.

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STUDENT RETENTION

High student retention rates at >95%. We're big enough to be dynamic, but small enough to know your name.

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Network of partners

The College has a network of over 750 school, education and alternative placement partners.

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Green Campus

The College is the first HEI in Northern Ireland to be awarded EcoCampus status.