Specialist Qualification in Headship MEd

Entry requirements

• Honours or ordinary degree with relevant practice experience
• You must be employed full- or part-time in an education setting, with current GTCS Registration as a Primary or Secondary teacher
• For entry into the PgCert Into Headship or PgCert In Headship, you must be nominated by your employer

Months of entry

February, September, October

Course content

The MEd Specialist Qualification in Headship is a three-year, part-time online programme for aspiring school leaders. The programme connects directly with Local Authority and national leadership programmes. Structured as a series of discrete Postgraduate Certificates (PgCerts), the programme aligns to the career progression envisaged in the GTCS (2021) Professional Standards for Leadership and Management. The first PgCert focuses on Middle Leadership, the second PgCert offers the national Into Headship programme, and the third PgCert offers the national In Headship programme for those in post as a Headteacher. The award of MEd Specialist Qualification in Headship can be achieved after successful completion of all three PgCerts.

The programme utilises a collaborative approach to online learning, with activities designed to develop teacher agency, support professional dialogue, and develop skills in strategic leadership. You will choose the focus of your work for each module to fit with your professional role and responsibilities, whilst the collaborative learning activities support you and your fellow participants to work together on leadership practice and develop creative responses to leading change.

Special features

• Online study, allowing you to fit your studies around personal and professional commitments
• Peer support is a strong theme, with online seminars (webinars) enabling discussion with tutors and peers
• Tutor support through one to one sessions
• The programme connects the national awards for Into Headship and In Headship

Fees and funding

For information, please view our Fees/Funding tab: MEd Specialist Qualification in Headship (uhi.ac.uk).

Eligible Scotland-domiciled students studying part-time can apply for a tuition fee loan from SAAS. You must be intending to complete the course in no longer than twice the length of time it would take for a full-time student. For example, if your course is available to full-time students as a one-year programme, you will be funded for a maximum of two years' part-time study. If your course does not have a full-time option, you must complete within three years. You can apply for a tuition fee loan up to £7,000, which will be paid pro-rata for each academic year of study.