MA Educational Leadership course preparation

To help you feel confident and ready to begin your MA Educational Leadership studies, we’ve put together everything you need to start preparing. Below you will find where you’ll be learning and practical tips to help you make a smooth transition to postgraduate study. You can also find even more useful information and a welcome video from the department here too. Read on to find out what’s waiting for you.

How to prepare for your transition to postgraduate study

At Edge Hill, we host a range specialist UniSkills workshops for all of our applicants to access. They’re particularly useful if you are about to enrol at Edge Hill University, or just looking to refresh your skills for the semester ahead.

We know that you’re aware that studying at university will include hard work. But succeeding at university is more than academic ability alone. There are a few skills that you can start developing now, so that you’re a pro when it comes to the start of your studies in September.

• Time management – you may have to juggle assessments, lectures, work and social activities. Developing strong time management skills early on will help you to prioritise deadlines, stay organised and make the most of your time.
• Critical thinking – university study encourages you to question ides, evaluate evidence and form your own informed decisions. You’ll be expected to engage critically with the work you’re studying in a professional, academic manner. Your opinions matter, so don’t be afraid to share them.
• Teamwork – some modules may require you to work with others on your course to complete tasks and discuss analytical findings. Learning how to contribute confidently and work collaboratively as part of a team is a key professional skill.
• Independent work – in contrary to the above, it’s also important to be able to work independently. The majority of your work will need to be submitted individually, so it’s important you take ownership of your learning. And if there is something that you don’t understand, make sure you ask your tutor.
• Self-motivation – you’ll be encouraged manage your own workload. That means you won’t have a teacher chasing you for deadlines. So it’s important that you hold yourself accountable and make the decision to put the work in.

Get ready for your first module:

Your first module will be Theorising Education. In this module, we will grapple with a range of educational theories and consider their relationship with practice. To get you in the mindset, we have suggested the following blogs to read and get you thinking:

• Managing complex pupil needs: A key factor influencing teacher resilience
• Tracing the footsteps of anti-racism: From my journey to our collective responsibility
• Neutral not negative: Language use within academia
• Integrating education initiatives within Ghana’s national nutrition framework
• No room for battle of the sexes: Why boys AND girls matter
• Sea state: rough, occasionally very rough, rarely smooth!
  

Useful websites:

The below websites are great places to keep up to date with the latest educational research in a digestible format, written by the people who have conducted the research themselves.

• British Educational Research Association Blogs
• The Conversation (Education)

Materials you may need:

It’s a good idea to wait until you start your course to buy any books or specific equipment as your tutor will be able to provide more details about what is essential. And our library may be able to provide you with reading materials. But there are a few things you may want to consider.

• Academic diary – a staple to help you with your time management as well as upcoming tasks in both your academic and personal life.
• Notepads and pens – some people prefer to do this digitally rather than on paper, whichever you prefer, make sure you have the resources to complete any notes you’d like to take. If you like to write on a physical notepad, consider an A5 size so that it’s easier to carry around.

And of course, anything else that you like to use for your academic studies, like highlighters, flashcards and folders.

Your department contacts

For further information, queries, or a chat please contact Dr Christina Donovan, Programme Leader for the MA Education (All Pathways).

You can also find out more about the department and meet the team here.

Accessibility

At Edge Hill, we want you to feel supported and comfortable so that you can thrive. To help you achieve your goals, we offer a wide range of resources, both online and on campus.

Through our Assistive and Accessible Technologies Toolkits, all students have access to software and apps on their devices, including Mind Mapping, Text-to-Speech, Help and learn, and Note-taking on their devices. You can find out how to use these toolkits here:

Assistive technology | Library and Learning Services | Edge Hill

We pride ourselves in being accessible to all, helping you make the best out of your university experience. With over £350m invested, Edge Hill offers state-of-the-art facilities, dedicated study spaces and on-campus accommodation.

We also have created a range of guides to help you plan and navigate life at Edge Hill. You can gain access to these guides here:

Accessibility on Campus – Edge Hill University

Our Brand Story