Education - Leading Skills Development

Overview

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.



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

STR7014-STATEGIC AND OPERATIONAL LEADERSHIP: FROM CULTURE AND VISION TO SCHOOL/COLLEGE IMPROVMENT



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.

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.

How To Apply

The deadline for applications is 12noon on Monday 12th January 2026. Applications received after this date will be treated on a case by case basis.

1 year part-time online.



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.