Educational Leadership & Management

Maynooth University Department of Education offers an exciting, innovative and flexible Future Leaders Programme. It is designed for teachers at all levels who are aspiring to or who are already in leadership roles, as well as for those who are seeking to develop leadership skills in their educational settings. The programme is designed specifically to build your knowledge, competence, and expertise as you undertake your education leadership journey. The Future Leaders Programme offers a combination of practical skills and theoretical foundations to support preparation for leadership and management positions at all levels. It is designed and delivered by experienced leaders, educators and academics from a variety of professional education roles and has input from national and international academic/practitioner experts in the areas of educational leadership and management.



The Master of Educational Leadership & Management M.Ed.ELM is delivered via a blended-learning approach, with workshops, seminars and on-line engagement.



What will you gain from the programme?

• A deep understanding of leadership and management in the field of education and insight into your preferred leadership style.

• Development of your communication, persuasive and influencing skills to help you inspire people.

• Self-awareness around your strengths and areas for development.

• Knowledge around how to introduce, mediate and successfully manage well-being, anti-bullying and other policies within the school setting.

• A comprehensive understanding of the legal and policy context relating to management and leadership in educational settings.

• Creative strategies to help you to deliver innovative solutions for your workplace.

• Coaching and mentoring skills to optimise your team's potential.

• A repertoire of pedagogical and assessment approaches that have been designed to build your competences.



This programme is a 21-month part-time programme delivered through a blended learning model that involves significant face-to-face engagement, with a strong emphasis on peer learning.



Year 1 incorporates the PGDELM, Lectures are scheduled to take place in Maynooth University on Mondays 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm (16 weeks in person and 5 weeks. online).



Year 2 is available in Maynooth University



Two full-day day Saturday seminars (Sept. & March in Maynooth University), five three-hour workshops on Thursdays 5-8pm (Sept -Feb) in Maynooth University, interactive on-line lectures and a supervision model involving both supportive group supervision sessions and individual feedback.



Delivered via a blended-learning approach: workshops, seminars and online engagement.

Year 1 Modules (PGDELM & M.Ed.ELM) include:

• Leading & Managing Educational Innovation

• Leadership for Enhancing Cultures of Communication

• Participative Research as Leadership Practice

• The Person and The Professional: Who am I as a Leader?

• Legal Contexts, Policy & Practice

• Coaching and Mentoring in & as Leadership Practice



Year 2 Modules (M.Ed.ELM & T-M.Ed.ELM) include

• Research Methods

• Capstone Research Project

There are three entry requirements for the programme:



(1) A minimum of 3 years full time, qualified teaching experience (prior to commencement of programme in September 2025)



(2) A recognised level 8 degree



(3) A teaching qualification or equivalent



(4) Registration with the Teaching Council (Ireland)



Minimum English language requirements:



Applicants for whom English is not their first language are required to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study. For information about English language tests accepted and required scores, please see here. The requirements specified are applicable for both EU and International applicants.



Maynooth University's TOEFL code is 8850

Closing Date : 30 June 2025



Applications are open for the 2025/6 academic year. Visit our online application portal to start your application.

We are here to support you throughout the admissions process.



For queries on your postgraduate course options please contact pgstudies@mu.ie

For queries or support on your application process please contact pgadmissions@mu.ie



If you are an international (Non-EU) applicant please contact internationaladmissions@mu.ie

21 months part-time

Graduates of our programme have been highly successful in developing their repertoire of capabilities and competencies across the leadership spectrum. Significant numbers have had opportunity to progress their career with Posts of Responsibility at all levels in their schools (up to the senior role of Principal or Deputy Principal) and across all sectors, including Further Education and Training, Youthreach, Community education projects and in alternative settings. Secondment to education support services is another option that has proved attractive to graduates of the programme.