MA Education

Leading Sport in Schools is a two year, part-time online course aimed at current, aspiring, and ambitious Directors of Sport in schools of all types. 

There are approximately 1,000 Directors of Sport in UK independent schools, and a similar number in UK curriculum schools overseas. These positions have changed significantly in their structure, operation and success criteria over the last 10 years. The traditional entry route, via PE teaching, does not provide an adequate preparation for the demands of this role. There is currently no specific qualification that either prepares candidates for this role, provides a suitability indicator for employers or improves the performance of incumbents. This programme addresses this.

For those working in international schools, an MA qualification is often required for appointment to SMT roles and in some countries higher qualifications such as Master’s degrees are required for their general teaching body.

This MA is an online programme that is made up of four taught modules and culminates in the awarding of a Master’s degree following the successful completion of a fifth module which is a dissertation. The essence of the course is the development of a broad understanding of the context of school sport and physical activity, current sector issues and the role of the leader in determining a positive sports culture and programme success in schools.

Module topics

• The historical context of school sport, exercise and PE (25 credits)
• Contemporary issues in school sport and physical activity (25 credits)
• Leadership and management in school sport (30 credits)
• Building a positive culture of sport and physical activity (40 credits)
• Educational Research Project (60 credits)

Entry Requirements

To apply for this course, you must:

• Hold a UK degree (2.2 or above) or equivalent qualification
• Be working in a school

Teaching & Assessment

A 5,000 – 6,000-word written assignment at the end of each module and in one module a presentation. The final dissertation will be 12,000 – 15,000 words.

Materials will be made available for each of the modules so that students can access recorded lectures, online discussion seminars, reading lists and guided study materials from wherever they are in the world.

The course will also encourage students to examine current and historical practices within their own, and other schools, and to research examples of good practice elsewhere. A range of case studies will be presented for analysis and various practical projects will provide students with the opportunity to apply newly discovered research materials to their own school-based context.

Fees

Sep 2024, part-time (2 Years) UK £6,500 INT £6,500

Fees are invoiced at the beginning of the course, installments can be arranged directly with the University's Finance department upon receipt of the invoice. Applicants must also pay a non-refundable £300 registration fee.

How To Apply

Click here to apply through the University of Buckingham's website, or contact The Faculty of Education on +44 (0)1280 820222 or by email: education@buckingham.ac.uk.

Before we can accept you, you will need to supply:

• A copy of your passport photo page
• A copy of your degree certificate
• A supporting reference from your Headteacher

Closing date for applications: 12 July 2025 (September 2025 Entry)