Awards Option
Single Award: Institut Brittany d’Enseignement Supérieur (IBES)
Programme Aims
The Master of Education (Leadership and Management) aims to:
Provide advanced knowledge of educational leadership and management that reflects the intellectual depth, critical understanding, and professional expectations associated with EQF Level 7 (Master’s level), enabling graduates to engage with complex educational challenges at institutional and system levels.
Develop high-level analytical, strategic, and problem-solving capabilities that allow graduates to design, implement, and evaluate leadership and management interventions in diverse, dynamic, and unpredictable educational contexts.
Prepare graduates for leadership and management roles within education and training systems by aligning learning outcomes with the ESCO framework (European Skills, Competences, Qualifications and Occupations), ensuring relevance to professional occupational profiles such as education leaders, school managers, academic administrators, and policy practitioners.
Strengthen professional and transversal competences, including ethical leadership, governance, stakeholder engagement, communication, and organisational decision-making.
Equip graduates to lead digital transformation in education through integration of the European Digital Competence Framework (DigComp), enabling informed use of digital technologies, data-driven decision-making, and oversight of technology-enhanced learning ecosystems.
Programme Learning Outcomes
Upon completion, students will be able to:
| PLO | Description |
|---|---|
| PLO1 – Advanced Knowledge | Critically analyse and synthesise advanced theories, models, and research in educational leadership and management to inform strategic decision-making within complex and evolving educational contexts. |
| PLO2 – Research-Informed Practice | Apply research-informed methods and evidence-based strategies to diagnose, plan, implement, and evaluate leadership and organisational interventions addressing complex and unpredictable challenges in education. |
| PLO3 – Professional Leadership & Autonomy | Exercise professional judgement, autonomy, and responsibility in leading educational organisations, teams, and initiatives, demonstrating accountability for institutional performance and improvement. |
| PLO4 – Organisational & Strategic Management | Design and lead effective governance, change management, and stakeholder engagement strategies aligned with organisational goals, education policy environments, and system-level priorities. |
| PLO5 – Digital Leadership (DigComp) | Lead and manage digital transformation in educational organisations through the strategic use of digital technologies, data analytics, and digital learning systems to enhance organisational effectiveness and educational outcomes. |
| PLO6 – Ethical, Inclusive & Sustainable Leadership | Critically evaluate and apply ethical, inclusive, and sustainable leadership practices, addressing issues of equity, digital responsibility, governance, and social accountability in education. |
| PLO7 – Advanced Communication & Professional Impact | Communicate complex educational leadership concepts, analyses, and recommendations effectively to specialist and non-specialist audiences, supporting collaborative decision-making and professional influence. |
Awards to be Conferred
- Award Title: Mastère en Éducation (Master of Education – M.Ed.)
- Awarding Body: Institut Brittany d’Enseignement Supérieur (IBES)
Exit Award: Postgraduate Diploma in Education (awarded to students who acquire a minimum of 60 ECTS credits but do not complete the full M.Ed.)
Programme Structure
The M.Ed. consists of 8 taught modules (7.5 ECTS each) and a Dissertation (30 ECTS), totalling 90 ECTS.
Core Modules (8 modules)
| Module | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 | Educational Leadership & Management |
| 2 | Instructional Leadership & Management |
| 3 | Strategic Management & Leading Change |
| 4 | Digital Leadership in Education |
| 5 | Organisational Culture and School Improvement |
| 6 | Research in Educational Leadership & Management |
| 7 | Resilience & Mental Fortitude |
| 8 | Emotional Intelligence (EQ) & Managing Conflict |
Dissertation
30 ECTS – independent research project under supervisor guidance.
Specialisations (choose one for dissertation focus)
Students may obtain an M.Ed. with a specialism by undertaking research in one of the following areas:
Educational Technology & Artificial Intelligence
Special Educational Needs
Assessment, Measurement & Evaluation
Curriculum Design and Development
Early Childhood Education
Adult Education
Online Teaching and Learning
Leadership and Management
Instructional Design
Educational Psychology
Assessment Strategies
Assessment Weighting: 100% coursework (no examinations).
Assessment Instruments:
Work‑Based Reports (4,000–4,500 words)
Academic Articles / Essays
Case Studies
Simulations / Scenarios
Research Proposal (4,000–4,500 words)
Dissertation (10,000–12,000 words)
Reflective Leadership Logs or Executive Portfolios (for modules 7 & 8)
Grading: Pass mark is 50%. Classification structure based on aggregate performance (Distinction, Merit, Pass, Fail). Resit opportunities available (max two attempts).
External Examination: An External Examiner reviews a sample of work and must consent to all award recommendations.
Entry Requirements
Applicants may be admitted on evidence that they can fulfil and benefit from the programme objectives.
Minimum Academic Requirements
A Bachelor’s degree in Education or a related field from a recognised institution.
Applicants with degrees in other disciplines may be considered based on relevant professional experience, academic background, or motivation – subject to final approval by IBES.
English Language Proficiency – demonstrated by one of the following:
IELTS overall band 5.5 or equivalent recognised test.
An undergraduate or professional qualification taught and assessed entirely in English.
A qualification examined in English at EQF Level 2 or above.
Passing the ESOL Awards English test at B2 level (contact IBES for details).
Advanced Standing (APL)
Accreditation of Prior Learning (certificated or experiential) may be granted on a case‑by‑case basis by an appointed panel. Regular cohort admissions with advanced standing require an Academic Progression Agreement.
Delivery Mode
Students can choose between two flexible delivery formats:
| Mode | Components |
|---|---|
| Blended Learning | • Self‑instructional learning materials (downloaded from Learning Portal) • Face‑to‑face tutorials: 12–18 hours per module at a learning centre • Online discussions: at least 8 hours per module |
| Fully Online | • Self‑instructional learning materials (downloaded from Learning Portal) • Online discussions: at least 8 hours per module • No face‑to‑face requirement |
All learning resources (SIMs, videos, podcasts, readings) are provided via a Learning Management System (LMS). Tutors mediate online discussions and respond to individual queries.
Duration / Notional Hours
Maximum completion time: 15 months from the date of enrolment (unless an extension is granted by IBES).
Total notional hours for the full programme: 90 ECTS × 25–30 hours per ECTS ≈ 2,250–2,700 hours (varies by module structure).
Per 7.5 ECTS module: 188 notional hours (including lectures, online interaction, and independent learning).
Dissertation (30 ECTS): 750 notional hours.
Each academic term consists of 8 weeks per module. The cycle of delivery follows a prescribed module planner for a full academic year.
