Award Option and Progression
The Master of Education (MEd) follows a progression pathway. Students first complete the Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDip Education) offered by IBES. Upon successful completion, they progress to the 20-credit dissertation module awarded by Jesselton University College (JUC), Malaysia. Successful completion of both stages leads to the award of the Master of Education (MEd) by Jesselton University College.
Programme Aims
The programme aims to:
- Provide advanced knowledge of educational leadership and management, reflecting the intellectual depth and critical understanding expected at a Master’s level, and enabling graduates to engage with complex educational challenges.
- Develop high-level analytical, strategic, and problem-solving capabilities to design, implement, and evaluate leadership and management interventions in diverse and dynamic educational contexts.
- Prepare graduates for senior leadership and management roles within educational and training systems by aligning learning outcomes with professional occupational profiles.
- Strengthen professional and transversal competences, including ethical leadership, governance, stakeholder engagement, and communication.
- Equip graduates to lead digital transformation in education, enabling the informed use of digital technologies and data-driven decision-making.
- Foster reflective, inclusive, and socially responsible leadership practice that supports continuous professional development and lifelong learning.
- Enable learners to undertake a substantial, independent research study that demonstrates advanced understanding and practical application of educational theories.
- Strengthen the ability to identify significant educational issues, formulate relevant research questions, and design appropriate research methodologies to investigate educational practice.
Programme Highlights
- Flexible online learning
- International supervision
- Research-based dissertation
- Suitable for working professionals
- Progression from IBES PGDip
- Internationally recognised award
Programme Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the combined programme, graduates will be able to:
Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip Education) Learning Outcomes (PLOs):
- PLO1-Advanced Knowledge: Critically analyse and synthesise advanced theories, models, and research in educational leadership and management to inform strategic decision-making.
- PLO2-Research-Informed Practice: Apply research-informed methods and evidence-based strategies to diagnose, plan, implement, and evaluate leadership interventions.
- PLO3-Professional Leadership & Autonomy: Exercise professional judgement, autonomy, and responsibility in leading educational organisations, teams, and initiatives.
- PLO4-Organisational & Strategic Management: Design and lead effective governance, change management, and stakeholder engagement strategies.
- PLO5-Digital Leadership: Lead and manage digital transformation in educational organisations through the strategic use of digital technologies.
- PLO6-Ethical, Inclusive and Sustainable Leadership: Critically evaluate and apply ethical, inclusive, and sustainable leadership practices.
- PLO7-Advanced Communication & Professional Impact: Communicate complex educational leadership concepts effectively to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
Dissertation (MEd) Learning Outcomes:
- Outcome 1: Research Design: Design and conduct a well-defined independent research study.
- Outcome 2: Research Methodology: Apply appropriate research approaches to collect, analyse, and interpret educational data.
- Outcome 3: Critical Engagement: Conduct a systematic and critical review of relevant educational literature.
- Outcome 4: Ethical Practice: Demonstrate adherence to ethical principles and academic integrity in educational research.
- Outcome 5: Evidence-Based Practice: Interpret findings to develop practical recommendations for improving educational practice.
- Outcome 6: Dissertation Writing: Produce a well-structured and coherent dissertation.
- Outcome 7: Scholarly Defence: Communicate research findings effectively through written reports and viva voce examinations.
- Outcome 8: Reflective Practice: Demonstrate independent learning, time management, and project management skills.
Awards to be Conferred
Graduates of the full programme will receive the following award:
- Master of Education (MEd) from Jesselton University College (JUC), Malaysia.
Students who successfully complete the taught component will be awarded the:
- Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDip Education) from Institut Brittany d’Enseignement Supérieur (IBES)
Programme Structure
The MEd is a two-stage programme.
Stage 1: Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDip Education)
- Credits: 60 ECTS Credits.
- Structure: Six (6) compulsory taught modules of 10 ECTS credits each.
- Module 1: Educational Leadership & Management
- Module 2: Instructional Leadership & Management
- Module 3: Strategic Management & Leading Change
- Module 4: Digital Leadership in Education
- Module 5: Organisational Culture and School Improvement
- Module 6: Research in Educational Leadership & Management
- Total Notional Hours: 1,500 hours (250 hours per module).
Stage 2: Dissertation (MEd)
- Credits: 20 Credits (JUC).
- Structure: An independent research study culminating in a written dissertation.
- Dissertation Structure: The main body of the dissertation comprises six chapters (Introduction, Literature Review, Research Methodology, Findings/Results, Discussion, and Conclusions/Recommendations).
- Word Count: Approximately 20,000 words (+/- 10%) excluding preliminary pages and appendices.
- Research Proposal: A detailed research proposal (approx. 3,000 words) must be prepared and defended before proceeding to the full dissertation.
- Assessment Strategies
PGDip Education Assessment
- Each module is assessed through 100% coursework.
- Assessment instruments include work-based reports, articles/assignments, case studies, and simulations.
- Coursework typically ranges from 3,500 to 4,000 words per module.
- The assessment tests knowledge, critical analysis, planning, organisation, and report writing skills.
MEd (Dissertation) Assessment
- The assessment is based entirely on the submitted dissertation.
- A viva voce examination is conducted after submission, where students present and defend their research.
- The final dissertation grade is determined by performance on the written document and the viva voce.
Entry Requirements
Admission to the Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDip Education)
An applicant may be admitted based on evidence demonstrating their academic background, professional motivation, and English language ability.
- Academic:
- A recognised Bachelor’s degree in Education or a related field.
- Applicants with Bachelor’s degrees in other disciplines may be considered based on relevant professional experience.
- A professional qualification equivalent to a degree and a minimum of two years of working experience.
- Mature candidates without a degree but with a Diploma/Advanced Diploma and more than six years of teaching/administrative experience (with at least two years at a supervisory level) may be considered.
- English Language Proficiency: Must be demonstrated through one of the following:
- IELTS overall band score of 5.5 or equivalent.
- Evidence of a previous qualification taught and assessed in English.
- A qualification assessed in English at EQF Level 2 or above.
- Successful completion of an ESOL Awards English test at CEFR B2 level.
Admission to the Dissertation (MEd) Stage
- Successful completion of all requirements of the Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDip Education) from IBES is the pre-requisite for progression to the dissertation stage with JUC.
Delivery Mode
Both stages of the programme are offered in two delivery modes:
- Blended Learning: This mode includes self-instructional learning materials, face-to-face tutorials (18 hours per module), and online discussions (at least 8 hours per module).
- Fully Online: This mode consists entirely of self-instructional learning materials and online discussions (at least 8 hours per module), with no face-to-face requirement.
Duration
- PGDip Education: The programme has a maximum duration of 12 months from the date of enrolment.
- MEd Dissertation: The dissertation stage must be completed within a minimum of 4 months and a maximum of 8 months from the date of registration.
