Award Option

Single Award: Institut Brittany d’Enseignement Supérieur (IBES)

Programme Aims

The programme aims to:

1. Provide advanced knowledge of educational leadership and management at EQF Level 7 (Master’s level), enabling graduates to engage with complex educational challenges.
2. Develop high-level analytical, strategic, and problem-solving capabilities to design, implement, and evaluate leadership interventions in dynamic educational contexts.
3. Prepare graduates for leadership and management roles by aligning learning outcomes with the ESCO framework (education leaders, school managers, academic administrators).
4. Strengthen professional and transversal competences including ethical leadership, governance, stakeholder engagement, and organisational decision-making.
5. Equip graduates to lead digital transformation in education through integration of the European Digital Competence Framework (DigComp).
6. Foster reflective, inclusive, and socially responsible leadership practice, supporting continuous professional development.
7. Provide a progression route to gain a Master in Education award (with Jesselton University College).

Programme Learning Outcomes (PLOs)

On completion, students will be able to:

• Advanced Knowledge: Critically analyse and synthesise advanced theories and research in educational leadership and management to inform strategic decision-making.
• Research-Informed Practice: Apply research-informed methods and evidence-based strategies to diagnose, plan, implement, and evaluate leadership interventions.
• Professional Leadership & Autonomy: Exercise professional judgement, autonomy, and responsibility in leading educational organisations and initiatives.
• Organisational & Strategic Management: Design and lead governance, change management, and stakeholder engagement strategies aligned with organisational goals and policy.
• Digital Leadership: Lead digital transformation through strategic use of digital technologies, data analytics, and digital learning systems.
• Ethical, Inclusive and Sustainable Leadership: Critically evaluate and apply ethical, inclusive, and sustainable leadership practices.
• Advanced Communication & Professional Impact: Communicate complex leadership concepts effectively to specialist and non-specialist audiences.

Awards to be Conferred

• Award Title: Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDip Education)
• Awarding Body: Institut Brittany d’Enseignement Supérieur (IBES)

Progression route

Successful completion allows progression to the dissertation stage with Jesselton University College (JUC) to complete a Master in Education (MEd).

Programme Structure

• Total ECTS: 60 ECTS
• Composition: 6 taught modules of 10 ECTS each (no dissertation within the PGDip).
• Modules:
  1. Educational Leadership and Management
  2. Instructional Leadership and Management
  3. Strategic Management and Leading Change
  4. Digital Leadership in Education
  5. Organisational Culture and School Improvement
  6. Research in Educational Leadership and Management
• Module delivery: Each module is normally delivered over 8 weeks following a prescribed planner.

Assessment Strategies

• Assessment instruments:
  • Work-Based Reports (3,500–4,000 words per module) – structured reports with executive summary, introduction, analysis, conclusions, recommendations, and Harvard/APA references.
  • Articles/Assignments – applying theory to a real or familiar educational organisation.
  • Case studies and simulations.
• Module assessment weighting: 100% coursework (no examinations).
• Grading (per module and overall):
  • Distinction: 70–100%
  • Merit: 60–69%
  • Pass: 50–59%
  • Fail: below 50%
• PGDip Education Classification:
  • Distinction: 70% or above
  • Merit: 60–69%
  • Pass: 50–59%
  • Fail: 49% or below

Entry Requirements

Applicants must meet one of the following:

• A recognised bachelor’s degree in Education or a related field; OR
• A bachelor’s degree in another discipline, subject to relevant professional experience and approval by IBES; OR
• A professional qualification equivalent to a degree plus a minimum of two years of working experience; OR
• Mature candidates without a degree but holding a Diploma/Advanced Diploma with more than six years of teaching/administrative experience (at least two years at supervisory/managerial level).

English Language Proficiency (one of):

• IELTS overall band 5.5 or equivalent
• Previous undergraduate or professional qualification taught and assessed in English
• A qualification examined in English at EQF Level 2 or above (subject to IBES approval)
• Passing an English test administered by ESOL Awards at CEFR B2 level

Advanced Standing / APL: Accreditation of Prior Learning (certificated or experiential) may be granted at the discretion of an appointed panel.

Delivery Mode

Two modes are offered:

• Self-Instructional Modules (SIMs) include study guides, videos, podcasts, and additional readings.
• Students are supported by tutors who mediate online interactions and provide advice.

Duration / Notional Hours

• Maximum completion time: 12 months from enrolment (unless extension approved).
• Notional hours per module: 250 hours (explicitly stated for each module).
  • Blended breakdown: 18 hours lectures/tutorials + 8 hours online + 224 hours independent study = 250 hours
  • Fully online breakdown: 8 hours online + 242 hours independent study = 250 hours
• Total notional hours for the programme: 6 modules × 250 hours = 1,500 hours.
• Total ECTS: 60 ECTS (consistent with 1 ECTS = 25 notional hours).

Pricing:

PG Diploma in Education: €900