Master of Leadership in Education

On completion of this course you will be able to:

1. integrate relevant knowledge and relational sensibilities in work efficacy in middle and senior leadership contexts
2. critique the complex forces impacting on leadership in organisations for the purposes of negotiating and navigating outcomes.
3. articulate a sound understanding of current challenging issues in leadership at state, national and international levels through debate, discussion and research
4. justify contextual practices, priorities and strategies within the context of policy developments and enactment in education and human services
5. evaluate, design and conduct research into current educational issues related to middle and senior leadership using sound research principles and methods

Are you keen to identify and build on your strengths as a leader and gain an understanding of the relational and contextual nature of leadership?

Join our graduates, who have come from a wide variety of sectors with diverse qualifications, and gone on to lead positive change in their respective fields. You may be a current or future human resource manager, a school principal, aspiring teacher or departmental officer, a policy developer, vocational education sector manager, or a leader of a university academic or administration unit.

The Master of Leadership in Education focuses on working with aspiring, middle and senior leaders to:

• understand how they might grow their leadership as change agents with knowledge and relational sensibilities to work with others for a better world
• identify where traditional notions of leadership must change; and
• support leadership which recognises local and global contexts, judgement, and relationships as fundamental to the way forward.

Flinders’ Master of Leadership in Education course offerings are distinctive in that they approach educational leadership from a humanistic perspective. Energetic, passionate staff will prepare you to think relationally and contextually to employ the skills and knowledge you gain in the classroom to the real world.

The Masters can be completed fully online, providing you with the flexibility to study at your own pace and in your own time.

Recommended study pattern

In the Master of Leadership in Education you will study core topics and you may select from a range of option topics and minor programs of study to shape the degree according to your needs and interests. The topics integrate theory with practice, action with reflection, and questions with investigation. We provide students with the opportunity to examine research principles and methods and to apply those principles and methods in the evaluation and design of research into current educational issues in middle and senior leadership contexts. The Master of Leadership in Education works with middle and senior leaders in a variety of contexts including schooling contexts to understand how they might grow their leadership as change agents with knowledge and the relational sensibilities to work with others. The topics allow for you to critically discuss how leaders build human capacity and relationships within particular contexts to work with diverse groups of people in challenging times to support wellbeing and improved learning.

Award requirements

To complete the requirements of the Master of Leadership in Education, students must successfully complete six core (compulsory) topics, option topics and at least one minor chosen from various areas including:

• Educational design and digital learning
• International baccalaureate
• Languages education
• Rural leadership and wellbeing
• Positive mental health

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.

Indicative total fee $41,760

The amount shown here is indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.

Fees may vary depending on:

• the subjects you choose
• credit from previous work experience
• your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.

To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.

Flinders University is a globally-focused, locally-engaged institution with a reputation for excellence in teaching, learning and research. They offer world‐class education that develops the critical and creative thinking skills to support a student’s success. Their courses offered through Open Universities Australia span business, education and law. They are designed with flexibility in mind, while delivering the advanced qualifications to take careers to the next step.

Learn more about Flinders University.

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QS World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:

21

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:

22

Applicants must normally hold a bachelor degree or equivalent qualification or hold a the Graduate Certificate in Inclusive and Specialised Education or closely related qualification. In addition, applicants must also have no less than two years’ work experience in an organisation.

Flinders University conducts an English Language proficiency check on applications submitted for consideration to its courses. 

This will be met in a number of ways, including if the applicants:

• first language is English (i.e. citizenship is held for a country where English is the official language)
• completed secondary schooling in Australia
• completed prior study in English (e.g. a Certificate IV or higher from a recognised Australian training institution)
• completed one semester of full-time equivalent tertiary study at a higher education institution 
• completed a recognised Foundation Studies or bridging program 
• performance in the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) meets the University's admissions requirements 
• registered with an Australian professional registration body relevant to the applicant's proposed course (e.g. applicant holds current registration as a Registered Nurse, General Practitioner, Teacher, Physiotherapist, Occupational Therapist, Social Worker and such in Australia)
• achieved a score within an international English language proficiency test such as IELTS, PTE, TOEFL or Cambridge CAE that meets the minimum proficiency for the university
• completed an approved English language course from a registered English Language Intensive Course for Overseas Students (ELICOS) Provider

In some instances, applicants may be asked to provide evidence they meet the requirements if the information required is not available in their application. 

Credit transfer may be granted, on application, for prior study completed in a relevant honours, graduate certificate, graduate diploma or master degree; accredited professional development; or relevant work experience. Applications for credit transfer are assessed on a case by case basis according to Flinders University policies. Students must be made an offer for entry into a degree before lodging their completed credit transfer application, along with all necessary documentation for formal assessment.