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Education, Leadership and Culture

Course details
  • BA (Hons)
  • 3 Years
  • Full-time
  • 21/09/2026
  • Undergraduate
Course location
Main Site

Course summary

The BA Education, Leadership and Culture considers education in a range of formal and non-formal contexts and cultural settings. You will learn about the opportunities education has to offer in addressing some of the key social and cultural challenges of 21st century.

This involves exploring educational research and practice across different areas, including schools and universities; urban spaces; digital and social media; creative industries; art and heritage; the world of work; multicultural communities; and more.

By looking at educational leadership cultures and styles that enhance social responsibility and justice, you will gain knowledge and develop skills in innovative leadership practices.

Building on world-leading expertise at the Manchester Institute of Education, it helps you develop as culturally responsive and ethical leaders who collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders to tackle ‘real-world’ challenges.

Delve into ‘culture’ as a key concept and explore authentic and creative forms of learning, development, and problem solving that meet the complexities of 21st century life.

The course draws from shared experience and professional advice of both academic and non-academics working in educational and/or cultural institutions and communities across Manchester.

A key feature of the course is that you can put our theory into your practice and gain invaluable hands-on experience through placement in the second and third year. This is facilitated by project-based and collaborative learning with Manchester based public and third-sector partners such as; museums and heritage institutions, civic organisations, community groups and charities, schools, colleges and universities, and other stakeholders with a cultural and educational mission.

The programme will support you to:

  • Gain key insights and build experience in education and educational leadership in a wide variety of cultural contexts

  • Develop your own educational leadership practice, working towards equitable and sustainable social change

  • Engage with progressive theoretical debates and be enabled to apply your knowledge collaboratively in both formal and non-formal educational contexts

  • Obtain knowledge on inclusivity, sustainable leadership, and the purposeful curatorship of knowledge/information in increasingly diverse, complex, and often conflictual socio-cultural spaces

  • Benefit from practical experience in collaborative work and cultural co-production for the purposes of civic and democratic inquiry and practical problem solving in local, national, and global contexts.

How to apply

Apply by
14 January

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
X305
Institution code:
M20
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Open days

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

UCAS Tariff - Not accepted

A level - ABB

ABB Practical skills are a crucial part of science education and therefore will be a requirement to pass the practical element of any science A Level taken. Where applicants are applying for science and related degrees, this is likely to be made explicit in the offer you will receive. Applicants taking A Levels are normally expected to offer three full A Levels. If you’re taking more than three A Levels, these won’t be included in your offer. We will only make offers consisting of three A Levels. Typical Contextual Offer: BBC Practical skills are a crucial part of science education and therefore will be a requirement to pass the practical element of any science A Level taken. Where applicants are applying for science and related degrees, this is likely to be made explicit in the offer you will receive. Applicants taking A Levels are normally expected to offer three full A Levels. If you’re taking more than three A Levels, these won’t be included in your offer. We will only make offers consisting of three A Levels.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DDM

We consider the National Extended Diploma for entry provided it is in a subject relevant to the chosen course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full National Extended Diploma with Grades DDM. Please note that the National Diploma and the National Extended Certificate must be studied alongside A-levels. We are unable to accept combinations of the BTEC qualification.

Access to HE Diploma

We require a QAA-recognised Access to HE Diploma (a minimum of 60 credits overall with at least 45 at Level 3), with Merit in a subject area relevant to the chosen course. The specific course requirements are 60 credits are required with 45 at level 3 and 30 credits at Distinction and the remaining 15 credits at Merit grade. We also consider other factors such as other educational achievements, life experience and skills on an individual basis.

Scottish Higher

Scottish Advanced Highers are normally required in one of the following combinations: Three Advanced Highers BBB or Two Advanced Highers BB , plus additional Highers BB English Language and Mathematics not taken at Higher/Advanced Higher must have been achieved at SCQF level 5 (minimum National 5 grade C / Intermediate 2 grade C / Standard Grade Credit level grade 3). If you require further clarification about the acceptability of this qualification please contact the Academic School(s) you plan to apply to.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DM

We consider the National Diploma for entry provided it is in a subject relevant to the chosen course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full National Diploma with grades DM, plus an A-level at grade B.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016) - D

We consider the National Extended Certificate for entry provided it is in a subject relevant to the chosen course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full National Extended Certificate with grade D, plus two A-levels at grades BB.

Scottish Advanced Higher

Scottish Advanced Highers are normally required in one of the following combinations: Three Advanced Highers BBB or Two Advanced Highers BB , plus additional Highers BB English Language and Mathematics not taken at Higher/Advanced Higher must have been achieved at SCQF level 5 (minimum National 5 grade C / Intermediate 2 grade C / Standard Grade Credit level grade 3). If you require further clarification about the acceptability of this qualification please contact the Academic School(s) you plan to apply to.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 34 points

34 points overall. 6,5,5 in Higher Level subjects Applicants studying the International Baccalaureate Career Related Programme (IBCP) should contact the admissions team prior to applying so that their academic profile can be considered.

WJEC Level 3 Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales

We welcome and recognise the value of the Baccalaureate Wales and accept the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales (replacing the Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate from September 2023) The minimum grade required will normally be the same as the lowest grade listed in the A Level entry requirements. For applicants who have studied the Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate, this qualification will still be accepted in lieu of one A-level (normally the lowest A-level grade listed).

Extended Project

The University recognises the benefits of the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) and the opportunities it provides for applicants to develop independent study and research skills. Although the Extended Project will not be included in the conditions of your offer, we strongly encourage you to provide information about the EPQ in your personal statement and at interview. A number of our academic Schools may also choose to take your performance in the EPQ into account should places be available in August for applicants who narrowly miss the entry grades for their chosen course.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

Applicants must demonstrate a broad general education including acceptable levels of Literacy and Numeracy, equivalent to at least Grade 4 or Grade C in GCSE/IGCSE English Language and Mathematics. GCSE/IGCSE English Literature will not be accepted in lieu of GCSE/IGCSE English Language. Please note that if you hold English as a second language IGCSE qualification, we may also require you to offer one of  our acceptable equivalent English Language qualifications  or achieve a higher grade in your IGCSE than the one stated above. Please contact the admissions team in your academic School/Department for clarification.

OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma - DDM

We consider the Technical Extended Diploma for entry provided it is in a subject relevant to the chosen course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full Technical Extended Diploma with Grades DDM

OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma - DM

We consider the Technical Diploma for entry provided it is in a subject relevant to the chosen course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full Technical Diploma with Grades DM plus an additional level 3 qualification such as an A Level at Grade A..

OCR Cambridge Technical Foundation Diploma - MM

We consider the Technical Foundation Diploma for entryprovided it is in a subject relevant to the chosen course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full Technical Foundation Diploma with Grades MM plus additional level 3 qualifications such as A Level at Grade BB.

OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate - D

We consider the Technical Extended Certificate for entry provided it is in a subject relevant to the chosen course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full Technical Extended Certificate with Grade D plus additional Level 3 qualifications such as A Levels at Grades BB.

T Level - Not accepted

The University recognises a number of foundation programmes as suitable for entry to this undergraduate programme:Applicants completing the INTO Manchester in partnership with The University of Manchester international foundation programme are required to achieve ABB and an EAP score of B overall with B in writing and speaking and with C in reading and listening. Applicants completing the NCUK International Foundation year are required to achieve ABB and an EAP score of B overall with B in writing and speaking and with C in reading and listening.Applicants studying other Foundation programmes should contact the academic School to check if their qualification is recognised for entry to this programme and for specific entry requirements.

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6.56.5 overall, with 6.5 in writing and no other sub-section below 6.0.
All applicants to the University (from the UK and Overseas) are required to show evidence of English Language proficiency. The minimum English Language requirement for this course is either: GCSE/IGCSE English Language grade C/4, or; IELTS 6.5 overall, with 6.5 in writing and no other sub-section below 6.0, or; An acceptable equivalent qualification. We do not offer Pre-sessional English Language courses for entry onto our undergraduate programmes within the School of Environment, Education and Development.The UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) requires that every student from outside the UK and the EU must show evidence of a minimum level of English Language in order to be granted a UK visa (Tier 4 visa) to study at undergraduate or postgraduate level. This level is often referred to as the 'B2 level'. Additionally, our individual Schools may ask for specific English Language proficiency levels that are necessary for their academic programmes. In most cases these requirements are likely to be higher than the B2 level.

Alternative English Language Qualifications https://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/international/admissions/language-requirements/

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

We operate contextual admissions meaning many applicants receive an offer and are admitted at least one grade below standard entry requirements. Entry requirements for applicants meeting contextual admissions criteria are listed next to the standard entry requirements on course profiles.

Contextual admissions means we consider your application in context helping us to ensure everyone has a fair chance of getting into Manchester. The data we use is automatically provided on your UCAS form.

Learn more on the University of Manchester website

Historical entry grades data BETA

This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted with (learn more). It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

No fee information has been provided for this course

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.

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