Leadership (Full-time) (MA)
Our MA Leadership programme, based at our Cardiff campus, is designed to provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to become an effective leader in today’s fast-paced world. Leadership plays a crucial role in shaping successful and sustainable organisations across a range of industries, from healthcare and engineering to retail, banking, hospitality, and social services. This course offers a comprehensive and challenging curriculum, preparing you to lead confidently and effectively in your chosen field.
Throughout the course, you will engage in both intellectual and practical learning experiences that promote personal and professional growth. The programme encourages you to think critically, challenge established norms, and develop a leadership style that is adaptable to various professional contexts. It also places a strong emphasis on collaboration, as you will work alongside peers from diverse backgrounds, gaining fresh perspectives and learning from each other’s experiences.
A key feature of the MA Leadership programme is its focus on real-world application. You will have the opportunity to engage with external experts through seminars and guest lectures, gaining insight into the latest research and industry trends. This exposure allows you to connect academic theories with practical leadership strategies, enhancing your ability to apply these ideas within your own professional environment. You will also be encouraged to reflect on your own leadership practice and consider how new concepts can be integrated into your personal development.
The course is ideal for those of you already in senior roles who wish to deepen your leadership skills, as well as those of you aspiring to take on leadership positions in the future. It offers a flexible approach that combines rigorous academic study with the opportunity to explore leadership challenges from various perspectives, preparing you for leadership roles across a broad range of sectors.
Course details
- Full-time
- On-campus
- English
Why choose this course?
What you will learn
The MA Leadership programme promotes active learning and practical leadership skills that are directly applicable to real-world challenges. Our teaching philosophy encourages critical thinking, collaboration, and reflection, ensuring that you are well-prepared to lead in diverse professional environments. The programme equips you with the tools to navigate complex leadership landscapes and create lasting impact.
During the course you will begin by developing a strong foundation in leadership theory and practice. Key topics such as organisational behaviour, leadership ethics, and the influence of culture on leadership will be explored. Emphasis is placed on applying leadership models to real-world situations, allowing you to begin crafting your own leadership approach.
As the programme progresses, you will build on your understanding of strategic leadership and organisational change. You will explore how effective leadership drives innovation, fosters teamwork, and addresses complex challenges within organisations. This stage will focus on decision-making, problem-solving, and strengthening your ability to lead in diverse and dynamic environments.
Throughout the final stage of the programme, you will synthesise your learning through a leadership project, applying your insights to a contemporary issue within your professional context. This project will give you the opportunity to demonstrate your ability to drive organisational change, make strategic decisions, and refine your leadership practice through critical reflection and evaluation.
Compulsory
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
(60 credits)
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
Disclaimer
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The modules outlined above provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this course based on recent academic teaching. We continuously review our courses to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Where your course includes optional modules, these are to provide an element of choice within the course. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed.
You’ll typically complete 120 credits per year of study on a full-time course. For more information visit our Student Agreement.
Staff
Our People
You will be taught and supported by a wide range of professional staff and teams here to help you get the university experience you are looking for. Our teaching staff were ranked 2nd in Wales for Teaching, Assessment and Feedback and Academic Support (NSS 2024) meaning that the support and feedback you get will help you learn and develop strong academic skills. Our students have placed us 1st in Wales for Learning Opportunities and Student Voice (NSS 2024) meaning that there are a wide range of opportunities available to enhance your studies and that students play an active role in shaping their learning experiences. Our commitment to your learning has seen our students place us as 1st in Wales and joint 3rd in the UK for student satisfaction (Times Higher Education, 2024, ‘Overall Positivity’ measure). Find out more about our academic staff who teach across our courses.
Ratings and Rankings
Further information
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2:2 honours degree 
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or UWTSD recognised equivalent.
Alternative entry routes 
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Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education (PGCert). This is the first part of the full Master’s degree.
Once you have successfully completed your PGCert studies, you will be eligible to progress for the remainder of the Master’s degree. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
These are ideal routes if you are returning to study after a gap, or if you have not previously studied this subject, or if you did not achieve the grades you need for a place on this degree. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Admissions Advice and Support 
For specific advice and support you can contact our enquiries team for more information about entry requirements. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
English language requirements 
If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.0, with not less than 5.5 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Visit the International Applications section of our website to find out more about our English Language Requirements and pre-sessional English Language Courses.
Visa and funding requirements 
If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
For courses of more than six months’ duration you will require a Student visa. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
International students who require a Student visa should apply for our full-time courses as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
For full information read our visa application and guides. â¶Ä¯â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
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The programme is assessed in a variety of formats including coursework, portfolios and seminars.
Assessments are linked to industry examples and practical activities, and include evaluation of current leaders.
Students who undertake the entire MA write a 15,000 word dissertation based on a piece of independent research on a leadership related area chosen by the student in discussion with the module lecturer. Each student is allocated a supervisor who will guide them through the research and writing process.
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As an institution, we seek to continually enhance the student experience and as a result, additional costs may be incurred by the student on activities that will add value to their education. Where possible these costs will be kept to a minimum.
The University has an excellent online library which enables all students to access a wide range of resources with no extra cost.
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Some modules in this course are available to study through the medium of Welsh either fully or partially. In all cases students will be able to submit written assessments through the medium of Welsh.
If you choose to study your course either fully or partially through the medium of Welsh, you may be eligible to apply for scholarships and bursaries to support you with your studies.
We are continuously reviewing our Welsh medium provision, the precise availability of modules will vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Where your course offers modules available through the medium of Welsh this may vary from year to year, and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means the availability of specific Welsh medium modules cannot be guaranteed.
Extracurricular Welsh Opportunities
There are many ways to engage with Welsh culture and life at UWTSD, including joining clubs and societies for Welsh speakers and becoming a member of our vibrant Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol branch. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Opportunities to Learn Welsh
We also provide a variety of opportunities to learn and develop your Welsh language skills. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
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You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available, please visit our Bursaries and Scholarships section.
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The programme enables students to develop the key skills and competencies required by employers in constantly competitive global markets.
The content of the programme is vocationally focused, using real case studies of current leaders. Students are also encouraged to share their own leadership experience and apply their knowledge and skills in creative and innovative ways.