MA Educational Leadership and Management alumni profiles

ManPing Guo

Year of Graduation: 2023
Home country: China

ManPing chose to study at the University of Nottingham because of its strong academic reputation, diverse range of courses, and the opportunity to study in a vibrant, multicultural environment. The university's emphasis on research and its global outlook were also key factors in her decision.

"Overall, this course has not only equipped me with essential skills for higher-level roles but has also inspired a deeper commitment to advancing educational practices. It has been a transformative experience that has prepared me for new challenges and opportunities in the field of educational leadership."

Manping says "The course has significantly enhanced my career by equipping me with the skills and knowledge to take on higher-level leadership roles within educational institutions. It has not only deepened my understanding of effective leadership practices but also opened up new career opportunities in educational administration. I am now better positioned to apply for senior roles."

Issues in Educational Leadership and Management was the module ManPing most enjoyed saying it provided invaluable insights into how to effectively lead and manage educational institutions, with a strong focus on strategic planning, decision-making, and fostering a positive organisational culture. The practical case studies and discussions around real-world challenges made the module especially engaging and relevant to her career goals.

For ManPing, the best part of the course was the opportunity to collaborate with a diverse cohort of peers from various educational backgrounds, engaging in discussions, sharing ideas, and learning from each other's experiences as she felt this enriched her understanding of leadership in different educational contexts. The supportive and knowledgeable tutors also made the experience particularly rewarding, encouraging a deep exploration of concepts and real-world applications.

Commenting on the support received during the course, ManPing said "I received excellent support throughout the course from both the tutors and the university. The tutors were always approachable and provided valuable feedback on assignments, which helped me improve my work. The university also offered various resources, such as academic writing workshops and access to an extensive online library, which were crucial for my research. Additionally, the peer support within my cohort was invaluable, as we regularly collaborated and encouraged each other throughout our studies."

ManPing thinks students should choose Nottingham to study this course because of its strong reputation for academic excellence and its focus on practical, real-world applications in educational leadership. The university offers a diverse and supportive learning environment, with access to experienced staff who are leaders in their field. Additionally, Nottingham provides a wealth of resources, including networking opportunities, that can significantly enhance both personal and professional growth. The course's blend of theoretical knowledge and practical experience prepares students to excel in leadership roles within the education sector.

ManPing said "my advice for someone considering this course is to approach it with an open mind and be ready to engage fully with both the theoretical and practical aspects. Take advantage of the diverse perspectives within your cohort, as learning from others' experiences is invaluable. Stay organised and proactive in seeking support from faculty and university resources, as they can greatly enhance your learning experience. Lastly, be prepared to challenge yourself and apply what you learn to real-world situations—this will maximise the course's impact on your career."

Hao Chen

Year of Graduation: 2023
Home country: China

Hao was inspired by two great Chinese role models who studied at the University of Nottingham and chose to follow in their footsteps -  the most famous Chinese Olympic Gold Medalist, Deng Yaping and Chinese CCTV host, Ji Xiaojun. 

"The relationships formed during the course have endured well beyond the classroom. These friendships and professional connections continue to offer support, collaboration opportunities, and a strong sense of community within the field of education. Moreover, the university's alumni network plays a crucial role in extending these connections. It provides a platform for ongoing professional development and collaboration, further enhancing the value of our shared educational background and common professional interests."

Asked what was the best part of the course, Hao said the relationships built with peers, professors, and mentors have been incredibly valuable. "These connections provided support, inspiration, and collaboration opportunities during and after my studies. Don’t underestimate the power of networking and forming genuine connections during your time in the program. Beside this, one of the most satisfying aspects of the course was seeing how theoretical knowledge could be applied to real-world problems. I hope to solve problems using these theories in my educational settings."

The Successful Leadership and Change in Education module left a profound impression on Hao. It delved deeply into the strategies and principles of effectively leading and managing change within educational institutions, exploring various theories and approaches to change management, including how to identify the need for change, design effective strategies, and overcome resistance. This content was incredibly relevant, as the education sector frequently encounters a variety of changes and challenges.

Hao also took advantage of the free academic English courses offered to students, which significantly improved his academic writing skills. Additionally, all the professors and tutors were incredibly supportive and considerate. They would slow down their speaking pace to ensure that all students fully understand the lectures, so Hao said students should not worry about this aspect.

Asked why he thinks students should choose the University of Nottingham, Hao said "the University of Nottingham is consistently ranked among the top universities globally, known for its high academic standards and research excellence. This course is taught by experienced staff who are leaders in their fields, bringing a wealth of practical and theoretical knowledge to the classroom. Additionally, the course includes numerous case studies relevant to China's educational settings, providing valuable insights and practical examples for students."

Hao's advice for those considering applying for this course is, if possible, seek out internships, volunteer opportunities, or part-time roles in educational settings to gain practical experience. "This will help you become more aware of the essential knowledge you're seeking. Applying theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios will not only deepen your understanding but also make you more effective in your future role."

Hoa also said collaboration is key in this field as working with classmates and tutors on group projects can teach you a great deal about teamwork, communication, and leadership dynamics. These skills are just as important as academic knowledge. Additionally, you can gain valuable insights from peers who have extensive experience in their educational and professional lives.

Afiya Riyaz Mohammed

Year of Graduation: 2023
Home country: India

Afiya chose to study at the University of Nottingham because it is among the top 50 in the world for education and proudly positions itself as number two in the UK for graduate employability (High Fliers Graduate Report 2022) and said it has high quality education taught by some world-class professors in the School of Education.

She says likes the lush green sustainable campus and feels the atmosphere for acculturation was advantageous for her as this provided her with holistic development and a safe bubble with the buzzing campus life, with various clubs, societies and presence of the Students' Union.

Asked how the course has helped with her career, Afiya said "It has given me global platform to learn and explore so much in the British and Indian education context. The course design and assessments gave me a new perspective and critical thinking abilities. Without a doubt it will help with my future career, yes! The confidence I have gained by studying at the university has opened dynamic career options for me. With educational leadership and management at its core, I am already working on developing my skills in project management for HE, as taking this particular course was always about being a change maker and implementing those changes in the educational sector.

Afiya enjoyed the Issues in Educational Leadership and Management module best saying ti was an eye opener for her and the more literature she read, the challenges faced by educational leaders seemed similar throughout the globe. Knowledge gained through this module made her more determined to keep working in resolving these issues.

Afiya said her professors and tutors, were been extremely supportive and understanding and she thoroughly enjoyed learning and interacting so much with her Chinese, Colombian and Moroccan friends and as a cohort it was just one big family sharing ideas, having fun and creating memories all the way.

As an international student, Afiya felt well informed during induction week about all the academic and well-being help available. The academic language and communications skills support right at the start of the course gave her an edge in the classroom as she was better prepared to ask if she had doubts. Apart from this there was always something engaging and interesting happening on the campus which made sure she enjoyed my leisure time.     

Afiya thinks student should consider this course as Nottingham is not just a beautiful city but also has lovely and extremely polite people. She said the university has the hustle and bustle while Nottingham city gives the quiet and scenic place to live. The housing and transportation throughout the city is student friendly. As an international student, another highlight for her was the city has been consistently accredited by a prestigious Purple Flag in recognition of the safe, vibrant and diverse dining, culture and entertainment.

Afiya's advice for students considering this course is "just do it, you will never regret coming to Nottingham. The course and the connections made will change the trajectory of your goals and career.  I cannot thank enough the University of Nottingham and School of Education MA Educational Leadership and Management course for all these experiences and opportunities."

Sasha Borg

Year of Graduation: 2022
Home country: Malta

Sasha was looking for a university that offered a postgraduate course in educational leadership and management by distance learning and part-time in the UK and found out about the University of Nottingham while researching online and was immediately attracted by its reputation for high teaching standards and the courses it offered.  

When she started this course, Sasha was already in a leadership position for a couple of years but still felt she needed to learn more to improve and to be an agent of change and growth. She says this course has helped her grow, understand better the responsibility of being a leader, and to be more accountable.    

Practice-Based Inquiry was Sasha's most enjoyable module because it involved practical work and deep reflection on research and observation. It felt more personal and relevant to her work and she found this module helpful when carrying out research for her dissertation.  She said Leading Learning was a more interactive module. At times when studying by distance learning you feel isolated, but she felt in this module there were weekly discussions using various digital tools and you had to communicate and share with other students. It made her feel connected and she learnt a lot from the experiences of others.   

Sasha thought all module tutors were very supportive and understanding, always willing and available to chat/email/call and were also very supportive when personal matters influence study progress.    She thought working full-time and juggling study was the most difficult part and advises that setting priorities, working hard when you can, and sacrifice are key and said "thankfully you do get a lot of support from your tutors and course leader."

If one is in a leading position, or aspires to be, Sasha highly recommends this course saying the module content of this course is pertinent, it prepares and provides you with the skills needed to be a good and successful leader.  She says "my advice is to be organised and manage time well.  Also, self-care is important and knowing where to turn for help."  

Adam Kelly

Year of Graduation: 2022
Home country: UK

Adam chose the University of Nottingham because it has a highly ranked reputation and very supportive School of Education. The ease of studying online through distance learning was a great advantage with his busy schedule.  The course has allowed Adam to gain insight into management techniques and aspects of education that normally would not be experienced; the course has helped him move towards a research position.      

Adam particularly found the Educational Leadership Policy and Practice module useful as it highlighted ways that changes can be implemented into education and this is an area he wanted to specialise in later. He was already working as an English teacher and this course has added to his skillset and experience as he wants to move away from high school and towards a more academic role in a university setting. 

Completing the dissertation module as an example of my first piece of extended research was the best part of the course for Adam as the techniques and the final process has aided him progressing his career into other fields related to education. 

Adam felt supported on with many different matters, including guidance, research, finance, and general support, adding that his tutors were always available to cater to his many needs and he is extremely grateful for their assistance. 

Acknowledging it was a challenge to balance work, life and studying, Adam allocated specific times for study, which he stuck to to ensure his success on the course.

Recommending the course to others, Adam said "it is a well-balanced course that teaches leadership and management in a cohesive and structured way. The use of collaboration as a tool for sharing practice and learning helped me a lot. The professors and support staff, especially in the Centre for English Language Education who offer writing support, were extremely helpful and provided me with many resources to achieve the highest grade possible. The course is recommended for any individuals wanting to pursue a career in educational leadership.

Adam concludes with this advice "when considering any course, it is important to think about work/life balance as the course demands commitment, otherwise it will be a waste of time and effort to study the course if time can not be managed. The School of Education at Nottingham has many resources and dedicated staff that will help with any type of educational discipline. The course has helped me progress with my career, it is highly recommended for future students."