Specifically designed for senior leaders in Catholic schools and Multi-Academy Trusts, this
- Executive-level leadership tailored for Catholic education
- Flexible learning for busy senior educationalists
- Immediate impact through real-world application
- Holistic and mission-driven community leadership
The MBA Executive Leadership in Catholic Education provides high-quality, blended delivery including interactive online modules, live webinars, and dynamic face-to-face workshops, enabling executives to seamlessly integrate study into demanding professional schedules.
Practical assessment
This MBA features practical, professionally relevant assessments such as strategic leadership projects, applied case studies, and reflective analysis, facilitating immediate, tangible improvements within executives’ organisations.
Pastoral care and student wellbeing
There is a distinctive emphasis on pastoral care, stakeholder engagement, and impactful service-learning initiatives ensures participants cultivate inclusive, thriving communities prioritising staff and student wellbeing and the broader social good.
An integrative approach: faith and professional excellence
The MBA combines rigorous management training with spiritual formation and in-depth exploration of Catholic social teaching, ensuring executives lead with integrity, faith-informed decision-making, and ethical confidence.
Stephen G Parker
Director - CERRL; Professor - Education
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Course content
Modules
The MBA Executive Leadership in Catholic Education offers a rich and rigorous curriculum tailored to the real-world demands of senior leadership in Catholic schools and Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs).
Grounded in Catholic social teaching and focused on strategic excellence, this programme equips participants with the insight, confidence, and tools to lead faithfully and effectively in complex educational settings.
Designed for impact
Each module combines theoretical insight, practical application, and spiritual depth, ensuring you not only lead strategically, but do so as a faithful steward of Catholic mission and identity.
Please note: it is possible that a module listed on the website will not be able to run due to reasons beyond our control. For more information please refer to our course information disclaimer.
Entry requirements
2:2
Previous degree
Candidates must satisfy the general admission requirements of St Mary’s University as outlined in the Admissions Policy.
Applicants are expected to have a minimum of a 2:2 undergraduate honours degree (or international equivalent) in any subject.
Applicants are also expected to have at least 3 years of working experience, preferably as a middle or senior leader.
Candidates with significant management experience may be admitted to the programme without a degree or degree-equivalent qualifications if they can demonstrate their potential to meet the learning requirements of the programme.
All offers are made subject to satisfactory:
- two reference letters
- interview, where the programme team considers appropriate.
Further Information
For more information about entry requirements please get in touch.
Fees & funding
Additional costs
*Please note: Tuition fees are annual and may increase as detailed in our tuition fee variation disclaimer.
Your tuition fees will cover the cost of all mandatory elements of your programme. Additional costs could be incurred depending on optional modules chosen and other projects undertaken.
For further information about additional costs please see our additional costs webpage.
Alumni discount
A 20% tuition fee discount is available for our alumni (undergraduate and PGCE) planning to study this Master's degree. Those studying for a PGDip of PGCert are not eligible for the discount.
Funding
Except for any iQTS courses, you can check on the UK government website to see if you may be eligible for a loan of up to £12,167 to help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate programme.
Home and international students for non-iQTS courses may also be eligible for external sources of funding. International students should check their eligibility for our International Scholarship.
For more information, please look at our postgraduate funding page.
How the degree is taught
Assessment methods
Work-based learning: 10%
Practical, impactful assessments tailored for leadership excellence
Assessment on this MBA programme is carefully designed to reinforce executive-level learning with direct, real-world impact, including:
- Strategic reports and analysis: deepen your critical thinking and strategic planning skills by evaluating real organisational challenges within Catholic education contexts.
- Project proposals and plans: develop detailed, actionable proposals for improving organisational efficiency, pastoral care, financial sustainability, and stakeholder engagement.
- Reflective essays: explore personal leadership practices and growth opportunities through reflective writing that integrates spiritual, ethical, and mission-aligned insights.
- Professional presentations: hone your communication and leadership skills through structured, recorded or live presentations, allowing you to clearly articulate strategies, decisions, and recommendations to key stakeholders.
- Case studies and simulations: engage practically and dynamically with complex leadership scenarios, enhancing your ability to apply theoretical frameworks and ethical decision-making to realistic organisational contexts.
These assessments not only measure academic progress but directly enhance your professional capabilities and immediately benefit your organisation.
Apply now
September
Make sure to check our step-by-step guide to application process.
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