PPDEDLPTB4-2024-5-O - L-Università ta' Malta

Course Title

Doctorate in Educational Leadership

MQF Level

Duration and Credits

5 Years, including 2 Summer Periods

180 ECTS

Mode of Study

Part-time Blended

Information for International applicants

Refer to the list of country-specific qualifications

A Masters degree in Educational Leadership, Management, or any other relevant qualification deemed as comparable by the Board.

Applicants must possess a minimum of 8 years of successful experience in teaching, leadership or equivalent experience in educational practice.

Applicants must present the following:

two letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with the candidates’ leadership potential, relevant experience, and ability to succeed in a rigorous graduate programme;
a professional written statement describing one’s educational and professional goals and discussing what one hopes to gain from such a programme; and
a Curriculum Vitae/ Resumé.

The maximum number of students that can be admitted into the course is 20 students.

If there are more eligible applicants than the number of places available, applicants shall be selected according to the following criteria:

qualifications: 20%
professional development portfolio: 30%
professional written statement: 20%
performance during an interview: 30%

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You can submit your application online. The deadlines for submission of applications vary according to the intake and courses. We encourage all international applicants to submit their applications as soon as possible. This is especially important if you require a visa to travel and eventually stay in Malta.

You can compare your national qualifications to the local requirements by visiting our qualifications comparability webpage. Access more information about our admission process and English language requirements.

The University of Malta has student accommodation on campus called Campus Hub. Campus Hub is just a 2-minute walk from the main campus. For more information, visit the accommodation website.

Our dedicated team at the student recruitment office is here to support you every step of the way. From the moment you start your application to the moment when you receive your decision letter, we're here to assist you. If you have any questions or need further information, don't hesitate to reach out to us. You can contact us at info@um.edu.mt, and our team will be more than happy to help.

After you receive an offer from us, our International Office will assist you with visas, accommodation and other related issues.

The Professional Doctorate in Educational Leadership is an advanced program designed for experienced educators and administrators seeking to enhance their leadership skills within educational settings. This course typically combines rigorous academic study with practical applications, focusing on the latest research and theories in educational leadership. Participants engage in critical analysis of educational policies and practices, learning how to navigate complex challenges within school systems. Emphasis is placed on cultivating effective leadership strategies, fostering innovation in education, and developing the capacity to drive positive change within educational institutions. Graduates of this program are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to assume leadership roles at various levels within the field of education, shaping policy and practice to improve outcomes for students and communities.

Students should note that there is a Summer Period in September 2024 and another in September 2025. The study-units for these periods can be found at the end of Year 1.


Year (This/these unit/s start/s in Semester 1 and continue/s in Semester 2)

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

EDU5004	The Reflective Practitioner	10 ECTS
EDU5016*	Professional Portfolio	30 ECTS
* EDU5016 - Professional Portfolio will be developed during the course of studies.

Semester 1

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

EDU5012	Understanding Educational Knowledge	5 ECTS


Semester 2

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

EDU5007	Education Futures	10 ECTS
EDU5013	Methodology and Methods	5 ECTS
EDU5015**	Key Issues in Understanding the Professional Doctorate Journey	5 ECTS
** EDU5015 is divided into two parts. Part 1 starts in Year 1, and Part 2 starts in Year 2.

Summer Period

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

EDU5002***	The Essentials of Educational Leadership	5 ECTS
EDU5003***	Foundations of Professionalism	5 ECTS
EDU5005****	Diversity and Cultures as Pedagogical Resources for Educational Leadership	5 ECTS
EDU5010*****	Symposium 1	5 ECTS

*** Study-units EDU5002 and EDU5003 consist of an intensive two-week period in September 2024.
**** Study-unit EDU5005 consists of an intensive week in September 2025.
***** EDU5010 is held in July 2025.


Semester 1

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

EDU5006	Issues in Educational Leadership: Learning and Curriculum	5 ECTS
EDU5014	The Literature Review	5 ECTS
EDU5015*	Key Issues in Understanding the Professional Doctorate Journey	5 ECTS
* EDU5015 is divided into two parts. Part 1 starts in Year 1, and Part 2 starts in Year 2.

Semester 2

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

EDU5008	Designing for Communities of Practice	10 ECTS
EDU5009	Learning by Going: A European Academic Experience	10 ECTS


Summer Period

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

EDU5011	Symposium 2	5 ECTS


Year (This/these unit/s start/s in Semester 1 and continue/s in Semester 2)

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

EDU6001*	Dissertation	60 ECTS
* The dissertation starts in the Semester 1 of academic year 2026-27 (October 2026) and continues up to Semester 2 of academic year 2028-29 (May 2029).


Year (This/these unit/s start/s in Semester 1 and continue/s in Semester 2)

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

EDU5016*	Professional Portfolio	30 ECTS
* EDU5016 - Professional Portfolio will be developed during the course of studies as stipulated in Year 1. The submission of the Professional Portfolio is in Year 4.

During the final year of the Doctorate, students will be working on their dissertation - EDU6001 which would have started in Year 3.

This programme of study is governed by the Professional Doctorate Degree Course Regulations, 2014 and by the Bye-Laws for the Degree of Doctorate in Educational Leadership - PhD. - under the auspices of the Faculty of Education.

By the end of the doctorate, you will be able to:

Discern espoused personal beliefs and values to gain awareness of their influence in everyday choices and actions both on a personal and professional domain;
Cultivate the knowledge, skills, and dispositions that help educators navigate the practical demands of leading effective schools, institutions, and educational systems;
Enhance candidates’ ability to systematically acquire and understand a substantial body of knowledge that is at the forefront of their professional practice and academic discipline;
Develop and support candidates’ ability to reflect critically in relation to the work completed to provide new or refined insights into the candidates’ own personal, professional, and/or organisational practice;
Provide a forum for debate and exchange of ideas;
Provide various opportunities for professional growth and development for candidates through varied work engagements such as motivational lectures, innovative practical projects, sharing of good practices, and networking opportunities both locally and abroad.

Non EU Applicants:

Fee per academic year: Eur 8,000

You are viewing the fees for non EU nationals. Switch to EU nationals if you are a national of any country from within the EU/EEA.

The Professional Doctorate in Educational Leadership will equip you with the skills and knowledge to lead and innovate in diverse educational environments, providing ample opportunities for impactful careers in education and related fields.