Our new MA in International Higher Education Management
The School of Management is launching a postgraduate course in international higher education management. Read more about the benefits and register for updates.
Invest in your future. Discover your potential. Lead your career.
Our new MA in International Higher Education Management (IHEM) is one of a few Master’s degrees focusing on higher education management in a global context. We’ve designed this course for higher education professionals who want to progress to senior leadership positions.
The MA IHEM is a part-time two year course starting 16 May 2022. A blend of online and face-to-face learning, it combines two residentials in Bath with online learning, and assessment. The first residential (16-27 May 2022) will be virtual because of Covid-19
We want to help shape the next-generation of higher education management leaders. You will:
- learn how internationalisation impacts the daily challenges of managing a modern university
- discover, share and examine best practice from around the world
- equip yourself with the skills to improve management at your own institution
We want to inspire our graduates to push for change throughout the higher education sector.
We want to give you the practical skills and experience to advance your career. Instead of a traditional dissertation, you’ll do a six-month international consultancy project. You might want to look at an issue at your own institution or you might find someone on the course who can help get you access to work in a different country. This will allow you to apply best practice and demonstrate your expertise.
We’ve designed a programme of taught units to help you to become a more effective leader. Subjects include big data analytics, research and teaching management, and managing change. See below for more information.
A leading reputation in higher education management
Learn from renowned experts, including Professors Rajani Naidoo and Jürgen Enders.
Higher education management is a specialist field. You will be taught by experienced higher education managers from our International Centre for Higher Education Management (ICHEM) and the Bath DBA.
Research from ICHEM impacts higher education across the globe. It brings together higher education experts from over 25 countries. They work with governments, higher education institutions and international organisations to create positive change. ICHEM researches innovative management strategies to prepare tomorrow’s higher education leaders, including our new class of MA students.

An MA made for busy higher education professionals
The MA IHEM is structured to fit around the commitments of a modern higher education professional. This part-time course is delivered online and through two 12-day residential visits. This gives you the flexibility you need to study and work full-time.
We’ve designed the course to give you real and relevant experience. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to apply what you learn to your work. Take the theory and apply it to your work.
Who the course is for
The MA IHEM is ideal for a range of managers working in higher education institutions. From HR managers to marketing and student recruitment professionals, to academic staff moving into management positions, this course will develop your skills and knowledge in this constantly-changing environment.
A modern way of learning
Study online in-between residentials.
The MA IHEM will focus on online, collaborative, problem-based learning. Our e-learning platform will let you work at your own pace. You’ll be able to access learning materials, webinars and tutorials and interact with tutors. The MA IHEM is all about collaboration. You will work with your peers on projects and receive guidance and support from your tutors.
Share experiences at our study residentials
During the course, you will attend two 12-day residentials and these teaching blocks will take place in Bath from 16-27 May 2022. Each residential will focus on a specific theme, and you’ll learn about the latest research and practice.
Explore Bath
There’s a real sense of community and friendly atmosphere in Bath and on our campus. The city has a rich history, famous for its Roman Baths and Georgian architecture. Bath is surrounded by beautiful countryside. Why not extend your stay after the residential and see what Bath has to offer?
Make friends, make connections
The residentials are a great way to develop your professional network. Work with our experts and build relationships with your coursemates. Creating connections is a key focus of our residentials.
Find out why DBA student Amine Moussa loves residentialsCourse structure
Residential one (virtual due to Covid-19)
Units:
- Understanding strategy and risk in international higher education management
- Planning and resource mobilisation in higher education
Online unit one
Problem-based learning in strategy and planning
Residential two
Compulsory unit:
- Managing internationalisation in higher education.
You will also choose one of these units:
- Innovation and change management in higher education
- Big data and IT governance in higher education
- Managing and enhancing teaching and research
Online unit two
Problem-based learning in managing internationalisation and elective content
Project unit
A consulting project based on a problem in your own institution or another international higher education context. Taking place over the last six months of the course, you’ll receive plenty of academic support and practical research guidance.
Entry requirements
Work experience
A satisfactory record of extended and responsible work experience in a relevant role in higher education.
Academic requirements
At least one of:
- a first or second class honours degree, or international equivalent, awarded by an approved institution
- a relevant postgraduate diploma or postgraduate certificate awarded by an approved institution
We will also require a strong GMAT score from:
- candidates who do not have a degree, but have ten or more years' experience working in higher education, including some at a managerial level
- candidates who do not have five years' experience working in higher education, but have strong academic qualifications and other relevant experience
English language
Students whose first language is not English must have:
- an International English Language Test System (IELTS) score of at least 7.0 overall. Your scores for reading, writing, listening and speaking must be at least 6.5
Find out more on the IELTS website.
If you would like to discuss the entry requirements, please contact Dr Dan Davies (djd52@bath.ac.uk).
Fees and scholarships
Course fees for the MA in International Higher Education Management are:
- Home - £8,000 a year
- Overseas - £9,000 a year
These fees are for the 2021/22 academic year only. Tuition fees are liable to increase annually for all University of Bath students.
Once you have started your studies, you should budget for an increase of up to 5% each year for every further year of study; we will not increase your fees each year by more than this percentage and the amount will be set out on our fee page in December for the following academic year. If you defer your entry, you will pay the fees for the year that you start your course and these may be more than 5% higher than the previous year.
Students from the EU
Following the UK’s departure from the European Union, if you start your course on or after 1 August 2021, you will no longer be eligible for Home fees. Find out more about tuiton fee statuses.
Scholarships
You can apply for a scholarship to support your studies. It will cover up to 40% of your total course fees.
You'll need to submit a statement no more than 500 words. A panel of faculty members will consider your application based on:
- the potential contributions you will make to higher education management practice at your institution through the course
- your financial need or other circumstances that might prevent you from taking part
- partnerships you or your institution have with the University of Bath or the School of Management. This includes international activities
Submit your scholarship application.
You must complete the scholarship form alongside your MA IHEM application. The deadline for applications is 21 February 2022.
Apply for the MA in International Higher Education Management
Contact us
If you have any questions about this course, please get in touch.
Detailed information
Title of award: Master of Arts
Course length: two years
Mode of attendance: part-time
Teaching and learning
You’ll learn from academics who are higher education management experts. You will experience a variety of teaching methods including:
- interaction and networking
- lectures
- online resources
- practical sessions
- seminars
- tutorials
- workshops
- real-life case studies
All residential units are taught on campus.
Methods of assessment
Assessment is both summative and formative and includes:
- individual and group coursework
- presentations
- a supervised consultancy project
Additional costs
As well as the tuition fees, you may need to pay extra costs for your course. These can cover things like:
- travel, accommodation and food
- textbooks and stationery
- software not currently licensed by the University
- printing and binding of your dissertation
- graduation gown hire