NPQ Licensee Information

School kids raising hands to answer question from teacher during lesson in stem education class School kids raising hands to answer question from teacher during lesson in stem education class

Why work with the University of Chester?

As a Department for Education (DfE) accredited provider who designs, teaches and assesses the National Professional Qualifications (NPQs), you play an important role in the leadership journey of those on your course.

We develop exceptional leaders of education

We offer a seamless route for NPQ candidates to pursue an MA in Educational Leadership

Our strategic leadership includes input from UK CEOs ensuring relevant contextual issues are discussed in lessons

Candidates can achieve a Chartered Management Institute (CMI) level 7 award as part of their MA

What does the MA look like for NPQ holders?

To achieve a Masters degree in the UK, candidates must achieve 180 credits at Masters level (level 7). Credits are based on candidates passing assessed modules and most institutions require the completion of a research-based dissertation. The number of credits that a candidate can transfer into an MA is set at 100, but each institution can determine how many credits an NPQ is worth towards the 180 needed for the MA.

Here at the University of Chester, we have determined through a careful evaluation process that the following NPQs carry the equivalent number of credits listed below.

National Professional Qualification

Maximum number of credits at level 7

What your programme will look like

National Professional Qualification for Leading Teacher Development (NPQLTD)

40 Credits

4 taught 20-credit modules, from the list of available modules plus the 60-credit dissertation

National Professional Qualification for Leading Teaching (NPQLT)

National Professional Qualification for Leading Behaviour and Culture (NPQLBC)

National Professional Qualification for Early Years Leadership (NPQEYL)

National Professional Qualification for Leading Literacy (NPQLL)

National Professional Qualification for SENCOs (NPQ for SENCOs)

60 Credits

3 taught 20-credit modules, from the list of available modules plus the 60-credit dissertation

National Professional Qualification for Senior Leadership (NPQSL)

National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH)

100 Credits

1 taught 20-credit modules, from the list of available modules plus the 60-credit dissertation

National Professional Qualification for Executive Leadership (NPQEL)

Candidate's Journeys

NPQH 1 year study time

An example of the journey for a candidate with an NPQH would be:

  • MA induction
  • Completion of one taught 20-credit module
  • Transfer of NPQ into the MA
  • Completion of the 60-credit dissertation

Total time to complete the MA = 1 academic year part-time.

NPQSL 2 years study time

An example of the journey for a candidate with an NPQSL would be:

  • MA induction
  • Completion of three taught 20-credit modules
  • Transfer of NPQSL into the MA
  • Completion of the 60-credit dissertation

Total time to complete the MA = 2 academic years part-time.

FAQs

No, unfortunately not. This is because universities can only bring credits in automatically when a higher education institution such as a university has awarded them. This means that we have to assess that the candidate is at the appropriate level.

We do this through a recorded discussion between the candidate and the programme leader for the MA, once the candidate is registered for the course.  We cannot do this before their induction.

We ask candidates to explain one or both of their projects (depending on the NPQ), what they did, the theories underpinning their project, the impact, and the learning they have taken from it.

It is not a test of a candidate’s memory, and they can have notes available throughout the discussion.

There is no cost to you as the NPQ licensee. We simply ask that you include details of our course in your teaching sessions.

We understand that ensuring candidates have up-to-date and relevant knowledge is key to their success. Our tutors, many of whom have been headteachers themselves and some are still serving practitioners, pride themselves on the quality of the lessons they teach.

Our strategic leadership group brings together CEOs from across the country to ensure that topics taught are relevant and current contextual issues are discussed in lessons. In addition, many of our staff are actively researching in the field of educational leadership, generating cutting-edge research that feeds into lessons.

All of the lessons have take-away points that candidates can implement as soon as they get back to their settings.

In addition, candidates can achieve a Chartered Management Institute (CMI) level 7 award as part of their MA. Fully integrated into the programme at no extra cost to the candidate (subject to module choice).

Each module takes one term to complete and consists of live online lessons taught on two Saturdays throughout the term. These are full days of lessons, with breaks, that allow an in-depth exploration of topics. 

In addition, there are two online twilight sessions between the taught Saturdays.

Individual tutorials can be arranged by students as and when they are needed.

For those who are at the dissertation stage, the dissertation is supported through one-to-one dedicated supervisors who work with students individually. We limit the number of dissertation candidates each supervisor supports to ensure they get the individual support they need.

In addition, there are opportunities for those completing their dissertations to participate in our annual dissertation bootcamp in Chester. This is an optional in-person week-long programme to support the rapid development of a dissertation

Find out more

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