Educational Innovation and Leadership

Educational Innovation and Leadership

Education is at the forefront of societal progress, requiring leaders who can introduce transformative strategies and innovative practices. The Educational Innovation and Leadership Master's Programme at Tallinn University prepares you to be one of these leaders. Rooted in the excellence of Estonia's education system, our programme is designed for those eager to drive change and improve learning outcomes worldwide.

Study level Master's Studies

Duration of study 2 years

Language English

Study form Cyclical studies

Cost per semester 2100 €

This programme is open to all aspiring educational leaders, regardless of their previous academic background. Our focus is on developing practical skills and knowledge for impactful educational reform. Here’s what we offer:

  • Leadership Skill Development: Gain the skills needed to lead and influence in the educational sector.
  • Practical Expertise: Learn from Estonia's educational success to apply evidence-based strategies effectively and run your own practical project to improve education.
  • Educational Policy Insights: Understand the role of policy, empowerment, and reform in shaping education on a global scale.
  • Research Skills: Master research methods and strategies for evidence-based education development.
  • Strategic Implementation: Learn to set objectives, tackle educational challenges, and execute solutions with precision.

Join a community dedicated to making a difference in education. With our programme, you'll be equipped to lead, innovate, and implement real change, contributing to a more informed and sustainable future in education.

Apply today and lead the change in educational innovation!

Apply Now! Study programme


Join our webinar at March 21, 2024 15:00 (EET), hosted by TLU School of Educational Sciences, where we'll delve into the key aspects of our highly sought-after Educational Innovation & Leadership Master's Programme.

Agenda:

  • Educational Innovation & Leadership Master's Programme: Explore the dynamic curriculum designed to shape future leaders in educational innovation.
  • Admissions Insights: Gain valuable insights into the admissions process, application requirements, and tips for a successful application.
  • Tuition Fee Waivers: Discover opportunities to support your academic journey and turn your aspirations into reality.
  • Accommodation: Learn about comfortable living arrangements designed to enhance your learning experience.
  • Life in Estonia: Immerse yourself in the vibrant culture and community awaiting you in Estonia.

Register


Why study with us?

The EduInno Master's Programme is tailored for those ready to lead and bring about innovation in education globally. Our focus is on equipping you with practical tools and insights that are immediately applicable. Estonia's educational system has gained international recognition for its excellence, securing the top spot among European countries in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) for both 2018 and 2022. Drawing from a blend of global best practices and the success stories of Estonia's highly renowned education system, we prepare you to address and adapt to the challenges in education today. This includes leveraging digital tools and innovative teaching methods to enhance engagement and learning outcomes.

At Tallinn University, with our rich history dating back to 1919, you will learn from faculty members who have been instrumental in shaping modern educational reforms. Their expertise is not confined to local success but extends to global applicability, ensuring you're ready to implement change wherever you are.

By joining EduInno, you become part of an international community of learners and leaders. This dynamic network is your platform for exchanging ideas and co-creating solutions that are not just theoretical but grounded in real-world applicability. Our programme is committed to a practical approach, ensuring every strategy and skill you acquire can be directly applied to educational challenges you face.

Choosing EduInno is a step towards becoming an architect of educational transformation. It is an opportunity to lead your community or country towards impactful and sustainable educational change, using evidence-based and collaborative strategies. It is a journey designed for those who are not just looking to learn about educational innovation but are ready to act on it – and after graduation, you will have the tools, skills and knowledge to lead the change in education.

Study programme

What to Expect from the Programme

The first year of the EduInno Master's Programme is spent in Estonia. During this time, you'll attend lectures, and seminars and go on study visits to get a real feel for how innovative education works here. It's all about getting you familiar with what's being done at the forefront of educational change.

In your third semester, things get hands-on with your own educational innovation project. This is where you put what you've learned into action by tackling a practical challenge in education. You could be improving existing methods or creating something new to benefit the classroom or educational programme, either back in your home country or still in Estonia. Though you'll be working independently, you’ll be back in Tallinn for a few sessions to touch base and get guidance.

The final stretch of the programme is when you write and defend your Master’s thesis. It's your chance to dive deep into a topic that matters to you and show off the skills and knowledge you've picked up.

Breaking Down the Curriculum

Our programme's courses are grouped into three main modules focusing on how education meets psychology and the use of technology in teaching and learning. This setup is meant to give you a well-rounded view of the educational field today, equipping you with the insights and tools to make a real difference.

Educational Innovation (24 ECTS)

  • Learning and Development
  • Global Educational Change
  • Innovation in School and Classroom
  • Teachers Profession and Professional Development

Research and Analytics (24 ECTS)

  • Methodology in Evidence Based Development in Education
  • Educational Technology and Learning Analytics
  • Research seminar 1
  • Research seminar 2

Leadership and Management (18 ECTS)

  • Learning Culture and Leadership
  • Innovation in Leadership
  • Personal Educational Development Project

Study process: From idea to application of innovative ideas.

If you want to get a short glimpse of the idea of the study programme, then you are welcome to participate in Tallinn Summer School course of Educational Innovation: Innovate and Educate.

Study programme

Academic Staff

Professor Eve Eisenchmidt, the head of the curriculum, has been a teacher, head of Tallinn University College in Haapsalu, Vice-Rector of Tallinn University and now a professor of educational leadership. Her field of knowledge is in the area of teacher education, leadership and quality assurance. She is a highly valued evaluator of higher education programmes and institutions around Europe and educational policy adviser in Estonia. 

Eve Eisenschmidt in Estonian Research Information System


Professor Mati Heidmets has been in higher education since 197​9​, working in the field of social sciences, psychology and of course education. He has been an adviser for the Estonian Prime minister​ and has been awarded with the Order of the White Star and the Order of the National Coat of Arms. Today he leads the ​Centre for Innovation in ​Education​, being also a professor of social psychology. 

Mati Heidmets in Estonian Research Information System


Anneli Veispak is a young and inspiring scientist, expert in the field of special education. With a MSc in Cognitive Neuroscience from University of Amsterdam and a PhD in Educational Sciences from University of Leuven, she is bringing a lot of international experience to the programme. Today, Veispak is a visiting lecturer for Tallinn University School of Educational Sciences and the head of Special Education BA curriculum. 

Anneli Veispak in Estonian Research Information System


Terje Väljataga holds a Doctor of Science in Technology from Tampere University of Technology, Finland. Her background is in science teacher education (MSc, Tallinn Pedagogical University, Estonia) and telematics application in education and training (MSc, University of Twente, The Netherlands). Terje has been involved in various educational innovation, research and development projects both local and international since 2004. Her projects have always been related to innovative technological solutions and strategies one way or the other. 

Terje Väljataga in Estonian Research Information System


Anna-Liisa Jõgi is an Associate Professor in Research Methods. She started her academic career as a high school biology and psychology teacher. Her doctoral studies focused on students’ motivation and learning in primary school math classes. Her postdoc research interests in University of Jyväskylä, Finland, were teachers’ and students’ well-being in schools and, most of all, employing physiological data in educational research. Now, Anna-Liisa is mainly focused on designing and teaching research methods courses and participating in various studies from recreational and sports psychology to special education and educational leadership, being responsible for more complex quantitative data analyses.

Anna-Liisa Jõgi in Estonian Research Information System

Admission Requirements

General requirements

Application process

We invite you to a two-round application process designed to assess your suitability and readiness for the MA in Educational Innovation and Leadership. 

First round

Online application – submitted online in DreamApply.

Motivation letter - it should include your previous personal experience, where you feel an innovative approach in education might have solved the situation. The letter must feature at least one reference on Education Strategy 2021–2035 (please use APA style referencing). This letter should not be longer than 3 pages and must be submitted through DreamApply.

Second round

Interview - this is an opportunity to discuss your study motivation, clarify any questions from your application, and demonstrate your spoken English skills. Online interviews will be carried out by the main professors of this programme. For the purposes of identity verification at the admission procedure, the Admission Committee has the right to record or take a screenshot during the oral part of the admission.

Deadlines

  • Non-EU/EEA applicants (except applicants from Republic of Korea, Japan, USA, Ukraine): March 15.
  • Applicants from the Republic of Korea, Japan, USA: May 1.
  • EU/EEA and Ukrainian citizens: June 1. 
  • Non-EU/EEA and EU/EEA residents with local permits/IDs and studies completed in Estonia: July 1.

Are You Ready to Lead the change in educational innovation? 

Apply Now!

Tuition waivers

Ukrainian Students: 

Eligible for a 20% discount for the nominal duration of their studies, provided they are enrolled full-time and maintain a minimum weighted average grade of 4.0. 

International Students:

10% tuition fee discount for the first semester is available to the top three candidates, determined by their entrance examination results.

About the School of Educational Sciences at Tallinn University

Our Role and Mission

The School of Educational Sciences is a vital part of Tallinn University, dedicated to leading the way in education through teaching, research, and development. We're committed to academic excellence and sustainability in education, not just within our university but across Estonia and beyond.

Why Choose Our School?

  • Decades of Expertise: With nearly a century in teacher education, we bring a wealth of experience and tradition to our programmes.
  • Practical Learning: Our programmes stand out for their practical focus. We ensure you get hands-on experience, both locally and internationally, preparing you for real-world challenges in education.
  • Supportive Environment: Our school is known for its open-minded, supportive community, where learning thrives and students are encouraged to explore and grow.
  • Innovative Values: We value individuality, playfulness, and ambition in our teaching and learning approaches, ensuring a dynamic and engaging educational experience.
  • Expert Faculty: Learn from the best — our faculty members are not only leading educators in Estonia but also engaged in cutting-edge research, shaping the future of education both locally and globally.
  • Global Opportunities: With numerous partner universities worldwide, we offer unmatched opportunities for you to gain international experience.
  • Large, Vibrant Community: Join over 1400 students across various levels of higher education, each contributing to a rich, diverse learning environment.
  • Impactful Outcomes: Our graduates are equipped to lead and innovate in educational and training institutions, as well as serve as education officials and specialists, driving evidence-based management and change in the sector.

Your Path to Making a Difference

At the School of Educational Sciences, you're not just earning a degree; you're preparing to transform education. Whether you wish to reform education as a policymaker, build up a new generation of schools or make a change directly in the classroom, we provide the foundation and tools to turn those goals into reality.

Contact

 

 

Postal addressUus-Sadama 5, 10120 Tallinn, Estonia

Telephone+372 640 9233

 

Alumni Educational Project Showcases

  • One of our alumni, Maarja Hallik from Estonia, who graduated in 2020, aimed to empower Estonian students as active global and local citizens and support teachers in implementing problem-based learning across subjects. Following the model of the educational innovation laboratory (EDUlab) at Tallinn University, alongside a few Estonian teachers, they created and researched the ’’glocally transformative’’ (GTL) project-based learning method. Later, this initiative was renamed as Proovikivi, meaning touchstone. As a result of this project, study participant-students’ engagement was increased, and some of the key skills (collaboration, communication, project planning) were developed, students felt that they could make a more significant contribution to their community.
  • Another alumna, Salome Dzagnidze from Georgia, who graduated in 2021, was interested in exploring professional learning communities, distributed leadership, and teacher collective efficacy. For this, she conducted a case study in one Estonian primary school that participated in the Future School program, a school-university partnership model by the School of Educational Sciences, Tallinn University. Salome’s study revealed practical insights, such as a high level of shared responsibility, teachers being ready to improve their practices, and valuing their colleagues’ teaching abilities and collaborations.
  • Sze Pui Cheung, our alumna from Hong Kong, who graduated in 2023, was interested in research on the school climate and student subjective well-being. She used participatory action research and engaged 10th-grade students to improve their school climate. As a result, they focused on what had to change in the school, set goals, and created action plans.

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Master's Studies
English
2000 (EU/EEA citizens) / 3000 (non-EU/EEA citizens)
View curriculum