Reach Your Full Potential With the IH Diploma in Academic Management
Most academic managers in language education are expected to excel in their positions with little formal training and limited support. The IH Diploma in Academic Management is designed to provide academic managers in language schools with the skills and knowledge to perform better, make assured decisions and feel confident when approaching issues.
Choose the five courses most relevant to your specific context from a diverse range of management topics and gain practical tools and insight to make a difference in your organisation. With the support of experienced tutors and discussions with your cohort around the world, you will gain new perspectives and solutions to the challenges in your school or institution.
After developing your knowledge in five different areas of academic management, you will find further value through the practical application of your learning, specific to your career context, with the Action Research Project.
IH Diploma in Academic Management = 5 Courses in Academic Management + Action Research Project
"It is cost-effective, time-appropriate, and most importantly professionally relevant. Every module gave me an insight into a new set of ideas I did not have before. Who could ask for more?”
Rudi Dinno | Language Instructor, Saudi Arabia.
IH Diploma in Academic Management: Key Information
💻 Format: Online, asynchronous
⏳ Duration: Each Course in Academic Management lasts 6 weeks. You must complete your 5courses and the Action Research project within 2 years to receive the Diploma
🎓 Certificate: A certificate for each individual course and the Action Research Project in addition to the overall Diploma certificate (7 certificates in total)
🏷 Fee:
- Diploma Bundle: (5x Courses in Academic Management + Action Research Course) £1974 (£200 saving)
- SPECIAL LAUNCH OFFER: £1900 - Pay for the IH Diploma Bundle before 8th December 2024.
- Individual Courses in Academic Management: £385 | Action Research Project: £249
Discounts available for IH staff. Please note that discounts cannot be used in conjunction with each other.
🔍 Assessment: Each short course is assessed individually. Your tutor marks your tasks as the course progresses and there is the opportunity to resubmit if necessary. Participants are expected to submit a minimum of 70% of the tasks on a course. At the end of the course, there is a final assignment which pushes you to reflect on what you have learnt. The assignment, along with your completed tasks, makes up the portfolio that is submitted electronically to the IHWO Assessment Unit. Portfolios are submitted two weeks after course completion.
✅ Entry Requirements:
- Working in a language teaching institute at the time of the course
- We require a minimum language level of C1 - according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)
- A higher teaching qualification (DELTA or equivalent) is desirable
- Some experience in management or the specific area is beneficial
⌚ Weekly Time Commitment: You should expect to spend 7 - 10 hours per week on a course.
Why Choose the IH Diploma in Academic Management?
- 🌍 Connect with a global community: Engage with peers in different contexts facing similar challenges and share solutions.
- 📅 Flexible Schedule: Choose the courses that fit your role, organisation, and preferred start dates throughout the year.
- 🕒 Study at Your Own Pace: Our online, asynchronous format allows you to learn when it suits you best.
- 🎓Make Your CV Stand Out From the Crowd: Outshine other candidates when applying for academic management jobs.
- 🔍 Gain Insight and Strategic Skills: Learn to assess issues effectively and find solutions.
- 🔑 Prepare for Future Opportunities: Academic management roles increasingly require qualifications (Source: British Council Accreditation Criteria).
What Topics are Covered in the Courses in Academic Management?
To earn the IH World Diploma in Academic Management, you need to successfully complete 5 out of the 7 IH Courses in Academic Management, along with the Action Research Project.
- Business Management in Language Education
Designed for those aiming to run their own school or take on a senior head of department role, this course covers essential marketing and finance principles to support both your professional growth and that of your institution. - Managing Change in Language Education
Gain skills to effectively manage change, overcome change fatigue, perfect the timing of transitions, and create smooth implementation plans. - Managing Customer Service in Language Education
Focuses on enhancing the customer experience and addressing quality challenges, with particular attention to the unique demands of language schools. - Observation and Giving Feedback in Language Teaching
A must for anyone conducting observations, this course offers insights into various observation techniques, feedback strategies, and managing resistance. "The most valuable aspect for me was being challenged to reflect on my ideas, beliefs, and practices." (Chris, Spain). - Performance Management in Language Education
Delve into techniques for assessing and improving staff performance, boosting your confidence in handling difficult situations such as staff conflicts, and enhancing motivation. - Teams and Communication for Academic Managers
Develop effective communication strategies for your team and learn how to handle problematic situations with confidence. - Young Learner Centre Management
Covers the essentials of curriculum planning, course design, resource management, and policy support for those leading a YL department. Ideal for those aspiring to manage a summer school.
"The diversity of participants, from different contexts, enriched the learning experience as we exchanged ideas on the challenges we faced and the strategies we employed to address them. The tutors were consistently supportive, providing detailed feedback on assignments and insightful comments on online discussions."
Antoinette Breutel-O’Donoghue | Director Languages Division, Switzerland
Action Research Project (ARP)
A stand-alone, self-access module with tutor support. Apply all the knowledge you've gained in the courses to solve a specific challenge in your working context. The project involves creating a document and video presentation for submission.
- Duration: 3 months from starting the ARP course.
- Assessment: Formative feedback from the tutor.
Course Dates
See the course dates for the 2025 IH Academic Management Courses below. If you want to plan further ahead, the courses will run in different months in 2026. This ensures people who are always busy in a certain month can still have the opportunity to study the courses they are interested in.
The timeframe to complete all five courses and the Action Research Project and achieve the IH Diploma in Academic Management (IHDipAM) is two years. We can help you with scheduling and choosing the right courses for you, please contact IH OTTI.
Teams and Communication
18th January - 1st March 2025 (plus 2 weeks to complete the assessed portfolio)
Young Learner Centre Management
15th March - 26th April 2025 (plus 2 weeks to complete the assessed portfolio)
Observation and Giving Feedback
5th July - 16th August 2025 (plus 2 weeks to complete the assessed portfolio)
1st November - 13th December 2025 (plus 2 weeks to complete the assessed portfolio)
Performance Management
17th May - 28th June 2025 (plus 2 weeks to complete the assessed portfolio)
Managing Change
15th March - 26th April 2025 (plus 2 weeks to complete the assessed portfolio)
Managing Customer Service
6th September - 18th October 2025 (plus 2 weeks to complete the assessed portfolio)
Business Management
1st November - 13th December 2025 (plus 2 weeks to complete the assessed portfolio)
2026 Course Dates Overview
We can help you with scheduling and choosing the right courses for you. Contact the IH OTTI team.
How to Get the IH Diploma in Academic Management
You can still get the IH Diploma discount if you don't know which 5 courses you want to take at the time of application. You need to be sure of 3 courses and then the IH OTTI team will guide you in choosing the final 2.
- Complete the Application Form: Provide details about your qualifications and experience.
- Application Review: Our team will review and get in touch if we need more information.
- Secure Your Place: Once approved, receive a payment link for the Diploma fee.
- Register and Plan: Register for five courses (or at least three courses and choose the other two later).
- Start Learning: You will Gain Access to the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) a few weeks before the start date and start the course!
- Complete the Courses and ARP: Complete all 5 courses, submit your portfolios and Action Research Project.
- Receive Your IH Diploma in Academic Management: Showcase your achievement!
"I see the diploma as part of getting ready for the future and opening up more opportunities… The diploma will enable me to talk a better game at interview for academic management positions, especially for places that will require me to get a work visa if I go abroad."
Matthew Hallett | Senior Teacher
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the IH Diploma in Academic Management differ from other diploma courses?
The IH Diploma in Academic Management is more flexible – it’s fully online and asynchronous, so you can take it at your own pace without needing to attend in-person or live sessions. Also, with the IHDipAM, you’re able to choose the specific areas that interest you most.
How well recognised is the IH Diploma in Academic Management?
The IH Diploma in Academic Management is offered by IH OTTI, the Online Teacher Training Institute of International House World Organisation, a globally-renowned leader in teacher training. This means the diploma is highly respected and widely recognised. We’re committed to quality, so you can expect excellent courses and tutors. You’ll join a community of professionals passionate about language education.
Who will be my tutor?
Each Academic Management course has its own expert tutor who is a specialist in the subject area. Tutors have extensive knowledge in the relevant topic areas, as well as being experienced and qualified online teacher trainers.
They have been Academic Managers for many years, often in International House schools. With qualifications such as the DELTA, DipTESOL, and Masters degrees, plus years of experience in top English language schools, they’ll provide you with valuable guidance and support. They’ve written textbooks, trained teachers, and shaped industry standards – so you can be sure you’re learning from the best.
What is Action Research?
Action Research is a practical approach to professional development that involves identifying a problem or area for improvement, implementing changes, and reflecting on the results. It's a powerful tool for educators and managers alike to enhance their practices and contribute to the overall success of their institution.
In the words of Adrian Underhill, “Action research is not just a method; it is a way of being as a teacher, a way of seeing and understanding the classroom and our role within it.” For academic managers, fostering a reflective culture within your institution can lead to continuous improvement and innovation.
Will I be with the same people on every course?
You might see some familiar faces across different courses, but each course has its own group of students. So, whether you'll meet the same people again depends on which courses you choose.
Can I have a trial before committing to the whole IH Diploma?
We can’t offer a trial, but you can get a feel for the Diploma by enrolling in one course to start; that’s why we offer the option to pay for each course individually. Plus, as a bonus, you’ll get a 10% loyalty discount on any courses you take after the first one! Please keep in mind that the Action Research Project (ARP) cannot be discounted.
Which modules do you recommend?
This depends on the area of language teaching that you want to focus your career on, you can get in touch with us at ihotti@ihworld.com for advice.
Can the Diploma be completed in one year?
The Action Research Project is a crucial part of the diploma, so it's important to allocate enough time for it. While it’s possible to complete your five courses within a year, you’ll need to allow at least three months for the project. This gives you time to do your best work and delve deeper into a topic that interests you.
What is the reading list?
Each course includes all the reading materials you’ll need to succeed, so you won’t need to go and buy any textbooks to be able to engage with the content of the diploma. We've designed our course this way to be as accessible as possible; you'll find all the necessary resources available on our learning platform.
Nonetheless, we encourage you to pursue your learning as far as you’d like! While we provide plenty of reading, you can always explore the topic further if you’re interested. Some modules suggest extra reading to help you dive deeper and strengthen your reflective portfolio.
