Program Overview

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Senior Leader Apprenticeship L7

Why study this course

You could achieve; Postgraduate Diploma in Strategic Leadership, CMI Level 7 Diploma in Leadership & Management and Chartered Manager Status

Option to progress onto Complimentary MBA top-up module upon successful completion of end point assessment

Delivered via blended teaching, with two onsite teaching days per module

Led by business practitioners, learning is relevant to your role within your workplace

Course overview

The business landscape is facing new and emerging challenges in a volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) world. The role of leaders and their ability to respond has never been more important.

This programme solves the urgent need for leaders who can drive positive change by providing the knowledge and skills to manage risk, grab opportunities and innovate to shape the future for themselves, their organisations and their industries.

Key facts

• Duration: 2 years
• Mode of study: Part-time blended
• Start date: January, May, July & September
• Awarding Institution: Bishop Grosseteste University

About this apprenticeship

The Senior Leader Apprenticeship (SLA) is an innovative alternative to a master’s in Business, placing you and your organisation at its core. This occupation is found in small, medium and large organisations in the public, private or third sectors and sustainability as an area of the economy including health, finance, engineering, manufacturing, business and professional services, education, retail, leisure, technology and construction. Senior Leaders are a key component of all types of business model where there is a workforce to lead, manage and support. The broad purpose of the occupation is to provide clear, inclusive and strategic leadership and direction relating to their area of responsibility within an organisation.

What you will study

• Course modules
  • Year 1
  • Year 2

High Performance Leadership and Developing Talent

The ability to enhance organisational performance through the dynamic and effectual leadership and development of people is fundamental for Senior Leaders who wish to achieve and maximise organisational success. The aim of this module is to equip Senior Leader Apprentices (SLAs) with the requisite knowledge to develop the skills and behaviours needed to effectively lead and develop people in pursuit of organisational excellence.

Risk and Opportunity Management

Effective strategic leadership, coupled with proactive risk and opportunity management, is vital for organisational success. Leaders must be knowledgeable, creative, agile, and resilient to respond to an array of environmental and stakeholder needs in the contemporary workplace.

The aim of this module is to equip Senior Leader Apprentices (SLAs) with the requisite knowledge to develop the skills and behaviours needed to effectively and proactively develop an entrepreneurial response to complex organisational challenges in volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (VUCA) environments. Furthermore, SLAs will develop the knowledge and skills required to lead on the development and critical review of operational policies and practices within their areas of responsibility.

Finance & Governance for Strategic Leaders

A sound working knowledge and understanding of the Finance function, including financial strategies and the application of economic theory to decision making, is fundamental for Senior Leaders to be an effective decision maker within their role. Finance impacts on all aspects of an organisation and has a profound influence on the development and achievement of strategic objectives. The aim of this module is thus to equip Senior Leader Apprentices (SLAs) with the requisite knowledge to develop the skills and behaviours needed to effectively understand the scope, complexity and role of Finance and governance within an organisational context.

Leading, Developing and Influencing Organisational Strategy

For leaders to be effective in complex and dynamic markets and environments they must have an in-depth understanding of strategy and how it can be developed. The aim of this module is to equip Senior Leader Apprentices (SLAs) with the requisite knowledge to develop the skills and behaviours to lead and influence an organisation’s strategic direction through the development of a meaningful strategy.

Entry requirements

There are no formal entry requirements for this apprenticeship although an initial assessment will take place to ensure the apprenticeship is the most appropriate training programme for the individual and employer. Candidates will need to be resident in the UK and in employment (with at least 50% of the working hours in England). Individual employers will set the selection criteria for their Apprenticeship and employment role.

As a guide, candidates might have A Levels (or equivalent) or existing relevant level 3 qualifications. It is also expected that candidates will have achieved an undergraduate degree in a related subject. Other relevant qualifications or prior experience may also be considered as an alternative alongside consideration of the suitability of the role being undertaken and the opportunities to develop and apply the required knowledge, skills and behaviours.

Typically, candidates will also have achieved qualifications in English and mathematics at a minimum of level 2 or equivalent (GCSE grade A*/9- C/4), and also demonstrate Information Communication Technology (ICT) skills at this level. Where approved English and Maths qualifications are not held, the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) funds apprentices to achieve qualifications in English and/or Maths to level 2 if they do not already meet the minimum requirements. These can be delivered through our designated Apprenticeship Support Officers alongside the apprenticeship and will need to be achieved prior to entering Gateway.

There are no upper age restrictions, although all apprentices must be aged over 18 as a minimum.

Applications for this programme can only be made through the sponsoring employer.

Each employer must:

• Identify apprentices that may be suitable for the [insert as appropriate] Apprenticeship;
• Ensure the apprentice is undertaking real work, which is productive and gives apprentices opportunities to access, develop, practice and evidence knowledge and skills to meet the standard;
• Allow the apprentice to attend external off-the-job training and assessment as part of their normal paid working hours;
• Take part in quarterly reviews with BGU to review the apprentice’s progress;
• Be expected to employ an apprentice for the full duration of their apprenticeship;
• (In most cases) be expected to employ an apprentice for at least 30 hours per week.

Further information and requirements are outlined by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.

Fees & Funding

Costs may be covered by government funding and/or your employer – employers who pay the Apprenticeship Levy will pay fees directly through the levy contribution.

Alternatively, businesses who do not pay the Levy may be able to claim 95% of the cost of tuition fees from the Government.

Further details can be found at:

Apprenticeship funding rules - GOV.UK (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apprenticeship-funding-rules)