Program Overview

Senior Leader Apprenticeship – MSc Strategic Leadership pathway

The Senior Leader Apprenticeship – MSc Strategic Leadership pathway is a part-time program designed to equip students with the management and leadership capabilities required to lead at a senior level. This apprenticeship is studied over two years, with an optional top-up to the MSc Strategic Leadership in the third year.

Qualification(s) available

• PGDip
• MSc

Fees for the academic year

• UK: £14,000
• International: Not applicable

Entry requirements

• A minimum of three years’ management/professional experience
• A 2:2 honours degree (or equivalent international qualification)
• Membership of an approved chartered institute or a diploma in management studies
• Evidence of Maths and English qualifications at Level 2 (GCSE Grade C or above)

English language requirements

English language requirements are not specified, but students are expected to have a good command of English to participate in the program.

Program structure

The program is divided into three years:

• Year 1: Compulsory modules include Personal Values and Effectiveness, Strategy, Governance and Risk, Strategic Financial Management, and Strategic People Management.
• Year 2: Compulsory modules include Leading and Influencing Change, Strategic Marketing, and Strategic Information Systems.
• Year 3: Optional top-up to MSc in Strategic Leadership.

Compulsory modules

Year 1

• Personal Values and Effectiveness (15 credits)
  • Develop self-awareness of personal effectiveness and recognition of understanding of influencing others as a leader
  • Explore the practical application of theory to fostering more effective work relationships
  • Introduce methods for finding, analysing and using relevant data to produce persuasive, evidence-based reports
  • Build strategies for continuing personal development
  • Develop ethical decision making practices
• Strategy, Governance and Risk (15 credits)
  • Provide students with the knowledge and skills to create a strategic business plan
  • Equip students with knowledge on horizon scanning, strategic positioning, strategic capabilities and resources, strategic options and innovative strategic thinking including the governance and risk analysis of successful strategic implementation
  • Create an understanding of risk factors and the importance of stakeholder engagement and governance models
  • Create an innovative strategic plan for a business which gains support from stakeholders and addresses risk factors involved in the implementation of the plan
• Strategic Financial Management (15 credits)
  • Develop an understanding of financial topics that contribute to the successful delivery of the organisational performance
  • Develop the ability of participants to adopt a critical approach to financial decision-making within an organisational context
  • Develop participants understanding of the link between strategy and finance
  • Equip participants with the knowledge and skills necessary for the effective use of accounting and financial information
  • Develop participants' ability to challenge financial assumptions in accounts, budgets and strategic decisions
• Strategic People Management (15 credits)
  • Develop an understanding of the contribution of the management and development of people to the achievement of the organisation's strategy
  • Develop an ability to identify and implement people management processes and practices that support and enhance organisational values, culture and strategic direction

Year 2

• Leading and Influencing Change (30 credits)
  • Develop participants' understanding of leadership, particularly within an environment of change
  • Increase participants' skills in building agile and collaborative cultures which gain buy-in for change initiatives
  • Equip participants with tools and methods to initiate and lead change in organisations and to manage conflict that might arise from the change process
  • Identify methods for influencing organisational vision, culture and values
  • Shape and manage communication strategy within change initiatives
  • Develop skills to influence upwards and outwards
  • Enhance negotiation and advocacy skills to build reputation and effective collaboration with diverse groups of stakeholders
• Strategic Marketing (15 credits)
  • Familiarise students with the role of marketing management within organisations
  • Provide an understanding of the core concepts, principles and frameworks in strategic marketing
• Strategic Information Systems (15 credits)
  • Deliver an understanding of Information Systems and their strategic importance
  • Examine various Information Systems used at different organizational levels and their impact on an organization's competitive advantage
  • Investigate the digital platform's role in overcoming the resource limitations issue of SMEs and enabling their capabilities development

Assessment

Students will be assessed by a combination of written reports evaluating theory and practice, presentations and group work.

Study mode

Modules are delivered in a block format, which includes in-person group learning, online preparation and other materials.

Location

The program is located at Loughborough University.

Academics

The program is taught by a team of experienced academics, including:

• Dr Katherine Martin
• Dr Olga Kombeiz
• Dr Kate Broadhurst
• Rachael Mabe
• Dr Ahmad Asadullah
• Dr Amanda Harrington
• Michelle Aitken
• Kirsten Greenhalgh
• Dr Jeannie Holstein

Future career

This Apprenticeship takes a practical approach to developing the strategic skills of current and future leaders. Apprentices are prepared for leadership career progression in their organisation as they develop their strategic knowledge and skills, and analytical and evaluative abilities. Several well-known employers use this Senior Leader Apprenticeship to support their current and future leaders, embedding the programme into their internal talent strategy. Well equipped for leadership responsibility, apprentices develop the skills and confidence to contribute to the functional and strategic management of their organisation.

Related master's degrees

• Strategic Leadership MSc