Program Overview

Educational Leadership Level 7 Apprenticeship PGDip

The Educational Leadership Level 7 Apprenticeship PGDip is a fully-funded program designed to unlock leadership potential and drive change in the classroom. Through this course, aligned to the Senior Leader Apprenticeship Standard, students gain a PGDip in Educational Leadership. Upon completion of the apprenticeship, students are in an ideal position to inform future improvement and make a difference to the overall performance of their school.

Course Overview

This course runs over 18 months in a blended learning mode, combining 'on-the-job' learning from the employer and 'off-the-job' learning from the University. The program is designed to produce transformative leaders who use research and evidence to develop and challenge current educational practices.

Course Highlights

• Build new networks and connections with leading academics and expert local school leaders
  • Work with new ideas and approaches to solve organizational challenges
  • Develop specialist areas of expertise through research, leadership inquiry, and other practice-focused assignments
  • Fully levy-funding compliant with advice and guidance from the Apprenticeships team
  • The option to gain a full Masters qualification by completing a dissertation
  • Flexible mode of delivery, blending online and on-campus learning
  • Be part of the Education Leadership Academy, which supports inclusive, values-driven leadership in schools across the world

Course Delivery

The course is delivered through a mixture of online and on-campus learning, with teaching sessions delivered in twilight sessions (5pm - 6:30pm) and on-campus Saturday sessions (10am – 3pm). In addition to the modules and assignments, students undertake work-based professional learning, which they record in an E-Portfolio and a strategic business proposal.

• Work-based learning: supported by the employer, who provides the equivalent of 6 hours per week ‘off-the-job’ learning time
  • Eight formal meetings with a Leadership Mentor from the University
  • Course program: supported by the University’s virtual learning environment (Canvas) and E-Portfolio facility, PebblePad
  • Academic modules are assessed by the University of Birmingham, and work-based learning elements are assessed by an external End Point Assessment Organisation (currently Chartered Management Institute)

Module Information

The program comprises 120 credits of taught material.

Year 1

• Module Title: LM Leadership and Management in Education
  • Credits: 20
  • Semester: Semester 2

Year 2

• Module Title: LM Education Policy, Governance and Regulation
  • Credits: 20
  • Semester: Semester 1
• Module Title: LM Assessing and Improving School Performance
  • Credits: 20
  • Semester: Semester 2 This program requires 60 credits accredited prior certified and/or experiential learning, typically in the form of a National Professional Qualification (NPQ), most commonly NPQH, NPQSL, or NPQML. Alternative equivalent qualifications and meaningful leadership experience are also considered, including the NASENCO award.

Entry Requirements

• Must be working in a leadership role that enables meeting of the Senior Leader standards
• Prior experience and qualifications: this is a ‘fast track’ professional learning program which requires students to have prior experience and understanding of educational leadership
• All applicants are required to:
  • be working in a leadership role that enables meeting of the Senior Leader standards
  • have a National Professional Qualification (NPQ), equivalent professional experience, or equivalent M-level credits related to school improvement and educational leadership
  • hold a good first degree, diplomas, or other relevant qualifications

English Language Requirements

If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification or a Presessional English course. For this course, we require IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any band, which is equivalent to:

• TOEFL: 88 overall with no less than 21 in Reading, 20 Listening, 22 Speaking, and 21 in Writing
• Pearson Test of English (PTE): Academic 67 with no less than 64 in all four skills
• Cambridge English: C1 Advanced - minimum overall score of 176, with no less than 169 in any component
• LanguageCert ESOL SELT (UKVI): B2 'Communicator' with no less than 33 in each skill

Fees and Scholarships

This course is fully funded via the employer Apprenticeship Levy, with no costs incurred by the student.

Career Opportunities

Upon graduating from the course, students will be ready to lead improvement and make a difference to the overall performance of their school. They will be supported by a fantastic network of new connections with leading academics and expert school leaders, and practice-focused assignments will prepare them for the real-world challenges of school leadership and driving change. Students also have the opportunity to achieve a full Masters level qualification through completion of a 60-credit dissertation.