2025/26 entry
PG Dip Senior Leader Apprenticeship—Leadership and Management Practice
About this course
LJMU's Leadership and Management programme supports career progression for managers or those with ambitions to take up a management role.
- Specialist routes in Leadership or Organisational development to focus on areas of interest
- Designed with the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) to meet employer training needs for leaders
- Taught by academics who are respected experts, academics, consultants and business practitioners with strong business links
- Offers an alternative leadership and management development programme to the MBA, focusing on practice rather than function
- Ideal for strategic leaders or middle managers looking to improve results or advance in their career
- Specialist options allow you to focus on areas of particular relevance to your role or organisation
- Course content has a real world focus and is based on current practice
The programme is personalised to individuals and customised for businesses so that they can apply the necessary management practices to ensure that:
- students make an immediate impact in their job
- skills are practiced and knowledge applied
- time away from work is kept to a minimum with learning happening in the workplace
Liverpool Business School at Liverpool John Moores University is a member of AACSB International — The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.
AACSB International is a global association of leaders in education and business dedicated to supporting and advancing quality business education worldwide. Through membership, accreditation, research, thought leadership, professional development, and advocacy, AACSB partners with over 1,500 organizations, from more than 90 countries globally. Membership or participation in the Global Education Alliance does not imply accreditation.
Fees and funding
There are many ways to fund postgraduate study for home and international students
Fees
The fees quoted at the top of this page cover registration, tuition, supervision, assessment and examinations as well as:
- library membership with access to printed, multimedia and digital resources
- access to programme-appropriate software
- library and student IT support
- free on-campus wifi via eduroam
Additional costs
Although not all of the following are compulsory/relevant, you should keep in mind the costs of:
- accommodation and living expenditure
- books (should you wish to have your own copies)
- printing, photocopying and stationery
- PC/laptop (should you prefer to purchase your own for independent study and online learning activities)
- mobile phone/tablet (to access online services)
- field trips (travel and activity costs)
- placements (travel expenses and living costs)
- student visas (international students only)
- study abroad opportunities (travel costs, accommodation, visas and immunisations)
- academic conferences (travel costs)
- professional-body membership
- graduation (gown hire etc)
Funding
There are many ways to fund postgraduate study for home and international students. From loans to International Scholarships and subject-specific funding, you’ll find all of the information you need on our specialist postgraduate funding pages.
Please be aware that the UK’s departure from the EU may affect your tuition fees. Learn more about your fee status and which tuition fees are relevant to you.
Employability
Further your career prospects
LJMU has an excellent employability record with 96% (HESA 2018) of our postgraduates in work or further study six months after graduation. Our applied learning techniques and strong industry connections ensure our students are fully prepared for the workplace on graduation and understand how to apply their knowledge in a real world context.
On graduation you can expect to see a marked improvement in day-to-day performance, confidence, decision-making and idea generation as you start to apply your learning to the workplace. This will all contribute towards wider business improvement.
It is expected that course graduates will have an improved career trajectory and be able to move more quickly and with confidence up the career ladder.
Another benefit of studying for your MSc or PgCert at the Liverpool Business School is the network it enables you to join. This enables alumni and staff to continue building meaningful, long-term relationships beyond the classroom.
The student experience
Discover life as a postgraduate student at LJMU.
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Course modules
Discover the building blocks of your programme
Your programme is made up of a number of core modules which are part of the course framework. Some programmes also have optional modules that can be selected to enhance your learning in certain areas and many feature a dissertation, extended report or research project to demonstrate your advanced learning.
In order to gain the PgCert, all core modules must be completed. If modules from one of the specialist pathways are completed along with the core modules the PgDip can be obtained. To gain the MSc, the business consultancy module must be completed along with the core modules and the chosen pathway modules.
We offer two sector specific pathways so that you can tailor the course to your specific professional learning requirements. The pathways offered are Leadership and Organisational Development. Please note that the specific option modules relating to each pathway are detailed in the option module list below.
Core modules
Individual Development and Reflection
10 credits
This module is an integrated and holistic part of the first year of the programme and seeks to facilitate personal and professional growth and act as catalyst for reflection on learning from other first year modules and the wider aspects of the programme.
Applied Business Research
10 credits
The module will provide learners with an understanding of how to design and produce applied business research scholarly-practitioner projects. Learners will be provided with the knowledge and tools to be able to effectively design organisational/business/management research projects that apply to their own organisations or organisations which they are familiar with - learners will have a better awareness of how to become 'scholarly practitioners'.
The module will support and provide foundations for the final element of the programme, either the 'Strategic Business Proposal' (for Senior Leader Apprentices) or the MBA/MSc final consultancy project module (for those undertaking master's degree programmes).
Leadership and Leader Development
20 credits
By applying theory to your practice, this module will aim to equip you with the knowledge and understanding of the complex dynamics of leadership to help you in your own development and that of leading teams effectively.
In combination with the programme you will explore your strengths and weaknesses as a leader, learn how to articulate effectively your own personal leadership style and those within your organisation and identify effective and ineffective leadership in your context.
Behaviour in Organisations
10 credits
You will explore how organisations behave, critically evaluate theoretical perspectives and consider how to enhance performance within your own settings. You will look at real life case studies in addition to considering theories and models. You will critically reflect on your own organisation and consider how you can blend theory and practice in order to benefit your setting.
Leading the Business
20 credits
You will gain knowledge of how key business functions support organisational effectiveness. You will learn about marketing, operations and finance and will develop an understanding of how they inter-relate to support leadership and management decision-making.
Strategy and Change
20 credits
This module introduces you to theories of strategy formulation, implementation and change. The module will equip students to practically apply external and internal analysis, use methods, tools and models to identify needs for change, and initiate it within organisations to maintain competitive advantage.
Leading Innovation
10 credits
Building on innovation theory and best practice, this module aims to develop your ability to think and act innovatively in a range of organisational contexts. You will evaluate opportunities to exploit digital technologies and consider strategies to support and promote innovative practices in your organisation.
Integrated Leadership Strategies
10 credits
The aim of the module is to consolidate prior learning and integrate knowledge and skills acquired in other modules.
Learning and Leadership
10 credits
After completion of this module you will be able to distinguish and design learning systems to improve the performance and capability of organisational situations. You will build on theories of learning, critical thinking, knowledge management and systems thinking.
Teaching
An insight into teaching on your course
Study hours
Apart from the consultancy project, each taught module will consist of three full day face to face sessions per 10 credits. For example, Leadership and Leader Development (20 credits) will be taught across six days. In addition to the taught elements, students will spend time preparing for the session and will also engage in follow up activities. An example is shown below:
Leadership and Leader Development (7200LODMS)
Credits: 20
Total learning hours: 200
Taught element: 48 hours
Private study: 152 hours
The private study element comprises of independent research, further reading, preparation for taught sessions, follow-up activities and assignment preparation and write-up.
Teaching methods
Each module comprises of a number of workshops relating to the credit tariff. This programme uses a flipped learning approach; students will be sent resources via our virtual learning environment (VLE) in advance of the session in order to be able to discuss key themes and concepts alongside their peers. The VLE is also used as a key communication tool in between sessions and follow up reading and activities are shared.
Teaching follows a seminar model and shared learning and peer learning is strongly advocated. We promote the use of Action Learning Sets in order to provide ongoing peer support throughout the programme and beyond.
As this is a Level 7 course we encourage criticality and provide students with key texts for further discussion in sessions. We critically examine case studies, look at examples of successes and challenges within the real world and engage in simulation activities. We use a variety of tools to encourage self reflection.
Applied Learning
All aspects of this programme aim to blend theory with practice. This is a theme which runs through all modules. The final module of the programme is a Consultancy Project. This is a 60 credit module and is the culmination of two years of study. The project is focused on a'real' issue or theme from the workplace. The Applied Business Research module lays the foundation for this extended piece of independent research.
Assessment
How learning is monitored on your programme
To cater for the wide-ranging content of our courses and the varied learning preferences of our students, we offer a range of assessment methods on each programme.
The assessment approaches vary from module to module. All assessments incorporate a blend of theory and practice. Assessments may comprise of individual presentations, group presentations, academic reports, critical evaluations of literature, project reports, simulations and portfolios. The structure and length of assessments directly relate to the credit tariff of each individual module.
Course tutors
Our staff are committed to the highest standards of teaching and learning
Victoria McCall
Programme Leader
Victoria is Programme Leader for the MBA and Executive Education programmes at Liverpool Business School and currently leads the MBA, MBA Scale-Up, MSc Leadership and Organisational Management, and the associated Senior Leader Apprenticeship Programmes as well as the CMDA. Victoria is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, and teaches in the areas of Executive Leadership, Strategy and Digital Marketing.
We position this MSc to middle managers with a strong desire to progress to senior management roles, and offer unique pathways to focus specialist leadership or organisational skills
School facilities
What you can expect from your School
The School is based in the Redmonds Building, in the heart of the bustling Mount Pleasant Campus and Liverpool's growing Knowledge Quarter. The building is home to high quality lecture theatres and seminar rooms, social spaces, and a café. It is only a short walk from LJMU's Aldham Robarts Library, which contains all the resources you will require for your studies, and is open seven days a week.
Liverpool Business School also has a dedicated Management Development Suite, based in a listed building in the historic Georgian Quarter of Liverpool and a short walk from the Redmonds Building. The building has recently undergone £1.2 million investment to provide a professional learning space.
Entry requirements
You will need:
Qualification requirements
Undergraduate degree
- a minimum 2:2 honours degree or equivalent
or
- a professional qualification recognised as equivalent to the above
GCSEs and equivalents
Prior to starting any of our Degree Apprenticeships, applicants must have obtained Grade C or Grade 4 or above in English Language and Mathematics GCSE or an approved alternative qualification below:
Key Skills Level 2 in English/ Maths
NVQ Level 2 Functional skills in Maths and English Writing and or Reading
Skills for Life Level 2 in Numeracy/English
Higher Diploma in Maths/ English
Functional Skills Level 2 in Maths/ English
Northern Ireland Essential Skills Level 2 in Communication or Application of Number
Wales Essential Skills Level 2 in Communication or Application of Number
Welsh GCSE Maths Numeracy
International requirements
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IELTS
- Where English is not the candidate's first language, or their first degree was not taught and assessed wholly in English an IELTS score of 6.5 must be achieved, with no individual score of less than 5.5.
Further information
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Extra Requirements
The course team has a strong commitment to widening participation and positively welcomes non-standard applicants. Candidates with some management experience or are about to enter a managerial role and have a demonstrated aptitude for study can be accepted without previous experience of higher education. Admission will normally be by interview, after formal application in order to assess their aptitude for study.
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RPL
Credits may be awarded for learning already undertaken in the University or elsewhere for which you have received qualifications or certificates. You may also submit a claim for recognition of unaccredited prior learning (RP(E)L). This may be for work you have accomplished in a professional, paid or voluntary capacity. This has to be submitted via an RPL form with supporting evidence. You will also be liable to pay an administration fee and charge per credit.
All RP(E)L claims must be applied for at the point of admission and cannot be considered at a later stage
Application and selection
Securing your place at LJMU
To apply for this programme, you are required to complete an LJMU Degree Apprenticeship form. You will need to provide details of previous qualifications and a personal statement outlining why you wish to study this programme.
The University reserves the right to withdraw or make alterations to a course and facilities if necessary; this may be because such changes are deemed to be beneficial to students, are minor in nature and unlikely to impact negatively upon students or become necessary due to circumstances beyond the control of the University. Where this does happen, the University operates a policy of consultation, advice and support to all enrolled students affected by the proposed change to their course or module.