Leadership Practice (Apprenticeship Pathway)

PgDip

  • Entry year 2025
  • Duration Part time 2 years
Apply now
Open days
Request a prospectus

Overview

Top reasons to study with us

  • 9

    9th for Business and Management in the UK

    QS World University Rankings (2024)

  • 72

    72nd for Business and Management in the world

    QS World University Rankings (2024)

  • Lancaster University is top 10 in The Complete University Guide 2025

Introduction

This Postgraduate Diploma programme, mapped to the Senior Leader Apprenticeship Standards, is tailored for aspiring and current senior leaders working across diverse sectors such as health, finance, engineering, manufacturing, education, retail, technology, and more. The course covers an extensive range of critical leadership and management topics, including leadership and organisational change, people and culture, financial and economic decision-making, business strategy and innovation, sustainability and ethics, and business planning and development. Designed to enhance your strategic thinking and leadership capabilities, this programme equips you with the skills needed to drive your organisation forward in today’s dynamic and complex business environment.

During your course, you will have opportunities to enhance your learning by participating in workshops that further develop and refine the knowledge, skills, and behaviours essential for effective leadership, such as Digital Innovation and Change, risk and Crisis Management, Strategic Communication, and Compassionate and Inclusive Leadership.

This course offers a fantastic opportunity to enhance your leadership skills and make a real impact in your organisation. One of the best parts of this programme is its flexibility. You can complete it over two to four years, fitting your studies around your busy life. Whether you’re balancing work, family, or other commitments, this course adapts to your schedule.

What’s more, the learning isn’t just theoretical—it’s practical and immediately applicable in your workplace. You’ll be able to take what you learn and put it into practice right away, making a tangible difference. This means you’ll see the benefits of your learning from day one, not just after graduation.

Another great feature is the opportunity to personalise your learning pathway, choosing specialised modules to match your interests and career goals. Whether you’re interested in Business Strategy and Innovation, People, Culture and Organisational Performance, or Digital Innovation and Change, there’s a module for you. Plus, with optional subjects like Compassionate and Inclusive Leadership, Financial Decision-Making, and Managing Projects, you can tailor the programme to your needs. These skills will boost your career and empower you to lead and innovate within your organisation.

Overall, the Senior Leader Apprenticeship is designed to help you grow as a leader and make a meaningful impact in your professional life. We’re excited to support you on this journey and see the incredible things you’ll achieve.

Course outline

The Postgraduate Diploma in Leadership Practice is structured with maximum flexibility and choice in mind, perfect for fitting into your busy life. The course is delivered through distance learning, allowing you to study from anywhere at your own pace over two to four years. This means you can balance your studies with work, family, or other commitments seamlessly.

Although the course is primarily online, students who can visit the campus have the opportunity to engage in additional activities offered by the management school, such as Masterclasses and networking events. These sessions provide a chance to deepen your learning and connect with peers and industry professionals.

You'll benefit from the support of module tutors who are specialists in their fields, ensuring you receive expert guidance and insights. Additionally, each student is assigned a learning coach to provide personalised support and advice throughout the course. This combination of specialist tutors and dedicated learning coaches ensures that you have the resources and support you need to succeed in your studies and apply your learning effectively in your workplace.

Assessment

Assessment is integrated throughout the programme to ensure continuous learning and improvement. You will be evaluated through a combination of coursework, practical projects, and presentations, allowing you to demonstrate your understanding and application of key concepts. Regular feedback from mentors and coaches will help you stay on track and achieve your learning goals. The assessment strategy is designed to not only measure your progress but also to provide valuable insights into your leadership style and capabilities.

In addition to module assessment, you will also complete an End Point Assessment (EPA) for the Senior Leader Apprenticeship. This assessment evaluates your knowledge, skills, and behaviours (KSBs) through a strategic business proposal with a presentation and questioning session, a professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio of evidence, and a project showcase with presentation and questioning. These components assess your ability to apply strategic thinking, business acumen, and critical thinking to real-world challenges, reflect on your learning and demonstrate the impact of your work. Your module learning and assessments build incrementally towards the EPA , and you will benefit along the way from the dedicated support of your apprenticeship mentor and learning coach.

Course outcomes

Upon completing this programme, you will be well-equipped to advance to higher leadership roles such as Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Executive Director, or Head of Department. You will also be prepared to influence and contribute to the strategic direction of your organisation at the board level, lead significant projects, and foster innovation and sustainability. Additionally, this qualification enhances your eligibility for professional recognition and membership in professional bodies like the Chartered Management Institute and the Institute of Leadership and Management.

If you’re considering taking your learning further, this programme can lead to a Master's (MSc) in Leadership Practice, where you will receive support to develop and implement your End Point Assessment business plan. The Master's itself lays a solid foundation for doctoral studies, preparing you to share your insights through publications and conferences and helping you gain recognition in your field.

Key facts

Discover the Senior Leader Apprenticeship at Lancaster University.

Flexible delivery

Flexible blended delivery fits your studies around your work, home, and family commitments. Digital learning and in-person sessions cover a range of themed module content.

Achieve a Postgraduate Diploma

You will be awarded a Lancaster University Postgraduate Diploma in Leadership Practice after completing the Senior Leader Apprenticeship.

Top up to a full MSc

After completing the Senior Leader Apprenticeship, you have the option to continue your studies and earn a Lancaster University Master's in Leadership Practice.

Contact us to find out more about the Senior Leader Apprenticeship.

Email the team

The Senior Leader Apprenticeship allows aspiring and existing managers and leaders to realise their full potential. These leaders will develop skills and gain knowledge to help them be the best leader they can be. Organisations tell us how leaders who complete an apprenticeship use their learning to bring about organisational transformation, and provide benefits in the immediate and long term.

A quote from Senior Leader Apprenticeship Scheme Director Diane Bleackley

Entry requirements

The Senior Leader Apprenticeship is suitable for current and aspiring senior leaders in public, private, or third-sector organisations. You will typically have a Second-Class honours degree or equivalent and at least three years of management/leadership experience. Admission to the programme is dependent on aptitude and experience; prior qualifications are not always necessary.

To comply with Apprenticeship regulations, all SLA candidates must be UK residents and work at least 50% of their time in England.

Minimum grade C/4 in GCSE English and mathematics (or Functional Skills level 2 equivalent).*

* Applicants who do not meet the maths/English entry requirements will be considered on a case-by-case basis for exceptional entry. If admitted, Apprentices must achieve Functional Skills Level 2 in both subjects by the end of the first year of the programme.

Pre-master’s programmes

Delivered in partnership with INTO Lancaster University, our one-year tailored pre-master’s pathways are designed to improve your subject knowledge and English language skills to the level required by a range of Lancaster University master’s degrees. Visit the INTO Lancaster University website for more details and a list of eligible degrees you can progress onto.

Course structure

Detailed module information for this postgraduate programme will follow shortly. However, if you have any questions please contact the department.

Fees and funding

Apprenticeship levy fees

The £14,000 fee for the Senior Leader Apprenticeship is funded through the Apprenticeship Levy.

Organisations with an annual payroll of more than £3 million pay 0.5% of their payroll into the Government’s Apprenticeship Levy, which they can use to fully fund apprenticeship training costs. Smaller organisations can also benefit, as the Government will subsidise 95% of apprenticeship costs for organisations that do not pay into the levy.

If you have further questions about your organisation’s eligibility for the levy, please contact us.

General fees and funding information

Additional fees and funding information accordion

Case studies

A white man with grey hair wearing an open necked shirt and a dark yellow waistcoat

Learning while leading

Leaders often find themselves in leadership roles with little prior experience or training to prepare them to take charge. Our Apprentice Partnership Director, Dr Paul Irvine, explains how these leaders can learn a lot from programmes like the Senior Leader Apprenticeship while leading.

Read case study

Linked icons

Important Information

The information on this site relates primarily to 2025/2026 entry to the University and every effort has been taken to ensure the information is correct at the time of publication.

The University will use all reasonable effort to deliver the courses as described, but the University reserves the right to make changes to advertised courses. In exceptional circumstances that are beyond the University’s reasonable control (Force Majeure Events), we may need to amend the programmes and provision advertised. In this event, the University will take reasonable steps to minimise the disruption to your studies. If a course is withdrawn or if there are any fundamental changes to your course, we will give you reasonable notice and you will be entitled to request that you are considered for an alternative course or withdraw your application. You are advised to revisit our website for up-to-date course information before you submit your application.

More information on limits to the University’s liability can be found in our legal information.

Our Students’ Charter

We believe in the importance of a strong and productive partnership between our students and staff. In order to ensure your time at Lancaster is a positive experience we have worked with the Students’ Union to articulate this relationship and the standards to which the University and its students aspire. View our Charter and other policies.

Why Lancaster?