Professional Practice

MA

  • Entry year 2025
  • Duration Part time 3 - 5 years
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Overview

Top reasons to study with us

  • This is an approved pathway to the Senior Leaders Apprenticeship, so you may be able to fund your programme through the Apprenticeship Levy.

  • You may be eligible for module exemptions with our Recognition and Accreditation of Prior Learning.

  • Discover our flexible pathways so that you can tailor your programme timescales, target award and award title.

Our Professional Practice Postgraduate MA programme provides a flexible, bespoke work-based route to a postgraduate qualification. You can progress to this programme from several of our postgraduate certificates including:

The main focus is a work-based project supported by your own personal learning and development. You will benefit from a highly relevant, customised course which also delivers outcomes for your organisation.

At this stage of your programme, there is increased emphasis on bespoke learning related to the delivery of your work-based projects. You will study the core modules shown below and choose from a range of optional modules in line with your specific needs including a 60-credit work-based project. You will need modules to the value of 180 credits.

Assessment Methods

The assessment methods vary and may include coursework, project proposals, reports, reflective commentary, and oral presentations.

Students may also make a claim (Accreditation of Prior Learning) to gain credits for exemption from some modules.

Course duration

This programme will take 3 - 5 years to complete.

Start Dates

We are recruiting now for January and June 2025 start. For more information or to apply please make an enquiry.

Entry requirements

Academic Requirements

A first degree or equivalent professional qualification.

We may also consider non-standard applicants, please contact us for information.

Applicants will usually have at least three years of experience in a role which allows for the scope to undertake postgraduate work-based projects. All applicants require employer or stakeholder support.

If you have studied outside of the UK, we would advise you to check our list of international qualifications before submitting your application.

English Language Requirements

We may ask you to provide a recognised English language qualification, dependent upon your nationality and where you have studied previously.

We normally require an IELTS (Academic) Test with an overall score of at least 6.5, and a minimum of 6.0 in each element of the test. We also consider other English language qualifications.

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

You will study a range of modules as part of your course, some examples of which are listed below.

Information contained on the website with respect to modules is correct at the time of publication, but changes may be necessary, for example as a result of student feedback, Professional Statutory and Regulatory Bodies' (PSRB) requirements, staff changes, and new research. Not all optional modules are available every year.

Core

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Fees and funding

Fees for 2025/26 (Per 10 credit module)

Home and International: £520

  • MSc/MA = 180 credits
  • PGDip = 120 credits
  • PGCert = 60 credits

Find more information on course fees and start dates for executive education programmes.

General fees and funding information

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"The work based nature of the course made it very relevant and the learning was useful on a daily basis" Lee Bladon, Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Business people

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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.

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