Flexible, work-based, online learning ideal for busy professionals
Create your leadership path with modules that fit your career goals
Join a diverse global community focused on ethical and inclusive leadership
Our MSc Advanced Professional Practice is a flexible, part-time programme designed for experienced professionals who want to deepen their impact in their organisations while gaining a postgraduate qualification. The programme enables you to tailor your studies around your professional role, career goals, and workplace challenges. You’ll design and deliver real-world projects that create meaningful change, while developing strategic and leadership skills. This fully online master's programme supports personalised learning journeys, ideal for professionals balancing study with work and life.
This programme is fully flexible, meaning you can take breaks between modules, progress at your own pace, and complete the degree in between two and five years.
You will benefit from Lancaster’s well-established infrastructure for online learning, ensuring a high-quality and connected experience wherever you are in the world.
Unlike traditional taught programmes, our MSc Advanced Professional Practice is built around your professional context. You will work with academic staff and your employer (if relevant) to co-design a personalised pathway that addresses your role, organisational goals, and career aspirations. You will choose modules and deliver work-based projects that reflect the challenges and opportunities in your field.
You can choose to follow a specialism aligned with your career goals, such as Leadership, Innovation, Coaching, Sustainability, or Digital Transformation. This allows you to develop deeper expertise in an area of personal and professional interest, with tangible benefits for your organisation and future career.
Our tutor coaches are experienced professionals with a deep understanding of work-based learning and adult education. They will support you throughout the programme—not only academically but also as mentors, helping you reflect, adapt, and lead in your role.
The focus on reflective practice throughout the programme encourages continuous self-improvement, helping you to grow as a professional who can adapt to changing circumstances.
You will be part of a diverse and dynamic learning community, including professionals from across the UK and internationally. This creates a rich environment for sharing ideas, tackling sector-specific challenges, and expanding your perspective.
With optional modules such as ‘Compassionate and Inclusive Leadership’ and ‘Ethical and Sustainable Leadership,’ you will learn to build inclusive, people-centric workplaces that promote wellbeing and diversity—essential attributes for any modern leader.
If you have completed a Higher-level (Level 7) Apprenticeship and successfully passed your End Point Assessment (EPA) within the past five years, you can top up to this MSc in one year. You can do this by registering for our top-up programme and taking the 60-credit module: Practitioner Research for Work-based Transformation.
Our Advanced Professional Practice MSc is ideal for experienced leaders and managers who are ready to explore fresh opportunities, pivot into new professional areas, or elevate their impact in their current roles.
Many alumni have gone on to:
An undergraduate degree or equivalent professional qualification.
We will also consider applicants with non-standard qualifications, please contact us for information.
Applicants usually have at least three years of experience in a role with the scope for them to apply their learning in the workplace.
We 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.
If you are thinking of applying to Lancaster and you would like to ask us a question, complete our enquiry form and one of the team will get back to you.
We also have more details on our website about:
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 INTO Lancaster University for more details and a list of eligible degrees you can progress onto.
We continually review and enhance our curriculum to ensure we are delivering the best possible learning experience, and to make sure that the subject knowledge and transferable skills you develop will prepare you for your future. The University will make every reasonable effort to offer programmes and modules as advertised. In some cases, changes may be necessary and may result in new modules or some modules and combinations being unavailable, for example as a result of student feedback, timetabling, Professional Statutory and Regulatory Bodies' (PSRB) requirements, staff changes and new research. Not all optional modules are available every year.
Position yourself as a dynamic leader capable of navigating and leading effective organisational transformations. You will explore theories of leadership, processes of change, resistance management, and stakeholder engagement to successfully initiate and sustain organisational change. Through reflective exercises, critical analysis, and practical applications, you will strengthen your understanding of leadership dynamics and the complexities of change management.
Develop the advanced skills to strategically manage change processes, respond effectively to resistance, and lead culturally inclusive organisational transformation. Benefit from practical insights drawn from real-world scenarios, scenario planning exercises, and interactive web seminars.
Stand out professionally with enhanced leadership capability and strategic thinking skills. You will be assessed through reflective reports, contributions to interactive discussions, and practical change management plans, thoroughly preparing you to lead change initiatives effectively.
This module focuses on mastering strategic analysis and innovation management, enabling you to make strategic decisions that drive business success. You will explore how to develop and implement innovative strategies to stay competitive in today's market. You will also have the opportunity to work on a live project as part of a team, allowing you to apply the tools and techniques introduced earlier in the module. It will give you valuable experience that will form a basis for your subsequent reflections on the challenges and realities of project work in teams.
Prepare to become a visionary leader who can drive digital transformation in your organisation. This cutting-edge module blends strategic insight with operational practicality. The digital leadership themes we will cover include:
The module is designed for leaders who wish to develop a robust understanding of digital ecosystems and platform-based business models alongside techniques for effectively managing digital change and overcoming cultural resistance. You will learn how your organisation can leverage data-driven decision-making capabilities, enabling you to implement ethical and impactful AI and automation solutions. This module elevates your strategic thinking and future-proofs your career by preparing you for upcoming technological disruptions.
Distinctive features include practical case studies, scenario planning exercises, and interactive masterclasses. You will be assessed through practical digital transformation project proposals, reflective essays on ethical considerations, and strategic analyses. This hands-on approach will prepare you to apply these techniques in your workplace.
In this module, you will consider the power of organisational culture to influence the success of strategy and performance. You will learn how to develop a high-performing culture through staff engagement. This includes examining the factors that underpin successful team performance, such as talent management, workforce design, and succession planning.
You will develop techniques for translating vision into operational strategies, optimise workforce skills, and manage diverse stakeholder relationships, using negotiation and advocacy to build reputation and collaboration.
The module emphasises working collaboratively to empower and delegate, valuing diversity, and seeking continuous professional development for yourself and your team.
Enhance your leadership and management skills through this advanced module. It provides deep insights into coaching and mentoring theories, principles, and effective practice strategies. You will explore the psychological foundations of successful coaching, master various coaching and mentoring tools, and critically evaluate their real-world applications.
This module focuses on practical skills. You will be encouraged to reflect on your personal coaching experiences, analyse the effectiveness of coaching sessions, and explore the transformative impact of coaching cultures within organisations. Stand out by gaining proficiency in advanced coaching methodologies, enhancing stakeholder engagement, and promoting organisational growth and talent retention.
Assessments involve detailed case studies of coaching sessions and reflective reports. This will prepare you for professional accreditation and career advancement in leadership and coaching roles.
This impactful module will help you become an empathetic and inclusive leader. It merges theory with practical strategies to help you foster an environment of psychological safety, empathy, and diversity. You will enhance your self-awareness and empathetic listening skills while critically analysing current organisational practices.
This module will prepare you to build inclusive, resilient teams that achieve their highest potential. You will explore essential concepts such as:
You will benefit professionally from improved emotional intelligence, stronger team cohesion, and the ability to cultivate equitable organisational cultures. You will be assessed through reflective journals, critical organisational evaluations, and practical implementation strategies. This will enable you to directly influence positive cultural shifts within your professional setting.
Designed for non-specialists, this module will prepare you to engage with finance experts in your organisation to achieve strategic objectives. You will develop essential knowledge and skills for effective financial decision-making. This includes learning to create and apply financial strategies, such as scenario modelling, to identify trends and evaluate both financial and non-financial information with a focus on sustainability. You will explore influencing and negotiating strategies, both upwards and outwards, to effectively manage and implement financial initiatives.
Master your professional growth and foster continuous development with this essential module. Designed for ambitious professionals, it combines reflective practice, ethical professionalism, and strategic career planning, focusing on critical skills needed to advance your career.
You will explore foundational theories such as:
By critically evaluating these theoretical frameworks, you will discover practical ways to enhance your own professional development and that of others within your organisation. Assessment methods include reflective reports and active participation in discussion forums, emphasising practical application through case studies and individual development plans. This module uniquely prepares you to navigate career transitions and develop essential professional competencies in today's rapidly changing world.
Gain key insights into excellence in project management through this foundation module. Essential for those new to project management, the curriculum covers key project management principles aligned to the APM Body of Knowledge 8th edition. Engage actively in simulated team-based projects, allowing you to apply essential methodologies and tools immediately.
This module prepares you for various project management roles by equipping you with essential practical skills such as strategic planning, effective team collaboration, and critical problem-solving. You will benefit professionally from increased project delivery effectiveness, enhanced leadership capabilities, and the practical ability to consistently manage and deliver successful outcomes.
What sets this module apart is its unique blend of theory and practice, ensuring you leave prepared for real-world project challenges. You will be assessed through a combination of team-based project reports, reflective diaries, and strategic analyses, thoroughly preparing you for successful professional practice in the project arena.
This forward-looking module will help you navigate the complexities of ethical decision-making and sustainable management. It offers a critical understanding of the significance of social and ethical responsibility in modern management, particularly within the context of globalisation. You will explore the intricate relationship between organisational practices and environmental impacts while learning to apply essential tools and frameworks for informed decision-making.
You will gain the skills needed to independently synthesise complex information and critically apply ethical theories and sustainability models to real-world organisational scenarios. Unique aspects include comprehensive reflective assessments, evaluating and improving organisational ethics, and proposing practical sustainability strategies.
You will be assessed through critical evaluations of organisational ethics, improvement recommendations, and reflective practices, empowering you to drive ethical and sustainable changes within your professional environment.
Stand out professionally by aligning your leadership with the principles of sustainability and ethics.
Unlock your unique writing voice and learn to captivate your readers through this dynamic module. This module is ideal for aspiring writers aiming for professional publication and for professionals looking to master impactful workplace writing. It guides you through the intricacies of compelling and persuasive communication.
You will explore acclaimed works across diverse genres, such as fiction, biography, memoir, essay, and case studies, to refine your style and enhance your critical analysis skills. You will develop proficiency in crafting concise, powerful arguments and master the art of clarity and brevity. Stand out in professional and academic settings by communicating your ideas effectively.
By completing this module, you will gain the skills to:
You will be assessed through a combination of practical writing assignments, reflective journals, and peer-reviewed projects, ensuring comprehensive skill development.
This module will help you unlock the potential for significant workplace improvements. It enables you to tackle real challenges in your organisation by guiding you in identifying, analysing, and recommending impactful changes. You will learn effective stakeholder engagement strategies, risk assessment techniques, and reflective practices to enhance your professional development.
You will critically assess current practices, evaluate potential improvements, and make actionable recommendations tailored to your organisation’s specific context. This module will position you to deliver tangible organisational benefits while advancing your career through applied, reflective learning.
You will be assessed on designing a practical enquiry, delivering detailed project proposals, and reflective analysis of your professional growth. This ensures robust development of your practical and professional skills.
Transform your workplace through in-depth practitioner research with this comprehensive module. Designed as the capstone of your professional learning journey, you will undertake a significant work-based enquiry to address pressing organisational needs.
You will explore action research methodologies, qualitative and quantitative research methods, project planning, implementation, and dissemination techniques. You will be empowered to critically evaluate existing practices, foster sustainable organisational change, and enhance professional development through practical enquiry.
Unique features include personalised coaching, reflective practice, and robust stakeholder engagement, ensuring your research has meaningful impact. Assessments include a detailed research report, reflective evaluations, and practical dissemination activities, fully preparing you to effectively influence organisational transformation.
We set our fees on an annual basis and the 2026/27 entry fees have not yet been set.
There may be extra costs related to your course for items such as books, stationery, printing, photocopying, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits. Following graduation, you may need to pay a subscription to a professional body for some chosen careers.
Specific additional costs for studying at Lancaster are listed below.
Lancaster is proud to be one of only a handful of UK universities to have a collegiate system. Every student belongs to a college, and all students pay a small College Membership Fee which supports the running of college events and activities. Students on some distance-learning courses are not liable to pay a college fee.
For students starting in 2025, the fee is £40 for undergraduates and research students and £15 for students on one-year courses.
To support your studies, you will also require access to a computer, along with reliable internet access. You will be able to access a range of software and services from a Windows, Mac, Chromebook or Linux device. For certain degree programmes, you may need a specific device, or we may provide you with a laptop and appropriate software - details of which will be available on relevant programme pages. A dedicated IT support helpdesk is available in the event of any problems.
The University provides limited financial support to assist students who do not have the required IT equipment or broadband support in place.
For most taught postgraduate programmes starting in 2025 you must pay a non-refundable application fee of £40. We cannot consider applications until this fee has been paid, as advised on our online secure payment system. There is no application fee for postgraduate research applications.
There is no application fee if you are applying for postgraduate study starting in 2026.
For some of our courses you will need to pay a deposit to accept your offer and secure your place. We will let you know in your offer letter if a deposit is required and you will be given a deadline date when this is due to be paid.
The fee that you pay will depend on whether you are considered to be a home or international student. Read more about how we assign your fee status.
If you are studying on a programme of more than one year’s duration, tuition fees are reviewed annually and are not fixed for the duration of your studies. Read more about fees in subsequent years.
Find all fees and funding information for students at Lancaster University.
Details of our scholarships and bursaries for 2026-entry study are not yet available, but you can use our opportunities for 2025-entry applicants as guidance.
Check our current list of scholarships and bursaries.
This programme is part of a 3-stage pathway to a Master’s degree.
You can choose which stage you finish at and how long you spend at each stage.
For example, even if you initially plan to earn a Master’s degree, you can later opt for a Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma.
You can also earn either of these qualifications, take a break, and return later to take the modules required for your Master’s degree.
The first stage of Master's education and the shortest award available.
The second stage of Master's education. You’ll take additional modules to the modules you’ve taken at the Postgraduate Certificate stage.
The final stage of Master's education. You'll take 1 module additional to the modules you’ve taken at the Postgraduate Diploma stage. This module is a final work-based research project.
‘Accreditation of prior learning’ is our process for awarding module credits for postgraduate (Level 7) learning you’ve done before enrolling with us.
This opportunity has two main advantages to you:
Learners in this Executive Education programme study remotely, not on the University’s premises. Enrolling in this programme would not enable you to obtain a student visa from UK Visas and Immigration.
Lancaster University Management School offers full-time Master’s programmes where learners study full-time at our Lancaster campus. Go to list of Master’s programmes
Lancaster is ranked 13th in the UK and joint 99th globally for Business and Management according to the QS World Rankings by Subject 2025, one of nine subjects at Lancaster to be featured in the top 100 in these prestigious listings.
QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
The information on this site relates primarily to the stated entry year 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.
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. Find out more about our Charter and student policies.
