Overview
Top reasons to study with us
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70
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QS World University Rankings (2023)
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85
85th for Business and Economics in the World
Times Higher Education World University Rankings (2022)
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Lancaster University is among the best in the UK - appearing in the Top 20 of all major national league tables.
Our Leadership Practice MSc programme provides a flexible, bespoke work-based route to a postgraduate qualification.
As their focus, these courses have one or more work-based projects, which are supported by your own personal learning and development. You will benefit from a highly relevant, customised course, facilitated mainly online, which also delivers outcomes for your organisation. The key course components allow for high levels of customisation, choice and negotiation.
The MSc in Leadership Practice is a progression route from the Senior Leader Apprenticeship and so you may be able to fund the PGDip part of your programme through the Apprenticeship Levy, or through government sponsorship: contact our Apprenticeship team for advice. Please note that there are constraints on timescales and customisation options for the Apprenticeship route.
You may also be eligible to make a claim for credit for prior learning and experience to gain exemptions from some modules.
Course structure
You will complete the core modules shown in the course structure below and select the appropriate modules for your own personal development from our wide range of optional modules.
Please note, applications for this course must be submitted directly to our CETAD team. For more information or to apply please email cetad@lancaster.ac.uk
Entry Requirements
Applicants will be employed in a role that allows the scope to undertake postgraduate work-integrated projects, and have employer/ stakeholder support. Entry to apprenticeship courses is subject to eligibility criteria. A first Degree not always necessary.
Course Structure
You will study a range of modules as part of your course, some examples of which are listed below.
Core
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Personal Learning and Development
This module is mandatory and integral to your Postgraduate Certificate Programme. It initiates your programme by facilitating activities to raise self-awareness about your strengths, development needs and the skills and knowledge you need to for your personal and professional development. This enables you to negotiate a programme of study that best fits your personal and professional development needs, with the support of a learning mentor who will support you during the length of your programme of study.
Further to designing and negotiating your programme, this module will shadow your learning journey through to completion. The module’s main purpose is to facilitate your ‘learning about learning’ and develop this critical lifelong and work-based skill. This should bring confidence to critically evaluate and challenge ideas, have a voice to make a case and communicate complex ideas to different audiences.
Duration, attendance and delivery
You will normally start this module at the beginning of your Postgraduate Certificate Programme. The module course usually lasts 12 months as it runs alongside your taught courses in the Postgraduate Certificate. There is a face-to-face workshop at the start of the module and then the module learning consists of online self-study, online group mentoring, personal mentoring, reflection activities, and completion of a learning portfolio.
Assessment
You will be assessed at the end of the module through submission of a learning portfolio that represents the progress of your learning from the beginning to the end of this module. You will be assessed against the module learning outcomes, including evidence of learning with and from others on the modules that comprise your programme.
Entry requirements
You will need to be in work (paid or unpaid) in a role which enables you to meet the requirements of the Postgraduate Certificate.
Start dates
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January
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April
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September
N.B. CETAD reserve the right to cancel or move the course to a later date if the number of students registered for the advertised course is not sufficient.
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Work-based Improvement and Innovation Project
The project syllabus will be largely determined by the focus and nature of your project and will be agreed between you and your mentor-facilitator. You will be guided, supported and encouraged to take a proactive role in designing your own learning. It is likely this learning will be located in the following areas:
- Knowledge creation - identifying potential enquiry approaches suitable for work-based projects that deliver impact
- Developing critical cognitive skills for questioning and challenging existing organisational ideas and practices
- Developing clarity and consistency in communicating with a range of organisational and academic audiences.
- Exploring social and ethical challenges in changing organisational contexts
Optional
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Analysing Drivers for Change
Overview
This course takes you through the process of analysing drivers for change in your own organisation. It will develop your critical understanding of the external and internal factors that influence the need for change in your organisation and your skills in working with the complexity and uncertainty of change.
We will explore the change agenda in your local context and start to question and challenge existing organisational capacity to respond to these.
On completion of the course you have learned to identify the key internal and external drivers for change within your own organisation. You will be able to analyse how change is affecting your organisation and understand how change impacts on you and your role.
Duration, attendance and delivery
The course usually lasts approximately 10 weeks.
The delivery of this module is through our online+ model for distance learning consisting of online learning, self-study, reflection, discussion and sharing learning with and from others, application of learning to your organisational context and the completion of assessment tasks. There is also the opportunity for students who value face-to-face workshops to attend optional themed workshops.
Assessment
At the end of the course you will undertake an assessment. This is an applied work-based assessment rather than a theory-based essay. This means that typically you will be required to apply what you have learnt to your context at work, evaluating concepts for their applicability and usefulness.
The assessment format may be a reflective account, a project report, a presentation or portfolio of evidence; all being the equivalent of 2000 words in length.
Entry requirements
You will need to be in a work role (paid or unpaid) which allows you the scope to put the concepts learned into practice. There are no formal qualification requirements for entry; we assess suitability on each individual application.
Start dates
- October
- April
N.B. CETAD reserve the right to cancel or move the course to a later date if the number of students registered for the advertised course is not sufficient.
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Creative Thinking and Problem Solving
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Overview
Creative thinking is the ability to imagine or invent something new, and is a powerful skill in the work context spanning the spectrum of 'brilliant ideas' to 'better ways of doing things'. It can be closely linked to problem solving. This course will help you to develop your own abilities and also support you to develop a creative, innovative, culture in your team.
You will examine concepts and models used to stimulate creative thinking and frameworks for problem-solving and assess their applicability and usefulness to your work. For example you might look at the work of experts such as Edward de Bono and evaluate ideas such as ‘left and right brain thinking’, ‘six thinking hats’ and a ‘solution focus rather than a problem focus’.
Duration, attendance and delivery
The course usually lasts approximately 10 weeks.
The delivery of this module is through our online+model for distance learning consisting of online learning, self-study, reflection, discussion and sharing learning with and from others, application of learning to your organisational context and the completion of assessment tasks. There is also the opportunity for students who value face-to-face workshops to attend optional themed workshops.
Assessment
At the end of the course you will undertake an assessment. This is an applied work based assessment rather than a theory based essay. This means that typically you will be required to apply what you have learnt to your context at work, evaluating concepts for their applicability and usefulness.
The assessment format may be a reflective account, a project report, a presentation or portfolio of evidence; all being the equivalent of 2000 words in length.
Entry requirements
You will need to be in a work role (paid or unpaid) which allows you the scope to put the concepts learned into practice. There are no formal qualification requirements for entry; we assess suitability on each individual application.
Start dates
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February
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November
N.B. CETAD reserve the right to cancel or move the course to a later date if the number of students registered for the advertised course is not sufficient.
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Core
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Delivering a Work Based project
Overview
A key feature of a work-based learning programme is the requirement to learn from and for your work context. Work-based projects are purposeful work activities focusing on the real demands of your job. Engaging in a substantial work-based project provides opportunities for you to investigate, plan, develop, implement, review and learn from experience.
The final stage of a Master's qualification requires you to engage in a substantial work-based, investigative project.
This 60-credit project will be of sufficient complexity and timescale to allow you to:
- Plan and conduct a practitioner enquiry that contributes to knowledge creation and interpretation in your organisational context
- Develop mastery of key methods and techniques for undertaking practitioner enquiry, including action planning and problem-solving
- Identify, select, justify, plan and deliver a complex and multifaceted task related to the implementation of a work-based project
- Make a relevant and useful organisational impact; deploying resources effectively
Before embarking on a 60-credit project you will complete a project proposal and ethics statement. Your mentor will provide you with formative feedback on your proposal before you submit your final version to the University Project Approval Committee.
Duration, attendance and delivery
A 60-credit project will typically take around 6-9 months to complete. You can study for your project entirely online: there are no mandatory attendance days. You will be supported with your study in the following ways:
- Access to online resources for project management and research skills
- Mentor support for your project planning and proposal
- Optional participation in face-to-face workshops and online webinars
- Becoming part of the learning community
Typically a 60-credit project module will involve around 600 learning hours; this includes time spent on tutorials, self-study, reflection, learning and application at work as well as completing activities and assessments.
Assessment
The aim of the assessment is for you to demonstrate how you have delivered a substantive work-based project which includes practitioner enquiry, implementation and review. There will usually be several parts to the assessment in line with the timeline of the project, from proposal through to evaluation and critical reflection. Typically this will be compiled into a project report with an executive summary and your reflections. As an indication, the total word count is around 12000 words or equivalent.
Entry Requirements
Entry onto this module is through enrolment on a Postgraduate Diploma or Master's course.
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Negotiating your Professional Development
This module is a key part of how we support you in customising your postgraduate programme.
You will:
- Develop your learning objectives to meet your personal development needs, the needs of your workplace and the requirements of the university.
- Update your personal development plan.
- Engage with your key stakeholders to determine organisational needs and the requirements for a substantive work-based project.
- Negotiate your future postgraduate programme, selecting modules to best meet your needs.
- Outline a proposal for a work-based project to fulfil personal, organisational and university requirements.
You will also negotiate timescales, target award and award title to construct an achievable programme that meets both your career aspirations and the requirements for success at postgraduate level.
Duration, attendance and delivery
The module lasts approximately 10 weeks and includes one introductory workshop/webinar, followed by online study, tutorials with your mentor, application of your learning in your workplace, and the completion of assessment tasks.
Assessment
This module assessment is in two parts: a negotiated development plan, and a supporting rationale.
Entry requirements
You will need to be in a work role (paid or unpaid) which allows scope to apply your learning in practice. This is a core module for all Postgraduate Diplomas and Master's Degrees and is not available as a free-standing short course.
Start dates
- January
- March
- June
- September
Optional
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Collaborative and Team Working
Overview
Effective collaborations and successful team working are key features of successful organisations. This course will develop your critical understanding of the features of ‘high performing teams’ and your skills working as a team leader or member.
You will explore key concepts, models and theories of team roles and dynamics and relate these to your own experience. You will evaluate frameworks for assessing and developing team performance and consider their usefulness and applicability to your own practice.
We will explore with you the answers to some key questions:
- What is the impact of leadership on the performance and development of teams?
- What leadership skills and strategies are effective?
- What is 'collective leadership'?
- What are the specific challenges of working with inter-agency and inter-professional teams?
You will evaluate ideas, relate them to your situation and develop practical strategies that you can adopt at work.
Duration, attendance and delivery
The course usually lasts approximately 10 weeks.
The delivery of this module is through our online+model for distance learning consisting of online learning, self-study, reflection, discussion and sharing learning with and from others, application of learning to your organisational context and the completion of assessment tasks. There is also the opportunity for students who value face-to-face workshops to attend optional themed workshops.
Assessment
At the end of the course you will undertake an assessment. This is an applied work-based assessment rather than a theory-based essay. This means that typically you will be required to apply what you have learnt to your context at work, evaluating concepts for their applicability and usefulness.
The assessment format may be a reflective account, a project report, a presentation or portfolio of evidence; all being the equivalent of 2000 words in length.
Entry requirements
You will need to be in a work role (paid or unpaid) which allows you the scope to put the concepts learned into practice. There are no formal qualification requirements for entry; we assess suitability on each individual application.
Start dates
- November
- May
N.B. CETAD reserve the right to cancel or move the course to a later date if the number of students registered for the advertised course is not sufficient.
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Leading and Managing People
Overview
- Managing people for effective performance through the life cycle of employment
- Managing day to day performance
- Dealing with performance issues
- Understanding individual’s motivation, personality, and behaviours
- Developing appropriate, effective people management responses
- Leading and developing your staff
On completion of the course, you will have developed an understanding of best practice in terms of managing staff performance and will have developed a range of skills to enhance your ability to routinely lead and manage staff. You will have increased your understanding of the behaviours and motivation of others, explored a range of tactics to engage staff and improved your own ability to manage staff performance.
Duration, attendance and delivery
The course usually lasts approximately 10 weeks.
The delivery of this module is through our online+model for distance learning consisting of online learning, self-study, reflection, discussion and sharing learning with and from others, application of learning to your organisational context and the completion of assessment tasks. There is also the opportunity for students who value face-to-face workshops to attend optional themed workshops.
Assessment
At the end of the course you will undertake an assessment. This is an applied work-based assessment rather than a theory-based essay. This means that typically you will be required to apply what you have learnt to your context at work, evaluating concepts for their applicability and usefulness.
The assessment format may be a reflective account, a project report, a presentation or portfolio of evidence; all being the equivalent of 2000 words in length.
Entry requirements
You will need to be in a work role (paid or unpaid) which allows you the scope to put the concepts learned into practice. There are no formal qualification requirements for entry; we assess suitability on each individual application.
Start dates
- June
- November
N.B. CETAD reserve the right to cancel or move the course to a later date if the number of students registered for the advertised course is not sufficient.
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Leading Others Through Change
Overview
- Leadership in times of change
- Transitional to Transformational leadership
- Appreciative leadership
- Stakeholder analysis
- Supporting staff in embracing change
- Capacity building to cope with uncertainty
- Achieving sustainable change
- Dealing with resistance to change
- Emotional Intelligence - self and social awareness
- Influencing skills
On completion of the course you will have developed your understanding of a range of approaches to leading others through times of change. You will have developed your ability to understanding how to engage and influence others and how to take into account different individual’s responses to change. This learning will enhance your own capacity to lead and manage people through change.
Duration, attendance and delivery
The course usually lasts approximately 10 weeks.
The delivery of this module is through our online+model for distance learning consisting of online learning, self-study, reflection, discussion and sharing learning with and from others, application of learning to your organisational context and the completion of assessment tasks. There is also the opportunity for students who value face-to-face workshops to attend optional themed workshops.
Assessment
At the end of the course you will undertake an assessment. This is an applied work-based assessment rather than a theory-based essay. This means that typically you will be required to apply what you have learnt to your context at work, evaluating concepts for their applicability and usefulness.
The assessment format may be a reflective account, a project report, a presentation or portfolio of evidence; all being the equivalent of 2000 words in length.
Entry requirements
You will need to be in a work role (paid or unpaid) which allows you the scope to put the concepts learned into practice. There are no formal qualification requirements for entry; we assess suitability on each individual application.
Start dates
- June
- October
N.B. CETAD reserve the right to cancel or move the course to a later date if the number of students registered for the advertised course is not sufficient.
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Understanding Leadership and Management
Overview
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What is leadership? What is management?
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Leadership and management: current debates and issues in relation to the challenges of your own role
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Social and ethical challenges for management and leadership in changing organisational contexts; managing with integrity
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Organisation culture, values, power – impact on expectations and behaviours of leadership and management
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Understanding your own leadership style, behaviours, habits
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Evaluating your own strengths and development needs in the context of management and leadership
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Developing authentic leadership effectiveness – aligning your approach to fit with organisational current and future needs
On completion of the course you will understand different perceptions of effective leadership and management and be able to examine the effectiveness of leadership and management in the context of your own organisation. You will be able to devise a strategy for your own personal leadership development to help you to address the current challenges of your role.
Duration, attendance and delivery
The course usually lasts approximately 10 weeks.
The delivery of this module is through our online+model for distance learning consisting of online learning, self-study, reflection, discussion and sharing learning with and from others, application of learning to your organisational context and the completion of assessment tasks. There is also the opportunity for students who value face-to-face workshops to attend optional themed workshops.
Assessment
At the end of the course you will undertake an assessment. This is an applied work based assessment rather than a theory based essay. This means that typically you will be required to apply what you have learnt to your context at work, evaluating concepts for their applicability and usefulness.
The assessment format may be a reflective account, a project report, a presentation or portfolio of evidence; all being the equivalent of 2000 words in length.
Entry requirements
You will need to be in a work role (paid or unpaid) which allows you the scope to put the concepts learned into practice. There are no formal qualification requirements for entry; we assess suitability on each individual application.
Start dates
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January
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March
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September
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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.
Fees and Funding
| Fees for 2023/24 | Per 10 credit module |
|---|---|
| UK & International | £500 |
This is a 180 credit programme with flexible start dates throughout the year.
Find more information on course fees and start dates for executive education programmes.
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Additional costs
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.
College fees
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.
For students starting in 2022 and 2023, the fee is £40 for undergraduates and research students and £15 for students on one-year courses. Fees for students starting in 2024 have not yet been set.
Computer equipment and internet access
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.
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Application fees and tuition fee deposits
For most taught postgraduate applications there is 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.
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.
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Fees in subsequent years
If you are studying on a programme of more than one year’s duration, the tuition fees for subsequent years of your programme are likely to increase each year. Read more about fees in subsequent years.
Scholarships and Bursaries
You may be eligible for the following funding opportunities, depending on your fee status and course. You will be automatically considered for our main scholarships and bursaries when you apply, so there's nothing extra that you need to do.
Unfortunately no scholarships and bursaries match your selection, but there are more listed on scholarships and bursaries page.
If you're considering postgraduate research you should look at our funded PhD opportunities.
| Scheme | Based on | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Based on {{item.eligibility_basis}} | Amount {{item.amount}} |
We also have other, more specialised scholarships and bursaries - such as those for students from specific countries.
Browse Lancaster University's scholarships and bursaries.
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Management and Business
- Business Administration MBA
- Business Administration (Executive) MBA
- Business Analytics MSc
- Cyber Security Executive MBA MBA
- Digital Business, Innovation and Management MSc
- Entrepreneurship and Innovation MSc
- Human Resource Management MSc
- Human Resources and Consulting MA
- Innovation and Improvement Science MSc
- Innovation and Improvement Science PgCert
- Innovation and Improvement Science PgDip
- International Business and Strategy MSc
- International Masters Program for Managers No Qual (PGT)
- Leadership and Management PgCert
- Leadership and Management (Health Care) PgCert
- Leadership Practice PGDip
- Leadership Practice (Apprenticeship Pathway) PgDip
- Logistics and Supply Chain Management MSc
- Management MSc
- Management (Entrepreneurship and Strategy) PhD
- Management (Organisation, Work and Technology) PhD
- Management Science MRes
- Management Science PhD
- Management Science PhD (Integrated)
- Medical Leadership MSc
- Medical Leadership PgDip
- Medical Leadership PgCert
- Organisation, Work and Technology MRes
- Politics, Philosophy and Management MSc
- Professional Development PGCert
- Professional Practice MA
- Professional Practice MSc
- Professional Practice PgCert
- Professional Practice PgDip
- Project Management MSc
- Strategy MSc
- Theory and Practice of Management PhD
- Theory and Practice of Management (IDPM) PhD
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Important Information
The information on this site relates primarily to 2023/2024 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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