Level 7 Senior Leader Apprenticeship (leading to Postgraduate Diploma in Strategic Leadership)

Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.

View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2024-25.

See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.

Module information is intended to provide an example of what you will study.

Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.

To find out more please see our terms and conditions.

Optional modules availability

Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

Our Executive Education programmes are work-based degrees. You’ll develop your skillset while working towards a Master’s qualification or a PGDip alongside your career.

Our programmes blend face-to-face workshops with digital resources and online activities. You’ll be part of a small, inclusive cohort that brings together leaders from different backgrounds and industries. You'll learn from your cohort’s experience and knowledge, as well as sharing your own.

You will engage in the real-world challenges faced in your organisation. You’ll be able to make an immediate impact in your professional life with your new learning.

Depending on your modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of:

• Computer assessment
• Observation of professional practice
• Professional skills assessments
• Oral examination
• Oral presentation
• Written examination

Once you have completed your training, and your employer believes you are ready, you will undergo the end-point assessment (EPA). The End-Point Assessment Organization (EPAO), conducts the EPA. The EPAO is an independent organization. It is separate from your training provider and employer.

The end-point assessment consists of different assessment methods. These include:

• practical exams
• interviews
• presentations
• written tests

The apprenticeship standard defines the specific assessment methods and criteria.

You will be awarded an overall grade based on your performance in the end-point assessment.

Once you have successfully completed the EPA, you will be awarded your apprenticeship certificate.

Your teaching and learning is also supported by Canvas. Canvas is a Virtual Learning Environment. You'll use Canvas to submit your assignments and access your:

• module handbooks
• course materials
• groups
• course announcements and notifications
• written feedback

Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:

• peers
• academics
• personal tutors
• our University Student Services Team
• student representatives

You'll also be assigned an academic member of staff. They will be your personal tutor throughout your time with us. They can help with academic and personal issues.

• Dr Nicola Patterson (Degree Programme Director)
• Professor Sharon Mavin
• Dr Joanne James
• Dr Amy Stabler
• Dr Lucy Hatt

From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK

Check the government’s website for more information.

The cost of training and assessment is set at £21,000 and is fully funded for the duration of the programme, through the apprenticeship levy for levy-paying organisations.

Non-levy paying SMEs can access 95% government funding, leaving 5% to be paid as co-investment.

In order to gain entry to the course, you must be employed by an employer who pays the levy and is willing to enter into an agreement with the University to deliver this training.

The University is unable to help find a suitable employer for individuals wanting to study this degree.

If you are interested, we can help you in your conversations with your HR, learning and development and other colleagues.

The fees are paid on a monthly basis by the employer through their digital account​.

As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.

Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.

EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support. You will be eligible for a scholarship worth 15% off the international fee. 

If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here.

Scholarships

We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our searchable postgraduate funding page for more information. 

If you are an international student or a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you need a visa to study in the UK, you may have to pay a deposit.

You can check this in the How to apply section.

If you're applying for funding, always check the funding application deadline. This deadline may be earlier than the application deadline for your course.

For some funding schemes, you need to have received an offer of a place on a course before you can apply for the funding.