Strategic Leadership MSc

Overview

The Strategic Leadership MSc is a part-time, flexible, work-based programme. It's delivered using a blended learning model.

You'll have one-day study blocks on campus each month during teaching time. These support your online learning and will allow you to study flexibly around your commitments.

This Master's is designed for established organisational leaders and for those aspiring to become one. It will provide the development you need to:

• develop a critical mindset
• champion social justice
• embrace sustainability
• shape the future and create actionable change

The curriculum is dynamic and instantly applicable to your leadership practice. It combines:

• world-leading research
• thought leaders from the world of policy and practice
• real-time projects

Important information

We've highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.

Your course and study experience - disclaimers and terms and conditions

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 2025-26.

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.

 

What you'll learn

The programme will develop your skills in:

• critical thinking
• analysis
• self and critical reflexivity

This will enable you to take a 'deep dive' into leadership theory through your own workplace experiences.

You'll develop your own leadership identity and understand what it means to be a business leader in a global context. You'll expand your knowledge of strategic leadership through critically exploring:

• leadership theory
• strategic decision-making in complex systems
• innovation and change
• sustainability
• inclusivity
• reflexivity for mastering leadership practice

This will prepare you and your organisation for the changing world of work.

Modules

You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.

Course content changes

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.

 

Phase 1: Explore

Phase 1: Explore (Year One: Semesters One and Two)

The focus of this phase is to Explore. It will enable you to understand responsible leadership practice in relation to others, organisational performance and in a global context.

This phase includes four compulsory 20-credit modules. The modules are designed to provide you with a broad understanding of the main theories of leadership and organisational performance.

Two modules per semester are taught in parallel.

• Leadership Perspectives
• Critical Reflexivity and Mastering Practice
• Leadership for the Future of Work
• Strategic Accountability

Phase 2: Challenge

Phase 2: Challenge (Year Two: Semesters One and Two)

Building on the core understanding developed in Phase 1, the focus of this phase is to Challenge. You will develop your learning through two 20-credit modules. These modules will enable you to shape and lead the Future of Work.

• Innovation and Change
• Exploring Theory in Practice

Phase 3: Demonstrate impact

Phase 3: Demonstrate impact (Year Two: Semesters Two and Three)

The focus of this phase is to demonstrate impact. This phase will enable you to apply your learning and development in Phases 1 and 2 and to demonstrate impact in practice by undertaking the following 60-credit module:

• Challenging Practice Through Research

This practical research-based module, together with the Exploring Theory in Practice modules in Phase 2, will enhance your strategic leadership knowledge, skills and behaviours.

You will also produce outputs that challenge you to develop insight at:

• a micro level of practice
• the meso level of your organisation and/or profession
• the macro environment in relation to the Sustainable Development Goals

How you'll learn

Delivery and teaching methods

Blended learning

Blended learning is delivered through online learning content. It is supported by circa monthly one-day study blocks on campus, during teaching time.

You'll also engage individually and collectively with the programme through live scheduled online sessions.

Virtual learning

Your engagement will be supported by our virtual learning environment, Canvas. Canvas is a web-based system that does not need to be installed on your computer. Canvas runs on:

• Windows
• Mac
• Linux
• iOS
• Android
• any other device with a modern web browser

Assessment methods

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

• Case study
• Dissertation
• Essay
• Oral examination
• Report
• Reflective log
• Research proposal

Student support

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

• academic staff
• personal tutors and research supervisors
• our University Student Services Team
• student representatives
• peers

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

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

 

Our staff

Some of our teaching staff on this course include:

• Dr Nicola Patterson (Degree Programme Director)
• Professor Sharon Mavin
• Dr Amy Stabler
• Dr Lucy Hatt
• Tracey Wilson
• Professor Natasha Mauthner
• Dr Gordon Mayze

Your development

Practical skills

Apply your knowledge to real world problems and challenges. You'll enhance your leadership practice and gain skills enabling you to:

• engage in leadership practices which are inclusive, critically reflexive and collaborative
• manage complexity, ambiguity and uncertainty, and be pragmatic
• take personal accountability aligned to clear values
• act with integrity in challenging situations

Your future

Career development

This course offers a significant transformation in your career potential. We support your development and help you shape the next steps in your career journey.

Developing as a leader involves reflecting on:

• the strengths and attributes you bring to the role
• how best to apply your talents within any work context
• how you relate to others to influence their practising for strategic intent

You'll be encouraged to develop a deeper awareness of yourself. This will lead to the articulation of a compelling professional identity.

The programme supports you in this process through:

• self-assessment activities
• compelling work-based assignments
• peer feedback
• group action learning

Careers support

Gain clarity about where you want your career to take you and the contributions you can make. We support you to articulate your knowledge and skills impact through work-based challenges.

The diversity of the programme's cohort and alumni supports the growth of your professional network. This stimulates new connections for your career development.

Careers support

Career development and employability are woven throughout our teaching, learning and student experience.

The School has dedicated employability support and career spaces in the School to support our students on their career journey both during their studies and for up to three years after they finish.

Find out more about our employability offer

Business School students get access to both the wider University careers service and exclusive Business School events and resources for students. This means you'll have access to a wealth of resources and support to enhance your employability, including:

• one-to-one career support
• industry-specific career events
• online career learning tools
• career planning and information sessions
• an annual careers week, where careers activity takes place during a gap in classes
• networking opportunities
• specialist careers and business start-up support from the University's Careers Service and the Business School's careers consultants
• the chance to apply for various work experience opportunities while studying with us

We're also one of 140 business schools worldwide to be accredited by the EQUIS scheme for our managerial and entrepreneurial skills development.

Our Careers Service

Our Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. 

Visit our Careers Service website

Quality and ranking

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body

Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK

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.

Facilities

Newcastle University Business School is one of the largest Schools in the University. We have over 4,000 students from over 85 countries. This valuable community extends beyond our current students to include:

• regional, national and international leaders
• over 37,000 alumni in our network, spanning 152 countries
• leading professional and academics who are experts in their field
• businesses and partners in academe

The Business School is the gateway to Newcastle Helix -  a landmark 24 acre hybrid city quarter. It brings together researchers, business and communities with the purpose of helping families, communities and cities around the world live healthier, longer, smarter, and easier lives.

We have two buildings – the Business School and the Frederick Douglass Centre. Both offer a range of purpose-build facilities, including.

• computer clusters housing over 120 PCs, plus open IT spaces for laptops
• seven large lecture theatres, plus a 750-seat auditorium – the largest in the University
• 25 seminar and teaching spaces, many with flexible furniture to accommodate learning
• a dedicated Student Hub and Quiet Space, providing a mix of space for group work, individual study, or quiet study
• study pods, some with wall mounted screens, and bookable rooms for working in groups or individually
• a contemporary café, refurbished in 2025
• two dedicated hubs for employability support and events
• a Bloomberg lab with over 20 terminals, so you can experience a real trading room floor
• Experimental and Behavioural Economics Lab, a state-of-the-art research facility for conducting studies in experimental economics and economic psychology
• a flexible conference room with panoramic views across the city and St. James’ Park, which doubles up as a large flexible teaching space

Accessibility

The Business School values individual differences and the diversity this brings. Our buildings are accessible and user friendly. We have a range of adjustments that can support you when moving around our buildings, such as lifts and accessible toilets. We also have gender-neutral toilets in the FDC.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees for 2026 entry (per year)

Tuition fee increases

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.

EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals - tuition fee status

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 may be eligible for a scholarship worth 25% off the international fee. Search our funding database. 

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. 

What you're paying for

Tuition fees include the costs of:

• matriculation
• registration
• tuition (or supervision)
• library access
• examination
• re-examination
• graduation

Find out more about:

• living costs
• tuition fees

Deposit

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.

Funding deadlines

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.

Search for funding

Find funding available for your course

Select your country

How to apply

Using the application portal

The application portal has instructions to guide you through your application. It will tell you what documents you need and how to upload them.

You can choose to start your application, save your details and come back to complete it later.

 

If you’re ready, you can select Apply Online and you’ll be taken directly to the application portal.

Alternatively you can find out more about applying on our applications and offers pages.

Apply Online  

Open days and events

Find out about how you can visit Newcastle in person and virtually

Overseas events

We regularly travel overseas to meet with students interested in studying at Newcastle University.

Visit our events calendar for the latest events