Senior Leader Apprenticeship (Level 7)

Apprentices should normally be working in a management position (minimum 3 years professional experience) with responsibility over people, budgets, or projects – of which studying the programme can input back into an organisation.

Entry requirements:

• a good undergraduate degree from a recognised UK / overseas institution; or
• an equivalent professional qualification; or
• Minimum 5 years managerial experience, if without a first degree-level/professional qualification

As well as:

• hold English and Maths Level 2 equivalent to GCSE A*-C or 9-4

English & Maths Level 2 are discretionary for entry if not already held; however, both must be completed by gateway of the End Point Assessment.

Professional experience and personal qualities are equally important to us and each application is considered on its individual merit.

To be eligible for Apprenticeship funding, learners must evidence that they:

• are eligible to work in England
• have been ordinarily resident in the EEA, Gibraltar, or the UK for at least the previous three years before the start of the apprenticeship – if this is not the case, please contact apprenticeships@buckingham.ac.uk before applying as there are some exceptions to this rule
• be employed for a minimum of 30 hours per week in England
• Cannot be registered on another government funded course at the same time as enrolling on this apprenticeship

Our Senior Leader Apprenticeship is a comprehensive programme designed and taught by academics with real life professional experience across a range of industries. This guarantees that the knowledge and skills you acquire at Buckingham is always up-to-date and state-of-the-art. The Programme Director is Dr Soudabeh Bolourian.

Academic team

• Dr Soudabeh Bolourian
• Professor Deba Bradhan-Correia
• Dr Gary Cundill
• Mr Graham Jones
• Dr Oxana Garanina
• Professor Sanjay Bhasin
• Dr Trevor Ray

On completion of the programme, you will be able to demonstrate relevant knowledge and understanding around the topics below, fully preparing you for the apprenticeship assessment and further progression onto The University of Buckingham MBA routes, if you choose to do so.

1. Decision-making and Leadership
2. Strategic analysis
3. Digital Technology and Disruption
4. Interpersonal and people management
5. Sustainability and Ethics
6. Negotiation and Culture Management
7. Financial and managerial accounting analysis
8. Personal and Critical Self awareness
9. Project Management
10. Marketing and Innovation
11. Operation and Supply Chain Management
12. Risk management

Delivery Mode

This programme is delivered on-line via interactive teaching sessions scheduled weekly on set days. Depending on the learning outcome of modules being taught teaching sessions will incorporate several teaching methods such as mini-lectures, group discussions, practical exercises to name a few.

A one-day induction and three full days on campus sessions throughout your Apprenticeship have also been incorporated into your schedule. These sessions will include workshops, seminars, networking events, group discussions, guest speakers etc. The face-to-face sessions are designed to further enhance your learning and promote networking opportunities.

You will be allocated a mentor at the start of your apprenticeship journey. Progress is monitored through regular review sessions between you, your employer and mentor. Additionally, between progress review sessions, you will have the opportunity to catch-up with your mentor for regular check–ins.

Assessment methods

The apprenticeship standard is assessed at the end of the course typically during the final months via an End Point Assessment. This is completed by an independent organisation, CMI to remove bias and maintain standards; and comprises of:

• Assessment method 1 – Strategic business proposal, presentation with Q&A
• Assessment method 2 – Professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio of evidence

Progression Routes

For those who wish to complete either a Postgraduate Diploma or an MBA, successful completion of the Senior Leader Apprenticeship can be followed by the completion of the options below with the School of Business.

• Post Graduate Diploma in Business Administration – assignment submission for taught modules at an additional cost of £500 per learner
• MBA – assignments submission and a supervised dissertation over a minimum of 6 months after completion of EPA at an additional cost of £2500 per learner.

Apprenticeships are fully funded by the employer through the Apprenticeship Levy. The maximum cost for the Apprenticeship is £14,000; this may be less dependent on your recognised previous learning which will be assessed at interview through a robust initial assessment. There is no cost to the employee undertaking an Apprenticeship.

Your business will be paying the Apprenticeship Levy each month if it:

• has an annual pay bill of more than £3 million
• is connected to any companies or charities for Employment Allowance purposes and has a combined annual pay bill of more than £3 million.
• The Apprenticeship Levy is an amount paid at a rate of 0.5% of an employer’s annual wage bill and will be paid through Pay as you Earn (PAYE)

We welcome employers or individuals to contact us with any questions or by completing the application form below. Where employers may wish to enrol more than one apprentice, please contact apprenticeships@buckingham.ac.uk

Useful links

More information about the Senior Leader apprenticeship.

Senior Leader assessment plan.