Key Features of the Course

This programme has a well-established record of success catering for participants from a range of backgrounds in the private and public sectors. Our approach is distinctive, blending interactive residential workshops, action learning and individually customised assessment arrangements which are work-based.

The programme covers management and leadership, human resources, change, working with groups and teams, resources and strategic management.

The principal thrust concerns how these elements relate to your professional role. The programme requires participants to be autonomous, self starters, ambitious to succeed and willing to assume responsibility for their studies in terms of identifying and negotiating the focus of their studies.

How it operates

The course is part-time, completed over 26 months, in two stages. The first stage comprises six, two-day intensive residential workshops, facilitated by experts, each focused on a specific aspect of leadership and management. Resource materials are distributed prior to, during and following each workshop and can be accessed online.

On successful completion of stage one, participants can opt either to continue to the master’s stage or to leave with a diploma qualification (PGDip). At the second stage participants with appropriate tutorial advice and support complete a major project/dissertation leading to the award of an MA in Leadership & Management.

Action Learning

Action learning is a process in which a group of four to six people meet regularly, assisted by a facilitator. Each participant outlines a real work-based issue and, following discussion, identifies points of action to resolve the problem, prior to their next meeting. You will be assigned to an ‘action learning set’ who will meet at regular intervals between workshops.

Action Learning is central to this programme and will be the key mechanism in allowing you the scope to define your own learning agenda within the overall learning outcomes of the programme.

Given the distinctive nature of this programme, it is not suitable for those seeking a content-based and conventionally-taught approach. Participants are required to take charge of their study and learning, and support is provided face-to-face with tutors, peers and online.

Assessment

For the Diploma stage, you are required to complete two elements – a reflective portfolio and a work-based project. At the Master’s stage you are also required to complete a dissertation.

The Reflective Portfolio

The portfolio will comprise the tasks completed in preparation for, during, or following the Residential Workshops. These tasks will involve collecting information from your own workplace, workplace exercises and reflections on learning. These formative assessment tasks will form the basis for tutorial discussions and feedback on progress. The portfolio will be completed with a 3,000 word (maximum) Integrating Assignment in which you will review, reflect and report on your learning throughout the workshops, applying theoretical concepts, outcomes of the practical exercises and the implications of these for your own practice and development as leaders/managers.

Work-based project

In consultation with the programme tutors, you will identify individual learning goals and agree a study plan and the form of assessment for this element. It will involve the examination of leadership/management issues within the context of your own work setting, the identification of an area or areas for improvement, and the planning, implementing and evaluation of a strategy for change.

The work-based project will be presented in a report of approximately 8,000 words or equivalent and can be in the form of one larger project or a number of smaller projects which you have designed, implemented and evaluated.

Dissertation

This stage requires you to complete either a major project, which is an extensive work-based intervention, or a conventional dissertation. You are required to identify a significant issue which is then examined drawing on relevant theory in order to propose a solution, recommendations of action, or conclusions.