Senior Leader Apprenticeship | Leadership (+MA)

As the employer, you need to formally nominate learners before they can apply to our apprenticeship programmes. You must also enter a three-way agreement with the apprentice and Henley Business School / the University of Reading. Find out more about the application process

Learners on this programme typically have several years of management experience. However, in their baseline assessment, they will need to demonstrate the need for new learning of the knowledge, skills and behaviours as outlined in the apprenticeship standard. In their online application for this programme, they will need to demonstrate that they have the required management experience.

English and maths requirements

Nominated learners MUST hold Level 2 qualifications in English and maths (i.e. GCSEs at Grades 9-4 or A*-C, or equivalent) before starting their Henley apprenticeship programme.

We ask you, the employer, to ensure applicants can provide evidence of these qualifications. You must do this before including them on your cohort form.

For more information, view our FAQ page

Other qualifications

Applicants will typically have a good degree (2:1 or higher) and a minimum of three years' management experience. If they have no prior degree, five years' management experience is expected. Our Admission Panel reviews all non-standard applications for suitability.

The Senior Leader Apprenticeship | Leadership (+MA) costs £14,000. You can fund this with your organisation's apprenticeship service account. All employers must have an account to access the apprenticeship service.

Please contact our apprenticeships team for further information.

• Postgraduate Diploma in Leadership - £500
• Stage 3 of the Henley MA Leadership - £4,950

The combination of on-the-job learning in the workplace and both formal and informal off-the-job training is vital for the success of an apprenticeship. As part of the Henley community, apprentices follow a learning plan that includes taught sessions, workshops, one-to-one meetings and self-study. During this time, apprentices also continue in their day job and are encouraged to apply their learning in the workplace.

Off-the-job training is a requirement of the apprenticeship and must account for a minimum of six hours per week (equivalent) of the apprentice’s working hours. Delivered through a mix of activities, by Henley and in the workplace, this training must provide new learning relevant to the apprenticeship and not be part of their normal duties. The off-the-job workplace training could include, attending meetings or conferences, stepping up and taking on new responsibilities or shadowing colleagues.

An apprentice's line manager has a key role to play in the apprentice's progress, as well as enabling them to make a difference in the workplace. Line managers are encouraged to engage with the learner’s apprenticeship tutor to explore how they can facilitate opportunities for the relevant off-the-job training and work-based projects.

Read more on how to support an apprentice with the Henley Essential Apprenticeship Guides

Phil is an experienced apprenticeship professional with over seven years in the work-based learning sector, following over ten year’s management and leadership experience in the retail industry.

Read more about Phil

The Senior Leader Apprenticeship | Leadership programme will be taught using a blended learning method that combines face-to-face workshops with online and off-the-job learning. Apprentices will have the opportunity to learn from international academic staff at the cutting edge of their disciplines.

You can opt for your organisation to join open, closed and/or consortium cohorts:

Open cohorts (max. 9 learners per organisation) are available throughout the year. These enable a small number of learners from an organisation to join with others from a range of organisations and backgrounds. Top-up fees on these cohorts may apply.

Closed cohorts (30-64 learners) allow the programme content to be contextualised around your organisation's objectives and may be taught at a convenient location for your nominated learners. Programme start dates can be planned together.

Sponsored cohorts (min. 5 learners per organisation) enable you to partner with complementary organisations working on similar strategic challenges. You may choose to join one of our open sponsored cohorts, or create a closed consortium cohort working with other organisations of your choosing e.g. those within your supply chain or from within your industry.

Apprenticeship programmes are taught using a blended learning method that combines face-to-face workshops with online and on-the-job learning.

Programme induction

This apprenticeship begins with an induction to introduce learners to the course. The induction outlines the programme and its structure, as well as Canvas, our online learning platform. It also covers apprenticeship tutors, support for learners and assessment.

Assessment

Apprentices submit work-based projects at the end of each module to show the breadth and impact of their learning.

Awards

On successful completion of the programme, apprentices will be awarded:​

• a Henley Postgraduate diploma in Leadership
• the Level 7 Senior Leader Apprenticeship | Leadership.

For employers that choose the CMI as the end-point assessment organisation, apprentices may also achieve:

• a CMI Level 7 Award in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice
• Chartered Manager status (on successful EPA)
• ​CMI student membership (programme duration plus three months, with option for individuals to pay for full membership thereafter).

Where the requirements for the Postgraduate Diploma in Leadership have been met, learners can progress on to Stage 3 of the Henley MA in Leadership. If Learners choose to proceed onto the Master's, they will not graduate with the Postgraduate Diploma in Leadership as the credits will instead be awarded towards Stages 1 and 2 of the MA in Leadership. If Learners choose to graduate with the Postgraduate Diploma in Leadership award but later wish to complete the Master's, they must return to start the MA in Leadership within 3 years of being awarded the Postgraduate Diploma, at which point the Postgraduate Diploma certificate will be rescinded. The MA in Leadership requires further study and additional fees.

Please note: a Stage 3 cohort may not be immediately available, and a learner may need to wait for 6–12 months following their Senior Leader Apprenticeship. All workshop and assignment submission dates are subject to change by Henley Business School. Henley Business School reserves the right to postpone an intake start date if the minimum number of students is not reached.

MA Leadership Stage 3 fee: £4,950

Find out more about Stage 3 of the Henley MA Leadership

The MA Leadership programme is subject to approval by the University of Reading (as of February 2023).

With a closed cohort, we have the flexibility to deliver the programme at locations nationwide. If you do not wish to use your organisation's facilities, we are happy to arrange an alternative teaching venue that may be more convenient for your staff.

Through the Henley Business School Library and the virtual learning environment, learners can access a multitude of resources including books, journals, market research reports, dissertations, working papers and company information.

Find out more about our facilities and how to find us