Senior Leader Apprenticeship (Level 7)
| Level | 7 |
| Degree | Post-Graduate Diploma Strategic Leadership and Management |
| Duration | 14 Months + 6 Months EPA + 6 Months MBA |
| Entry point(s) | September |
| Campus | High Wycombe |
| Contact | apprenticeships@bnu.ac.uk |
Our Level 7 Senior Leader Apprenticeship is a postgraduate programme which combines University based study alongside learning in the workplace, to enable the apprentice to gain a Post-Graduate Diploma in Strategic Leadership and Management. Buckinghamshire New University (BNU) offer a top up award of Master of Business Administration (MBA) at no additional cost.
Senior Leaders are a key component of all types of business model where there is a workforce to lead, manage and support. The broad purpose of the occupation is to provide clear, inclusive and strategic leadership and direction relating to their area of responsibility within an organisation. Typically, this involves setting, managing and monitoring achievement of core objectives that are aligned to the overall strategic objectives of their organisation’s Board (or equivalent). In a smaller organisation they are also likely to contribute to the execution and achievement of these strategic objectives. A Senior Leader influences at a higher organisational level, including sometimes at Board (or equivalent) level, and sets the culture and tone across their area of responsibility.
They may work in varied environments including in an office, onsite, or remotely and demonstrate a high level of flexibility and adaptability to meet the needs of the organisation. In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with internal stakeholders such as members of their team, other senior leaders/managers, support services (for example: finance, marketing, HR) and project groups and, in larger organisations, they may be part of a wider specialist team.
Programme aims
- Providing clear and inclusive leadership.
- Identifying longer-term opportunities and risks using data from internal intelligence sources and external influences.
- Developing sustainable, ethical, innovative and supportive cultures that get the best from people and enable the delivery of results.
- Resources that may include budgets, people, assets and facilities.
- Staying up to date with innovation and championing its adoption.
- Keeping pace with - and responding to change - by leading agile transformation.
- Leading and promoting sustainable business practices.
- Responding and managing crisis situations.
The programme matches the University’s philosophy and strategy including outward facing, externality and industrial involvement thus providing students with the necessary qualifications to underpin their knowledge and progress in their chosen careers.
Degree apprenticeships combine study and work-based learning to enable apprentices to gain a full degree. They have been co-designed by employers thus ensuring that apprentices are equipped with the skills employers need and look for in their employees.
An apprentice is a paid employee and does not pay any training costs or student fees.
Programme delivery
Buckinghamshire New University’s blended learning model is designed to be flexible around the needs of apprentices and work load. This includes online, face-to-face and self directed learning which learners have fed back providers greatest flexibility around work, caregiving and other life commitments. This also helps reduce the impact of carbon created through commuting.
Senior Leader apprentices are delivered face to face seminars at BNU’s High Wycombe campus once every three weeks. Alternative weeks apprentices are provided online seminars or allocated self-directed learning time.
Why choose BNU?
At Buckinghamshire New University, we are dedicated to equipping our graduates with the skills employers demand. We will work with you using our practice-based learning expertise to support your training needs.
Higher and degree apprenticeships are a partnership between industry and higher education institutions set up to help meet the needs of employers. They also provide a flexible way for employees to take advantage of the life-changing opportunities that higher education can offer them.
At BNU, we change lives through employment-focused teaching which enables our students to achieve their ambitions. As a small and personal university, we offer an agile approach to all apprenticeship training needs. You would also gain access to all our support services including Student Hub, Multi Faith Chaplaincy, Disability and Inclusion, Counselling, Library and Alumni Benefits. Our Apprenticeship Hub at BNU strives to deliver a supportive environment for the employer and the apprentice. Tripartite reviews are conduced quarterly to aid apprentice through their apprenticeship journey successfully.
Apprenticeship Eligibility
To be eligible for an apprenticeship, the apprentice must satisfy the following requirements and ESFA funding rules:
- An apprentice can be a new or existing member of staff and must not already hold a degree in that area or be receiving funding for other training.
- The employer must employ the apprentice in a genuine role with a genuine salary.
- The apprentice must have the right to live and work in the UK.
- BNU will check to make sure you're eligible before you start your degree apprenticeship, and may ask for proof of your right to work in the UK.
- An apprentice must be employed in a full time job (minimum of 30 hours per week) or have a signed contract to start a full time job role, which is relevant to the apprenticeship.
- The Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) will not fund apprentices who are repeating the same qualification.
- An apprentice can be a citizen of a country within the European Economic Area (EEA) or have the right to abode in the UK and have been resident in the EEA for at least the previous three years on the first day of your apprenticeship.
- An apprentice can be a non-EEA citizen with permission from the UK government to live in the UK, (not for educational purposes) and have been ordinarily resident in the UK for at least the previous three years before the start of learning.
Programme Entry Requirements
To be eligible for the Senior Leader Apprenticeship apprentices must meet the following requirements:
- Government approved Level 2 Maths and English Qualification (e.g. GCSE or Functional Skills).
- Candidates without level 2 English and Maths will need to achieve this level prior to taking the End-Point Assessment.
- Learners will typically have a Honours Degree and at least three years of good managerial experience. Those with no prior degree should have at least five years of good professional experience with managerial responsibilities.
How to apply
Register your interest
- Contact BNU’s Apprenticeship via email: apprenticeships@bnu.ac.uk or call: 01296 744202
- Interested employers will be invited to an information session lead by a representative of BNU’s Apprenticeship Hub and the programme lead. Once completed the Apprenticeship Hub will provide a capture form to begin your application process.
Application Process
- Email your nominated Apprenticeship team representative with a document detailing names and contact details of your selected candidates.
- Candidates will be sent a link to an online application which takes approximately 45 minutes to complete.
- Candidates will be required to upload supporting documents such as prior certification (including Level 2 English and maths) and evidence of Right to Work in the United Kingdom.
- After submitting the application, the Admissions team will complete all necessary eligibility checks.
- Successful candidates will be invited to an interview with a member of the academic team and will be asked to fill in an Individual Needs Assessment (INA) document identifying their existing experiences, skills and knowledge which will be discussed in the interview.
Modules
This provides a guide of the modules that make up your course. You can find more information about how your course is structured on our Academic Advice section.
In many instances apprenticeships are fully funded through the government’s Apprenticeship Levy Fund and for those ineligible up to 95% is funded through the government’s Co-Investment Fund.
Senior Leader Apprenticeship Cost: £14,000
- The apprenticeship levy will be paid by employers in any sector with a pay bill of more than £3 million per year. Those employers will be able to use their apprenticeship levy funds to fund this programme.
- Non-levy paying employers will receive up to 95% funding towards the costs of this apprenticeship through the government’s Co-Investment Fund.
- For more information on funding and the Apprenticeship Levy visit our Apprenticeship Funding page in the find out more section below.
