Senior Leader Higher Apprenticeship
24 months part time
Option for Placement Year
Option for Study Abroad
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Option for Placement Year
Option for Study Abroad
The programme, while offering a range of challenging, reflective self-development opportunities within the context of the Senior Leader Higher Apprenticeship standard is designed to enable a pathway to the MBA which is, of course, an internationally recognised postgraduate qualification in leadership and management that prepares candidates for executive positions across the whole spectrum of organisations.
Upon completion and passing the Senior Leader Higher Apprenticeship, you may be eligible to apply for and complete your MBA. Tuition fees will apply.
Apprentices will bring their own experiences from the workplace to underpin the learning experience and to inform future personal and professional practice. Through a structured learning strategy, apprentices will embark on a learning journey that values applied learning and a critically reflective approach to developing leadership and management skills and behaviours. Through Northumbria’s curriculum design and assessment strategy apprentices will have opportunities to reflect on their own performance and behaviours. Apprentices will emerge from the Senior Leader Higher Apprenticeship as critical thinkers and reflexive practitioners who are self-aware; who can deal with complexity and ambiguity; and who are primed and ready to undertake the final stages of the MBA (which you may choose to select).
Apprenticeship programmes at Northumbria University are designed to support apprentices in acquiring the appropriate knowledge, skills and behaviour and retain the integrity of the apprenticeship standard as defined by IFATE. For further details please consult the IFATE Apprenticeship standards / Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education webpage here.
Level of Study
Postgraduate
Mode of Study
24 months Part Time
Department
Newcastle Business School
Location
City Campus, Northumbria University
City
Newcastle
Start
September 2025
Fees
Fee Information
Modules
Module Information
This supports learning whilst recognising the demands of being in full-time employment. Apprentices will study four modules, each focusing progressively on gathering evidence of developing practice as related to the standard laid down in the Senior Leader Higher Apprenticeship. Each unit will be offered on a block-release basis with additional independent off the job learning. These will encompass a range of approaches to learning and teaching including knowledge masterclasses, research symposia and professorial lecture, practice focus sessions, practice focus guest speakers, executive coaching groups and asynchronous curated learning, all of which is further enhanced by workplace learning.
The programme is designed to enable apprentices to develop the ability to: critically reflect on own work and that of others; present and justify work in the context of wider theories and practice to both specialist and non-specialist audiences: and display and critically apply expert knowledge within areas of specific discipline and / or practice. Learning is structured around twelve key themes which relate directly to the standard, and each of these themes is supported by a Teaching and Learning Plan which outlines the structure, activities, and independent learning recommended to support achievement of the apprenticeship standard. Additionally, each unit has a dedicated site on our eLearning Portal with online resources in the form of webcasts, videos, and guidance notes provided to support and enhance learning. Northumbria’s Senior Leader Higher Apprenticeship programme has been designed by academics who are internationally renowned in their areas of expertise. This enables the latest thinking and practice to be embedded into our programme design. Modules within the programme are grounded on building knowledge from research and critical analysis of practice.
End Point Assessment
The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (2020) state that - Rigorous, robust and independent End Point Assessment (EPA) gives employers confidence that apprentices can actually perform in the occupation they have been trained in and can demonstrate the duties, and knowledge, skills and behaviours set out in the occupational standard. For details of the current EPA for your standard please consult the IFATE Apprenticeship standards / Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education webpage here. This Higher Apprenticeship normally takes 18 months part-time, followed by the endpoint assessment which will typically be completed within 3-12 months. Full details are available on the IFATE website.
Apprentices are fully supported throughout the Senior Leader Higher Apprenticeship programme. Most significantly, Northumbria recognises that apprentices are work-based learners, and in some cases, have had significant time away from academic studies. Therefore, emphasis will be placed on developing reflective learning skills and confidence. This will commence at induction and continue throughout the programme, with timetabled reflective learning and professional skills development sessions for on-going support. These sessions will be facilitated by the programme leader and are specifically designed to support and enhance development.
Learning from others is integral to the Senior Leader Higher Apprenticeship and to the pathway to the MBA. Through engagement with a variety of tutor-led activities apprentices will be encouraged to share experiences and thinking with peers. Executive learning sets are embedded within the programme and offer the opportunity for real-time workplace issues to be discussed collaboratively. These sessions are facilitated by our team of executive coaches who are leading practitioners in their field.
The Senior Leader Higher Apprenticeship has been designed to offer a distinctive work-based learning experience for those who wish to learn whilst continuing in full-time employment. The programme demands the application of knowledge within the workplace context. It is not therefore assessed by conventional means but is instead founded upon a portfolio of learning; a log of continuing professional development; and a strategic work-based project.
The programme is designed to enable apprentices to develop the ability to: critically reflect on own work and that of others; present and justify work in the context of wider theories and practice to both specialist and non-specialist audiences: and display and critically apply expert knowledge within areas of specific discipline and / or practice.
Recognising the busy lifestyles of our apprentices, our Senior Leader Higher Apprenticeship is delivered over a block delivery pattern. This will include a mix of taught workshops which are supported by a range of blended learning activities that will be completed at home or in the workplace. The programme is work-focused and is assessed solely on the basis of a portfolio of learning that will be developed and organised to demonstrate that apprentices meet, fully, the knowledge, skills and behavioural requirements laid down by the standard. As apprentices develop this portfolio they will be supported by a workplace coach and a workplace mentor allowing for learning to be translated into meaningful and sustainable practice.
Explore our full range of Higher and Degree Apprenticeships within the following sectors:
Apprentices studying an apprenticeship do not pay any tuition fees, however, as they are in full-time employment they do not have student status and therefore are not entitled to apply for student finance.
To discuss the fees for this apprenticeship in detail or to explore signing an agreement with the university, complete the enquiry form below and someone from our Business Development team will be in touch shortly.
Before entry onto the programme, all apprenticeship applicants must complete an Initial Skills Assessment which maps their prior knowledge against the apprenticeship standard. This is part of the University’s regulatory funding obligations. The purpose of an apprenticeship is to provide new learning and the skills assessment will be used to establish whether we need to tailor your programme in any way to account for your previous qualifications or experience. It also provides a benchmark against which to map your progress on the programme.
To start the application process for either current employees or new recruits contact our Business Development team today by email or complete our online enquiry form. Alternatively, you can call 0191 215 6300.
All apprentices are required to be in full-time employment to study this apprenticeship. If you are interested in studying this apprenticeship and you are in current full-time employment complete our online enquiry form.
If you are not in full-time employment but would like to study this apprenticeship programme, discover our recruitment opportunities below. Alternatively, visit our vacancies page for information on all apprenticeship opportunities currently available.
Explore our full range of Higher and Degree Apprenticeships within the following sectors:
If you’d like to receive the latest updates from Northumbria about our courses, events, finance & funding then enter your details below.
* At Northumbria we are strongly committed to protecting the privacy of personal data. To view the University’s Privacy Notice please click here
At Northumbria University, our higher and degree apprenticeships are more than a learning programme; they are a partnership. We work with organisations to create courses that meet the demands of businesses.
Our Continual Professional Development (CPD) courses are designed to open up exciting new possibilities for individuals and organisations. By increasing skills and knowledge and introducing new ways of thinking and working we create impact in performance at all levels.
The world is changing faster than ever before. The future is there to be won by organisations who find ways to turn today’s possibilities into tomorrow’s competitive edge.
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