MSc Strategic Leadership

Accreditation of Prior Experiential and Certificated Learning

Participants may be awarded up to 105 credits of relevant prior experiential and certificated learning towards this MSc. Each participants APEL/APCL credits will be assessed on an individual basis during the application process by the MSc Course Leader, Dr Frances McGregor.

What type of evidence/documentation will you need to provide? 

• Your CMI Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership/Strategic Management and Leadership Practice.
• Evidence from your Chartered Manager application.
• Your CV.
• Your current job description.
• Evidence from your most recent PDPR.
• Testimonial(s).

You will need to evidence APEL/APCL against the points below:

BMO0272: Fundamentals of Management, 30 credits.

• A critical understanding of the economic purpose of business organisations.
• A critical awareness of key functions in business organisations.
• Ability to critically apply core management knowledge to understanding real-world management scenarios.
• Explaining the use of key functions in business organisations.
• Communicating complex information appropriately in writing using academic conventions.           

BMO0273: Fundamentals of Leadership, 30 credits.

• Demonstrating a critical understanding of leadership style, skills, leading people and leading in a diverse context.
• Demonstrating a critical awareness of the application of leadership theory to different organisational contexts.
• Critically applying core leadership concepts to real-world leadership scenarios.
• Expressing and justifying an individual perspective on leadership approaches in business organisations
• Communicate complex information appropriately in writing using academic conventions.

BMS0072: Strategic Management, 15 credits.

• Demonstrating a critical understanding of theories, principles, and concepts of strategic management in organisations.
• Critically analysing strategic management scenarios using appropriate techniques and propose and justify solutions.
• Contrasting different strategic approaches that can be adopted to overcome problems that an organisation may face in its environment.
• Distinguishing between different levels of strategies to recommend appropriate actions for real-world scenarios.
• Developing, analysing, presenting, and defending logical strategies and issues.

BMO0259: Professional and Personal Excellence (PROPEL 1) – Developing Self-Awareness, 15 credits.

• A critical cognisance of learning styles, personal learning preferences and strengths.
• A recognition of learning methods relevant for personal and professional development.
• Critically evaluating work situations and organisational issues to produce and act upon appropriate plans for their personal development.
• Engaging in realistic critical reflection on their personal development.

BMO0260: Professional and Personal Excellence (PROPEL 2) – Developing Relationships, 15 credits.

• Critically analyse their personal and professional preferences, strengths, and areas for development in interpersonal relationships from a range of theories and models.
• Demonstrating self-insight and critical reflections on how they develop and maintain collaborative workplace relationships.
• Identifying opportunities for enhancing interpersonal relationships that leads to the clear establishment of a work-relevant goal.
• Demonstrating your personal effectiveness in relation to others to assist their continued professional development through a range of individualised learning activities.

Once we receive your application, the Course Leader will determine if you need to complete additional modules that act as a pathway onto the MSc, these are:

• CMI-accredited Personal and Professional Development for Strategic Leaders module.
• Online Module - Completion of Supporting Others (Wellbeing and EDI).
• Online Module - Completion of Leading Innovation and Change.
• Online Module - Strategic Performance Management.

Prerequisite Online Modules

Participants have a choice of completing 2 (from 3) online modules. These modules are self-directed and participants can choose to complete the modules which best suit their learning needs.  

 

Option 1: Supporting Others (Wellbeing and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion)

This module focuses on the important topics of wellbeing and equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). As a strategic leader, you have a unique opportunity to shape our University's culture and drive positive change. This module is designed to help you explore how wellbeing and EDI intersect with your leadership approach and provide you with an opportunity to discuss the tools and insights for enhancing these critical areas. 

Learning Outcomes ...

• Understand the impact of managing the mental health and wellbeing of colleagues on strategic performance. 
• Understand the impact of effective systems that ensure equality, diversity and inclusion at a strategic level. 
• Know how to develop strategic priorities for equality, diversity, and inclusion. 
• Know how to develop a culture of mental health and wellbeing. 

 

Option 2: Strategic Performance Management

As a strategic leader, you are responsible for setting the direction and goals of your area of the University and ensuring that it is performing effectively and efficiently. During this module, we'll be asking you to reflect on the challenges of managing strong performers and the development of those that are not meeting expectations. 

Learning Outcomes ...

• Understand the principles for developing people and managing performance. 
• Reflect on the systems and structures that underpin strategic performance management. 
• Identify appropriate performance management approaches for different levels of individual performance. 
• Review how University HR processes support to performance management  

 

Option 3: Leading Change and Innovation 

This module focuses on the important topics of leading change and innovation. As a strategic leader, you play a critical role in driving change and promoting innovation within our University. This module is designed to help you explore your leadership approach and provide you with an opportunity to discuss the tools and insights for leading change and fostering innovation. 

Learning Outcomes ...

• Know how to plan for leading a strategic change initiative.
• Understand how to use theoretical models for leading and managing change. 
• Understand how approaches to leadership can be applied to support the implementation of change programmes. 
• Understand innovation in a strategic context. 
• Apply principles of innovation theory to strategic leadership practice. 

 

How will these modules be assessed?

There is no formal assessment, however, participants will need to evidence reflective practice and present about how they are using the learning in their role to the Head of People & Organisational Development and Leadership Development Manager.

Personal and Professional Development for Strategic Leaders

Learning Outcomes Include ...

• Exploring the interrelationship between the skillset and mindset.
• Considering your personal values and behaviours and their impact on your leadership.
• Reflecting on the professional competencies needed to lead strategically.
• Getting 360 feedback around the Huddersfield Leader Framework and a deeper understanding of self through psychometric tools.
• Creating a personal and professional development plan, aimed at enhancing your ability to lead strategically.

 

How will this module be assessed? Through a 3500–4000-word work-based assignment.

The Responsible Internal Consultant (15 credits)

The Responsible Internal Consultant is a distance-based module that prepares you for the Strategic Consultancy Project, promoting ethical and responsible practice. In doing so, the module analyses various models of consultancy and explores different stages in the consultancy cycle; in the end, you need to evaluate your consultancy competency skills and identify development needs.

Learning Outcomes Include ...

• Understand the theories, principles, and approaches to management consultancy.
• Consider the range of skills you need to successfully undertake a management consultancy project.
• Reflect on the possible issues and challenges surrounding management consulting and commissioned projects.
• Learn about the ethical and professional dimension of management consulting.

 

How will this module be assessed? Through a 2500-word applied report.

Work-Based Consultancy Project (60 credits)

The Strategic Consultancy Project module is where you will get 'hands on' as a responsible, ethical and strategic internal consultant.  You will identify, agree and deliver an internal project and as a result, add value to the University, School or Service.  You are supported throughout by an academic mentor from the Huddersfield Business School.  The culmination will be an opportunity to show case your work to senior leaders in the University.

Learning Outcomes Include ...

• Understand your strengths and areas of further development, in planning, managing and completing a work-based consultancy project.
• Reflect on the ethical principles of your approach to management consultancy.
• Critically evaluating the implications of your consultancy project and experience on your team, School or Service.

 

How will this module be assessed? Through a 5,500 words project report and presentation to our Vice-Chancellor, Head of People and Organisational Development, your Line Manager and Academic Mentor.