The Open University Senior Leader Apprenticeship provides current and future leaders and senior managers with high-level leadership and management skills, core competencies and desired behaviours to become more effective leaders.

Our Senior Leader Apprenticeship develops inclusive leaders who are responsible for developing ethical, innovative and supportive cultures with the ability to deliver results, manage complexity and instigate change. Apprentices receive high-quality higher education learning from our triple-accredited Business School and can instantly apply their newly acquired knowledge and skills into their working environment.

It also provides employers with a useful tool to further develop and retain staff and build a pipeline for the future.

Why choose The Open University's Senior Leader Apprenticeship?

• Delivered flexibly around the demands of your organisation. Requires minimal time away from the workplace, using our tutor-supported, rich-media online learning methods. 
• Learning can be delivered simultaneously to various locations using our tried-and-trusted educational technology, providing a consistent programme for multiple staff.
• Designed and delivered by the triple-accredited Open University Business School, which is ranked in the top 1% of business schools worldwide.
• Apprentices can apply what they learn immediately into practice, for the positive benefit of the organisation.
• Since 2016, The Open University (OU) has offered apprenticeships to help organisations grow their own talent. In England, The Open University offers higher and degree-level programmes in healthcare, policing, social work, digital and management.

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A strategic leader is someone who has senior management responsibility, which may include formal governance or director responsibilities. They are responsible for setting strategy, direction and vision, for providing a clear sense of purpose and driving strategic intent.

The apprenticeship is suitable for current and future senior leaders in organisations of all sizes in the private, public or third sectors. It is for new and existing employees who are responsible for, or looking to progress into, managing projects, tasks or people and who will be gaining new skills, knowledge and behaviours as part of the apprenticeship.

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Below is a summary of the eligibility criteria as set by the government for apprentices. For further information, see the Government funding rules.

In addition to the eligibility criteria above applicants also need to satisfy the following academic, work experience and language entry requirements.

Academic requirements

There are three ways to meet the academic requirements:

1. Bachelors degree with honours awarded by a UK university or equivalent.
2. Bachelors degree without honours awarded by a UK university or equivalent plus completion of either:
   • the discontinued OU module Managing 1: organisations and people (B628) or
   • three of our Business Management microcredentials* or
   • the GMAT examination and achieved a result of 640 or higher.
3. No Bachelors degree - If applicants don’t hold a bachelors degree they’ll need to have completed either:
   • the OU Professional Certificate in Management (S01) or
   • six of our Business Management microcredentials*

* Any OU microcredential that includes "Business Management" at the start of the title. Further microcredentials are planned for this academic year. See the microcredentials page for further information.

Various higher education and professional qualifications are considered equivalent to an honours degree. Please contact us if a prospective apprentice holds a qualification that you believe is an equivalent level to a degree.

Work experience requirement

Applicants will need to have gained a minimum of three years’ work experience in a managerial, technical or professional role, so that they have a practical business base from which to build their postgraduate learning.

Language requirement

Applicants' spoken and written English must be of an adequate standard for postgraduate study. If English is not their first language, we recommend that they need a minimum score of 6.5 under the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Please visit ielts.org for details.

English and maths

It is a requirement of the government funding of apprenticeships that if applicants cannot evidence (copies of certificates) that they have achieved English and maths at Level 2 or equivalent they will need to undertake Functional Skills at Level 2 as part of the apprenticeship.

Acceptance onto the Senior Leader Apprenticeship programme

Applicants will be required to show how they meet these requirements. This will include their CV and proof of qualifications, including English translations and NARIC/ENIC conversion of non-UK degrees as stipulated in the apprenticeship application guidance. Evaluation of the evidence will take place before applicants are accepted onto the programme.

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The programme content and assessment strategy are mapped to the Senior Leader Apprenticeship standard. Find out more about the standard.

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Stage 1	Stage 2	Assessment	Completion
Managing in a changing world.	Effective strategic management in business and the public sector.	Learning outcome assessment. Knowledge, skills and behaviour assessment. English and maths assessment. End-point assessment (EPA).	Apprenticeship programme completed and Level 7 certification awarded. Postgraduate Diploma in Leadership Practice awarded.
	Finance for strategic decision-making.
	Leadership in practice
English and maths (functional skills) development*

	Theory modules
	Practice modules
	EPA

 

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The apprenticeship is made up of the following seven components:

1 - The initial assessment

Carried out by an Apprenticeship Programme Delivery Manager (APDM) before an apprenticeship begins. During this process that involves also the employer, prior learning is assessed to established if the applicant has already covered parts of the knowledge and skills set out in the apprenticeship or what prior experience an individual has.

The Open University also establishes whether the apprenticeship is an appropriate training programme for them. This assessment considers the whole standard, not just English and maths, which however is an important part of it.

The Open University also assesses whether the minimum eligibility requirements for off-the-job training are met and will set the duration of the apprentice contract dependent on prior learning.

Visit the Short Guide for Apprentices for more details.

2 - Tutor-supported study modules

Apprentices build an understanding of the key theories, skills and competencies to take their leadership and management capabilities to a higher level. Associate Lecturers (academic tutors) will facilitate study, support learning and feedback, and mark module assessments. English and Maths Functional Skills tutors support the successful completion of these qualifications where an applicant is not able to provide evidence of prior attainment.

3 - The work-based learning module

Provides the framework for apprentices to gather, collate and present a portfolio of evidence that meets the Apprenticeship standard. It provides the stimulating link between academic study and practice, often involving apprentices critically reflecting on their learning and working practices. This module is facilitated by Practice Tutors, who support learning and feedback, as well as mark the module assessments.

4 - The summative portfolio

A record of evidence of apprentice’s application of knowledge, skills and behaviours in the workplace. The portfolio provides the means for demonstrating how apprentices have practically applied their newly acquired knowledge and skills in the workplace.

5 - The strategic business proposal

A substantive piece of work undertaken as part of the apprenticeship. It is an organisationally focused piece of work with real business benefits. The proposal will bring together elements of learning from different parts of the programme and enables apprentices to demonstrate the application of knowledge and skills learnt during their apprenticeship.

6 - The Postgraduate Diploma (Leadership Practice)

Awarded by The Open University.

7 - The End-point assessment (EPA)

Carried out by an Institute for Apprenticeships approved independent assessment organisation chosen by the employer. The EPA determines whether apprentices have successfully met the learning requirements of the Senior Leader Apprenticeship Standard.

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English and maths (functional skills)

Replacement exam certificate: For qualifications gained in the UK you can go to the government website to get a replacement exam certificate.

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The Open University has the experience and support in place to help apprentices succeed and make a positive impact on practice.

In addition to designated account management support, the OU will deploy expert staff to support your organisation and your apprentices. They will work collaboratively with the relevant roles in your organisation:

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