MSc in Strategic Leadership

The MSc Strategic Leadership is a dynamic, part-time programme designed for professionals who want to strengthen their strategic leadership capability while continuing to progress in their careers.

The programme places strong emphasis on applying learning directly to your organisational challenges, enabling participants to create meaningful impact as they study. Alongside leadership fundamentals, the curriculum brings in cutting edge, contemporary themes, including AI driven decision making, digital transformation, and strategic innovation.  This helps leaders navigate and influence rapidly evolving organisational landscapes. 

Extending our commitment to a highly tailored and sector-relevant experience, learners also have the opportunity to join one of our three specialism-led subgroups throughout the programme. Our specialism routes are supported by a combination of our experienced programme team and exceptional industry contributors, bringing real-world expertise and sector-specific leadership insight into the learning environment. This includes access to leading voices in organisational strategy, specialists from across the building society sector, and experts in high performance sport who share perspectives from some of the most demanding and innovative leadership contexts. 

• General Leadership – supported by a diverse range of organisational, strategic and leadership specialists 
• Building Societies – shaped alongside industry partners, offering direct insight into mutuals’ culture, regulation and strategic challenges 
• Sport – enriched by contributions from leaders in elite and high performance sport, offering a unique lens on leadership in high pressure, fast moving environments 

Each subgroup specialism provides a focused learning community, sector specific insights and unique applied perspectives, enabling participants to shape their development journey around their professional context and career ambitions. For employers, this approach ensures targeted capability building; for individuals, it offers an exciting, personalised route to becoming an influential and forward thinking strategic leader. 

Applications are welcome from all applicants with a degree-level (or equivalent) qualification or substantial relevant work experience, specifically;

• Applicants who possess at least three years of managerial experience with a reasonable level of formal academic education
• Applicants with a Bachelor’s degree from a UK or recognised overseas University with a Second Class honours or equivalent
• Applicants who have achieved the academic requirements for corporate membership of a British Chartered Professional Institute (equivalent to QCF level 6 or above) or any other relevant qualification
• GCSE English and Maths (grade C or above), or equivalent are a compulsory requirement.

Next enrolment

Start date October 2026

Please be aware that all intakes for the postgraduate/post-experience programmes are recruitment driven requiring a minimum number of students to make a viable study group. You will be advised 6 weeks before the advertised start date whether the programme will run.

Fees and funding

Provided below is a listing of the tuition fees for this programme. If you are studying for a Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma, tuition fees will be charged on a pro rata basis, according to the number of credits you are studying for. You should prepare for inflationary increases to course fees in future years.

Structure

The MSc Strategic Leadership is a work‑based, professional programme studied part‑time over two years. It is designed to develop the practical management and leadership capabilities required to lead at a senior level.

Delivery

Past students have particularly appreciated the duration and delivery methods of this programme. Modules are taught as 2-day or 3-day workshops instead of weekly classes. Our format facilitates participation by managers from a wide geographical area. We can recommend on-campus accommodation.

Learning methods are tailored to participants' needs, including a combination of:

• short inputs
• pair and group work
• case studies
• distance learning and
• work-based assignments and projects.

For the final project element of the programme, participants can attend training in research methods and project design exploring a topic of their own choice.

Assessment

There are no exams for this programme.

Each module is assessed through coursework. Our coursework assignments require the student to read and research the topic of the module, to address a question that is based within a work environment. Several modules require the student to draw on their own work experience and/or their current work situation.

In addition to coursework, modules may be assessed through group presentations.

Content

Each programme starts with an induction event where you will review and improve your skills in learning, researching and writing. Following this, core modules address the fundamentals of leadership and business competitiveness. The programme builds upon these fundamentals with further modules so that you can explore areas of specific interest to you. At each stage, the content of assessments addresses real work examples within your own past and current work experience.

For your final year project, you agree on the topic with the University to address a problem directly impacting your work area. As part of that project, you will be expected to demonstrate benefits to your organisation and your own learning.