Our Senior Leader Apprenticeship is suitable for aspiring leaders who already hold senior management roles in public or private sector organisations of all sizes. The programme has been designed to equip you with the knowledge, skills and behaviours to disrupt conventional ways of thinking and implement positive change to your organisations from the get-go.
With industries transforming faster than ever, organisations will require jobholders to be agile and tech-savvy. That’s why we’ve ensured our programme takes a digital-first, global, and contemporary approach to your learning, ensuring you gain the modern strategic, financial, and people skills you need to meet the current and future demands of a constantly evolving workplace.
Throughout the programme you will expand and formalise your management experience enabling you to provide, clear, inclusive, strategic, and inspirational leadership whilst fostering a supportive culture that generates continuous business improvement.
CMI accredited
Our apprenticeship has accreditation from the Chartered Management Institution (CMI) providing you with Chartered Manager status on completion. You will also benefit from free CMI member status throughout your studies with access to multiple resources, articles, webinars and more.
Optional Executive MBA at no extra cost
Following successful completion of the Senior Leader Apprenticeship, and the Postgraduate Diploma in Executive Business Administration, you have the free of charge option to continue your learning and complete the Arden University Executive MBA.
Global top ten Executive MBA
Our Executive MBA has been rated in the global number top ten by CEO Magazine, and also benefits from CMI accreditation, providing you with the prestigious CMI Level 7 Diploma in Strategic Leadership and Management. That means you’ll graduate with your Executive MBA alongside a professional recognition and a qualification that’s also recognised across the globe.
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Arden University is a member of the Business Graduates Association (BGA), meaning students will receive complementary BGA membership.
Arden University is a member of the prestigious Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).
This course awards a CMI Level 7 Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice and grants graduates Chartered Manager Status.
Designed for anyone who wants to move to the next stage of their career with support from their employer, this apprenticeship will provide you with the fundamentals of leadership and business management, giving you the scope to take on any challenge in your professional life. Whether you’re a new or existing employee, studying Arden University’s flexible Level 7 Senior Leader Apprenticeship course will boost your career potential and give you an in-depth understanding of strategic thinking in all areas of business.
Arden was recommended by our HR team as a suitable fit for me and the company. After investigating what Arden had to offer, I realised it would be perfect for my circumstances... I’m excited to implement more of the skills that I have learnt from my apprenticeship into my daily work.
To achieve the Executive MBA, you will continue your learning journey to complete the Transformation Capstone Project module of the Executive MBA programme at no additional cost. Typically, this takes 6 months, although we also offer flexibility to complete the Research Project over 12 months for learners who need a little extra time.
Assessments on this programme have been designed to help you apply your learning to your workplace, thus real-world scenarios in the modern business environment.
You won't take a single exam on this course. Your course assessments will be practice-driven, drawing from live workplace scenarios so that you can apply your learning in real-time. This innovative, modern approach will provide you with the unique opportunity to respond to real-world organisational challenges.
Other assessment methods
Our assessments have been designed based on industry feedback to meet the needs of today's employers to ensure that each assessment will impart both subject knowledge and desirable workplace skills. Each assessments is based on your workplace.
These include:
Following successful completion of the End Point Assessment, all learners have the option to achieve an Arden University Executive MBA by extending their individual learning to complete a Transformation Capstone Project at no extra cost.
You will access your modules through our virtual classroom, ilearn and complete all the module lessons. Throughout each study block you will attend your scheduled teaching and learning sessions during working hours, attend your 1-2-1 coaching sessions and undertake your workplace assignment and coach led activities. Your coach will guide you to ensure you are effectively applying and evidencing your new knowledge, whilst developing and demonstrating the skills and behaviours considered essential for success in your role.
Arden was recommended by our HR team as a suitable fit for me and the company. After investigating what Arden had to offer, I realised it would be perfect for my circumstances... I’m excited to implement more of the skills that I have learnt from my apprenticeship into my daily work.
This programme is split into two phases:
Phase one of the programme is the Senior Leader Apprenticeship.
The apprenticeship is delivered over 18 months followed by up to 5 months for the End Point Assessment. During these months, you will be an apprentice and your employer will ensure you are provided with the required off-the-job training time to dedicate to your studies.
Some of your off-the-job time will be dedicated to attending university through our virtual classroom, undertaking both self-guided and scheduled learning across six modules.
You will also attend regular virtual 1-2-1 coaching sessions with your dedicated Arden Degree Apprenticeship Coach. Your coach will support you to continually apply your learning in your role and develop a portfolio of evidence to showcase your ongoing development and mastery of the apprenticeship knowledge, skills and behaviours, which underpin successful end-point assessment.
In phase two of the programme, you will;
During phase two, you will no longer be an apprentice, which means your employer is no longer required to provide off-the-job training time.
Phase two of the programme is the Executive MBA (EMBA).
Following successful completion of the Senior Leader Apprenticeship, and the Postgraduate Diploma in Executive Business Administration, you have the free-of-charge option to complete the Arden University Executive MBA.
To achieve the EMBA you will continue your learning journey to complete the Transformation Capstone Project of the Executive MBA programme. In this 60-credit module, you will submit a 15,000-word Transformation Capstone Project, bringing together all you have learned on the programme to date. Typically, this takes 6 months, although we also offer flexibility to complete the Transformation Capstone Project over 12 months for learners who need a little extra time.
At Arden University we consider applications on a case by case basis. If you have significant work experience, have qualifications you have gained elsewhere, or a degree or qualification that isn't a clear pathway to this degree - we are more than happy to discuss your application.
Our aim is to make learning as accessible as possible by ensuring that you can study in a flexible and convenient way. That's why we keep our requirements simple. All you need is a laptop or desktop PC (we recommend one running the latest version of Windows), and a good internet connection. Through ilearn, our online university campus in the cloud, you'll be able to access your course calendar, support services, learning materials, and our online library containing thousands of ebooks, as well as tools for creating assignments, keeping notes, and collaborating with other students on your course.
If you would like to enrol on the Level 7 Senior Leader Apprenticeship, you must meet the following criteria:
*We will also consider applications from students who lack formal qualifications but can demonstrate their motivation to study the course and possess five years of relevant management and leadership experience.
Please note, the apprenticeship route is not suitable for candidates who already hold a qualification at the same level or above, in this subject area.
It is a condition of apprenticeship funding, at any level, that all applicants can evidence GCSE English and Maths passes at grade A*- C/9-4 or commit to completing Functional Skills Level 2, in addition to the programme. If required, this is provided at no additional cost.
Dr. Syed Ali Tarek is the Head of Department for MBA and Executive Education programmes. With over 16 years of experience, he has excelled in senior leadership roles and managed large academic teams. He led Arden’s MBA and EMBA to global recognition as top tier programmes in CEO Magazine's 2024 edition. Dr. Tarek has contributed to quality assurance in UK higher education and advised international initiatives, including collaborations with the UN. He will lead the department by setting strategic goals, ensuring high academic standards, integrating sustainable practices, and fostering innovation to enhance student satisfaction and programme quality.
It’s never too late to get another qualification under your belt. This Level 7 Senior Leader Apprenticeship has been designed for people who want to accelerate their career and take the next step up from their current leadership role. Or, if you’re looking to formalise your experience as a senior leader with a qualification - this apprenticeship will suit you perfectly.
Upon successful completion of phase one, the Senior Leader Apprenticeship, you will be awarded:
On completion of phase two, the Executive MBA Transformation Capstone Project, you will receive:
If you choose to complete the Executive MBA, you will not be awarded the Postgraduate Diploma in Executive Business Administration. Instead, the credits will count towards your Exec MBA.
* Upon completion of your course, the CMI award and level of chartered status awarded will depend on your level and length of study, whether you entered your course with Recognition for Prior Learning (RPL) or if any compensation is applied on your modules throughout the duration of study. If this criteria applies to you, you may receive one of the 2 different levels; an Award or Certificate.
This course awards a CMI Level 7 Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice*
The Chartered Management Institute (CMI) promotes excellence in UK management and leadership. As the CMI possesses a Royal Charter, they are the only organisation in the UK that can award Chartered Manager status to their members – the gold standard in management. With 140,000 members, the institute aims to boost career development across the management sector and connect like-minded professionals.
As an Arden student, you’ll have free CMI Membership throughout your studies, giving you access to a range of additional resources including a mentoring service and invitations to networking events both online and offline.
Upon completion of this CMI-accredited course, you will be awarded CMI Level 7 Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice. This recognises you have the skills needed to be an effective manager, helping you stand out from the competition and start your management career journey - with a CMI qualification and a clear pathway to full Chartered Manager status.
*Upon completion of your course, the CMI award and level of chartered status awarded will depend on your level and length of study, whether you entered your course with Recognition for Prior Learning (RPL) or if any compensation is applied on your modules throughout the duration of study. If this criteria applies to you, you may receive one of the 2 different levels; an Award or Certificate.
Arden University is a member of the prestigious Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). AACSB International is a global association of leaders in education and business dedicated to supporting and advancing quality business education worldwide.
This membership reflects the fact that Arden University has successfully matched the high standards required by the AACSB, and enables the sharing of ideas and the exchange best practises between global business schools. Membership also gives our faculty members access to in-depth data and research to support the development of our courses and teaching methods, ensuring that we are able to provide you with the best possible university experience.
The BGA is a membership and quality assurance body. As a member, Arden University have signed up to the BGA Charter, committing their institution to responsible management practices and lifelong learning, positively impacting their students, communities, and the economy. This shows our students that we are demonstrating responsible management ourselves, as well as it being a central theme that runs through our own courses.
As Arden University is a member of the Business Graduates Association (BGA), students will receive complementary BGA student and graduate membership. Through this membership, current students will have access to the BGA Career Development Centre, packed with interactive tools, e-learning content, partner discounts and the latest job opportunities. This is a lifetime access, which means students will continue to have access to these services even after they graduate.
