Strategic Leadership MSc
The Strategic Leadership MSc develops current and future business leaders with the strategic skills, insight and resilience to lead in a global context.
You are currently viewing course information for entry year:
Start date(s):
- September 2023
Overview
The Strategic Leadership MSc is a part-time, flexible, work-based programme. It's delivered using a blended learning model.
You'll have monthly one-day study blocks on campus during teaching time. This will still allow you to study flexibly around your commitments.
The MSc is designed for established organisational leaders and for those aspiring to become one. It will provide the development you need to become:
- globally responsible
- regionally connected
- a responsible leader for the Future of Work
The curriculum is dynamic and instantly applicable to your leadership practice. It combines:
- world-leading research
- thought leaders from the world of policy and practice
- real-time projects
The MSc is also work-based and experiential. It's been designed to enable you to learn through working on real organisational challenges. You'll reflect on your own professional practice and through group action learning.
Throughout the duration of the MSc, you'll become an ‘Affiliate’ member of the Chartered Management Institute (CMI). This will give you access to a range of membership support and resources.
When you graduate, you'll receive a CMI Level 7 Diploma in Management and Leadership. There's also the potential to achieve full Chartered Manager Status (CMgr)*
The programme is also available as a progression route when studying the Level 7 Senior Leader Apprenticeship. This will then lead to a Postgraduate Diploma in Strategic Leadership.
Find out more about the Level 7 Senior Leader Apprenticeship
*subject to meeting professional and work experience requirements.
READ MORE
Important information
We've highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.
View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2022-23.
See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.
What you'll learn
The programme will develop your skills in:
- critical thinking
- analysis
- reflection
Enabling you to take a 'deep dive' into leadership theory through your own workplace experiences.
You'll develop your own leadership identity and understand what it means to be a business leader in a global context. You'll expand your knowledge of strategic leadership through critically exploring:
- leadership theory
- strategic decision-making in complex systems
- innovation and change
- sustainability
- inclusivity
This will prepare you and your organisation for a future you can shape.
Modules
You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.
Module information is intended to provide an example of what you will study.
Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.
Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.
Optional modules availability
Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.
To find out more please see our terms and conditions.
Phase 1 (Year 1: Semesters 1 and 2)
The focus of this phase is to Explore. It will enable you to understand responsible leadership practice in relation to others, organisational performance and in a global context.
This phase includes four compulsory 20 credit modules. The modules are designed to provide you with a broad understanding of the main theories of leadership and organisational performance.
Two modules per semester are taught in parallel.
Phase 2 (Year 2: Semesters 1 and 2)
Building on the core understanding developed in Phase 1, the focus of this phase is to Challenge. You will develop your learning through two 20 credit modules. These modules will enable you to Shape and Lead the Future of Work.
Phase 3 (Year 2: Semesters 2 and 3)
The focus of this phase is to Demonstrate Impact. This phase will enable you to Apply your learning and development in Phases 1 and 2 and to Demonstrate Impact by undertaking the following 60 credit module:
This practical research-based module, together with the Exploring Theory in Practice modules in Phase 2, will enhance your current and future leadership practice. You will also be able to produce outputs that challenge and develop you, your organisational and global practices.
How you'll learn
Blended learning
Blended learning is delivered with monthly one-day study blocks on campus, during teaching time
You'll also engage individually and collectively with the programme.
Virtual learning
Your engagement will be supported by our virtual learning environment, Canvas. Canvas is a web-based system that does not need to be installed on your computer. Canvas runs on:
- Windows
- Mac
- Linux
- iOS
- Android
- any other device with a modern web browser
Depending on your modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of:
- Case study
- Dissertation
- Essay
- Oral examination
- Report
- Reflective log
- Research proposal
Your teaching and learning is also supported by Canvas. Canvas is a Virtual Learning Environment. You'll use Canvas to submit your assignments and access your:
- module handbooks
- course materials
- groups
- course announcements and notifications
- written feedback
Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:
- peers
- academics
- personal tutors
- our University Student Services Team
- student representatives
You'll also be assigned an academic member of staff. They will be your personal tutor throughout your time with us. They can help with academic and personal issues.
Some of our teaching staff on this course include:
Your development
Practical skills
Apply your knowledge to real world problems and challenges. You'll enhance your leadership practice and gain skills enabling you to:
- engage in leadership practice which is inclusive, critically reflective and collaborative
- manage complexity, ambiguity and uncertainty, and be pragmatic
- take personal accountability aligned to clear values
- act with integrity in challenging situations
Your future
Career development
The MSc in strategic leadership offers a significant transformation in your career potential. We support your development and help you shape the next steps in your career journey.
Developing as a leader involves reflecting on:
- the strengths and attributes that you bring to the role
- how best to apply your talents within any work context
You'll be encouraged to develop a deeper awareness of yourself. This will lead to the articulation of a compelling professional identity.
The programme supports you in this process through:
- self-assessment activities
- compelling work based assignments
- peer feedback
- group action learning
- coaching
Careers support
Gain clarity about where you want your career to take you and the contributions you can make. We support you to articulate your knowledge and skills impact through work-based challenges.
We you the opportunity to demonstrate high levels of competence through a professional portfolio. This resource offers you an evidence base for future employment opportunities. It will also enable you to apply for Chartered Manager Status with the Chartered Management Institute (CMI).
We encourage growth of your professional network, stimulating new connections for your career.
Our Careers Service
Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.
Quality and ranking
All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body
From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK
Facilities
Newcastle University Business School is one of the largest Schools in the University. We have over 3,500 students representing over 83 nationalities. This valuable network extends beyond our current students to include:
- regional, nationality and international leaders
- alumni
- leading professionals and practitioners from industry
The Business School is based in a building within the Newcastle Helix development – Newcastle's emerging business district.
Our facilities provide:
- a flexible and dedicated conference suite with panoramic views across the city
- Wi-Fi enabled connectivity throughout the building, including three computer clusters housing approximately 120 PCs
- four large lecture theatres and 21 seminar rooms, providing comfortable teaching and group study space
- a dedicated Hub, Base, and Lounge providing a balanced mix of study space and relaxation areas
- a contemporary café
Fees and funding
Tuition fees for 2023 entry (per year)
If your studies last longer than one year, your tuition fee may increase in line with inflation.
Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.
EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support.
If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here.
Scholarships
We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our searchable postgraduate funding page for more information.
What you're paying for
Tuition fees include the costs of:
- matriculation
- registration
- tuition (or supervision)
- library access
- examination
- re-examination
- graduation
Find out more about:
If you are an international student or a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you need a visa to study in the UK, you may have to pay a deposit.
You can check this in the How to apply section.
If you're applying for funding, always check the funding application deadline. This deadline may be earlier than the application deadline for your course.
For some funding schemes, you need to have received an offer of a place on a course before you can apply for the funding.
Search for funding
Find funding available for your course
Entry requirements
The entrance requirements below apply to 2023 entry.
Qualifications from outside the UK
English Language requirements
Admissions policy
This policy applies to all undergraduate and postgraduate admissions at Newcastle University. It is intended to provide information about our admissions policies and procedures to applicants and potential applicants, to their advisors and family members, and to staff of the University.
Download our admissions policy (PDF: 201KB)
Other policies related to admissions
Credit transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can allow you to convert existing relevant university-level knowledge, skills and experience into credits towards a qualification. Find out more about the RPL policy which may apply to this course
How to apply
Using the application portal
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If you’re ready, you can select Apply Online and you’ll be taken directly to the application portal.
Alternatively you can find out more about applying on our applications and offers pages.
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- campus tours
- on-campus open days
- virtual open days
- webinars
Find out about how you can visit Newcastle in person and virtually
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Visit our events calendar for the latest events
Executive Education events
We run a number of programme information sessions and business-related webinars throughout the year. Read more.
Get in touch
Questions about this course?
If you have specific questions about this course you can contact:
Executive Education programme team
Newcastle University Business School
Telephone: +44 (0)191 208 1503
ExecutiveEducation@ncl.ac.uk
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