Senior Leader Apprenticeship

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. The triple accreditation recognises the quality of our courses and teaching that is offered across the programme. Each of the awarding bodies, AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS exist to drive the highest possible standard across business education in the US, UK and Europe. This puts the OU amongst an elite 1% of business schools to have achieved this ‘triple crown’ status, reflecting the high standards of the course delivery; something that is recognised by employers internationally. 

By supporting staff onto the SLA employers are provided with an opportunity to further  develop and retain staff aligned to their future organisational learning and development needs 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.
• A scalable programme which provides a consistent experience for staff across multiple locations. 
• Designed and delivered by the triple-accredited Open University Business School, one of the elite group of 1% of business schools to have achieved this status 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 OU offers higher and degree-level apprenticeships in healthcare, policing, social work, digital, systems thinking 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 Senior Leader 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 meet the funding requirements and 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. Bachelor's degree with honours awarded by a UK university or equivalent.
2. Bachelor's 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 Bachelor's degree - If applicants do not hold a bachelor's 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. 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.

Consideration will also be given to the job role the applicant currently or will hold whilst on the apprenticeship programme to ensure there will be sufficient opportunities to develop in all areas of the apprenticeship standard.

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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The apprenticeship is made up of the following eight components:

1 - The initial assessment

This initial assessment includes a skills scan, a mandatory systematic review of an apprentice’s knowledge, skills and behaviours against the standard. This will be completed jointly by the apprentice and the line manager to establish the apprentice’s baseline against the standard and how much new learning is needed. It is used to develop the Training Plan part 2, a tailored individual learning plan, to help apprentices make the most of the apprenticeship.

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.

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 knowledge, skills and behaviours requirements of 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 portfolio of evidence

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 to improve and extend their professional practice. 

Line managers will have regular one-to-one meetings with their apprentices to ensure that the learning from the apprenticeship is fully integrated into their performance and development in the workplace. This is to ensure that the apprentice can create evidence against the requirements of the standard for the portfolio of evidence required for Gateway. 

5 - Strategic business proposal scoping document

A 500-word document identifying a strategic objective/activity to be carried out by the senior leader.  In this document they will identify its scope, rationale, stakeholders and timescales, including finance, and it requires formal approval from the apprentice’s line manager. 

6 - Gateway

Gateway takes place before the EPA period can start. The employer and training provider will review their apprentice’s knowledge, skills and behaviours to see if they have met the minimum requirements of the apprenticeship set out in the apprenticeship standard and are ready to take the assessment. 

7 - The End-point assessment (EPA)

The EPA determines whether apprentices have successfully met the learning requirements of the Senior Leader Apprenticeship Standard.  

The EPA is carried out by an Institute for Apprenticeships approved independent assessment organisation and consists of a strategic business proposal, presentation with Q&A, portfolio and professional discussion. 

8 - Completion

Every successful apprentice will: 

• Be awarded an Open University Postgraduate diploma (Leadership Practice) 
• Be awarded an industry-designed apprenticeship 
• Be eligible to register with a Professional Body 
• Have the option to progress onto the discounted top-up onto the OU’s triple accredited MBA. 

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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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