About the course

Develop the knowledge, tools and techniques to accelerate your career path into senior management with this innovative apprenticeship, building on your existing experience and professional specialities.

Incorporating the internationally recognised value of an MBA into an apprenticeship format, the course allows you to fit your studies around your existing work through weekend tuition – and gives you essential management tools you can adapt to your chosen industry or organisation.

You will learn how to influence strategy, embrace innovation and maximise the impact of your decisions. And you will explore the decision-making process itself, improving your self-awareness and understanding, along with ways to communicate with and motivate staff in line with your objectives – helping create a culture that’s adaptive, collaborative and highly effective.

Supported by tutors and academic mentors to develop your leadership and enable impactful application of your learning, you will explore the interconnections of management and business, developing a holistic, strategic direction which will benefit both you and your organisation.

Find out more about apprenticeships

You can apply direct to Solent University for this course.
Apply direct
After successfully completing your studies, there's an opportunity to continue your studies at Solent.
Further studies
This course is an apprenticeship, which is a course that is a blend of study and work. All apprentices must be in employment.
Apprenticeship

All academics on this programme have extensive experience at senior level in industry – bringing their real-world experience to bear in guiding apprentices to realise their potential.

What does this course lead to?

On completing the apprenticeship you will be well placed to progress your career into senior and leadership roles within your current or other organisations, taking on senior management responsibility, including formal governance/director responsibilities. You will have the skills to deliver direction and vision, providing a clear sense of purpose and driving strategic intent as a leader, senior manager, or member of the c-suite. 

Who is this course for?

This course is relevant across business and a wide range of industries, for senior managers aspiring to further their careers at the highest level and define strategy and direction for their organisations.

Facts and figures

Fees icon

Fees and costs

Tuition fees

Businesses with an annual payroll above £3million will be classed as a levy paying employer and will be able to use funds accrued in their digital apprenticeship service (DAS) account for payment of the training. Please contact us for guidance on fees if you are a non-levy employer which will cover at least 95% of the costs.

The programme cost for 2021/22 is £18,000.

You can find out more about funding an apprenticeship and the new apprenticeship levy in our guide for employers.

Graduation costs

For graduates in 2020, there is no charge to attend graduation, but you will be required to pay for the rental of your academic gown (approximately £45 per graduate, depending on your award). You may also wish to purchase official photography packages, which range in price from £15 to £200+. Graduation is not compulsory, so if you prefer to have your award sent to you, there is no cost. Extra guest tickets will go on sale after results publication and will be sold on a first-come-first-served basis. The cost per ticket was £15 in 2019, but this fee is subject to change for future years. Please note, we do not guarantee there will be any extra tickets available to purchase.
Key entry requirements icon

Key entry requirements

    All applications are assessed on individual merit but the typical academic entry requirement for the MBA is a UK recognised honours degree with at least a 2:2 classification or equivalent professional qualifications. If you have qualifications other than a degree, with relevant professional experience and evidence of ability, you will also be considered.

    Applicants must also have a minimum of two years of professional work experience at senior leadership level. Work experience must be relevant to senior management, business or professional functions and include suitable levels of analytical work and demonstrate evidence of career progression and management of others.

    Please note: Apprentices without Level 2 English and Maths will need to achieve this level prior to Gateway.

Key facts and indicators

  1. Updated for 2020

    At Solent University we’re constantly improving our courses to reflect our real-world curriculum. We want to make sure our courses are unique, creative, have an applied approach to teaching and reflect the ever-changing world. Find out more about how we build our courses using our curriculum framework....

  2. Assessment

    This course is assessed via report, presentation, portfolio and professional discussions. The apprenticeship’s End Point Assessment will also include a time-constrained professional discussion based on a submitted portfolio of evidence, a presentation and a showcase-based report. 

  3. Transferable skills

    Understanding of business from a holistic leadership perspective, how to influence strategy, innovation and change for impact in a fast-moving world engaging with external and internal influences. Understanding of leadership, its skills and competencies; and how to apply, develop and motivate self, staff and organisation to optimise outcomes. How to create agile...

  4. Student support and services

    Student welfare - Solent University is committed to giving you the best possible educational experience during your time with us. As such we have a number of support services and policies set up covering funding, careers and employability, chaplaincy, counselling, international advice, student affairs, key academic skills, disability support and...

Got a question about this course?

Contact our Solent team:

If you are a UK, EU or EEA applicant please contact admissions@solent.ac.uk 023 8201 5066 If you are an international applicant please contact admissions.international@solent.ac.uk 023 8201 5066

How to apply

If you are an employer and would like to have an in-depth conversation with us about potential opportunities, please send a message to  admissions@solent.ac.uk or call 023 8201 5066.

If you are currently in work and are interested in undertaking an apprenticeship here at Solent, please speak directly with your employer to see if there is an existing agreement in place.

If you would like more general information about apprenticeships, please see our  apprenticeship homepage.

What you'll study

Core modules

  • Personal and Professional Development for Strategic Leadership
    This module is all about you and how you can be equipped to deliver in a globalised, high-tech and disruptive world as an effective strategic leader!
  • Strategy, Innovation and Change Management
    This module enables leaders to know how to develop and influence an organisation’s strategic direction through development of a meaningful strategy.
  • Strategic People Management
    The aim of this module is for you to develop an in-depth understanding of how to effectively lead and develop people.
  • Marketing Enterprise and Risk
    You will start with the context in which a marketing strategy is developed. Then it’s learning to be able to appraise theoretical frameworks and processes which inform the strategy, alongside reflecting on the interrelationship between marketing and the organisation’s strategic aims, along with opportunities and impact of digital marketing, all compounding in considering how to develop a marketing strategy.
  • Finance for Strategic Leaders
    In this module you will learn how to be more confident in your understanding of the finance function by understanding the scope, complexity and role of finance within an organisational context.
  • Work Based Project
    In this module you will learn how to undertake applied research with the ability to generate new knowledge, based on the practical challenges of the workplace.

Each unit is studied over a 3-4 month period with a blend of both online and campus taught sessions.

Meet the course team

Celia Walters academic profile Celia Walters Course Leader View profile
Zahida Shah academic profile Zahida Shah Senior Lecturer View profile
Sian Campbell academic profile Sian Campbell Senior Lecturer View profile
Tim Jackson academic profile Tim Jackson Senior Lecturer View profile

The university cannot guarantee any particular members of staff will teach specific aspects of the course in the future, but will endeavour to ensure the teaching team maintains their balance of experience and qualifications.

Facilities

We provide a stimulating learning environment and access to state-of-the-art resources to help you make the most of your time with us. Flexible spaces, Wi-Fi facilities and learning zones all contribute to our lively and contemporary study environment at Solent.

Apprentices will have the opportunity to study with likeminded senior level individuals from a plethora of industries and representing all sectors, widening their horizons and prompting them to challenge the status quo.

360°Virtual tour

Get ready to find your place

You can still experience life at Solent at a virtual open day! Hear from course tutors, take virtual campus and accommodation tours, and chat to us live.

Register for a virtual open day