Systems Thinking and Leadership Practitioner Level 7 ApprenticeshipPGDip

Take your career to the next level with our Systems Thinking and Leadership Practitioner Level 7 degree apprenticeship. Develop strategic insights, drive impactful change, and become a leader equipped to tackle tomorrow’s challenges. Your journey to transformative leadership starts here.

Course Structure

What makes this course different?

• Real-World Application: Focus on personal development with real-world case studies, small cohorts, and innovative methodologies.
• Blended Learning: Flexible combination of online and in-person sessions to suit working professionals.
• Expert Guidance: Leverage the expertise from the Birmingham Leadership Institute and a network of professional systems thinkers.
• Flexible study options: Gain invaluable on-the-job training with our Level 7 Systems Thinking Practitioner apprenticeship, funded by your employer, and graduate with a PGDip with the option to progress to a full MSc.

What is the Systems Thinking discipline?

• Systems Thinking refers to concepts, frameworks, approaches, methodologies, and interventions that help us to understand the relationships between the different parts in complex situations. ​

• ​It draws inspiration from various disciplines under natural sciences, social and psychological sciences, and critical and complexity studies.

What will you gain through this programme?

By the end of this degree apprenticeship, you will be equipped with the tools, methods, and leaderships skills needed to address complex, systemic challenges. You will develop the ability to:

• Appreciate and integrate multiple perspectives​
• Understand the networks of relationships within and across systems ​
• Apply systems thinking to view challenges as part of larger, organised wholes with unique qualities
• Explore boundaries  to better understand the inclusion, exclusion and marginalisation of stakeholders and the issues that concern them​
• Address conflict, develop mutual understanding, and agree solutions that people are willing to implement​
• Enhance your own and others sense-making processes to support systems ways of working

• Lectures: Academics give organised talks to large groups of students who take notes, less interactive.
• Seminars: Small group sessions designed to complement lectures and are generally more informal in nature. They give you the chance to discuss issues with fellow students and allow for more interaction than a traditional lecture.
• Workshops: Workshops are for smaller groups, but instead of discussion, students might learn about a tool or a technique that they will be required to know about for their course. They are usually more hands-on learning that allow discussion regarding the given topic. 
• Reflection groups: Opportunities for peer support, coaching and mentoring, as well as reflecting on practice to support development​.

Study approach is composed 11-to-12-week modules​ which results in a total of:

• 6 hours online self-study​
• 3 days face to face at The Exchange​
• 6 hours online study​
• Reflection sets and one-to-one coaching session​
• Assessment – 2 x assignments, one reflection on practice, one systems practice based

The modules listed for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Any optional module information listed for this programme is intended to be indicative, and the availability of optional modules may vary from year to year. Where a module is no longer available, we will let you know as soon as we can and help you to make other choices.

Standard Entry Requirements:

To be considered, you'll either need:

• A ‘good’ first degree or equivalent work experience.​
• Proficiency in English and Math (Certificates)​
• At least three to five years of professional experience (negotiable depending on role)

English language requirements

If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification.

For this course we require IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any band, which is equivalent to:

• TOEFL: 88 overall with no less than 21 in Reading, 20 Listening, 22 Speaking and 21 in Writing
• Pearson Test of English (PTE): Academic 67 with no less than 64 in all four skills
• Cambridge English: C1 Advanced - minimum overall score of 176, with no less than 169 in any component
• LanguageCert ESOL SELT (UKVI): B2 'Communicator' with no less than 33 in each skill

English Presessional Programmes

Improve your knowledge of spoken and written English in preparation for studying at Birmingham with our pre-sessional English courses. If you have a conditional offer, you can take one of these courses as an alternative to retaking IELTS or other similar qualifications.

All employers who have a payroll over £3 million pay an Apprenticeship Levy. They can use this levy to fund your enrolment on the programme.

Scholarships

To help you afford your studies, we’ve put more than £33 million into student support and scholarships. We also offer a range of advice on searching for funding and managing your finances.

For all enquiries relating to this apprenticeship programme or further information please contact the Central Apprenticeships Team.

Careers Network

Get ready for tomorrow, with advice, guidance and opportunities at every step of your studies. From developing new skills to preparing for a PhD, our Careers Network can help you gain an advantage in the job market or advance in your field.

Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offers a range of events and support services including networking opportunities, career coaching, one-to-one guidance, careers fairs and links with leading graduate recruiters. We also offer subject-specific careers consultants and a dedicated careers website for international students.