This part-time course meets the requirements of the Level 7 System Engineering Master's Apprenticeship Programme. Eligible organisations will be able to use their Apprenticeship Levy to cover the cost of the course tuition fees. Find out more about Master's Apprenticeships.
- Provides an introduction to Systems Thinking tools, techniques, methods and approaches to address the wicked, complex problems experienced by organisations in our modern-day, interconnected world,
- Focuses on practitioner development, with students applying tools, techniques and approaches learnt in the classroom back in their own workplace from Week 1,
- Emphasises the use of own real-world problems throughout the course. We do not use sample case studies for the majority of our sessions; case studies do not have the requisite richness and students on the course gain valuable experience by bringing their own work-based problems to every module,
- Provides support from research active, Academic Practitioner teaching staff throughout the course to support and advise students in applying tools, techniques and approaches outside the classroom,
- Takes a multi-method, problem-focused approach that aims to give students appreciation of a wide range of tools, techniques and approaches so they can adapt them as appropriate to their own problems,
- Provides a self-reflective journey into new ways of thinking to be more adaptive and resilient in today's complex world,
- Is taught mainly face-to-face with some online components though MS Teams. We team-teach on the face-to-face modules ensuring optimum coaching and development of students.
Overview
- Start dateSeptember
- Duration24 months plus End Point Assessment (estimated to take place within 6 months)
- DeliveryA mix of in person residential and online modules with an end point assessment
- QualificationPgDip
- Study typePart-time
- CampusCranfield campus and virtual learning, Hybrid
Who is it for?
The Systems Thinking Practice course is designed for:
- Practitioners in mid-career decision making roles,
- Those that want to challenge and develop their own ways of thinking,
- Those who want to be better able to support decision makers in strategic and leadership roles,
- Those who want to better understand how their organisation interacts with its wider environment to create a more sustainable future,
- Those who wish to effect positive social change,
- Those from a diverse range of sectors - previous students come from Public Health, Government, Defence, Education, Third Sector (including charities), Local Authorities, Large Scale Manufacturing, Insurance, Blue Light Response, Critical National Infrastructure, Telecommunications.
Please do get in touch with the academic course team to discuss your suitability/eligibility for the course.
Why this course?
The ever changing external climate we now find ourselves in has changed how organisations work and their decision making process. Systems Thinking has become critical to success; organisations need to focus on their systems and the need for adaptability and resilience like never before.
The apprenticeship will help you develop your knowledge and application of systems thinking to support organisational viability and the development of appropriate governance and decision making processes for organisations.
Some other key features of this course;
- Good reputation for high quality, practitioner-based postgraduate education,
- Key focus on developing practitioner skills from the beginning, starting in small groups working on real work-based problems collaboratively in the classroom,
- Team teaching approach, with different teaching styles to support student learning, and coaching for practitioner skills development,
- The majority of modules have a face-to-face residential component to develop collaborative working with systems methods, in addition to generating a depth of understanding and experience in systems thinking,
- Our course in a blend of face-to-face residential modules and live interactive online sessions,
- Led by a team of experienced Academic Practitioners who have a wealth of experience in teaching systems approaches and applying Systems Thinking methods across multiple domains,
- Work with one of the biggest Systems Thinking Groups in the UK,
- Our group is research active, incorporating the latest research developments into our teaching,
- Low cohort numbers - each is limited to 30-40 students to ensure quality over quantity,
- Support and continuity from Cranfield staff throughout your learning journey with a dedicated, established teaching team,
- Multi-year tutor groups to share experience and knowledge across cohorts in different stages of their learning journey.
Course details
Course delivery
A mix of in person residential and online modules with an end point assessment
Modules
Keeping our courses up-to-date and current requires constant innovation and change. The modules we offer reflect the needs of business and industry and the research interests of our staff and, as a result, may change or be withdrawn due to research developments, legislation changes or for a variety of other reasons. Changes may also be designed to improve the student learning experience or to respond to feedback from students, external examiners, accreditation bodies and industrial advisory panels.
To give you a taster, we have listed the compulsory and elective (where applicable) modules which are currently affiliated with this course. All modules are indicative only, and may be subject to change for your year of entry.
Compulsory modules
All the modules in the following list need to be taken as part of this course:
Fundamentals of Systems Thinking
Introduction to Systems Methods
Systems Leadership and Organisational Behaviour
Systems Thinking Development and Exploitation
Elective modules (Year One)
A choice of the modules in the following list can be taken as part of this course:
Formal Representation of Systems
Systems Thinking for Social Change
Elective modules (Year Two)
A choice of the modules in the following list can be taken as part of this course:
Philosophy and Theory of Systems Thinking
Requisite Variety for Organisations
Teaching team
You will be taught by Cranfield's leading experts with capability expertise, industry knowledge and collective subject research, including:
Your career
The primary opportunity for apprentices is to complete their studies and continue upwards on their career within their current organisation and have a much greater awareness and expertise in Systems Thinking. The course also aims to ensure that apprentices are better prepared to tackle the current and emerging demands of the increasingly complex demands of the world we live and in.
How to apply
Next steps
If you would like to find out more general information about the course and your eligibility to attend the programme, if you'd like specific information on the course please contact the course director Dr Natalie Clewley.
For employer related enquiries, fees and funding, and the expression of interest/application process, please contact our Apprenticeships Team
Employers: Please complete our Expression of Interest form.
Prospective students: Please ask your employer to submit an Expression of Interest form to indicate their willingness to sponsor you.
Applications for apprenticeship routes have to come via the Expression of Interest form. Apprenticeship applications received via the application button on the non-apprenticeship pages will not be processed.
Under the Apprenticeship Levy scheme employers can fund apprenticeships for any new and current staff with the right to work in the UK and whose main place of work is England. This programme meets the requirements of the Level 7 Systems Thinking Practice (STP) PGDip. Eligible organisations will be able to use their Apprenticeship Levy to cover the cost of the programme. If you think you could qualify for sponsorship under this scheme please consult the information pages on becoming an Apprentice.
