Senior Leader Apprenticeship+ Executive MBA: Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the Senior Leader Apprenticeship+ Executive MBA for? 

The Senior Leader Apprenticeship+ Executive MBA in partnership with Grant Thornton is aimed at Senior Leaders with mid- to senior-level experience, looking to develop the skillsets required to lead a department or business.  

• Minimum of five years' post-qualification work experience. 
• A strong degree and/or professional qualification or demonstration of high levels of achievement, exceptional career progression or evidence of leadership potential. 
• English language: full details of how you can meet this requirement can be found under Entry Requirements on the programme webpage.

Why should I choose Cranfield University for my Senior Leader Apprenticeship+ Executive MBA? 

Our unique Senior Leader Apprenticeship+ Executive MBA programme, delivered in partnership with Grant Thornton combines the best of academic insight and commercial application. We’ll use this to help you develop your leadership and management skills with a specific focus on business growth and innovation. 

This programme will allow you to join a community of skilled individuals developing the necessary know-how and confidence to stand out from the crowd. Grant Thornton in the UK is part of a global organisation, the world’s sixth largest accounting and advisory firm with more than 40,000 clients. 

We encourage you to come and experience a world-class university programme delivered by a university famous for innovation, career-enhancing services and world-renowned faculty and a company reputed for the quality of its service and advice.

How long is the Senior Leader Apprenticeship+ Executive MBA programme? 

The Cranfield Senior Leader Apprenticeship+ Executive MBA is a 28-month programme delivered in two parts.

Is the programme available to those outside of the UK? 

Apprenticeship Levy funding is available to those who spend at least 50% of their working hours in England. If a candidate spends less than 50% of their working hours in England, they will not be eligible for funding.  You can access the Cranfield Executive MBA via a self-funded route.

How is the Senior Leader Apprenticeship+ Executive MBA programme being delivered? 

Our lectures are delivered live in-person, providing a dynamic learning environment.

How many students undertake the Senior Leader Apprenticeship+ Executive MBA in each intake? 

Each Executive MBA cohort will include approximately 100 students, from diverse of backgrounds and industry sectors. 

Can I tailor my Senior Leader Apprenticeship+ Executive MBA to ensure I achieve my future career goals? 

At the application stage, you will have the option to select your preferred pathway between Commercial, Entrepreneurship or Finance, and secondly, whether you want to add international exposure to your programme. The subject pathways in part two will enable you to tailor your Executive MBA experience to reflect your future career goals.

What’s the time commitment?

Lectures are conducted three days a month – typically consecutively on a Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Outside of teaching hours, the expectation is that students will carry out ten hours of individual learning per week.

How are apprentices supported throughout the programme? 

Students will regularly engage with their Apprenticeship tutor, who will guide them on implementing their new knowledge in the workplace. Students will have set sessions with them, but they will also assist with queries along the way.

Our dedicated apprenticeship tutors will support both the student and line manager through the apprenticeship programme. During the first 15 months there will be termly meetings between the employer, apprentice and Apprenticeship Tutor (Tripartite meetings) to review and support progress. The tutor will meet regularly with the student to provide guidance and support in the practical application and evidence of the apprenticeship Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours required to be met before the End Point Assessment takes place.

The student will also receive additional support from their line manager. We will work with them to ensure they understand the details of the programme and format for learning and the requirements for off-the-job training and monitoring of progress.

Students are supported by:

• Apprenticeship tutors 
• Learning team 
• Course Director 
• Module Leader
• Student and Academic Support Members (SAS).

What are the facilities like available on campus? 

Cranfield School of Management is located on the Cranfield campus.  All campus amenities – including bars, shops, a post office and sports hall – are within walking distance.  Excellent leisure and shopping facilities can be found in Milton Keynes and the historic town of Bedford, just a short drive away.

Whatever your recreational, social or sporting interests, the wide range of opportunities in and around Cranfield University are sure to offer something for everyone.

Cranfield campus is set in extensive grounds and features: 

• Private airport.
• Two hotels with full accommodation, and conference and banqueting facilities.
• Sports and recreation facilities.

Are there options to catch up on modules where they have been missed for illness or exceptional circumstances? 

If you cannot attend a module due to illness or other exceptional circumstances, it is possible to arrange a deferral of this module and take it at the next opportunity, usually with the next cohort. If you are in this situation, you can reach out to the SAS Team ahead of the teaching session, where you will be asked to complete a form and return it together with 3rd party supporting evidence so that a deferral can be arranged.  

Can you pause part-way through a programme? 

It is possible to pause part-way through the programme and resume your studies with a later cohort, referred to as a Break in Learning or Suspension of Registration. There are specific requirements and limitations to this, which the Apprenticeships Team and SAS Team can advise you on should you find yourself in a position where you need to request this.

What do I need to know for travel and accommodation? 

Close to Milton Keynes and Bedford, the Cranfield campus is about 10 minutes from the M1 J13 or J14. There is rail and road access to most major airports as well as coach and train stations. Cranfield campus also has its own airport for private executive business travel. 

We are pleased to offer en suite accommodation situated on campus within easy walking distance of lecture rooms and other facilities. The Cranfield Management Development Centre (CMDC) has 186 en suite rooms, with tea/coffee making facilities, Freeview TV, complimentary wireless internet facilities, iPod docking station, ironing station and hairdryer.

Application and Dates 

When is the next Senior Leader Apprenticeship+ Executive MBA start date?  

Start dates are listed on the programme webpage.

When is the application deadline? 

Applications close eight weeks before the programme start date.

Is there an application fee? 

No, Cranfield School of Management does not require an application fee for the Senior Leader Apprenticeship+ and Executive MBA.

Will applications be considered if they do not have a degree? 

Applicants who do not have a degree are welcome, provided they can illustrate high levels of achievement, exceptional career progression or evidence of leadership potential. You will be allowed to demonstrate these attributes during the interview.

When do I need to submit certifications and transcripts? 

When completing your application form, we will require you to submit your relevant certification and transcripts to progress your application to the Admissions Board.

What involvement do employers have in the application process? 

The Apprenticeship programme is regulated by the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA). The Agency ensures that the Apprenticeship Levy funding is only used to pay for training for eligible individuals who require significant amounts of new Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours (KSBs) to be occupationally competent in their current or future role.

As the employer, you will be required to undertake the following before the start of the apprenticeship programme:

• An employer assessment providing details about the company, key contacts, and levy funding status;  
• Identify a Reviewer / Mentor for each successful apprentice who will support them through the apprenticeship programme (usually the line manager).  
• Contribute to the candidate's initial assessment process, confirming that each candidate meets the eligibility requirements and assists in assessing their levels of prior knowledge and experience.
• Attend an on-boarding session to discuss the ongoing requirements of the apprenticeship
• Sign relevant contracts as laid down by the ESFA;  
• Connect to Cranfield University through the Apprenticeship Service portal.  

Will I be required to travel to Cranfield for an interview? 

All interviews are currently being conducted virtually via an online video platform.

When will I hear if my application has been successful?

The application process requires regular communication with us so you should feel up to speed throughout. We estimate most applications will take 4 - 8 weeks depending on how quickly your documentation and approval can be turned around.

Fees and Funding

What is the cost of the Senior Leader Apprenticeship+ Executive MBA programme?

Programme	Standard programme
The Cranfield Executive MBA - Commercial	£27,000
The Cranfield Executive MBA - Entrepreneurship	£27,000
The Cranfield Executive MBA - Finance	£27,000

How are the payments broken down?

The Cranfield Senior Leader Apprenticeship+ Executive MBA is a 28-month programme consisting of two core payments. Part I can be fully funded by the UK Apprenticeship Levy (£14,000), which will be collected monthly through the DAS system after initial registration, with the final 20% collected through DAS on completion of the End Point assessment. Part II can be funded by the employer or student and is priced at £13,000, which is payable in two equal instalments. Payment one of £6,500 will be made at initial registration, of which £1,500 is non-refundable. Payment two will be made at month 16, consisting of a further £6,500.

Completion of the programme will award the student an Executive MBA.

Does Cranfield School of Management offer scholarships for the Senior Leader Apprenticeship+ Executive MBA programme? 

We are delighted to be able to offer bursaries for exceptional students. 

Who is the Senior Leader Apprenticeship+ Executive MBA for? 

The Senior Leader Apprenticeship+ Executive MBA in partnership with Grant Thornton is aimed at Senior Leaders with mid-to senior-level experience looking to develop the skillsets required to lead a department or business.

• Minimum of five years' post-qualification work experience. 
• A strong degree and/or professional qualification or demonstration of high levels of achievement, exceptional career progression or evidence of leadership potential. 
• English language: full details of how you can meet this requirement can be found under Entry Requirements on the programme webpage.

How long is the Senior Leader Apprenticeship+ Executive MBA programme? 

The Senior Leader Apprenticeship+ Executive MBA is a 28-month programme delivered in two parts.

Is the programme available to those outside of the UK? 

Apprenticeship Levy funding is available to those who spend at least 50% of their working hours in England. If a candidate spends less than 50% of their working hours in England, they will not be eligible for funding.

How is the Senior Leader Apprenticeship+ Executive MBA programme being delivered?

The Executive MBA is delivered face-to-face at our campus; students are required to travel to Cranfield School of Management every month.

How many students undertake the Senior Leader Apprenticeship+ Executive MBA in each intake?

Each Executive MBA cohort will contain 100 students, allowing for diverse networking opportunities with candidates from a range of backgrounds and employment sectors.

What’s the time commitment?

Lectures are conducted three days a month – typically consecutively on a Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Outside of teaching hours, the expectation is that students will carry out 10 hours of individual learning per week.

Is there a maximum number of employees that one company can enrol?

No, organisations can send any number of candidates onto our programme.

Do you require named contacts in HR or Finance?

We will require the name of a key contact within the organisation at the application stage. The key contact is usually the person responsible for signing contracts or dealing with apprenticeship levy queries.

Application and Dates  

When is the application deadline? 

Applications are closed eight weeks before the programme start date. .

Is there an application fee? 

No, Cranfield School of Management does not require an application fee for the Senior Leader Apprenticeship and Executive MBA.

Will applications be considered if they do not have a degree? 

Applicants who do not have a degree are welcome, provided they can illustrate high levels of achievement, exceptional career progression or evidence of leadership potential. They will be allowed to demonstrate these attributes during the interview.

What involvement do employers have in the application process?

The Apprenticeship programme is regulated by the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) who ensure that the Apprenticeship Levy funding is only used to pay for training for eligible individuals who require significant amounts of new Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours (KBs) to be occupationally competent in their current or future role. 

As the employer, you will be required to undertake the following before the start of the apprenticeship programme:

• An employer assessment providing details about the company, key contacts, and levy funding status; 
• Identify a Reviewer / Mentor for each successful apprentice who will support them through the apprenticeship programme (usually the line manager). 
• Contribute to the candidate's initial assessment process, confirming that each candidate meets the eligibility requirements and assists in assessing their levels of prior knowledge and experience.
• Attend an on-boarding session to discuss the ongoing requirements of the apprenticeship
• Sign relevant contracts as laid down by the ESFA; 
• Connect to Cranfield University through the Apprenticeship Service portal.
    

Fees and Financing

What is the cost of the Senior Leader Apprenticeship+ Executive MBA programme?

Programme	Standard programme
The Cranfield Executive MBA - Commercial	£27,000
The Cranfield Executive MBA - Entrepreneurship	£27,000
The Cranfield Executive MBA - Finance	£27,000

How are the payments broken down? 

The Cranfield Senior Leader Apprenticeship+ Executive MBA is a 28-month programme consisting of two core payments. Part I can be fully funded by the UK Apprenticeship Levy (£14,000), which will be collected monthly through the DAS system after initial registration, with the final 20% collected through DAS on completion of the End Point assessment. Part II can be funded by the employer or student and is priced at £13,000, which is payable in two equal instalments. Payment one of £6,500 will be made at initial registration, of which £1,500 is non-refundable. Payment two will be made at month 16, consisting of a further £6,500.

Completion of the programme will award the student an Executive MBA.