Senior People Professional Apprenticeship

leading to Strategic Human Resource Management MSc

» View self-funded route

The Senior People Professional Apprenticeship aims to develop Human Resource (HR) professionals to take a strategic approach in championing the people agenda, future-proof the workforce, develop inclusive cultures and an engaging employee experience journey while creating high-performing work environments where employees flourish in their work and wellbeing.

This course enables practitioners to develop a theory-informed and evidence-based approach to HR practice with a focus on real-world application across different organisational contexts and industries. Students develop critical thinking, an ethical mindset and practical HR skills, putting humans at the heart of organisations and their HR professional practice.

This course meets the knowledge, skills and behaviours of the Level 7 Senior People Professional Apprenticeship Standard (HR Pathway).

Students who are not funded by the Apprenticeship Levy via their employer may enrol on the Strategic Human Resource Management MSc.

Overview

Start date21 October 2024
DurationPgDip approximately 24 months (including end-point assessment) + optional MSc top-up (6 months)
DeliveryPgDip taught modules 120 credits (60%) + optional MSc top-up, thesis 80 credits (40%). Blended learning format combining immersive in-person workshops, live online seminars and self-paced online learning.
QualificationMSc, PgDip
Study typePart-time
CampusCranfield campus

Who is it for?

This course is specifically designed for experienced HR professionals who are currently in a strategic position or have aspirations for similar roles. Specific job roles relevant for this course may include Chief People Officer, Head of HR, People Director, Director of People Experience and Culture, HR Manager, Senior HR Business Partner, HR Business Partner, Talent Acquisition Manager, Employee Relations Manager, HR Officer/Advisor as well as a range of professionals operating in the HRM field.

This course is suitable for:

HR leaders and Strategic HR Business Partners currently in role who want to upskill in contemporary and future-proof approaches to strategic people management, or experienced HR professionals who want to develop a strategic HR skill set.
Senior people professionals who want to develop as internal HR consultants and leverage the people agenda to add value to the business, organisations and society.
Senior people professionals looking to understand the wider business and how HR contributes to making an impact on organisational strategic priorities and the impact of HR across organisational boundaries, supply chains, business ecosystems and industries.
HR professionals involved in the design, implementation or evaluation of people policies and strategies.
Experienced people professionals looking to step up to more strategic and senior roles in HRM.
HR professionals who are part of a talent pipeline or fast-track talent programme to become future strategic people leaders.

Your career

Drawing on expert faculty and cutting-edge research in the Changing World of Work Group at Cranfield University, this course equips Senior People Professionals to manage effectively across the employee lifecycle, covering focal areas such as:

Strategic workforce planning
Talent acquisition and employee resourcing
Talent management and development
Performance management
Reward management
Organisational behaviour
Human Resource professional ethics
People analytics
Equality, diversity, and inclusion
Employee engagement
Employee wellbeing
Employment relations
Employment law
Sustainability and green Human Resource Management
Agile HR
Designing and implementing a people strategy
Employee experience across the employee lifecycle.

The key skills required by HR leaders and Strategic HR Business Partners are embedded as core components of this course such as HR consulting, leadership, change management, project management, influencing stakeholders with impact, developing actionable insight with HR data analytics and research methods, coaching and mentoring, business acumen, commercial insight and understanding how external trends and internal drivers influence organisational strategy, business models and the people strategy.

Awards

The course is delivered over approximately 24 months (including the end-point assessment) resulting in the award of the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) Level 7 Senior People Professional Apprenticeship and the Cranfield University Postgraduate Diploma in Strategic Human Resource Management.

Students have the option of undertaking a Thesis for People Consultants module (MSc top-up) lasting an additional six months leading to the award of an MSc in Strategic Human Resource Management.

Key dates

(Cranfield University reserves the right to change these dates):

PgDip taught modules: approximately 18 months (April 2024 to September 2025)
End-point assessment (only for students funded by the Apprenticeship Levy): The Gateway, end-point assessment and feedback period covers approximately 6 months (October 2025 to April 2026)
Optional MSc top-up (thesis): approximately 6 months (April 2026 to October 2026)

How you will learn

Off-the-job training is an essential component and legal requirement of an apprenticeship. Learning takes place during the apprentice's normal, paid working hours, with a legally prescribed minimum amount of off-the-job training hours that must be met for the purpose of achieving the knowledge, skills and behaviours of the apprenticeship standard.

Learning is delivered using a blended learning format combining immersive in-person workshops at the Cranfield Campus with live online seminars and self-paced online learning supported by a virtual learning environment and online learning resources. Participation on each module involves attending engaging in-person workshops that span over 2-3 consecutive days, accompanied by interactive live online seminars lasting 1-3 days.

Apprentices are supported through regular tripartite meetings between a member of our Cranfield University apprentice support team, the apprentice, and their line manager to discuss and support the apprentice’s progress.

Qualifications

IfATE Level 7 Senior People Professional Apprenticeship
Strategic Human Resource Management PgDip (with an optional MSc top-up)
Eligibility for Chartered Member status with the CIPD

Professional recognition

Become a CIPD Chartered Member:

This course is designed to align with the latest professional standards of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). Successful participants on completion of the end point assessment will be awarded Chartered Membership status of the CIPD.

* Information subject to change. Cranfield University reserves the right to change the course design, dates and information.