The first cohort of students on a new Master’s degree programme in management and leadership eligible to be fully-funded by the Apprenticeship Levy have commenced their studies at Cranfield School of Management.
The two-year, part-time MSc in Management and Leadership has been developed by Cranfield academics to meet the requirements of the Level 7 Senior Leaders Master’s Degree Apprenticeship Standard, and is therefore able to be fully-funded by eligible employers’ Apprenticeship Levy funds.
Delivered in partnership with leading business and financial adviser Grant Thornton UK LLP, the MSc in Management and Leadership (MML) aims to support future leaders from a wide range of organisations in successfully driving business performance with fresh ideas, innovation and diverse approaches.
Reflecting on his first week’s study, MML student Jason Baston, Associate Director at leading global advisory, broking and solutions company Willis Towers Watson, said: “It has been a very intensive learning environment; very challenging, but at the same time really open, really friendly and an opportunity to learn new skills, meet new people and be challenged about the skills, the behaviours and the knowledge that we currently have, and how we can develop that going forwards.
“I’m really looking forward to taking everything I’ve learned back to the business and putting it into practice.”
Kelly Canfield, early careers business partner at the Automobile Association, said: “My first impression is that it is very professional. I really like the fact that they are using our businesses right from the offset and really being quite reflective on ourselves and how we interact with the people in our organisations. Also, the quality of teaching is absolutely fantastic.
“I’m hoping to come out after two years with a lot more knowledge, skills and behaviours that will really propel my career into the future as a leader within my organisation.”
Professor Michael Dickmann, course director, said: “I’m delighted to welcome the first cohort of the new MSc in Management and Leadership to Cranfield School of Management to commence their studies. We are really excited about this new course and the opportunities it offers to early-career professionals to develop their strategic leadership capability.
“The Management and Leadership MSc accelerates the development of leaders and managers substantially. It creates a strategic mind-set, and the operational insights to excel. Most importantly, students deepen their leadership capabilities based on their sharpened insights into others, themselves and leadership mechanisms. The teaching and coaching enables them to become thoughtful, capable and mature leaders.”
The course covers the core management subjects in a series of 13 modules, aiming to provide a solid grounding across all business fundamentals and enhance the development of the self-awareness, strategic mindset and leadership skills needed to make an impact in a senior role at any organisation.
Its introduction at Cranfield follows the success of the Cranfield Executive MBA – also delivered in partnership with Grant Thornton – which currently boasts 185 organisations sponsoring 388 learners through its leadership development programme.
Of the new MSc, Justin Rix, Partner, Talent Solutions at Grant Thornton UK LLP, said: “We have listened to the market and, based on our insights into what makes truly great leaders, have developed a curriculum that responds to the needs of modern, dynamic organisations. The course is challenging and will stretch even the brightest minds, encouraging future managers and leaders to explore new areas and push themselves beyond their comfort zones. This course is an opportunity for employers to accelerate the development of leaders and managers, improve retention and empower individuals to work on meaningful strategic initiatives with the support of a world-class business school partner.”
The Apprenticeship Levy was introduced by the Government in April 2017. It requires all UK employers with a pay bill of more than £3 million per year to invest in apprenticeships through the levy.
