Senior Leader
Developing leadership with impact.
Strong leadership and management are key to success. Our Senior Leader Apprenticeship is a dynamic course that helps build key leadership and management capabilities in all types of industry.
It’s for existing leaders and managers who want to embrace postgraduate level learning and grow as a leader in the workplace, benefitting career growth and organisational impact. You’ll also have the chance to become a Fellow of the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM).
For employers, it’s a cost-effective way to develop talented staff. By partnering with ARU, you can bring fresh ideas into your organisation and help shape your future senior leaders.
Why apprenticeships at ARU?
We’ll help you reap the benefits of talent acquisition through apprenticeships.
-
Grow future leaders who drive real impact in your organisation
-
Support high-potential staff with expert-led leadership development
-
Embed strategic thinking through work-based assessments
-
Benefit from practical learning that’s applied directly in the workplace
-
Prepare employees to meet ILM Fellowship standards
-
Recognise and retain top talent with professional accreditation
of employers say apprentices bring fresh ideas and new perspectives.
Source: ARU degree apprenticeships impact report
-
Employer partners Joe, Dan, Emma and Tim explain why ARU apprenticeships work so well for their organisations, and highlight the benefits for SMEs and larger businesses.
We’ll help you realise your leadership ambitions.
-
Study for a PG Diploma without the tuition fees
-
Boost your professional performance through strategic leadership development
-
Learn in a vibrant environment and network with like-minded professionals
-
Apply learning through written, work-based assessments
-
Become a Fellow of the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM)
-
Achieve professional recognition as an impactful, tactical manager
believe they make a significant contribution to their workplace.
Source: ARU degree apprenticeships impact report
-
Let our amazing apprentices inspire you! Kerry, Grace, Izabela, Ben, Rachel and Fleur explain what they love about doing an apprenticeship with ARU.
Talent development
ARU is a university that completely understands business. The apprentices at Rhotic Media have absolutely succeeded and have made a material difference to the business.
Recruitment support for employers
Our dedicated apprenticeship team is on hand to help you attract the best candidates for your organisation. We can help with:
- crafting job advertisements
- promoting your vacancy to our quality candidate mailing lists
- adding your vacancy to the National Apprenticeship Service
- sharing opportunities across our social media channels.
Our consultants can also help you to assess candidates' suitability.
See how we helped Cambridge University Press recruit for their brand new degree apprenticeship.
What appeals to me about the Senior Leader apprenticeship is the ability to immediately put into practice the skills and knowledge I will gain during the qualification.
Programme content
Accredited by the CMI
We work with the CMI as our End Point Assessment organisation. Successful completion of the Senior Leader Level 7 apprenticeship leads to the award of either Chartered Manager or Chartered Fellow status. Apprentices can also apply to the CMI for ongoing professional membership of this internationally recognised body.
Accredited by the CMI
Successful completion of the Senior Leader Level 7 apprenticeship leads to the award of either Chartered Manager or Chartered Fellow status. You can also apply to the CMI for ongoing professional membership of this internationally recognised body.
Entry requirements
Employers set out the person specifications for the role, but apprentices will need to meet our entry requirements to be accepted onto this course.
- Maths and English Level 2 qualifications.*
- An undergraduate degree from a UK university, normally a 2:1 or above, or an academic or professional qualification that is equivalent in breadth and depth to a UK honours degree.
- A completed Skills Scan and Initial Assessment discussion.
*All applicants must meet the eligibility criteria outlined by the DfE Apprenticeship Funding Rules applicable at the start of the course. If you have any questions about these entry requirements, please contact [email protected].
Fees and funding
The Senior Leader Degree Apprenticeship programme costs £12,000. Funding eligibility has changed for Level 7 apprenticeships from 2026. Please email [email protected] to explore your options.
There is an additional fee of £550 for the PG Diploma. This is an additional cost which cannot be funded from the Levy and therefore will be required to be funded by the employer, or self-funded by the apprentice.
Apprenticeships are paid for by your employer. You won’t pay any tuition fees on this course.
There is an additional fee of £550 for the PG Diploma. This is an additional cost which cannot be funded from the Levy and therefore will be required to be funded by the employer, or self-funded by the apprentice.
Our team of experts is here to help form your organisation’s apprenticeship offering and guide you through the process.
Speak to your employer about this course and how it could be beneficial for your development.
Our expert consultants can meet with you and your employer to make setting up simple and straightforward.
To start an apprenticeship, you need to be in a suitable role and have the support of your employer.