Course overview

Why do this course

Effective leadership and management makes the difference in organisations today, by inspiring people to perform and by improving results. Good leaders are sought and valued by every organisation, across all sectors, and this qualification acknowledges expertise and experience in this field.

This Masters qualification is based on the National Occupational Standards in Leadership and Management, the nationally recognised framework, enabling successful course participants to become members of the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) or the Chartered Management Institute (CMI).

Who this course is for

This course has been designed for experienced leaders and managers across all sectors, who are currently or have recently been involved in leadership and management education and development programs provided for by their employers.

How the course works

Students will complete the Research Methods and Investigative Project which is made up of two components:

• Research Methods will develop students’ academic and research capabilities. Following an induction session, this distance-learning module will take approximately 12 weeks to complete.
• On the approval of a research proposal, participants will then proceed to the Investigative Project module, similar to a dissertation, requiring in-depth research into a topic within the area of leadership and management.

Learning will be self-directed, flexible and supported by University tutors and excellent study resources. This approach to learning and development can bring real and immediate benefits to the learner and their employer.

Flexible entry

Although a first degree is desirable, entry is flexible to allow applicants with suitable experience and knowledge to claim Accredited Prior Experience and Learning (APEL) to join the course. The University welcomes enquiries from applicants who may wish to APEL their management development programme in order to join this programme. We are happy to discuss this with you.

Applicants who can present appropriate qualifications from the Institute of Leadership and Management (Diploma in Strategic Leadership and Executive Management - Level 7), the Chartered Management Institute (Diploma in Strategic Leadership and Management - Level 7 or Strategic Direction and Leadership - Level 8), or Edexcel (BTEC Advanced Professional Diploma in Management Studies - Level 7) may qualify for direct entry to the programme. You should discuss this with the University before applying.

Armed Forces

There are direct entry routes for officers of the Armed Forces based on rank and experience, which we would be happy to tell you about. The University of Portsmouth is an ELC approved supplier.

National Occupation Standards in Leadership and Management

MSc in Leadership and Management is grounded in the National Occupational Standards in Leadership and Management and is based on a work-based learning approach to delivery, learning and assessment. As this programme is based on the national standards in leadership and management, it allows successful course participants to gain membership of the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) or the Chartered Management Institute (CMI). It is effectively a 'dual' qualification offering academic and professional recognition.

If you are an employer interested in this programme for your organisation, please contact the Business School and we will be happy to meet with you.

Find out more

For further information, please contact our Admissions Team (details above). We also hold regular postgraduate and part-time open evenings at which you can see our facilities, enjoy a guest lecture and meet the academics and current students over drinks and canapés. Applicants will be interested to know that each year Portsmouth Business School offers a number of scholarships for self-funding students.

Course content

This course prepares and supports participants in planning, implementing and reporting a substantial piece of investigative work, based on primary and secondary research. There are two components to complete for this stage:

• Research Methods (.doc): This prepares participants to carry out research by introducing them to investigative methods based on primary and secondary research
• A substantial piece of investigative work, based on primary and secondary research. The topic can be from any area of leadership and management that is of academic and practice-based interest.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching and support

The purpose-built Business School in the centre of Portsmouth offers a state-of-the-art learning environment with a dedicated postgraduate area. This includes a computer drop-in and resource centre containing a wireless network access area, as well as printing and photocopying facilities. All of this is open to you if you wish to make use of it.

There is also excellent learning and studying support through all the University resources, including the University Library, the Academic Skills Unit (ASK) and the University's virtual learning site.

Many resources including e-books, academic skills, research journals, etc. are available online, 24 hours a day, so if you are based some distance from Portsmouth you still have access to resources and personal support from your tutor and course team.

The University lecturers will provide guided learning, highlighting the key topics and recommended literature for the subject area. You will have had or will be receiving input on most of these subject areas via your employer's leadership and management development programme, and you should make use of this.

You will not attend formal lectures for this course at the University (this is a work-based learning programme) but you will be very welcome to attend the many seminars and presentations put on in the Business School and around the University, which are open to the public. You will be informed of these and many are now recorded and available online.

Assessment

The MSc stage comprises a Research Methods and Investigative Project that has two components:

• A Research Methods unit, which has two elements of assessment using the literature to develop your research capabilities.
• The second element is an Investigative Project which is similar to a dissertation, requiring in-depth research into a specific topic within the field of leadership and management.

Career prospects

Facilities and features

Entry requirements

The entry requirements for MSc Leadership and Management are shown above, for more detailed information please contact:

Department: Portsmouth Business School
Tel: +44 (0)23 9284 8200
Email: pbs.postgradadmissions@port.ac.uk