Course content
Improvement Leaders in Sustainable Leadership are responsible for developing improvement strategy. They manage a team who deploy the strategy and lead improvement projects. They work closely with all functions of the business to support the setting and achievement of business goals, often accountable for improvement activities within the largest-scale and highest priority programmes of work.
Participants will develop and lead improvement strategies, coach and mentor others, and use data analytics, statistical methods and experimentation to deliver complex initiatives at scale.
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BEMM086DA | Art of Teams | 30 |
| BEMM087DA | Ethical Leadership | 15 |
| BEMM088DA | Leading Organisational Improvement | 30 |
| BEMM089DA | Data Analysis and Strategic Decision Making | 30 |
| BEMM090DA | Influential Leader | 15 |
| BEMM091DA | Sustainable Improvement Project | 20 |
| BEMM092DA | Portfolio | 10 |
| BEMM093DA | Advanced Research Inquiry | 30 |
Employer information
The Improvement Leader apprenticeship with MSc has been developed in response to the growing industry demand for leaders and influencers that can lead change and improvement.
In the MSc Applied Responsible Leadership, apprentices will learn about effective leadership through a range of modules that cover how to influence, how to lead ethically and how lead teams through organisational change and improvements. Apprentices will be able to articulate how to strategically plan and make decisions, with learning evidenced in the academic assignments based on real work-based objectives.
Top 10 for Business and Management
9th in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025 and The Complete University Guide 2026
Triple accredited Business School
AMBA, AACSB, EQUIS
Membership of the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) from the start of the course
Two year fast-track programme
Entry requirements
Applicants should have a second-class honours degree or equivalent and a minimum of three years of relevant management or Leadership experience.
Or
At least five years’ experience in a management or leadership role if no prior degree is held.
Applicants must also have:
GCSE level 6 or above in Maths and GCSE Level 4 or above in English or equivalent
Experience working in a role that involves managing or delivering improvement or transformation projects
* If you already hold titles such as Lean Master, Senior Lean Leader, Master Black Belt, or similar senior qualifications, you may not be eligible for this programme.
Additional entry requirements
As an apprenticeship funding requirement, all apprentices aged 16-18 studying for a level 3 apprenticeship or higher are required to evidence achievement at level 2 in Mathematics and English before their gateway to endpoint assessment.
If the apprentice is aged 19+ when they begin their apprenticeship training, and they do not already hold a suitable equivalent qualification, English and / or maths is an optional part of the programme under the funding rules. However, L2 English remains a standard entry requirement for University of Exeter programmes.
Find out more about how we support Functional Skills.
Applicants must also have a valid and eligible residency status to gain entry onto the apprenticeship – please see the Department for Education website for further information.
How to apply
Selection to this programme is made by employers; candidates should already hold a post with the employer and continue working for them throughout the duration of the apprenticeship. The candidate should initially speak to their HR department and/or manager to gain sign off to undertake this apprenticeship.
Once the employer agrees for the candidate to apply for the apprenticeship, the candidate should then email businessDAS@exeter.ac.uk requesting an admissions pack. If successful, the applicant will be offered a place at the University, and then a place on the programme. Further information will then be sent by our team about how to enrol as an apprentice.
Funding
Full programme cost: £15,950
Full apprenticeship and MSc cost: £15,000 covered by apprenticeship levy and £950 for MSc assessment and awarding
The MSc assessment and awarding cannot be covered by the apprenticeship levy and must be self-funded or funded directly by your employer. You will not be able to join the programme unless the University has received the £950 payment due.
Employers who pay the Apprenticeship Levy will pay for the eligible apprenticeship fees (£15,000) directly through that contribution. The MSc assessment and award cost of £950 will be invoiced directly to the employer or the individual outside of the Apprenticeship Levy funding, which may be in addition to an employer’s co-investment payment if the employer does not pay the apprenticeship levy. See further information about the Apprenticeship Levy funding.
Employers must pay their apprentices a salary at least consistent with national legislation.
Funding eligibility criteria
- To be eligible for levy funding, the apprentice must meet the criteria listed in the Department for Education guidance.
- The apprentice must have a valid and eligible residency status to gain entry onto the apprenticeship.
Learning
This programme is delivered entirely online.
How you will learn
Each programme is taught over two years with course content delivered thought online Masterclasses and webinars.
The blended learning format incorporates:
- Two to three day Masterclasses in Exeter or online, or at host employer’s premises, totalling around 17 days over the 18 months
- Weekly distance learning that comprises of online classes and workshops
- Interactive exercises and lectures
- Work-based learning is a key element of the apprenticeship, and you will be assessed on projects undertaken in the workplace.
Our dedicated partnerships team liaise closely with employers throughout the programme; apprentices will have dedicated mentors to assist and guide them throughout the whole course of the apprenticeship.
Apprenticeship Standard
Alongside studying for the Level 6 apprenticeship, successful apprentices will also be awarded CMI Chartered Manager status (pending CMI confirmation) after completing End Point Assessment. See the CMI website for details on how to register with them.
On successful completion of the MSc assessments, an MSc in Applied Responsible Leadership will also be awarded.
Careers
Successful apprentices of the programme will have positive impact in their organisations.
Apprentices will lead change in an inclusive and strategic way, will have a clear focus on achieving the diverse goals of their organisation, and be capable of influencing at Board or equivalent level.
Externally, they will act as ambassadors for their organisation, building networks and relationships with clients, suppliers and statutory bodies.
Find out more about our Improvement Leader Degree Apprenticeship
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