Senior Leader in Healthcare (Leading to MSc & EGA) Degree Apprenticeship

Entry requirements

A second-class honours degree in a relevant subject and at least three years’ experience at a professional managerial level (ideally in the healthcare sector) or as a senior clinical lead.

There is a requirement from the Education and Skills Funding Agency that apprentices hold a level 2 qualification in English and Mathematics.

If an applicant does not hold GCSE's (C /4 or above) in English and Maths or cannot evidence these or equivalent qualifications, they should be willing to work towards Level 2 Functional Skills qualifications prior to Gateway.

Find out about how we support Functional Skills.

Alternatively, a minimum of five years’ management experience would be considered if no prior degree is held.

Applicants will be in a role that supports the gathering of evidence required for the Senior Leader apprenticeship ‘standard’.

Individual employers may set additional selection criteria in discussion with the University.

Applicants must also have a valid and eligible residency status to gain entry onto the apprenticeship – please see the ESFA guidance for further information.

Months of entry

March, November

Course content

The Elizabeth Garrett Anderson programme, developed by the NHS Leadership Academy and offered with the University of Exeter, combines a Level 7 Apprenticeship and MSc programme.

It targets those in health and social care aspiring to or already in leadership roles, aiming to enhance leadership skills that promote effective, evidence-based practices and a positive culture.

Designed to enhance leadership capability by focussing on three “golden threads”

• Quality of care for patients, service users and carers
• Equality, diversity and inclusion
• Sustainable improvements to improve care and population health

It equips leaders to guide teams, influence organisational strategy, and deliver high standards in patient-focused care.

Participants receive excellent support from expert faculty who mentor apprentices throughout the programme to empower them to fully realise their leadership potential and evidencing their development across the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours of the Senior Leader Apprenticeship Standard.

The programme is accredited by the Chartered Manager Institute (CMI) with CMI membership and access to this institution’s resources throughout the programme.

From the beginning of the programme, you will consider the needs of patients and service users as the keystone to your leadership development. You will explore and reflect on contemporary theory and practice, using these to build your own evidence-based approach to leadership which is both adaptive and responsive to the wide range of leadership situations that you will encounter at team, organisation and system level. In so doing, you will be laying down skills for your career which will enable you to get the best from those you lead, and yourself, in a way which is effective, sustainable and compassionate.

Whilst this programme originates from within the NHS, this is not its sole focus, and therefore it is equally applicable to leaders from the Social Care and Private sectors. You will benefit from the multi-disciplinary, interprofessional discussions with fellow students from both clinical and non-clinical backgrounds and these are instrumental in helping you to construct your leadership thinking.

Throughout this course apprentices will:

• Explore contemporary leadership and management practice through the unique opportunities offered by the apprenticeship scheme, thereby acquiring leadership knowledge, skills and behaviours which can then be applied directly into a health and social care setting.
• Critically analyse key aspects of strategy, innovation, improvement, change, enterprise , risk, finance, workforce development, and developing collaborative relationships.
• Develop and demonstrate cogent leadership behaviours such as leading by example, appropriate judgement and challenge, courage, curiosity and valuing diversity, thereby creating a positive organisational culture and psychological safety.
• Develop compassionate, inclusive and effective leadership behaviours to inspire the development of world-class care that is ethical, innovative and sustainable.
• By the end of the programme the apprentice will be equipped to manage ambiguity, uncertainty and complexity, and to lead their teams and organisation in coping with these challenges.

Fees and funding

Full apprenticeship (and PgDip) cost: £14,000 covered by apprenticeship levy

The additional module for the MSc in Healthcare Leadership & the NHS Leadership Academy Award in Senior Healthcare Leadership, Elizabeth Garrett Anderson must be self-funded or funded directly from your employer at the cost of £2,750. This optional module will not be covered by your employer’s apprenticeship levy.

This apprenticeship (PG Dip) is entirely funded through an Employers’ Apprenticeship Levy. Your employer fully covers the cost of the apprenticeship (PG Dip), apprentices do not pay for any of the eligible training costs. As an apprentice you will be an employee of your organisation, gaining a University of Exeter award alongside working and earning a salary.

Employers who pay the Apprenticeship Levy will pay for the apprenticeship fees directly through that contribution. See further information on the Apprenticeship Levy funding.

Employers must pay their apprentices a salary at least consistent with national legislation.

Funding eligibility criteria

• To be eligible for funding apprentices must meet the criteria listed in the ESFA guidance. 
  
• The apprentice must have a valid and eligible residency status to gain entry onto the apprenticeship – please see the ESFA guidance for further information.