Course overview
Postgraduate Diploma Professional Practice in Systems Thinking with an optional MSc in Systems Thinking (top-up)
The Systems Thinking Practitioner apprenticeship aims to support decision-makers or those who assist in decision-making in understanding and addressing complex and sometimes even ‘multi-layered’ problems through expert systemic analysis.
The benefits of this are personal skills development, practical application in the workplace, employer support and a minimum of six hours a week to support the training for the apprentice through to the successful completion of the apprenticeship.
Upon successful completion of the Apprenticeship, apprentices will be awarded the Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip) in Systems Thinking Practice and will also have the option to top up to an MSc in Systems Thinking.
About this course
The fluctuating economic climate and external challenges we now find ourselves facing have changed how organisations work and their decision-making processes. Systems Thinking has become critical to success; organisations need to focus on their systems and the need for adaptability and resilience to succeed in the future.
This apprenticeship will help apprentices to develop their knowledge, skills and behaviours and application of systems thinking to support organisational viability and the development of appropriate governance and decision-making processes for organisations. They will also gain an understanding of systems thinking interventions and how they could be applied in the workplace.
Programme duration and delivery
It will typically take 30 months to complete the apprenticeship, however, there may also be opportunities to join part-way through the programme if candidates have considerable experience in a particular area. This apprenticeship is delivered face-to-face by Leeds Trinity University. In addition to this, apprentices will also complete independent research activities which can be undertaken in the workplace.
Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship, apprentices will be awarded the Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip) in Systems Thinking Practice and will have the option to top up to an MSc in Systems Thinking.
Course Modules
You will study a variety of modules across your programme of study. The module details given below are subject to change and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
Year 1
During your first year, you'll study four core modules.
Year 2
During your second year, you'll study five core modules.
Learning and Teaching
At Leeds Trinity we aim to provide an excellent student experience and provide you with the tools and support to help you achieve your academic, personal and professional potential.
Our Learning, Teaching and Assessment Strategy delivers excellence by providing the framework for:
- high quality teaching
- an engaging and inclusive approach to learning, assessment and achievement
- a clear structure through which you progress in your academic studies, your personal development and towards professional-level employment or further study.
We have a strong reputation for developing student employability, supporting your development towards graduate employment, with relevant skills embedded throughout your programme of study.
We endeavour to develop curiosity, confidence, courage, ambition and aspiration in all students through the key themes in our Learning and Teaching Strategy:
- Student Involvement and Engagement
- Inclusion
- Integrated Programme and Assessment Experience
- Digital Literacy and Skills
- Employability and Enterprise
To help you achieve your potential we emphasise learning as a collaborative process, with a range of student-led and real-world activities. This approach ensures that you fully engage in shaping your own learning, developing your critical thinking and reflective skills so that you can identify your own strengths and weaknesses, and use the extensive learning support system we offer to shape your own development.
We believe the secret to great learning and teaching is simple: it is about creating an inclusive learning experience that allows all students to thrive through:
- Personalised support
- Expert lecturers
- Strong connections with employers
- An international outlook
- Understanding how to use tools and technology to support learning and development
Assessment
Throughout the programme, apprentices are assessed via various methods including:
- reports
- presentations
- professional discussions
- assignments
- work-based projects
Apprentices will also create a portfolio of evidence throughout the programme to allow them to demonstrate how they have achieved the knowledge, skills and behaviours set out in the Apprenticeship Standard. Evidence may include reports, reflective logs, formative assessments and learning journals.
Upon completion of the programme, each apprentice will undertake the 'end-point assessment' which has been designed to enable the apprenticeship to be completed in accordance with the Systems Thinking Practitioner Apprenticeship Standard.
The end-point assessment will consist of a work-based project, a presentation, a panel interview.
This will be assessed by an independent assessor.
Entry Requirements
Leeds Trinity University is committed to recruiting students with talent and potential and who we feel will benefit greatly from their academic and non-academic experiences here. We treat every application on its own merits.
The following information is designed to give you a general overview of the qualifications we accept. If you are taking qualifications that are not included below, please contact our Admissions Office who will be happy to advise you.
- Applicants will need to be employed for a minimum of 30 hours per week in a relevant role and have the support of their employer.
- An undergraduate degree
- 5-years’ experience in a relevant role
- Provide evidence of Level 2 English and Maths qualifications (e.g. GCSE at grade 4 (c) or above)
- Employer ID confirmation check
Applicants who do not meet the standard entry requirements may be considered based on their knowledge, skills and experience. Please contact us to discuss the entry requirements.
Once a completed evidence pack is received, applicants will undertake an initial assessment interview with the programme lead to establish their suitability for the apprenticeship.
Support
We offer extensive support to all our apprentices - whatever their background or academic experience.
This includes access to our peer support mentors, Disability Services, Student Mental Health and Wellbeing Service and the Learning Hub, which offers tailored support for academic skills.
Fees and finance
Funding
Degree Apprenticeships are fully funded by your employer if their wage bill is over £3 million each year.
The government will fund up to 95% of the apprenticeship’s course fees, up to the relevant funding band, if the organisation has spent all its levy or has an annual wage bill below £3 million each year. Employers who do not pay the apprenticeship levy contribute 5% towards the total cost of the apprenticeship, the ESFA will contribute the other 95% directly to the university. Employers must have an account with the Apprenticeship Service Account to be able to reserve Government funding for an apprenticeship. This reservation ensures that funds will be available to pay for the training from the point the apprenticeship starts.
Read more about how levy payments work from the UK Government website.
About Leeds Trinity University
Our professional Apprenticeships combine part-time study at Leeds Trinity University with workplace training. We've been providing outstanding provision in higher education for over 50 years and have significant experience of delivering work-based learning programmes. We're proud to offer a personal and inclusive university experience that gives everyone the support they need to realise their potential. Our teaching staff have extensive and relevant professional experience.