General entry requirements

Minimum requirements

Participants who will gain most from the programme may be facing strategic challenges within their organisation which need outside inputs and new thinking, and/or who wish to address areas within their own development to help them get to the next level of performance. Applications are encouraged from a wide cross-section of industry sectors, both commercial and non-profit/public sector, and business functions.

Applications are welcomed from candidates who can demonstrate that their experience and responsibilities will allow them to take an active part in discussions and benefit fully from the programme.

Successful applicants are expected to have at least 5 years of management experience that reflects the contribution and impact they have made as a leader in their career so far. Final admission decisions will be made by the Programme Director and Admissions Committee.

English language requirements

You can find out more about our English language requirementsLink opens in a new window. This course requires the following:

• Band B
• IELTS overall score of 7.0, minimum component scores of two at 6.0/6.5 and the rest at 7.0 or above.

All of our courses are delivered in English so, if English is not your first language, you have not graduated from an English speaking university or worked in an English speaking environment for at least two years you must demonstrate a minimum overall standard in the following recognised tests of English. The certificate will be required as evidence.

International qualifications

We welcome applications from students with other internationally recognised qualifications.

For more information, please visit the international entry requirements pageLink opens in a new window.

Additional requirements

There are no additional entry requirements for this course.

Core modules

If you choose to study the Executive Diploma in Strategic Leadership & Change you will study four modules over four days at WBS London, The Shard.

Structure

• Developing Executive Leadership
• The Strategic Mindset of Leadership
• Leading People through Change and Disruption
• Leading an Agile and Resilient Organisation.

You can also choose to study any of the above modules individually as a Postgraduate Award with variable start dates throughout the year. These Postgraduate Awards run across four days of face-to-face teaching at our London base in The Shard, with a six week window to complete your assignments. Successful completion of three Postgraduate Awards will grant you a Postgraduate Certificate.

Read the module descriptions for this course on the Warwick Business School website.

Teaching

Executive level learning at The Shard

WBS’s London location on the 17th and 13th floors of the iconic Shard building, in the heart of one of the world’s most cosmopolitan cities, combines facilities specifically designed for executive-level learning, with easy access to London’s international airports and transport hubs.

Teaching

• Peer networks and debate: Questioning, discussion and debate with a support network of peers as well as truly interactive relationships with teaching faculty
• Bespoke distance learning platform: Inter-modular support from the my.wbs platform, which is used to deliver our Global Online MBA
• Guest speakers and practitioners: relevant and relate-able speakers from industry and practice will feature within each individual module
• Personal development and action learning: Utilising reflective practice, psychometric tools and analysis as well as learning through doing.

Reading lists

If you would like to view reading lists for current or previous cohorts of students, most departments have reading lists available through Warwick Library on the Talis Aspire platform.

You can search for reading lists by module title, code or convenor. Please see the modules tab of this page or the module catalogue.

Please note that some reading lists may have restricted access or be unavailable at certain times of year due to not yet being published. If you cannot access the reading list for a particular module, please check again later or contact the module’s host department.

Class sizes

The cohorts on this Executive Diploma typically consist of between 15 and 20 participants.

Typical contact hours

Four full-day workshops per module.

Assessment

You will be required to complete written assessments, plus a further strategic project. All assignments are designed to be directly related to your own organisational context and challenges. In order to gain the qualification of Postgraduate Diploma awarded by the University of Warwick, you will need to attend all four taught modules, and pass the assessment in each module and your project.

Your career

Whether you are looking to grow and develop within your current organisation, or transition into a different career path, Warwick Business School’s CareersPlus team will support you throughout your Executive Diploma and beyond to ensure that you achieve your full potential.

Executive Diploma CareersPlus resources include:

• A one-to-one career consultation with one of Warwick Business School’s highly-trained CareersPlus experts
• Access to careers workshops, sharing the latest thinking on career management
• Skills webinars covering topics such as Salary Negotiation, Assertiveness Skills, Managing Workplace Politics, The 2 Hour Job Search, and The First 90 Days
• Expert insights from guest speakers
• Recruiter events and opportunities
• Unlimited access to Warwick Business School’s professional networks.

Warwick Business School

If you’re interested in the bigger picture, comfortable challenging assumptions and want a degree that will open doors, then WBS is the place for you. We will give you the foundation for change and prepare you for your future career. Are you ready to make your mark in the world of business?

Find out more about us on our website.

The vision of WBS is to be Europe’s leading University-based Business School, developing transformational ideas and people that shape how we do business. We recognise that rankings are one way to profile our progress towards fulfilling this vision, and are proud to participate in the major global business education rankings.

MSc Finance

• 6^th in the UK and 21^th in the world - Financial Times Masters in Finance Pre-experience Ranking 2024
• 4^th in the UK and 19^th in the world - QS Business Masters Rankings 2025

MSc Management

• 3^rd in the UK and 28^th in the world - Financial Times Masters in Management Ranking 2024
• 4^th in the UK and 18^th in the world - QS Business Masters Rankings 2025

MSc Marketing & Strategy

• 2^nd in the UK and 7^th in the world - QS Business Masters Rankings 2025

MSc Business Analytics

• 3^rd in the UK and 17^th in the world - QS Business Masters Rankings 2025

MBA

• 2^nd in the UK and 3^rd in the world - Financial Times Online MBA Ranking 2024
• 4^th in the UK and 30^th in the world - Financial Times Executive MBA Ranking 2024

Our Postgraduate Taught courses

MSc courses

• Accounting & Financial Management (MSc)
• Accounting & Sustainability (MSc)
• Business Analytics (MSc)
• Business & Finance (MSc)
• Business with Consulting (MSc)
• Business with Marketing (MSc)
• Business with Operations Management (MSc)
• Finance (MSc)
• Finance & Economics (MSc)
• Financial Technology (MSc)
• Global Central Banking and Financial Regulation (MSc)
• International Business (MSc)
• Management (MSc)
• Management of Information Systems & Digital Innovation (MSc)
• Marketing & Strategy (MSc)
• Mathematical Finance (MSc)

MBA

• MBA (Accelerator)
• MBA (Executive)
• MBA (Global Online)
• MBA (Full-time)

Executive Diplomas

• Advanced Management (PGA/PGCert/PGDip)
• Behavioural Science (PGA/PGCert/PGDip)
• Digital Leadership (PGA/PGCert/PGDip)
• Marketing Leadership (PGA/PGCert/PGDip)
• Strategic Leadership & Change (PGA/PGCert/PGDip)
• Strategy & Innovation (PGA/PGCert/PGDip)

Our Postgraduate Research courses

• Business and Management (MRes/PhD)
• Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)
• Finance and Economics (MRes/PhD)

Fees and funding

The 2025 fees for the Executive Diploma in Strategic Leadership & Change is £18,550. There are also a number of scholarships and bursaries available for candidates enrolling on the Warwick Executive Diplomas in 2025.

Scholarships covering up to a maximum of 50% of tuition fees are available for high calibre candidates. Bursaries and fee reductions are also available to a range of applicants. Scholarship applications will be considered throughout the application cycle, on a first-come first-served basis, therefore early application is encouraged.

Discover more about the fees, scholarships and bursaries for this course  

Scholarships and bursaries

How to Apply

All applications for our Executive Diplomas must be submitted on our online application portal.

Find out more information about our application process  

Meet Us

Choosing where and what to study is a big decision and one of the best ways to help you decide is by meeting us in person, or online.

Find out more about our 1-2-1 chats, open events and taster lectures