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Diploma in Strategic Leadership (2023 Entry)

Strategic Leadership lecturers of the University of Warwick

Explore our Strategic Leadership taught Diploma.

The Warwick Executive Diploma in Strategic Leadership has been expertly designed for business leaders and senior managers. Study at Warwick Business School at The Shard, and learn how to deliver sustained impact and influence.


Course overview

This masters-level postgraduate programme directly links leadership with strategy, and the personal with the professional. Today, strategy is no longer a top-down activity but is the responsibility of many people within an organisation, demanding a culture of strategic innovation and openness. In becoming a more Strategic Leader you will be able to connect your leadership imperative with the culture and practice of the wider organisation, thereby delivering sustained impact and influence through individuals, teams and business units.

Based at WBS London, The Shard, and studied over four, four-day modules, the Warwick Executive Diplomas are designed to deliver the maximum organisational impact without you having to leave work for extended periods.


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

  • Leadership Essentials
  • Strategic Leadership Development
  • Creating Strategic Advantage
  • Leading Strategic Change and Innovation

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


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 Distance learning 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

Individual project

The final component of your Executive Diploma is the individual project. The project is completed and submitted after the four core modules, though you will begin developing ideas for your project from the outset, as it is intended to be an integrating focus for your learning across the whole Diploma.


Class sizes

This Diploma cohorts 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

  • 4th in the UK and 16th in the world - Financial Times Masters in Finance Pre-experience Ranking 2023
  • 6th in the UK and 19th in the world - QS Business Masters Rankings 2024

MSc Management

  • 1st in the UK and 18th in the world - Economist/WhichMBA - 2021 Masters in Management biennial ranking
  • 2nd in the UK and 28th in the world - Financial Times Masters in Management Ranking 2023
  • 3rd in the UK and 18th in the world - QS Business Masters Rankings 2024

MSc Marketing & Strategy

  • 2nd in the UK and 9th in the world - QS Business Masters Rankings 2024

MSc Business Analytics

  • 2nd in the UK and 14th in the world - QS Business Masters Rankings 2024

Our Postgraduate Taught courses

MSc courses

MBA

Executive Diplomas

Our Postgraduate Research courses

Tuition fees

Visit our Warwick Business School web pages to learn more about funding your studies.

Course Fees  


Fee Status Guidance

The University carries out an initial fee status assessment based on information provided in the application and according to the guidance published by UKCISA. Students are classified as either Home or Overseas Fee status and this can determine the tuition fee and eligibility of certain scholarships and financial support.

If you receive an offer, your fee status will be stated with the tuition fee information, however we are awaiting guidance from the UK government regarding fee status for EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals and their family members living in the UK for academic year 2021/22 onwards. We are not able to confirm the fee status for these students until the relevant eligibility criteria have been confirmed. Once we have received further information from the UK government, we will provide you with an update on your fee status and let you know if any additional information is required. If you believe your fee status has been incorrectly classified you can complete a fee status assessment questionnaire (follow the instructions in your offer) and provide the required documentation for this to be reassessed.

The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) provides guidance to UK universities on fees status criteria, you can find the latest guidance on the impact of Brexit on fees and student support on the UKCISA website.


Additional course costs

Please contact your academic department for information about department specific costs, which should be considered in conjunction with the more general costs below, such as:

  • Core text books
  • Printer credits
  • Dissertation binding
  • Robe hire for your degree ceremony

Scholarships and bursaries

Read more about our Warwick Executive Diploma scholarships on our Warwick Business School web pages.

Our Warwick Executive Diploma scholarships fall into three categories:

Change Makers’ Scholarship

Awarded to outstanding candidates who will add significant value to the Executive Diploma cohort, and/or who require financial assistance to realise their learning goals.

Inspiring Women in Leadership Scholarship

Awarded to outstanding female candidates and male candidates who have made positive contributions to developing women in leadership.

Inspiring Diversity in Leadership Scholarship

Awarded to outstanding candidates from diverse backgrounds, including under-represented nationalities and sectors, with an emphasis on Key Workers and NHS personnel.

Scholarships and bursaries  


Living costs

Find out more about the cost of living as a postgraduate student at the University of Warwick.

Find out how to apply to us, ask your questions, and find out more.

Taught course applications

Here is our checklist on how to apply for taught postgraduate courses at Warwick.

Research course applications

Here is our checklist on how to apply for research postgraduate degrees at the University of Warwick.

After you’ve applied

Find out how we process your application.

Applicant Portal

Track your application and update your details.

Admissions statement

See Warwick’s postgraduate admissions policy.

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Our hosted events run throughout the year, with a mixture of virtual and in-person sessions. These events are a great way to learn more about our courses and departments, chat to current students and staff, and find out more information about accommodation, careers, and how to apply.

Postgraduate Fairs

Throughout the year we attend exhibitions and fairs online and in-person around the UK. These events give you the chance to explore our range of postgraduate courses, and find out what it’s like studying at Warwick. You’ll also be able to speak directly with our student recruitment team, who will be able to help answer your questions.

Live chats

Join a live chat with our staff and students, who are here to answer your questions and help you learn more about postgraduate life at Warwick. You can join our general drop-in sessions or talk to your prospective department and student services.

Warwick Talk and Tours

A Warwick talk and tour lasts around two hours and consists of an overview presentation from one of our Recruitment Officers covering the key features, facilities and activities that make Warwick a leading institution. The talk is followed by a campus tour which is the perfect way to view campus, with a current student guiding you around the key areas on campus.