Course overview
Aligning assignments to your current work challenges, you critically evaluate contemporary issues, theoretical approaches and perspectives on leadership in organisations. You gain the skills to lead a workforce in a complex, dynamic and increasingly global organisational environment, applying theory to everyday situations to consult on, manage and lead a range of projects, issues and initiatives related to your organisation.
We have collaborated with leaders from large and small corporates, the public sector and social enterprises to integrate their global insights around leadership and development challenges into the programme content and delivery style.
Study this course and you may be eligible for a £2,500 Sir Keith Skeoch postgraduate scholarship.
Course details
Course structure
Core modules
You will integrate your learning and development and synthesise knowledge and understanding of theory and practice through its application to organisational issues, which are demonstrably concerned with development within the organisation. You are supported throughout the process by a supervising tutor who will monitor progress and ensure that you are appraised of your on-going performance. Usually the dissertation should be completed within one year.
Leadership and Business Performance
To be effective, organisations need to develop continuously their strategic capabilities by implementing effective performance management systems to drive individual, team and manager performance. HR professionals have a central role to play in this process, supporting both individual managers and the wider organisation in the achievement of the organisational mission and objectives.
You critically evaluate organisational design, change and development, and develop an understanding of organisational change through the theories and conceptual frameworks of organisation design and the principles and practices of organisational development.
Both are critical to our understanding of organisations and how they function and both reside within a framework of organisation theory.
Managing in a Challenging Environment
You develop a systematic understanding of the nature of organisations and how they function and a critical awareness of the current challenges facing contemporary organisations. You are encouraged to critically reflect on the leadership skills and values required to better support organisations through the difficult challenges they may encounter.
You critically analyse behavioural and organisational concepts which underpin the analysis of how people, their behaviour and organisational characteristics affect organisational performance and effectiveness.
You evaluate organisations, looking at factors which make them work effectively and why some organisations fail.
The module starts from the position that organisations are focused upon harnessing human effort and ingenuity to produce particular outcomes, and that under certain conditions, this can be a formidable challenge.
You cover topics relevant to effective organisation: perceiving and making sense of reality, making effective decisions, building and operating high performance teams, coping with pressure, guiding and directing others and understanding their behaviour, energising and mobilising people, setting the tone of the organisation (culture) and managing organisational politics and conflicts.
Postgraduate Business Research Methods
This module develops your awareness and understanding of the factors that impact research design for business and management students. You explore the ethical principles underpinning business research, research methodologies, data type, collection and analysis, research methods and how to present a research proposal and dissertation.
Become more self-reflective and develop self-leadership skills to guide your future career. You develop a creative and entrepreneurial approach to leadership, with a focus on global sustainability – essential to navigating the challenges of a fast-paced 21st century organisation.
Modules offered may vary.
How you learn
You learn through our online and distance learning platform, TU Online. The course emphasises putting knowledge into action, allowing you to be aware of the role of business in society. You learn with and through your peers to develop solutions to real-world leadership and coaching challenges within organisations.
How you are assessed
You are assessed in a range of methods, including case study analysis, presentations, self-diagnostic assessments, reflective reports and a research proposal and associated dissertation.
Entry requirements
Applicants are normally expected to have at least a 2.2 UK honours degree, or equivalent experience. Those without a formal academic qualification but with appropriate work experience and professional training are also considered.
For general information please see our overview of entry requirements
Employability
Career opportunities
Graduates move into general or senior management/leadership roles, internal consultant/project leadership roles or into external consultancy.
This course is aimed at those students who have already identified a preference for studying the concepts, theory and practice of leadership and those who seek a distinctive postgraduate title within the diverse field of leadership. It is appropriate for those students who wish to pursue a career in industry, commerce, the public sector, or the voluntary sector or third sector, including those wishing to become independent leadership consultants. Therefore, graduates from this course may find work across a range of roles within general management or business and will also be equipped for enterprise, starting their own business and eventually employing their own staff.
Learning platform
Our virtual learning environment (VLE) is the platform you use to access your online course
Teesside University online learning courses are delivered through the Brightspace Learning Environment.
Here are some of the benefits.
- You can use it on your smartphone, tablet and computer.
- And you can use it anytime, so that you can plan your learning to fit your own schedule.
- It's easy to use and navigate.
- Modules are set out by topics and themes. You can use the progress bar to understand where you are in your modules, and appreciate your achievements.
- We support you to become familiar with your VLE, helping you to start learning quickly.
- You get feedback, help and guidance from tutors throughout your course through the VLE, and you can ask questions at any time.
- Our tutors use a live activity feed to keep you updated about your course.
- You can create a student profile, collaborate with other students and take part in online discussion forums.
