Senior People Professional PgDip Apprenticeship

Applied in its nature and design, this programme sets out to equip learners with the knowledge, skills, and behaviours needed to succeed within the human resource management (HRM) arena. Building on the very latest research evidence, and experience of people management in practice, the programme provides apprentices with in-depth insights into theories, practices and key debates in HRM. 

The programme aims to equip participants with the toolkit of knowledge, skills, and behaviours needed to operate as successful senior people leaders within organisations. The programme covers all aspects of the employee lifecycle, exploring and evaluating the role of the People Professional in driving sustained organisational success through people.  

Subject areas include:  

• Diversity and inclusion
• Employment law
• HR analytics 
• Managing employment relationships
• Managing people for performance
• Work and working lives

During the programme, apprentices will investigate current workforce trends as well as projections for the future and assess ways of supporting organisations and their people through these turbulent times.

Completion of the Senior People Professional will lead to in-house experts in people, work and change.   

The programme is taught through a blend of face-to-face immersive learning days on campus, supported by some additional online learning and masterclasses. 

The programme is delivered over 17 months. During this time, the apprentice will attend university for approximately 16 days. The final four months of the programme are given to consolidate the portfolio and produce the project proposal required for the end-point assessment. Apprentices are entitled to dedicate six hours of their contractual working week to study.  

Upon successful completion of this programme, apprentices will receive a Senior People Professional PgDip and level 7 apprenticeship qualification. 

This apprenticeship also enables successful completers to automatically become a Chartered Member of the CIPD (subject to payment of normal membership fees) – a professional status recognised throughout the industry.   

Graduates may also choose to top up to a full masters degree following completion of the Postgraduate Diploma. The final 60 credits leading to the masters focus on implementing the apprentice’s end-point assessment (EPA) project, providing the opportunity to apply learning in a real-world context. Please note that this top-up is not funded by the Apprenticeship Levy and carries an additional fee of £3,750.

This programme has been designed for high-potential, ambitious professionals. 

Applicants will be assessed on an individual basis. Typically, successful applicants will have: 

• at least three years people management experience
• a 2:2 degree or above from a recognised university or an equivalent academic or professional qualification. However, we will consider applications from individuals without a degree who have significant management experience

Apprentices aged 16-18 who do not hold Level 2 / GCSE Maths and English Qualifications will be required to complete Functional Skills alongside the apprenticeship.

Apprentices aged 19+ who do not hold or are unable to evidence achievement of Level 2 / GCSE Maths and English Qualifications will be required to undertake an initial assessment to assess their current working level. The outcome of this will be shared with the employer to inform the decision as to whether the apprentice will study Functional Skills alongside the apprenticeship.

There are no additional costs for these qualifications.

Non-standard entry is available with evidence of minimum 3 years’ experience in a senior people professional role and an interview with the Programme Lead (or nominated Deputy). 

A list of acceptable equivalent qualifications is available from the gov.uk website, as well as guidance on obtaining replacement certificates. It will not be possible for applicants to proceed with their application unless they are able to provide evidence of achievement or proof that they have applied for replacement certificates.

They must also have the right of abode and right to work in the UK to qualify for funding.

Degree apprenticeships are paid for by employers, not apprentices.

Employers with a payroll of more than £3 million can use their apprenticeship levy contributions to pay for places on apprenticeship programmes.

Any business with a payroll below £3 million is eligible for government funding that will cover at least 95% of the cost of an apprenticeship programme.

Additional incentives are also available to employers who recruit new apprentices into their business.

Find out more about funding.

If you are an employer

We will support you every step of the way to offer apprenticeships at your organisation, whether you intend to upskill current employees or attract new recruits.

To find out more about the Senior People Professional PgDip apprenticeship, book a discovery call with Nikki Lees, our Apprenticeships Development Manager. 

To find out more about how you can partner with us to offer degree apprenticeships within your organisation, fill out our contact form. You can also get in touch by phone on 0161 247 3720 (9:30am - 4:00pm Monday to Friday) or by email at [email protected]

If you are an employee

If you are already employed, encourage your employer to contact us using the methods above. 

You can also find out more about the Senior People Professional PgDip apprenticeship for yourself by booking a discovery call with Nikki Lees, our Apprenticeships Development Manager. 

If you are an applicant

Places on this programme are available to those already employed in a relevant position and where their employer will support them to take part.