Systems Thinking Practice (Apprenticeship) at Cranfield University

Programme overview

This part-time course meets the requirements of the Level 7 Systems Thinking Practice Master's Apprenticeship Programme. Eligible organisations will be able to use their Apprenticeship Levy to cover the cost of the course tuition fees. Advanced thinking tools for supporting decision-making at strategic and leadership levels are vital in a modern world. Where conventional problem-solving tools fall short, interventions backfire, and teams fail to align around complex, evolving problems, systems thinking is an effective alternative.

Faculty: Defence | Duration: 24 months plus End Point Assessment (estimated to take place within 6 months) | Study mode: part-time | Intake: 1st September 2025 | Location: Cranfield, England, United Kingdom

What you will study

Delivery: A mix of in person residential and online modules with an end point assessment. Compulsory modules: Fundamentals of Systems Thinking, Introduction to Systems Methods, Dialogue and Collaboration, Systems Leadership and Organisational Behaviour, Systems Practice, Systems Intervention Planning, Systems Development and Exploitation.

Career pathways

The primary opportunity for apprentices is to complete their studies and continue upwards on their career within their current organisation and have a much greater awareness and expertise in Systems Thinking. The course also aims to ensure that apprentices are better prepared to tackle the current and emerging demands of the increasingly complex demands of the world we live and in.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

A first or second class honours degree or equivalent. Alternatively, a lower qualification together with appropriate work experience may be acceptable. To study for a formal award with us you will need to demonstrate that you can communicate effectively in English in an academic environment prior to the start of the course. Most applicants meet our English language requirements by having previously obtained a higher education level qualification from a UK university. Applicants without UK qualifications can usually meet the English requirement through employment in the UK (a minimum of 5 years continuous employment immediately prior to the start of the course is required), providing you can supply a reference from your current employer which explicitly confirms you are able to communicate effectively in English.

GBP 18,000 for the whole programme (2025/26). PgDip Part-time; apprenticeship programme fee (employer-funded via the Apprenticeship Levy), includes tuition and end-point assessment Source

Intake: 1st September 2025

Duration: 24 months plus End Point Assessment (estimated to take place within 6 months)

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