This Postgraduate Diploma in Leadership, Strategy and Innovation (PGDLSI) and MBA top-up is designed to cater to the business and management fields. The PGDLSI is a 120 credits programme awarded by London Examinations Board. When you successfully complete it you can move on to obtain an MBA by completing the Master’s Stage with LEB through a collaborative arrangement with the University of Gloucestershire. You just need to do a research methods workshop and undertake a dissertation delivered and supervised by LEB
- Level 7 in Postgraduate Diploma in Leadership, Strategy and Innovation – Sample Certificate
- Level 7 in Postgraduate Diploma in Leadership, Strategy and Innovation – Sample Transcript
Master of Business Administration-Sample Certificate
Master of Business Administration–Sample Transcript
Programme Aims
The aim of the PGDLSI is to develop and enhance the understanding of emerging theories and practices on contemporary management with an increasing emphasis on leadership strategic and innovation management. This Postgraduate Diploma facilitates a critical exploration of the role of leaders in business enterprises in a complex multi-stakeholder society, and the connectedness of business with society in an increasingly rapidly changing global and networked economy.
The programme will provide participants with the leadership and managerial behaviours, essential skills as well as the advanced knowledge and understanding of leadership and strategic management. The programme follows a work and problem-based learning approach, and participants will be expected to demonstrate how they have utilized their learning and development in solving business management related issues and problems by integrating and building on perspectives from the programme and the literature, and their own contexts.
PGDLSI Learning Outcomes
- Use self-assessment, reflection, evaluation, feedback and developments in theory and evidence-based practice to improve their ethical business practice in a variety of contexts.
- Apply a deep understanding of relevant theory and practices to predict outcomes and create solutions in complex environment.
- Communicate key issues effectively and creatively using numerical, graphical, oral and written skills.
- Behave, lead and govern organisations in an ethical manner.
- Setting strategy, direction and vision, providing a clear sense of purpose and driving strategic intent for an organisation.
- Cultivating an innovative, entrepreneurial and supporting corporate culture to deliver organisational performance including sustained competitive advantage.
PGDLSI Curriculum Structure
The PGDLSI has a total of 120 credits and
comprises of 6 taught modules at 20 credits each as set out below.
- Strategic Management
- Corporate Governance, Ethics and CSR
- Business Innovation and Entrepreneurship
- Leading Change
- Managerial Accounting
- Strategic Human Resources
Delivery of the PGDLSI
There will be live online lecturers and two modules will be delivered every two months and so the PGDLSI can be completed in 6 months. Assignments must be submitted before the end of the two month period before the second set of two modules will be delivered. In order to be awarded the PGDLSI and be allowed to undertake the MBA top-up, participants must successfully complete all the specified criteria for the 6 taught modules totaling 120 credits on the UK credit system.
Participants are given access to a complete set of learning materials to facilitate independent study which can be accessed from the Learning Portal which when included with face-to-face tutorials and online discussions should equal 200 notional hours per module.
Entry Requirement
- A Bachelor’s Degree.
- A professional qualification equivalent to a degree and a minimum of two years of working experience.
- Mature and high potential candidates without degree or equivalent qualifications but hold Diplomas or Advanced Diplomas with more than six years of work experience of which at least two years are at supervisory / managerial level.
- Mature and high potential candidates without Diploma qualifications but with more than eight years of work experience of which at least three years are at supervisory /managerial levels.
- Demonstrate English Language proficiency in order to participate in the programme taught in English.
Assessment Strategy
The aim of the assessment strategy is to identify formal practices and procedures for assessing and appraising the performance of the Postgraduate Diploma’s participants in order those judgments and decisions can be reached concerning:
- The progression of participants through the programme.
- How participants have met the programme learning outcomes through a combination of the individual module learning outcomes.
- The provision of feedback information to participants concerning their performance and how they adhered to the generic assessment criteria and the module-specific assessment criteria.
- The award of 20 Master’s level credits for individual modules.
- The final Postgraduate Diploma with the chosen pathway
The underpinning principles which drive the assessment strategies adopted for this programme are the profile of the target participants and the programme itself (its philosophy and associated learning outcomes). Assessment will normally be based on the candidate successfully demonstrating achievement of an appropriate combination of the following criteria which are aligned to the descriptors for Level 7 Master degree qualifications
The assessment tasks employed in assessing learning outcomes are in the form of written assignments or management reports with word limitations of usually between 2,000 and 2,500 words
The University of Gloucestershire MBA dissertation
We have a general MBA or an MBA with five specialisation. The purpose of the dissertation is to allow the learner to carry out a self-managed piece of work that provides an in-depth investigation of an issue relevant to the field of management and business. The dissertation allows the learner to critically evaluate and synthesise relevant business related philosophies, theories and models, undertake a process of enquiry using primary and/or secondary data sources and critically relate these academic concepts to a relevant area of business management activity. The dissertation allows for an analytical study of academic topics within the context of practical business decision making and can thereby contribute to the body of knowledge in the domain of management and business. The reflective element of the dissertation will give the learner an opportunity to critically analyse and evaluate their learning journey.
The Available Specialisations
1. MBA in Accounting and Finance – Dissertation Module
Whether you are an experienced finance professional seeking senior leadership roles, or a recent graduate aspiring to strengthen your career prospects, this dissertation route allows you to specialise in Accounting and Finance at an advanced level. You will explore contemporary issues such as financial strategy, risk management, corporate governance, and investment analysis, while building your wider leadership and management capabilities. Alongside the opportunity to achieve CMI accreditation, the module enables you to conduct original research that addresses critical financial challenges and apply this knowledge with confidence to practical organisational contexts.
2. MBA in Human Resource Management – Dissertation Module
For those aiming to progress into senior people-management roles or to enhance employability in HRM-related careers, this dissertation pathway offers the chance to specialise in Human Resource Management. You will investigate key areas such as strategic workforce planning, employee engagement, diversity and inclusion, and organisational change, while developing advanced management and leadership insights. With the option of CMI accreditation, you will design and conduct research that engages with the complex realities of managing people and organisational culture, and be able to apply your findings directly to workplace practice.
3. MBA in Operations and Supply Chain Management – Dissertation Module
This specialist dissertation route is designed for professionals and graduates who wish to advance their careers in operations, logistics, and supply chain management. You will explore themes such as sustainable operations, global supply chain strategy, lean and agile systems,
and quality management. The pathway enables you to enhance your leadership and problem-solving skills while working towards professional accreditation with the CMI. Through your dissertation research, you will investigate real-world operational challenges and apply your learning to deliver innovative and practical solutions within complex organisational environments.
4. MBA in Marketing Management – Dissertation Module
Whether you are an experienced marketing practitioner or a recent graduate aspiring to strengthen your employability, this dissertation route allows you to specialise in Marketing Management at an advanced level. You will examine areas such as strategic brand management, digital marketing, consumer behaviour, and global marketing trends, while enhancing your leadership and management skills. With the opportunity to achieve CMI accreditation, the module provides the framework to carry out in-depth research into pressing marketing challenges and apply your insights to deliver creative, evidence-based solutions in practice.
5. MBA in Healthcare Management – Dissertation Module
This pathway is tailored for professionals and graduates seeking leadership roles in healthcare and related sectors. You will investigate critical issues such as healthcare policy, service delivery, patient-centred care, quality improvement, and governance, alongside broader leadership and management theories. The route provides flexibility for students from diverse professional backgrounds, including those new to healthcare. In addition to the opportunity for CMI accreditation, you will design and conduct dissertation research that addresses contemporary challenges in healthcare management, generating insights that can be applied confidently to improve organisational outcomes and patient experiences.
Dissertation Assessment
10% Assignment: Individual: Proposal 1,500 words
80% Dissertation / Major Project: 15,000 words
10% Assignment: Individual: Reflective Paper 1,500 words
Notional Hours
The Master’s Stage with the University of Gloucestershire accrues 60 credits for the dissertation and equates to 600 notional hours in total (Scheduled Contact Hours: 10 and Independent Learning Hours: 590). The Master’s Stage of the MBA can be completed in 6 months.
Guide to Learning Time
The Programme can be completed within 12 months.