The BSc (Hons) Leadership and Management degree is designed to empower ambitious professionals to advance their leadership capabilities and impact within organisations by facilitating personal and professional development. Delivered by the Lincoln Business School, this Work-Based Distance Learning programme equips you with essential skills to navigate and influence today's dynamic professional environments effectively. Allowing you to apply what you learn directly to your role, fostering both immediate and long-term career growth. 

Developed for those currently in or aspiring to leadership roles, the programme covers essential areas of leadership and contemporary industry challenges. With options to tailor your learning, the course enables you to align your studies with your specific professional goals and interests. 

By focusing on real-world applications and personal development, this degree strengthens your leadership effectiveness and broadens your career opportunities, helping you stay agile, relevant, and influential in a competitive job market. 

The degree draws upon the specialised knowledge and skills you have already developed through your professional experience. 

Key Features

The degree encourages the development of learning and offers the following key features:

  • A blended learning approach, drawing on the University of Lincoln's expertise in delivering online programmes to students in relevant professional roles, whether part-time, freelance, or full-time.
  • An innovative and creative approach in teaching, learning and assessment, drawing on a range of digital and technological learning tools.
  • A learning experience, offering students a wider critical perspective on the consequences of individual decisions and actions and on the ethics of being socially responsible, including corporate social responsibility, part of the Lincoln Business School's 'responsible futures principles'.
  • A clear focus on the student experience and academic, pastoral and professional support and care.

Accreditation and Awards

AACSB Business Education Alliance

Lincoln Business School is a member of AACSB, a global nonprofit association, connecting educators, students, and business to achieve a common goal: to create the next generation of great leaders.

ERS Gold Banner

Armed Forces Covenant - Gold Award

This programme demonstrates outstanding commitment to supporting serving personnel, reservists, veterans, and military families — the highest level of recognition under the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.

TEF Gold Award

Teaching Excellence Framework - Gold Award University

The Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), run by the Office for Students (OfS), assesses and encourages excellence in higher education based on what matters most to students. A Gold rating signifies outstanding student experience and outcomes.

Course Modules

This programme is delivered exclusively at Level 6, meaning all study, assessment, and learning outcomes align with final‑year undergraduate standards. Applicants join directly at this level and complete the full set of Level 6 modules, providing a focused route to achieving the award without lower‑level study components.

Module 1 [MGW3265] - Critical Enquiry Skills

This module aims to equip students the appropriate knowledge and skills to enable them to engage critically with their studies, and the Independent Research Project in particular. 

Module 2 [MGW3280] - Leading People

This module is aims to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of leadership theory and practical skill designed so students can develop as effective leaders of people. Through a blend of theoretical exploration and practical application, students will develop their interpersonal skills and leadership competencies. Emphasising an applied approach, students will reflect on and apply leadership theories and techniques to real-world scenarios, enhancing their ability to lead effectively in diverse contexts.

Module 3 [MGW3282] - The Contemporary Managerial Context

The Managerial Context module sees the students studying the purpose and activity of an organisation and how managers, as empowered individuals, help direct this activity. This module discusses the theory, practise, and individual experiences of those trying to manage the activity pursued by their organisation. This module reviews the principles of management to understand how organisations can be developed to meet their own needs and objectives. 

Module 4 - Elective Module

Students will need to select one of the below modules:

[HRW3003] - Employee Engagement and Communications
This module enables the student to develop and demonstrate a sound understanding of the knowledge, skills and behaviours required by Human Resources (HR) professionals and people managers, specifically relating to developing and maintaining employee engagement and to develop and manage effective employee communications.

[MGW3268] - Managing Operations
This module aims to prepare students to work at the operational level within the logistics sector and enable students to apply attributes, tools and techniques of operational management whilst working within the business strategy. The use of the transformation process is explored to identify the links between the resources, the organisational process and the customer. This provides an insight into operational stakeholder and customer management techniques. 

[MGW3264] - Managing Projects
In this module students will develop a solid foundation in the theory and best practice of project management and can develop practical skills of how to plan, implement and control projects. The module aims to provide students with an understanding of the system perspective on management and a practically oriented introduction to the nature, purpose and standards of project management and its key objectives (scope, time, cost, quality, risk and flexibility). The role and qualities of the project manager and the composition of the team are also evaluated. 

† Some courses may offer optional modules. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed. Optional module selection may also be affected by staff availability.

Module 5 [MGW3262] - Independent Research Project

This module acts as the capstone project for the conclusion of the degree programme. It asks students to develop a focused research approach to answer an identified problem. Students will be expected to conduct a valid and reliable investigation which includes the collection, presentation, analysis and evaluation of data. Students are required to make an holistic structured argument showing the development of the evidence to address the problem stated.

Students are encouraged to draw on all of the learning across the programme to support the investigation and develop a summative assignment reflecting their learning journey and newfound skills.

The final element of the module will be asking them to reflect on how they can apply the results from this investigation to relevant contexts.

Entry Requirements

Standard Entry

This programme is designed for applicants who are currently working in a role relevant to the subject area and who wish to study alongside employment.

To be eligible to apply, all applicants must:

  • be in ongoing employment in a role related to the programme;
  • have relevant professional or work-based experience aligned to the subject area; and
  • be able to provide evidence of experience and qualifications at application stage.

Applicants must meet the following entry criteria:

  • Applicants will normally be expected to demonstrate English language ability equivalent to GCSE English grade C/4 or above, or an accepted equivalent qualification.
  • A 120credit level 4 qualification (including Professional Recognition Award) plus Professional Body Membership at member level may support entry to Bachelor's Level 6.
  • A 240credit Level 5 qualification (including Professional Recognition Award) may support entry to Bachelor's Level 6.

Check Your Eligibility

Because professional backgrounds vary, applicants are invited to complete a short eligibility check to receive indicative guidance before applying.

Click here to check your eligibility.

Final eligibility is confirmed by Admissions following review of a full application and supporting evidence.

Stellenbosch Entry

Under this agreement, students having satisfactorily graduated from the Senior Management Development Programme (SMDP) or equivalent bespoke SMDP at SBS-ED with a minimum pass mark of 50% may be considered by the University of Lincoln for entry to the final level of the following programmes or other appropriate degrees in the Lincoln Business School at the University of Lincoln on the condition that they meet the English Language entry requirements. Applicants should also have relevant and up to date experience and academic awards should usually be less than five years old. 

Students having satisfactorily completed the Young Minds Programme at SBS-ED and who can demonstrate relevant experience, may be considered by the University of Lincoln for entry to Level 4 (Year 1) to FdSc Operations Management, on the condition they meet the English Language entry Requirements. 

Students having satisfactorily completed the Management Development Programme (MDP) or equivalent bespoke MDP at SBS-ED and who can demonstrate relevant experience, may be considered by the University of Lincoln for entry to Level 5 (Year 2) to FdSc Operations Management, on the condition they meet the English Language entry requirements. 

Students who successfully complete FdSc Operations Management may be considered for entry to the L6 honour’s degree programmes referenced above, in providing they meet the required admissions criteria. 

Military Entry

Applicants are assessed using military rank and time in rank. Eligibility is determined by NATO Rank Codes, though it is noted this is not an exhaustive list. Applicants who do not meet the NATO Rank Codes or banding should contact Admissions@lincoln.ac.uk for further advice. 

To be eligible to apply, all applicants must: 

  • Provide appropriate military evidence, such as JPA records & military ID.  
  • Meet the outlined thresholds and be able to evidence this.   

Applicants must meet the following entry criteria:  

Officer Ranks: 

NATO Rank Eligibility Proposal
OF 1 Eligible for Direct Entry into Level 6 (applicant must be substantive in their role)
OF 2 Eligible for Direct Entry into Level 6 (applicant must be substantive in their role)
OF 3 Eligible for Direct Entry into Level 6 (applicant must be substantive in their role)
OF 4 Eligible for Direct Entry into Level 6 (applicant must be substantive in their role)
OF 5 Eligible for Direct Entry into Level 6 (applicant must be substantive in their role)
OF 6 Eligible for Direct Entry into Level 6 (applicant must be substantive in their role)
OF 7 Eligible for Direct Entry into Level 6 (applicant must be substantive in their role)
OF 8 Eligible for Direct Entry into Level 6 (applicant must be substantive in their role)
OF 9 Eligible for Direct Entry into Level 6 (applicant must be substantive in their role)
OF 10 Eligible for Direct Entry into Level 6 (applicant must be substantive in their role)

Other Ranks:

Rank Eligibility Proposal
OR 1  
OR 2  
OR 3 OR 3 does not meet the entry criteria for Level 6 BSc Programme. Please contact Admissions@lincoln.ac.uk for more information or visit our programme page for the FdSc Operations Management programme: Operations Management | FdSc | University of Lincoln
OR 4 Eligible only after 2yrs substantive in Rank and relevant Professional Body Membership.
OR 5/6

Eligible only after 2+years in substantive Rank.
If Applicant cannot evidence 2+years in substantive Rank, Applicant must obtain relevant Professional Body Member to meet the entry criteria.
OR 7 Eligible for Direct Entry into Level 6 (applicant must be substantive in their role)
OR 8 Eligible for Direct Entry into Level 6 (applicant must be substantive in their role)
OR 9 Eligible for Direct Entry into Level 6 (applicant must be substantive in their role)
Fees
Eligibility
Intakes and Applications

Career Development

The BSc (Hons) Leadership and Management degree is more than just a qualification, it is a chance for personal growth and career transformation. Designed for professionals, this flexible, distance learning programme allows you to build on your existing knowledge while equipping you with the tools to lead with confidence. You will develop the ability to adapt to changing environments, drive growth, and deliver tangible results. With a strong focus on both personal and professional development, this degree empowers you to become a visionary leader, ready to influence strategic decisions, lead teams, and make a lasting impact within your work environment.

Contacts

For Course Content queries, please contact: LincolnWBDL@lincoln.ac.uk 

For Admissions, Applications and Eligibility Criteria queries, please contact: Admissions@lincoln.ac.uk 

Making or Arranging Payments: Payments@lincoln.ac.uk 

Tuition Fee Billing and/or Sponsorship Queries: ProfessionalDelivery@lincoln.ac.uk 

For anything else, please visit our UniHelp FAQ section. 

What You Need to Know

We want you to have all the information you need to make an informed decision on where and what you want to study. In addition to the information provided on this course page, our What You Need to Know page offers explanations on key topics including programme validation/revalidation, additional costs, and contact hours.

The University intends to provide its courses as outlined in these pages, although the University may make changes in accordance with the Student Admissions Terms and Conditions.