Join an organisational change leadership course you can study flexibly, 100% online.
Learn about organisational change theory, and how to put it into practice in your own professional context.
In this Masters-level online short course, you’ll develop your ability to:
- assess organisational challenges
- devise strategic interventions, and
- foster a culture of innovation and adaptability.
This course prepares you to lead and thrive in dynamic professional landscapes, where the ability to navigate and lead change is essential for success.
Who can join this organisational change leadership course?
This distance learning short course is for anyone looking to learn about organisational change theory and undertake change leadership as part of their current employment.
What you’ll study
In this course, you’ll cover a range of topics and practices that will help you navigate and drive transformative change within professional settings.
You’ll focus on areas including:
- leadership principles
- organisational behaviour
- strategic management, and
- the complexities of initiating and managing change in dynamic professional environments.
With expert guidance, you’ll work through three hands-on processes to enhance your understanding and experience in change leadership:
- planning methodology and data gathering
- enacting a change plan, and
- analysis of a change plan.
You’ll examine theoretical frameworks, case studies, and real-world examples to understand the various aspects of change, including its psychological, cultural, and operational dimensions.
By the end of this course, you’ll be able to...
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Demonstrate a critical understanding of the theory and principles of organisational change leadership
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Understand how organisational change leadership can be used in your context to support improvement.
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Articulate your understanding of Action Research as a methodology of improvement.
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Demonstrate a standard of academic writing appropriate to an SCQF Level 11 course, including consistent, appropriate use of an accepted convention for citations and referencing.
Why choose the University of Aberdeen for online change leadership courses?
Earn as you learn
We fit around full-time work, so you can earn qualifications while you keep earning a salary.
You’re in expert hands
We’ve been delivering online and distance learning for decades.
20% alumni discount
University of Aberdeen alumni get 20% off this online course.
How you’ll study
Online learning
This distance-learning organisational change course is delivered flexibly, 100% online.
You can learn anywhere, with no need for a study visa, and manage your hours to suit you.
Your teaching
This course is taught at Masters level (SCQF Level 11).
Teaching is delivered through MyAberdeen, our online Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). It holds all the materials, tools and support you’ll need in your studies. Take a look around MyAberdeen.
You can access your learning materials on computer, smartphone and laptop, 24 hours a day. You’ll find a range of resources at your fingertips, including:
- video lectures
- reading materials
- discussion boards with colleagues and tutors
- the online resources of our award-winning Sir Duncan Rice Library.
Your tutors
You’ll learn from an experienced team of education professionals from our School of Education.
This course is assessed entirely online.
You’ll be assessed via:
- a poster presentation, and
- a short essay.
The course totals approximately 150 hours of study and assessment time. That’s around 10 – 15 hours per week.
This is an indicative guide to the time required for a typical student at this level to achieve the learning outcomes.
You can largely set your own study hours each week to cover the materials. MyAberdeen is available 24/7, so you can log in and study when it suits you.
Activities at fixed times
There may be some activities scheduled for fixed times. This could include coursework and assessments with deadlines, or online meetings with your tutor. Otherwise, you can access and work through the course at your convenience.
Our first-class support structure will ensure that you aren’t alone in your studies. You’ll have contact with your coordinator via email, MyAberdeen and Microsoft Teams. You can use social media and discussion boards to chat with your fellow students too.
We provide a wide range of services to support you in your studies and beyond:
- Careers and Employability Service
- Disability support
- IT support
- Library support
- Student Support Service – help with finances, stress, wellbeing and non-academic issues
- Student Learning Service – study support, with advice sessions available via phone or Skype
- Aberdeen University Students’ Association (AUSA) – run by students for students
- Toolkit – clever apps and free training that can make your study life easier
Wherever you are in the world, you’ll feel part of our very special Aberdeen learning community.
Your teaching team
Dr Shannon Babbie
Shannon is a Senior Lecturer in our School of Education. He believes in teaching through a combination of experiential learning and purpose-driven collaborative activities that leverage learners’ experiences in a positive and encouraging way. Shannon aims to empower everyone to pursue their passions and goals in an inclusive, rigorous, diverse and welcoming environment.
View Shannon’s profile
Dr Charlaine Simpson
Charlaine is a Senior Lecturer, and Head of Postgraduate Taught and Professional Learning in our School of Education. Throughout her career, she’s demonstrated an absolute commitment to the development of the teaching profession. Charlaine’s research is focused on educational policy and teacher professionalism.
View Charlaine’s profileWhere this will take you
Careers
You’ll complete this course with an enhanced understanding of the role of effective leadership in inspiring and sustaining change.
In-demand skills in change leadership
The skills you’ll earn are valuable for career progression within leadership and management roles within all professional contexts.
Whatever your work sector, completing this course will help you:
- better understand change leadership in your workplace and industry
- understand yourself better as a leader
- develop your skills in critical thinking, communication, and collaboration, and
- grow in confidence as a leader.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
Your employer or professional institute may recognise this course for CPD hours. Talk to your employer or institute to find out more.
Free career support
Access our free careers service while you study.
- 1:1 appointments
- CV checks
- Interview prep
- Job opportunities
Build your learning with online leadership courses
Keep developing your skills and CV with our full range of short courses in leadership.
Use these online courses to earn more expertise and university credits.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
We welcome students from all over the world.
This course has no formal entry requirements. You do not need to provide proof of your qualifications.
But you do need to check the entry guidance above to understand the level of teaching delivered, to decide if this course is right for you.
If you do not have qualifications from the UK, check the equivalent teaching level for your country.
Visa requirements
You do not need a student visa to study online with us.
English language requirements
Teaching is delivered in English.
You do not have to provide proof of your English language skills to join this course. But we want to make sure that you can use English well enough to study successfully.
Recommended level of English
This course uses our Postgraduate Higher level of English language proficiency.
These are our Postgraduate Higher requirements, and these are minimum scores.
IELTS Academic, IELTS UKVI Academic, and IELTS Online (not IELTS Indicator or IELTS General Training)
- 6.5 overall
- 5.5 for listening and speaking
- 6.0 for reading and writing
TOEFL iBT and TOEFL iBT Home Edition
- 90 overall
- 17 for listening
- 21 for reading
- 20 for speaking
- 21 for writing
- TOEFL DI code is 0818
Cambridge English: B2 First, C1 Advanced, or C2 Proficiency
- 176 overall
- 162 for listening and speaking
- 169 for reading and writing
LanguageCert Academic/LanguageCert Academic SELT
- 70 overall
- 60 for listening and speaking
- 65 for reading and writing
LanguageCert International ESOL B2 Communicator (Written and Spoken) – Online / In-centre
- Overall High Pass
- 33 for listening, reading and speaking
- 38 for writing
Oxford ELLT Digital – English Language Level Test Online
- 7.0 overall
- 5.0 for listening and speaking
- 6.0 for reading and writing
PTE Academic (online test not accepted)
- 62 overall
- 59 for listening, reading, speaking and writing
For more information about language qualifications see our English Language Requirements page.
You will need access to:
A computer (PC, laptop or Mac) operating on either:
- Windows 10 or later
- macOS 10.15 (Catalina) or later.
Most teaching materials are smartphone- and tablet-friendly. But we recommend a proper laptop or desktop for completing assignments comfortably.
Reliable internet access
We recommend:
- a wired connection
- a minimum download speed of 2 Mbps so you can take part fully in live sessions.
Speakers or headphones
- We recommend a headset with built-in microphone and earphones if you’re likely to study in an environment with background noise.
- A webcam is optional, but you may like to use one for some interactive sessions.
Software
We’ll give you access to Office365 applications. This means you can use online versions of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint and install these programs on up to five personal devices.
If your course requires specialist software, we’ll provide you with access to this and a licence that lasts throughout your studies.
See our detailed IT requirements for more information.
When you study with us, you can expect a first-class support structure so that you’re never alone in your studies.
But learning online does mean you have to motivate yourself and manage your own time.
Your most important commitment will be time – the time to work through, reflect on and understand your teaching materials.
Before you start a course that involves a high degree of independent study, we recommend looking at the time you will be able to devote to your studies each week:
- Be realistic
- Create a weekly schedule as a guide
If you have any questions about studying online, get in touch with our friendly team. We’re here to help.
Fee payment
Your course fee needs to be paid in full before you start your course.
We accept payment via Visa Debit, Visa Credit and Mastercard.
Ways to save
You may be able to get help funding this course via:
- discounts – if any discounts are available for this course, they’ll appear in the section below
- employer sponsorship – we accept full and partial fee payments from sponsors.
Find out more about funding options.
Student card
All our students are entitled to a University of Aberdeen student card. This gives you access to a range of student discounts around the city and online.
Learning resources
Access to all the books and resources you need are included in your tuition fee. They’ll be made available to you online and you do not have to buy your own copies.
Printing
You may wish to set aside a small budget for printing, depending on how you like to work.
This course has no formal entry requirements. You decide if it’s suitable for you.
The course is delivered at Masters level. At this level, you’d usually have at least:
- a 2:2 UK undergraduate degree (or equivalent), or
- relevant experience that supports this level of study.
