Who is it for?

Launching in 2020, the Systems Thinking Practice MSc aims to enhance the knowledge and understanding of those in positions in their mid-career decision-making roles or part of strategy development.

The broad purpose of the Systems Thinking Practitioner occupation is to support decision-makers in strategic and leadership roles to understand and address complex and sometimes even ‘multi-layered’ problems through provision of expert systemic analysis.

Our education philosophy is led by the basic principles of:

• Practice- and research-led teaching through a course team that are active practitioners and researchers;
• Technology-enhanced learning to maximise student engagement and available time in order to maximise the student experience;
• Learning through a mixture of formative and summative feedback and assessment using a variety of methods.

The course is taught through a blend of on-site and remote methods. Three modules are taught as residential modules, combining face-to-face lecturing, workshops and group work. Two modules begin with a short residential period, and then continue to completion in the workplace. Four of the core modules are taught through our learning portal providing flexibility to the student. Two modules begin on-site, but are then completed through practice in the workplace, with remote mentoring by Cranfield academic staff.

Full use will be made of blended learning, combining distance learning material via the VLE with online and onsite workshops. A wide variety of remote learning methods and materials will be used across the course. This is structured around a core of online lecture material and supporting text, with additional multimedia methods employed to maximise student learning time and approaches. This may include audio podcasts and audio-visual multimedia-based resources.

Your career

The primary opportunity for graduates 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 graduates are better prepared to tackle the current and emerging demands of the increasingly complex demands of the world we live and in.

Students can also exit with PGDip and PGCert awards.