Systems Thinking in Practice

This diploma develops your ability to approach and tackle complex, messy problem situations. It provides practical tools that bring new perspectives and approaches to problem-solving; it may change your thinking about a task or wider situation of interest. You’ll consider other people’s roles, reflect on your own and others’ practice and assess how the different components are related. The course develops holistic thinking and collaborative working skills, helping you move towards effective solutions and avoid systemic failures. You’ll choose option modules from engineering, business, development, environmental and innovation management.

To gain this qualification, you need 120 credits.



For module details please see "Course Web Page".

There are no entry requirements for this qualification.



However, some option modules do have entry requirements. We’ll ask you to prove you meet them when you register for any of these modules:



Financial markets and the financing of organisations (B815)

Managing in a changing world (B870)

Creating and sustaining value (B872)

Principles of social and psychological inquiry (DD801)

Advance your independent learning (YXM830)



Although this qualification has no entry requirements, we recommend you have:



A UK honours degree (or equivalent).



Minimum IELTS (International English Language Testing System) scores of:



Reading: 5.5

Writing: 5.5

Speaking: 5.5

Listening: 5.5

Overall: 6.0.

120 credits

2 years part-time study



How long it takes

Most students study the Postgraduate Diploma in Systems Thinking in Practice part-time, completing 60 credits a year over two years. Typically, this means 12–14 study hours each week.



You must complete the Postgraduate Diploma in Systems Thinking in Practice within eight years.

See Course Web Page link for next start date.

Career relevance

The knowledge, skills and understanding developed through this postgraduate diploma can be applied in many different situations. They are particularly relevant to managing and innovation in areas of practice that range from business and consultancy to health and social care, environment and development to engineering, technology and information systems. The flexibility in choice of modules allows managers and other professionals from a range of industries covering the private and public sectors to choose complementary modules that will enable them to tailor their learning. Relevance can be found in most organisations where an understanding of complex situations is required. This qualification can be useful for those who wish to demonstrate their capacity to manage more complex situations and problems or by those already working in systems and processes who may need to update their skills. If you are self-employed you may also find the knowledge developed by studying this combination of modules provides the opportunity to take a more objective and innovative view of the systems you have already created and how to change these for the future.