Change Management and Leadership

Designed for professionals who lead projects, teams or organisational change, this course develops the knowledge and practical leadership skills needed to plan, implement and sustain successful change initiatives. Participants will explore established and emerging approaches to change management while strengthening their ability to lead people through complex organisational environments.

Through applied case studies, reflective practice and real-world change scenarios, participants will develop practical capabilities in leadership, communication, stakeholder engagement, problem-solving, conflict resolution and coaching. The course also examines team dynamics and the role of leadership in delivering successful project outcomes, helping participants build the confidence to lead change effectively within their own organisation.

To view the module descriptor (QUAL11015), please visit Programme Specifications and Module Descriptors 

 

Who is this course for?

This course is particularly relevant for professionals who are responsible for leading, managing or supporting organisational change, including:

• Project managers delivering business change and transformation initiatives
• Team leaders and managers responsible for implementing organisational change
• Professionals leading projects that require effective stakeholder engagement and communication
• Operations, business improvement and organisational development professionals seeking to strengthen their change leadership capability
• HR professionals supporting organisational change, workforce development and employee engagement
• Consultants and advisors working with organisations undergoing transformation
• Professionals aspiring to leadership roles where managing change, influencing others and leading teams are essential capabilities

Whether you are leading a major transformation programme or managing change within a team or project, this course will help you develop the practical leadership skills and confidence to plan, implement and sustain successful organisational change.

 

Why take this course?

Organisations are continually adapting to changing technologies, evolving workforce expectations and new strategic priorities. Successfully leading change requires more than effective planning – it demands strong leadership, clear communication and the ability to engage, influence and support people throughout the change process.

This course helps you develop the practical knowledge and leadership capability needed to manage organisational change with confidence. You will explore recognised change management approaches, strengthen your communication, coaching and stakeholder engagement skills, and learn how to respond effectively to the challenges that arise during transformation initiatives.

By combining leadership development with practical change management techniques, the course will help you lead teams more effectively, improve organisational outcomes and build the confidence to drive sustainable change within your own professional environment.

 

What you will learn

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Explain the key principles, models and approaches that support successful organisational change
• Evaluate how leadership styles and behaviours influence the successful implementation of change initiatives
• Apply recognised change management frameworks to plan, implement and evaluate organisational change
• Develop effective communication and stakeholder engagement strategies that build commitment and support successful change
• Demonstrate leadership skills that enable you to influence, motivate and support individuals and teams through periods of change
• Apply coaching, negotiation and conflict resolution techniques to address challenges that arise during organisational transformation
• Critically reflect on your own leadership approach to identify opportunities for continued professional development
• Analyse organisational change scenarios and recommend practical, evidence-informed solutions to support successful change outcomes

  

How you will learn

This course combines practical leadership development with applied change management, giving you the knowledge, skills and confidence to lead organisational change effectively. The learning experience is designed to encourage you to apply recognised change management approaches to realistic workplace scenarios while reflecting on your own leadership practice.

Depending on the mode of delivery, you will learn through a combination of:

• Tutor-led teaching sessions or structured online learning materials
• Practical case studies exploring organisational transformation and business change
• Guided activities focused on leadership, stakeholder engagement, communication and problem-solving
• Opportunities for reflection that strengthen self-awareness and leadership capability
• Independent study supported by online resources available through the University's virtual learning environment
• Tutor guidance and academic support appropriate to the delivery model

The course comprises approximately 200 hours of learning, including scheduled teaching or guided online learning, independent study and assessment. This flexible approach enables participants to balance postgraduate study with professional commitments while applying learning directly to their own organisational context.

 

Course content

The course explores the leadership capabilities, interpersonal skills and practical approaches needed to successfully lead organisational change. Participants will examine recognised change management frameworks before applying them to realistic organisational challenges, developing the confidence to lead change within project and business environments.

• Understanding Organisational Change

Explore the principles, models and drivers of organisational change, gaining an understanding of how structured change management approaches support successful transformation.

• Leading People Through Change

Examine the leadership styles, behaviours and decision-making approaches that enable leaders to inspire confidence, build commitment and guide teams through periods of change.

• Communication and Stakeholder Engagement

Develop practical strategies for engaging stakeholders, managing expectations and communicating effectively to support successful change implementation.

• Building High-Performing Teams

Explore the interpersonal skills that underpin effective change leadership, including coaching, negotiation, conflict resolution and team development.

• Managing Change in Project Environments

Apply change management principles within project settings, considering organisational culture, team dynamics, human resource considerations and the practical challenges of implementing change.

• Reflective Leadership and Professional Practice

Strengthen your leadership capability through reflective practice, evaluating your own approach to leading change and identifying opportunities for continued professional development.

 

Assessment

Assessment is designed to help you apply change management and leadership principles to a realistic organisational transformation scenario. Rather than testing theoretical knowledge in isolation, the assessment enables you to demonstrate how effective leadership, communication and change management can be applied to support successful organisational change.

You will complete an individual change management report, taking on the role of a change leader responsible for developing a comprehensive change management plan for an organisation undergoing significant transformation. Drawing on recognised change management models and leadership approaches, you will analyse organisational readiness, develop stakeholder and communication strategies, evaluate leadership requirements, and recommend practical actions that support successful implementation.

Through this assessment, you will strengthen your ability to analyse complex organisational challenges, develop evidence-informed change strategies, evaluate leadership approaches and communicate practical recommendations that can be applied within professional practice.

 

Applying your learning

Throughout the course, you will:

• Apply recognised change management frameworks to realistic organisational and project-based scenarios
• Analyse leadership challenges and evaluate practical approaches to managing organisational change
• Develop strategies for stakeholder engagement, communication and team leadership that support successful change implementation
• Strengthen your interpersonal skills through activities that develop coaching, negotiation, problem-solving and conflict resolution
• Reflect on your own leadership approach, identifying opportunities to enhance your effectiveness as a change leader
• Learn from contemporary organisational examples and industry perspectives to connect theory with professional practice

You will leave with:

• A practical understanding of how to plan, lead and evaluate organisational change initiatives
• Greater confidence in selecting and applying recognised change management approaches within your own organisation
• Enhanced leadership, communication and stakeholder engagement skills that support successful transformation
• The ability to develop structured change management plans that respond to organisational priorities and workforce needs
• Stronger self-awareness and reflective practice, enabling you to continue developing as an effective change leader
• Transferable leadership capabilities that can be applied across projects, teams and organisational change initiatives

 

Entry requirements

There are no formal entry requirements for this course.

The course is suitable for professionals involved in project management, organisational development, business improvement, leadership or change initiatives who wish to strengthen their understanding of change management and leadership in professional practice. It may also benefit individuals preparing for leadership responsibilities where successfully leading people through change is an essential capability.

Participants should be prepared to engage with study at SCQF Level 11, including independent learning, critical reflection and the application of change management principles to realistic organisational scenarios. Previous experience of working within projects, teams or organisational change initiatives may be beneficial but is not essential.

 

Certification

Upon successful completion, participants will be awarded 20 credits at SCQF Level 11.

These credits may contribute towards further postgraduate study at the University of the West of Scotland, where appropriate and in accordance with University regulations.

 

Sector and workforce relevance

Leading organisational change is a core capability for organisations seeking to improve performance, deliver transformation and respond effectively to evolving strategic priorities. This course reflects current professional practice by developing the leadership, communication and change management capabilities needed to plan, implement and sustain successful organisational change.

Participants will explore recognised change management models alongside practical leadership approaches, strengthening their ability to engage stakeholders, build high-performing teams and manage change within project and organisational settings. Learning is further enriched through contributions from industry speakers, who share contemporary experiences of leading organisational change and addressing real-world workplace challenges.

The course also forms part of the MSc Project Management, which is accredited by the Association for Project Management (APM), reinforcing its alignment with recognised professional standards and contemporary project management practice.

 

NOTE: This is a university module and upon approval of your application, you will be invited to register and then supported to complete enrolment. To enrol on the university system, the first step involves security set-up using the Microsoft Authenticator app; you will need to ensure that you have a compatible smartphone.

Further enrolment information is available at the Student Information Portal.

To access this module via the CPD route, individuals should be ordinarily resident in Scotland.