Advanced Management Programme (AMP)

Academically led and certified by University of Manchester Business School

Join a New Generation of Leaders Shaping What Comes Next

Apply By Date:

26 August 2026

Six intake dates a year

To Start By:

31 August 2026

Format:

Online

Fee:

$5 000.00

Reduced partial bursary:

$3 000.00

Apply By Date:

26 August 2026

Six intake dates a year.

To Start Date:

31 August 2026

Fee:

$5 000.00

Reduced partial bursary fee:

$3 000.00

Please note that, due to currency fluctuations, payment will be made in South African Rand (ZAR).

The Advanced Management Programme (AMP) is a transformational leadership programme for experienced professionals who want to lead with greater clarity, courage, and impact in a rapidly changing world.

Certified by Alliance Manchester Business School, part of the University of Manchester, the programme is designed for leaders who want to strengthen their ability to navigate complexity, guide transformation, and create meaningful organisational and societal impact.

Key Programme Features

Transformational Leadership Capstone

Develop your leadership capability through a year-long capstone project where you implement meaningful organisational change. Apply evidence-based approaches, reflect on your leadership journey, and create measurable impact within your workplace.

Every module is designed to solve real organisational challenges. Rather than learning theory in isolation, participants immediately apply concepts, tools, and frameworks within their own organisations throughout the programme.

Study from anywhere in the world through a fully online, asynchronous learning experience. The programme is designed specifically for working professionals, allowing you to balance executive responsibilities with your studies.

Build advanced capabilities across strategic transformation, corporate governance, financial leadership, stakeholder management, data-driven decision-making, and critical thinking—equipping you to lead confidently in increasingly complex environments.

Gain a deeper understanding of your own leadership style through structured reflection, coaching principles, personality insights, and leadership development activities that strengthen self-awareness and executive presence.

Learn to lead sustainable organisational transformation using action research, quality improvement methodologies, and practical change management techniques that produce measurable business outcomes.

Complete a programme academically led and certified by Alliance Manchester Business School, part of the University of Manchester, while studying through the Foundation for Professional Development’s flexible online platform.

Join experienced leaders from multiple industries who are committed to ethical leadership, innovation, and sustainable organisational impact. Collaborate with peers who bring diverse perspectives and real-world executive experience.

Programme Format

7

Modules

SAQA ID

International programme

Fee

$5 000.00

Partial Bursary Fee

$3 000.00

This programme will run over one year and is split into modules that are eight weeks long. This includes seven weeks of study and a one-week break.

Module Fee
Transformational Leadership – Year Module and Capstone Assignment Included in the respective module fees
Corporate Accountability & Governance $833.00
Strategic Transformation: Leading Innovation and Change $833.00
Strategic Relationship Management: Balancing Internal & External Stakeholders $833.00
Strategic Financial Management $833.00
Data Science Strategies for Executive Success $834.00
Critical Thinking $834.00

Transformational Leadership – Year Module and Capstone Assignment

During this year-long capstone project, a student will implement a quality improvement project within their organisation. A journey of self-discovery and professional development will help grow insights to evaluate their progress and that of their peers to cultivate leadership qualities. Students will gain practical experience in identifying and addressing real-world challenges within the workplace, leveraging scientific methodology to drive change. They will use incremental cycles of action research to embrace positive change. Students will assess values, motivations, and personality types, deepening their understanding of leadership styles and their impact on organisational dynamics. Students will learn the importance of coaching and mentoring in transformation and through a series of reflective exercises, cultivate the skill of introspection and the ability to learn from successes and failures. Finally, students will develop a situational leadership approach learning to adapt their leadership style to diverse contexts, diversity and uniqueness to lead a team towards organisational and societal transformation.
Corporate Accountability & Governance
This module will prepare students to understand the detrimental effects of information asymmetry between board members and executive management on ethical, legal, and societal responsibilities. Students will cultivate a holistic perspective in decision-making processes and organisational culture. The module will equip leaders with practical tools and frameworks to effectively manage legal risks, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements while safeguarding the organisation’s reputation and interests. Students will learn to apply ethical decision-making frameworks and foster a culture of integrity and responsibility. By emphasising proactive communication and risk mitigation strategies, the module equips executives to detect and prevent corruption. Finally, leaders are challenged to critically assess the diverse needs of short-term and long-term stakeholders, finding a balance between profitability and sustainability.

Strategic Transformation: Leading Innovation and Change

This module is designed to equip senior leaders with the essential knowledge, skills, and behaviour needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving world of work. They will learn to identify and capitalise on emerging trends and driving forces impacting their industries while exploring innovative opportunities for growth and advancement. Through a comprehensive examination of strategic management processes, a student will gain the strategic competence and capability necessary to lead an organisation through periods of change effectively. Students will also delve into the psychology behind resistance to change, enabling them to proactively address and overcome challenges, and fostering a culture of resilience and adaptability within the team and organisation. By mastering these concepts, they will be better prepared to navigate the complexities of a dynamic work environment and drive sustained success.
Strategic Relationship Management: Balancing Internal & External Stakeholders
This module is designed to equip executive leaders with the skills for Strategic Relationship Management. They will look at internal and external strategic stakeholder analysis to assess perceptions. They will learn to craft compelling customer personas for marketing strategies, integrating online and offline channels to drive sustainable success. Students will analyse the effectiveness of internal communication strategies, looking at areas for enhancement that will boost morale, productivity, goal alignment, and learning to champion employee well-being.
Strategic Financial Management
This module will equip students to assess the financial health and performance of their organisation through techniques such as ratio analysis, cash flow forecasting, and trend analysis. With a blend of theory and practical application, they will develop systems to integrate financial risk management principles and scenario analysis into strategic planning, ensuring resilience and adaptability. Advanced tools will be used to evaluate the impact of strategic initiatives on profitability and liquidity, guiding informed decision-making and resource allocation. Students will design and implement performance measurement systems to track key financial metrics and monitor progress towards strategic objectives, fostering a culture of accountability and driving improvement in financial performance. Students will learn to interpret and communicate complex financial information and facilitate alignment and collaboration in strategic decision-making. They will also evaluate the financial viability of investment opportunities and design management systems to counter the sunk cost fallacy, growing strategic insight to navigate challenges and identify opportunities.
Data Science Strategies for Executive Success
This module provides a comprehensive understanding and insights to navigate the intricate terrain of data science and analytics within the business landscape. Theoretical foundations and practical applications will equip students to leverage the transformative potential of data-driven decision-making, integrating data science methodologies into an organisation’s operations. This will drive agility, resilience, and a sustained competitive advantage. They will grow a culture of continuous learning and innovation, embracing data as a strategic asset, and ensuring the organisation’s capacity to thrive.
Critical Thinking
This module will equip students with the skills and insights for critical thinking in personal and organisational contexts. Students will define critical thinking, discern between system one and system two thinking, and analyse cognitive biases that often cloud rational decision-making. They will learn to design systems to counter biases, fostering a culture of rigorous analysis and sound judgment, personally and professionally. Students will critically evaluate the use of biases in marketing strategies, and learn to recognise and mitigate their influence. They will assess the effectiveness of nudge units, using behavioural sciences to shape policy outcomes.

Pathways

To apply for this qualification, you must fully meet one of the two eligibility pathways.

Pathway 1

University degree and at least two years or more of management and/or leadership experience.

Leaders without a university degree but who have substantial leadership experience. We recognise that some of the world’s most transformative leaders have achieved extraordinary impact without completing a university degree.

If you have substantial leadership experience and a proven track record of driving change, we encourage you to apply and share your unique journey with us.

Note: When you apply to this pathway, please upload a 1-page overview of your leadership experience and your CV/Resume (maximum 2 pages) instead of a copy of your qualifications

All applicants (both pathway 1 and pathway 2) must have access to a workplace environment where they can apply course-related learning and related assignments.

Note: This does not have to be your current employers you can also access such opportunities by volunteering at a not-for-profit organisation.

More Than a Leadership Course

The AMP is not simply another leadership course.
It is part of a growing global leadership movement bringing together professionals committed to:

  • navigating complex systems
  • strengthening institutions
  • leading ethical transformation
  • shaping a more sustainable future

Why This Programme Matters Now

Today’s leaders face unprecedented challenges:

  • Climate change
  • Technological disruption
  • Geopolitical instability
  • Fragile institutions
  • Rising inequality

 

To lead effectively in this environment, professionals need more than technical knowledge.
They need the ability to:

  • think systemically
  • lead under uncertainty
  • manage stakeholders
  • make ethical decisions
  • drive real change

Practical. Applied. Transformational.

The AMP is designed for real-world application.
Participants apply what they learn directly to the challenges they face in their organisations and sectors.

You will strengthen your ability to:

  • lead strategic transformation
  • improve governance
  • navigate complexity
  • build long-term resilience and impact

World-Class Credibility

The programme is certified by Alliance Manchester Business School, one of the world’s leading business schools and part of the University of Manchester, a globally respected institution associated with 25 Nobel laureates.

Delivered in partnership with the Foundation for Professional Development (FPD), the programme combines:

  • global academic excellence
  • flexibility for working professionals
  • accessibility for leaders committed to impact

About Alliance Manchester Business School

Alliance Manchester Business School (AMBS), one of the world’s leading business schools, stands at the forefront of business innovation, part of the renowned University of Manchester, which claims 25 Nobel laureates among its current and former staff and students. As one of the elite business schools globally, it holds the prestigious triple accreditation from AACSB, AMBA, and EQUIS, marking it as a centre of excellence in business education.

About the AMBS - FPD partnership

This programme is academically led and certified by Alliance Manchester Business School (AMBS), one of the world’s leading business schools and part of the University of Manchester.


The Foundation for Professional Development (FPD), a global social impact education organisation, provides the advanced online learning platform and facilitates access through a limited number of bursary-supported places.


This partnership combines world-class academic excellence with global accessibility, making top-tier executive education available to a broader group of leaders without compromising quality.


The online learning experience has been independently quality assured by Quality Matters, achieving a near-perfect score of 107/110 — reflecting excellence in digital programme design and delivery.

Application And Start Dates

Apply By:Start By:
26 August 202631 August 2026
21 October 202626 October 2026
04 January 202717 January 2027
01 March 202714 March 2027
26 April 202709 May 2027
21 June 202704 July 2027
16 August 202729 August 2027
11 October 202724 October 2027

What graduates have to say

Teaching Team

Course Director

Dr Abdoulie Sallah

Associate Professor

Course Co-Director

Dr Gustaaf Wolvaardt

FPD Founder

Requirements

To apply for this qualification, you must fully meet one of the two eligibility pathways

Pathway 1:

University degree and at least two years or more of management and/or leadership experience.
OR

Pathway 2:

Leaders without a university degree but who have substantial leadership experience. We recognise that some of the world’s most transformative leaders have achieved extraordinary impact without completing a university degree.

If you have substantial leadership experience and a proven track record of driving change, we encourage you to apply and share your unique journey with us.

Note: When you apply to this pathway, please upload a 1-page overview of your leadership experience and your CV/Resume (maximum 2 pages) instead of a copy of your qualifications

All applicants (both pathway 1 and pathway 2) must have access to a workplace environment where they can apply course-related learning and related assignments.

Note: This does not have to be your current employers you can also access such opportunities by volunteering at a not-for-profit organisation.

We recommend having the following to study online:

Computer skills:

Computer skills and the ability to perform common tasks
Email and file management (create, access, edit, save, upload and download documents)
Ability to use a word processing program
Web-browsing skills

Computer requirements:

Laptop or PC
A stable internet connection
Video recording
Audio storage and playback
Audio recording
Web browsing
Document creation
Access to social networking
E-book storage and reading
Study notes storage and reading (PDF, MS Office)
Video storage and playback

  • Completed application form.
  • Certified copy of a picture ID.
  • Certified copy of your highest qualification and any other certification.
  • If you do not meet the first two admission requirements, we will require a comprehensive CV that provides detailed information on your work experience.