Hear how studying Voluntary Sector Management at Cass Business School developed Ruth’s leadership skills and influenced her work at a charity focused on improving the lives of disadvantaged families.
Overview
Who is it for?
You will have been working in the voluntary, community & charity sector for at least three years. You may alternatively have gained sound understanding of the sector through trusteeship or some other form of volunteering.
This course is ideal for you if you want to follow an advanced route for management and career development opportunities that encourage higher standards of effectiveness within the sector.
Objectives
This course is your complete development programme for superior performance in the third sector. You’ll study along a path that blends theory and practice around subjects such as managing people and quality, and leadership and managing change. You will develop a broad knowledge and conceptual base in organisational analysis, leadership and change. During your studies, you will be introduced to practical tools to help improve organisational effectiveness and individual performance in change management. You will also develop a broad knowledge and conceptual base in the field of quality management, people management and the management of multiple stakeholder needs. You’ll also explore the application of practical tools to help implement quality assurance systems in a nonprofit organisation, and theory and tools for managing individual performance.
For further enquiries please contact: Dr Justin Davis-Smith CBE, The Charities Programme Office or 020 7040 5114.
Structure
- Gain broad knowledge and understanding of non-profit organisations, the external context within which they operate, and how they should be led and managed (integrating the different disciplines holistically).
- Develop and challenge your own understanding and appreciation of the conceptual foundation of these fields, and of their relevance in an applied setting.
- Study a range of cognitive, intellectual and interpersonal skills and techniques to apply directly to your day-to-day work.
- Develop deep, relevant insights into charity management from your peers from different but related backgrounds through networking, study and sharing of ideas. 5. Acquire the ability to deliver direct benefits back to your organisation in the form of recommendations for improved effectiveness across all the subject areas covered.
- Acquire the ability to deliver direct benefits back to your organisation in the form of recommendations for improved effectiveness across all the subject areas covered.
Induction
The Charities programme courses starting in October will have a final session for the in-person registration followed by an Induction Programme on Thursday 07 October 2021.
Module outlines
Learning and Understanding the Voluntary Sector (10 credits)
This module represents the starting point for you and the opportunity to learn about the process of learning and establishing plans for learning on the programme. The vital 'Learning Contract' is developed on this module, and forms the basis of the learning throughout the Masters programme. It also offers a perspective on leading public/voluntary sector debates within an historical context, alongside a more enduring understanding of scholarly approaches to the understanding of developments and changes in the relationship between government and the voluntary sector.
Strategy, Diversity and Governance (20 credits)
This module aims to enable you to develop a broad knowledge and conceptual base in the field of strategy development, diversity and governance.
Marketing and Fundraising (10 credits)
This module aims to provide you with the concepts, underpinning knowledge, skills and techniques to plan and develop marketing and operations systems and enable students to analyse marketing needs, evaluate marketing plans, in the context of applying marketing concepts to their own organisation.
People Management in the Voluntary Sector (10 credits)
This module provides you with an appreciation of key aspects of voluntary sector human resource issues, including the critical issue of volunteer management.
Charity Accounting and Finance (20 credits)
This module aims to to provide you with an understanding of the specialist charity accounting framework grounded in trust law and fund accounting principles and issues of financial management.
Shadowing (20 credits)
In this module you will develop a different perspective on the role and environment at senior management level in a different organisation by shadowing a senior manager or fieldwork consultancy exercise - observing and learning from the experience.
Organisation, Leadership and Change (15 credits)
This module aims to develop broad knowledge and conceptual base in the field or organisation analysis, leadership and change.
Managing People and Quality (15 credits)
This module aims to develop a broad knowledge and conceptual base in the field of quality management, people management and the management of multiple stakeholder needs.
Assessment methods
The Postgraduate Diploma is offered on a part time basis and is taught over a period of 12 months. The Diploma consists of five core modules plus three specialist pathway modules. The core modules are shared by all five Centre for Charity Effectiveness postgraduate courses.
Upon successful completion of the diploma, you will be given the option to continue to the MSc. This requires completion of the Research Methods for Managers module.
This can be followed by a further six months of personal, supervised research and the presentation of a 15,000-word dissertation.
Alternatively, you can opt to take a taught Masters which allows you to choose specialist modules from one of the other Charities programmes.
Term dates
Term dates October 2021 intake
Induction
07 October 2021
Learning and Understanding the Voluntary Sector
08 - 09 October 2021
Strategy, Diversity and Governance
12 - 13 November 2021; 10 - 11 December 2021
Marketing and Fundraising
14 - 15 January 2022
People Management in the Voluntary Sector
11- 12 February 2022
Charity Accounting and Finance
11- 12 March 2022; 01 - 02 April 2022
Organisation, Leadership and Change
13 - 14 May 2022; 17 June 2022
Managing People and Quality
18 June 2022; 22 - 23 July 2022
Shadowing Process to be completed by early August 2022
Course Review Day
02 September 2022
* all other modules are assessed by coursework
MSc conversion Upon successful completion of the diploma, you will be given the option to continue to the MSc. This requires completion of the Research Methods for Managers module.
This can be followed by a further six months of personal, supervised research and the presentation of a 15,000-word dissertation.
Alternatively, you can opt to take a taught Masters which allows you to choose specialist modules from one of the other Charities programmes.
Term dates For students progressing from the Postgraduate Diploma Intake in 2021
Research Methods for Managers
20 - 21 January 2023
Dissertation or Taught Masters Option
completion by mid-September 2023
Teaching staff
Course Director
Academic expert working at Cass Business School
Justin Davis Smith is a Senior Lecturer and the academic leader on the MSc Voluntary Sector Management. He was previously Chief Executive of Volunteering England, Director of the Institute for Volunteering Research and Executive Director of Volunteering at NCVO. He has over 20 years researching and leading in the volunteering movement and has advised the UK Government and the United Nations on the development of volunteering policy.
Oonagh Aitken is an experienced senior manager, and currently the Chief Executive of Volunteering Matters (formerly CVS). Prior to that she held a number of senior posts in local government in Scotland and at the Improvement and Development Agency for Local Government. She was a part-time lecturer and researcher in social policy in Quebec and has experience of European policy and programmes.
Atul Patel is a Senior Teaching Fellow and the academic leader on the Hospice Leadership and Management module. Qualified in social work, he has spent more than 15 years working in the voluntary and statutory sectors. His particular interests are in management development, strategy development, diversity development, assessment of complex staffing situations and advising trustees.
Guest Lecturers for the Voluntary Sector Management course have included:
Debra Allcock- Tyler, Chief Executive, Directory of Social Change; Caron Bradshaw, Chief Executive, Chariy Finance Group; Paul Farmer CBE, Chief Executive, Mind; Rosie Ferguson, Chief Executive, House of St Barnabas; Ivo Gormley, Chief Executive, Good Gym; Nigel Hartley, CEO, Earl Mountbatten Hospice; Catherine Johnstone, Chief Executive, Royal Voluntary Service; Javed Khan, Chief Executive, Barnado's; Nigel Lewis, Chief Executive, Ability Net; Bharat Mehta, Chief Executive, City Parochial; Heather Richardson, Joint Chief Executive, St Christopher’s Hospice; Ruth Sutherland, Chief Executive, Samaritans.
Application
How to apply
We are now accepting applications for the start of the PgDip/MSc in Voluntary Sector Management for October 2020.
Terms and conditions
Students applying to study at Cass Business School are subject to City, University of London's terms and conditions.
Entry requirements
All students will be highly motivated graduate-level people who bring a wide range of professional competencies, skills and experience from a wide range of backgrounds.
In general we ask for a good first degree, normally an upper second-class honours degree from a British University or a relevant professional qualification: e.g: ICSA; and three or more year’s relevant experience at a senior level. In exceptional cases we will also accept those without a degree but with significant work experience. Provided you have more than three years relevant experience, two professional references are acceptable.
In order to participate fully in the collaborative learning process all students who have not previously studied in English must sit an IELTS exam.
English language requirements
In order to participate fully in the collaborative learning process all students who have not previously studied in English must sit an IELTS exam.
The minimum required IELTS level is an average of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in writing and no less than 6.0 in any other section.
If you are not a native English speaker but have been working in the UK for the last three years it is unlikely you will need to take the test.
Fees
Fees in each subsequent year of study (where applicable) will be subject to an annual increase of 2%. We will confirm any change to the annual tuition fee to you in writing prior to you commencing each subsequent year of study (where applicable).
The course fees for all five courses in the Charities Programme are payable at the start of the academic year. The fee for the Postgraduate Diploma is £6,600 for 2021/22 entry. A deposit of £400 is payable on acceptance of a place. For self-paying students, the balance is payable in two instalments, the first during the registration process in September and the second at the end of January. For those converting the Diploma to MSc a further Diploma to MSc a further £3,750 for 2021/22 entry is payable in one instalment at the beginning of the second year.
You may wish to look at the PG Loan option for funding.
Students on the course who are sponsored by their employer will need to complete a sponsorship form as part of the application process. This can be completed for the Postgraduate Diploma or the MSc. An invoice for the full fees for the academic year will be sent to the employer in October for the Postgraduate Diploma. If the employer is a charity, they can request payment in two instalments by contacting the person named on the invoice. This arrangement allows the charity to spread the fees across two financial years.
Career pathways
Past student feedback has been very positive:
"For me, studying this master's gave me the conviction to take a step up; a leap of faith into a world of social impact bonds and outcomes contracts at a dynamic start up - something I would never have done otherwise. So I can say with confidence that I wouldn't be doing a job I love, if I hadn't studied this degree. Hopefully I've also made some lfelong friends along the way."
- Anna Cogger
”The MSc Voluntary Sector Management course gave me the skills to transform my organisation from a small single service charity into a respected player in public sector commissioning locally. The PG Dip year allowed us to measure the impact of our work to inform future practice, and to improve every aspect of the organisation from Governance to fundraising. Not only that but undertaking Masters research was a valuable and enjoyable experience for me personally!”
- Deborah Cartwright, CEO, Oasis Domestic Abuse Service
“I enrolled on the MSc in Voluntary Sector Management, and I found it enlightening and also good fun. The core tutors and guest lecturers were top quality, and were also very encouraging. They really pushed us to fully explore the subjects we were covering. Since graduating, every element of the course has proved extremely useful. I have been able to utilise everything from teaching on big picture vision, mission and values, to the detail inherent in the subject of financial management. Since graduating I had changed jobs and organisation, and moved into a more senior role. Studying at Cass has been instrumental to this journey, and I enjoy continued contact with Cass, and the opportunities that the Cass community provides.”
- Andy Langford, Director of Operations, Cruse
"The MSc in Voluntary Sector Management was a fantastic challenge and I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of the course. I now have a much deeper insight in the challenges and opportunities facing the charity sector and I'm well equipped to help organisations think strategically about how to flourish and grow. This aside, the course was a lot of fun, I made some great friends and I am extremely proud to call myself an alumni of Cass Business School."
- Jeremy Jalie, Performance Improvement Specialist, ASI
Course information and statistics
Accreditation
The Charities Master's courses were accredited by the Nonprofit Academic Centers Council (NACC) in January 2019 as the only programme in Europe to be included in the first group reviewed. NACC Accreditation fosters third sector academic programmes worldwide.
