Business

Postgraduate Diploma in Leadership

The Postgraduate Diploma in Leadership (PGDL) is a programme that equips professionals with knowledge and skills in organisational leadership, team management and strategic decision-making. Offered at Pan Africa Christian University through the School of Leadership, Business and Technology, the programme prepares CEOs, managers, team leaders and professionals for leadership roles.

The curriculum covers leadership theory, organisational behaviour, strategic leadership, team leadership, change management, leadership communication, project management, financial management for leaders, ethical leadership and leadership research. Students develop both theoretical knowledge and practical skills in leadership and organisational management.

The programme responds to the need for trained leaders who can effectively guide organisations, manage teams and drive organisational success. It provides a comprehensive foundation for professionals seeking to enhance their leadership capabilities.

The programme is delivered through coursework over 9 months, with lectures, case studies, group discussions, leadership simulations and practical exercises. Students complete 10 courses of 3 credit hours each, totalling 30 credit hours.

Graduates pursue careers as organisational leaders, team leaders, project coordinators, departmental heads, programme managers and executive officers in corporate, non-profit and public sector organisations. They can also progress to a Master of Arts in Leadership.

Prospective students should have a first degree in any field and leadership experience or aspiration. The programme is suitable for professionals seeking to strengthen their leadership skills for career advancement.

Duration: 9 months
Public, up to: Ksh 110,000
Job market: Moderate

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Part-time
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 20 students
Award: Postgraduate Diploma

What you study

6 subjects

Leadership Theory and Organisational Behaviour
Strategic Leadership and Change Management
Team Leadership and Leadership Communication
Project Management and Financial Management for Leaders
Ethical Leadership and Corporate Governance
Leadership Research and Capstone Project

Modules

6 in the programme

Leadership Theory and Organisational Behaviour
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers leadership theory, leadership styles, organisational behaviour, motivation, organisational culture and leadership paradigms.
Strategic Leadership and Change Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers strategic leadership, strategic planning, vision and mission, change management, organisational change and leading transformation.
Team Leadership and Leadership Communication
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers team leadership, team dynamics, building effective teams, leadership communication, persuasive communication and interpersonal skills.
Project Management and Financial Management for Leaders
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers project management, project planning, project monitoring, financial management for leaders, budgeting and financial decision-making.
Ethical Leadership and Corporate Governance
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers ethical leadership, business ethics, corporate governance, accountability, transparency and responsible leadership.
Leadership Research and Capstone Project
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers leadership research methods, research design and a capstone leadership project applying leadership concepts to a real organisational challenge.

Specialisations

Strategic Leadership
Focuses on strategic planning and organisational strategy for careers as organisational leaders.
Team Leadership
Specialises in team management and development for careers as team leaders.
Change Management
Focuses on leading organisational change for careers as change management specialists.
Ethical Leadership
Specialises in ethics and governance for careers in corporate governance.

A day as a student

A typical day begins with a morning lecture on leadership theory or strategic leadership, followed by a case study on organisational behaviour or a team leadership exercise. Afternoon sessions may include a change management simulation, a leadership communication workshop, or group discussions on ethical leadership. Students also work on leadership projects and presentations.

The trade offs

In its favour

The programme is designed for working professionals with intakes in January, May and September.
Graduates can progress to a Master of Arts in Leadership at PAC University.
The programme is practical and applied, focusing on real-world leadership challenges.

Against it

The programme is offered at only one university, limiting study options.
The programme is relatively short at 9 months, which may limit depth of coverage.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 331 business courses

Public110k to 110k

110k at Open University of Kenya110k at Open University of Kenya

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

OUK PGD 110K/yr (ouk.ac.ke). PAC offers PGD Leadership but fee unverified.

Students can access HELB loans for postgraduate study. PAC University may offer internal bursaries and scholarships for outstanding students.

Funding options

HELB Loan

Scholarships

1 recorded

HELB Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students enrolled in accredited postgraduate programmes at recognised institutions

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+
Alternative entry: A first degree in any field from a recognised university.

How you are assessed

3 components

Continuous Assessment
Written examination40% of the mark
Mid-semester and end-of-semester written tests covering leadership theory, strategic leadership, team leadership and ethical leadership.
Leadership Assignments
Assignment30% of the mark
Assessment of leadership case studies, strategic plans, project proposals, leadership reflection papers and group presentations.
Capstone Project
Project30% of the mark
A capstone leadership project applying leadership concepts to a real organisational challenge, assessed through a written report and presentation.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at Pan Africa Christian University, School of Leadership, Business and Technology.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at Pan Africa Christian University, School of Leadership, Business and Technology.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

Organisational Leader
Moderate demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 350,000
Leads organisations, sets strategic direction, manages organisational performance and drives organisational success in corporate and non-profit sectors.
Team Leader
Moderate demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 250,000
Leads teams, coordinates team activities, supports team development and manages team performance in various organisational settings.
Project Coordinator
Moderate demandKsh 52,000 to Ksh 230,000
Coordinates projects, manages project implementation, oversees project teams and ensures project delivery in organisations.
Departmental Head
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 280,000
Manages departments, oversees departmental operations, leads staff and implements organisational strategy at departmental level.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as organisational leaders, team leaders, project coordinators and departmental heads in corporate, non-profit and public sector organisations.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Commission for University Education (CUE) Accreditation

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Leadership is an innate skill that cannot be taught.
Leadership involves learnable skills including strategic thinking, communication, team management, change management and ethical decision-making that can be developed through study and practice.
A postgraduate diploma in leadership is only for senior executives.
The programme is designed for professionals at various levels including team leaders, project coordinators and supervisors, not just senior executives.
Leadership studies are just common sense.
Leadership studies draw on organisational psychology, management theory, strategic planning and ethics, providing a rigorous academic foundation for leadership practice.
A PGD in Leadership is inferior to an MBA.
A PGD in Leadership focuses specifically on leadership capabilities, complementing an MBA. It can also serve as a pathway to a Master of Arts in Leadership.