OTHM Level 8 Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership PracticeEquivalent to Executive DBA
The goal of the OTHM Level 8 Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice is to integrate advanced strategic management and leadership capabilities at the Doctoral level with business research skills to formulate a doctoral thesis.
In contrast to the Master’s level, the courses in the OTHM Level 8 Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice delve deeply into theories and their practical applications across various global business environments. The courses are led by practicing Doctorates with extensive academic and managerial experience.
Upon completion of the program, graduates attain competence at Level 8 (Doctoral level) and can collaborate with a majority of universities worldwide to pursue additional qualifications such as a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) or a PhD in Management upon completion of the doctoral dissertation.
| Program Description | |
|---|---|
| Ofqual inspection code | 603/6996/6 |
| Level UK regulation framework | RQF |
| Minimum training time | 2 years |
| Total credits | 180 Credits |
| Total learning time | 1800 Hours |
| Total time spent with instructors | 900 Hours |
| Language | English |
| Training unit | Accredited and licensed by the Level UK |
| Examination unit | Level UK |
| Licensing unit | OTHM UK |
Mandatory Modules:
- Developing Strategic Management and Leadership Potential (20 UK credits)
- Managing Strategic Change (20 UK credits)
- Project Development, Planning and Management (20 UK credits)
- Advanced Research Design and Methodologies (40 UK credits)
- Developing Research Capability (20 UK credits)
- Strategic Financial Management (20 UK credits)
- Strategic Human Resource Management (20 UK credits)
- Entrepreneurship and Innovation (20 UK credits)
Learning model:
The Level UK programs are designed to optimize the learning efficiency for busy working learners by applying a Hybrid model, combining live online classes and local mentoring. This approach supports academic learning with the goal of providing an effective learning experience that adapts to the global educational context.
SIMI Swiss is the exclusive unit implementing the global program, and students will study alongside with students of SIMI Swiss’s Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program.
Overview of the Hybrid Learning Model:
Supporting Systems:
After completing the OTHM Level 8 Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice program, learners can:
- Applied analytical skills and evaluation techniques to manage business operations at multinational corporations.
- Increased capacity to analyze and research not only in the organization but also to compare, evaluate and analyze the industry units.
- Develop capacity for self-study, self-analysis, self-assessment and improvement of activities in enterprises.
- Develop business research capacity, an important tool to form the primary study and improve their organization or their sector are managed.
- Develop the capacity of self-research and development if you want to develop into scientific researchers.
Assessment and verification:
All subjects of the Level UK program are evaluated by the London Academy of Sciences, Swiss Information and Management Institute and the Ofqual UK.Gov Awarding Body OTHM. Learners must demonstrate mastery of knowledge and attain the competencies detailed in the program Syllabus.
Entry requirements:
- Learners must be over 24 years old;
- A Master’s qualification in Majors from accredited universities; or
- A Level 7 EQF diploma or equivalent. Level 7 Diploma must be from organizations that are authorized to issue qualifications and have been accredited.
English requirements:
- English reached a minimum of CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference) level B2 or equivalent.
- IELTS 6.5; Speaking and writing must reach 6.5 or equivalent.
Note: The London Academy of Sciences (the owner of Level UK) and SIMI Swiss (the global implementing unit) reserve the right to determine acceptance or rejection based on the accreditation requirements and admission criteria.
The program is accredited at the national level in the United Kingdom, recognized as equivalent to all education systems in the UK. Upon graduation, students receive a diploma that is part of the UK National Qualifications Framework, accredited and recognized by the Ofqual UK.Gov Awarding Body.
Because the programs and qualifications offered are rigorously accredited by reputable organizations, upon graduation, students have the confidence to enter the job market, pursue further studies, and smoothly transition to other prestigious and equivalently reputable educational systems.
- See more information of the recognition at institutional level by the UK education authority Ofqual (UK.Gov) HERE
- See more information about the accreditation and recognition of Level UK HERE
OTHM Level 8 Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice is an equivalent program to an Executive DBA, with the Ofqual UK.Gov accreditation code 603/6996/6.
- OTHM Recognition at WES USA and Canada:
As a qualification within the framework of the UK National Qualifications Framework, recognized by Ofqual, OTHM’s diploma is not only acknowledged in the UK, Europe, and countries adhering to the National Qualification Framework (NQF) but also in nations with educational systems that do not strictly implement the NQF, such as the United States and Canada.
The following guidance is provided to verify the recognition of OTHM by WES in the United States and Canada for immigration and educational purposes. Please note that the information is accurate at the time of publication and may be subject to changes by WES and the regulations of each government.
WES (World Education Services) is a non-profit organization that provides credential evaluation services for international students intending to study and work in the United States and Canada. The information below is presented solely to demonstrate OTHM’s verification by WES at the time of information disclosure and serves no other purpose, including endorsement, support, commitment to immigration, residency, etc. SIMI Swiss and its partners do not commit to, charge fees for, or advise on this service.
Guidelines of how to check the recognition of OTHM:
Diplomas awarded by Level UK programs are part of the UK National Qualifications Framework, recognized not only by the UK government but also globally.
The table below outlines the equivalent recognition of the Level 8 UK Diploma with various qualification frameworks and levels of education in different educational systems worldwide.
| Level | Regulation framework | Equivalent Degree |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | Level UK (RQF) | level 8 diploma |
| 12 | Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) | Doctoral Degrees Professional Development Awards |
| Doctor degree | Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ) | doctorate, for example doctor of philosophy (PhD or DPhil) |
| 8 | European Qualifications Framework (EQF) | doctorate, for example doctor of philosophy (PhD or DPhil) level 8 diploma |
| 10 | Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) | Doctoral Degree |
| 10 | African Continental Qualification Framework (ACQF) | Doctoral Degree |
| 8 | ASEAN Qualifications Reference Framework (AQRF) | Doctoral Degree Level 8 Diploma |
| 8 | Vietnam Qualification Framework (VQF) | Doctoral degree |
Qualification and transcript template for OTHM Level 8 Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice:
Qualification
Transcript
After completing the UK Level 8 Diploma, students have received Doctoral-level competence. To obtain an additional Doctoral qualification from the university education system (such as a DBA, Doctor of Advanced Studies, PhD, etc.), students are required to undertake a Doctoral dissertation.
What superior distinctions does Level UK have?
Level UK is a practical and modern training program developed by the UK government since 2016, amidst economic fluctuations, global migration, and a surge in demand for overseas work by professionals. Among numerous training programs, Level UK is the optimal choice for learners who aspire to:
- Cost savings: The cost of Level UK is only 20% of that for undergraduate and postgraduate education in the United Kingdom.
- National recognition: As part of the UK national qualification framework, qualifications within the Level UK system are acknowledged by the UK government and the majority of countries and territories, including the United States and Canada.
- Unlimited transition: In the dynamic work environment, the ability to transition, adapt to new specialties, and swiftly adjust to new work environments is particularly crucial. Level UK helps students not only optimize their study time for employment but also enables them to obtain a Doctoral qualification (DBA, Doctor of Advanced Studies, PhD, etc.) from educational systems, including public universities in the UK and worldwide, with the completion of just one Doctoral dissertation.
- Super Savings Study Abroad: For those who desire full-time studies at public universities in the UK and other countries but have budget constraints, Level UK is the most cost-effective path. For instance, after completing the Level 8 Diploma, students can pursue full-time studies for a Doctor’s qualification at public universities in the UK and only need to pay fees for the thesis stage.
- Quick Graduation for Employment: The Level UK program is not protracted, and it excludes research-oriented subjects found in traditional programs. Students can graduate promptly upon completing the coursework.
- Equivalent Recognition with no Discrimination against Traditional University Education in the UK and Worldwide: The Level UK system, developed by the UK government, exhibits correlation, equivalence, and seamless transferability with traditional education systems without limitations.
- Online Learning without Impacting Employment: The Level UK program is 100% implemented through a fully online or Hybrid model (combining Live Class instruction – live televised classes with local academic support systems). The learning models optimize the learning process for working individuals.
Reference:
Video: Why is Level UK of the British government the optimal choice for learners and employers?
Video: The meaning of Level System in the labor market in the context of global labor mobility:
Video: The meaning of Level System in global diploma recognition:
Is my Level 8 Diploma equivalent to a Doctor's qualification?
Based on the UK national qualifications framework and the compatibility between the Level framework (RQF Framework) and the traditional university education system (FHEQ Framework), the Level 8 Diploma of the Level UK system is equivalent to the level of a Doctor’s qualification in the UK according to the UK higher education framework.
According to the direction of the UK government, the Level 8 Diploma is implemented entirely in the direction of practical competencies, so there is no research phase. With the practical and applied orientation mentioned above, the Level 8 Diploma of Level UK will encompass all subjects of a Doctor’s program but will not include research subjects and/or credits, resulting in fewer credits compared to a Doctor’s qualification in the UK.
Reference (information below is sourced from relevant entities authorized by the UK government, and it is not the property of Level UK):
- Reference portal linking various Levels in the UK national education system: HERE
- Comparison table between UK education levels and European education levels: HERE
Confirmation from ENIC NARIC regarding the equivalence of the RQF Level 8 Diploma to a Doctor’s qualification in the UK:
How is my Level 8 Diploma recognized globally?
OTHM Level 8 Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice program is accredited by the UK’s government with the Qualification Number: 603/6996/6
The OTHM Level 8 Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice is recognized at Level 8 of the UK National Qualifications Framework and Level 8 of the European Qualifications Framework:
Based on the systems comparing the equivalency between the National Qualifications Framework and regional frameworks:
The OTHM Level 8 Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice is recognized as Master Level across Europe according to the European Qualifications Framework (EQF):
The OTHM Level 8 Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice is recognized as Master Level across Australia according to the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF):
The OTHM Level 8 Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice is recognized as Master Level across African according to the African Qualifications Framework (ACQF):
Source: African Continental Qualifications Framework ACQF MAPPING STUDY
The OTHM Level 8 Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice is recognized as Master Level in the ASEAN region according to the common ASEAN Qualifications Reference Framework. Check HERE
OTHM Level 8 Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice in the United States and Canada:
Being a qualification within the framework of the UK National Qualifications Framework, recognized by Ofqual, OTHM’s diploma is not only acknowledged in the UK, Europe, and countries that adhere to the National Qualification Framework but also in countries with education systems that haven’t strictly implemented the National Qualification Framework, such as the United States and Canada.
The following instructions are for verifying the recognition of OTHM by WES (World Education Services) in the United States and Canada for immigration and educational purposes. Please note that the information is accurate at the time of publication and may be subject to changes by WES and the regulations of individual governments.
WES (World Education Services) is a non-profit organization that provides credential evaluation services for international students seeking to study and work in the United States and Canada. The information below is provided solely to demonstrate that OTHM is verified by WES at the time of the information’s release and is not intended for any other purposes, including promotion, support, commitment to immigration, or relocation. SIMI Swiss and its partners do not commit to, charge for, or provide consultation on this service.
How does the training process take place?
Students will directly study with SIMI Swiss with a 100% Swiss original program using a Hybrid model, combining Live Class sessions with foreign instructors along with a local online support system. See more Details HERE.
Is studying Live Class with SIMI Swiss effective?
Live Class is a training model that has developed dramatically when students can interact directly with instructors, while still having access to self-study materials on the Swiss LMS system. See more Detail HERE.
Who will be studying with me, and who are the instructors?
When implemented globally, Level UK exclusively collaborates with SIMI Swiss. Students pursuing the Level 7 Diploma will directly engage with SIMI Swiss and study alongside SIMI Swiss Master’s students.
How is the results recognition process carried out?
Level UK is a government-recognized program, so the results recognition process involves two independent assessments: Internal Quality Assurance (IQA) and External Quality Assurance (EQA) for each course and training outcome.
IQA: After completing a course, students submit their assignments to the SIMI Swiss system, and SIMI Swiss instructors assess the results. Provisional results are then returned to the students.
EQA: At the end of the course, all results are sent to the UK for an independent evaluation. The final results will be recognized and awarded a qualification by OTHM.
Level UK programs are accredited and recognized by Ofqual, within the UK National Competency Framework RQF.
The Level UK Qualification system is a preeminent system that makes the process of recognizing competencies and qualifications easy.
