MA in Leading Innovation and Change — Online from Johannesburg, South Africa

From the pulse of Johannesburg, South Africa, you can earn the MA in Leading Innovation and Change online and elevate your leadership impact without pausing your life or career. Delivered in exclusive partnership between York St John University and Robert Kennedy College, this programme empowers you to design, lead, and embed transformative initiatives that resonate in any organisation, anywhere.

Whether you’re advancing within financial services, technology, mining, consulting, the public sector, or entrepreneurial ventures, you’ll develop a future-ready mindset and a toolkit for navigating complexity—while studying from your home, office, or a favourite café in Joburg.

Awarded a British degree recognised internationally

Graduate with a British master’s degree that carries global credibility. Employers across continents understand the rigour and standards of UK postgraduate education, opening doors to opportunities in multinational corporations, NGOs, consultancies, and public institutions.

This internationally recognised qualification signals to employers that you can analyse complex problems, drive innovation ethically, and lead people through change—skills that travel across borders and industries.

100% online — finish in as little as undefined

Progress at a pace that fits your goals and life commitments. The entire programme is delivered online, enabling you to structure your study time around work, family, and personal priorities—without visas, campus commutes, or career breaks.

If you’re ready to accelerate, you can complete the programme 100% online in as little as undefined, focusing your energy where it matters most: learning that advances your leadership and magnifies your impact.

Truly flexible — no fixed login times

There are no mandatory live sessions or attendance at specific times and dates. Your learning is designed around you, so you can watch lectures, participate in forums, and complete activities when your schedule allows—early mornings, late evenings, weekends, or during quiet moments in between.

This flexibility empowers you to stay fully engaged at work and at home while progressing steadily through your studies, turning the rhythm of your days in Johannesburg into a sustainable learning routine.

Study anywhere, even offline with our mobile app

Wherever life takes you—from Sandton boardrooms to Maboneng studios, client sites, or cross-country travel—you can keep learning. Our mobile app lets you download study materials and lectures to your device so you can study on the move, even without an internet connection.

Seamless syncing ensures your notes, highlights, and progress are saved when you reconnect. Your degree travels with you, turning commutes and travel time into momentum.

Open-book assessments that mirror real-world practice

Instead of traditional question-and-answer exams, you’ll engage in open-book assessments that value application over memorisation. You’ll analyse contemporary case studies, propose evidence-based strategies, and demonstrate how you’d lead innovation and change in complex contexts.

This approach reflects how leaders actually work: with access to information, time for critical thinking, and accountability for making strong, defensible decisions.

Learn from tutors educated at renowned universities

Our faculty combine academic excellence with practical insight, and include tutors educated at world-renowned institutions such as Oxford, Harvard, EPFL, the University of Basel, and Washington University in St. Louis. You’ll be guided by scholars and practitioners who’ve seen innovation and change from multiple vantage points.

Expect rigorous feedback, challenging questions, and supportive mentoring that sharpens your thinking and strengthens your capacity to lead with clarity and purpose.

Join a worldwide community of professionals

Study alongside a diverse cohort from over 130 countries, and connect with alumni working for international organisations like the United Nations, Google, ICRC, The World Bank, Microsoft, Intel, Samsung, Tencent, Siemens, and Sony. This network becomes a source of ideas, collaboration, and career opportunities well beyond graduation.

Through discussions, projects, and peer learning, you’ll broaden your perspective, refine your leadership style, and form connections that can spark partnerships across borders and sectors.

Manageable tuition with monthly instalments

Education should be an investment you can plan confidently. Our fees can be paid in up to 18 monthly interest-free instalments, helping you balance ambition with affordability.

This predictable approach to budgeting allows you to focus on learning and career growth while maintaining financial flexibility.

Why this programme matters in Johannesburg, South Africa

Johannesburg is a powerhouse for finance, fintech, and consulting. With this master’s, you’ll be equipped to lead strategic transformation across banks, asset managers, and advisory firms—whether driving digital adoption, building data-informed cultures, or shaping ESG and sustainability agendas. The ability to align stakeholders and execute innovation deliverables is highly prized in South Africa’s competitive financial hub.

As the headquarters city for many mining, energy, manufacturing, and logistics organisations, Johannesburg needs leaders who can navigate the Fourth Industrial Revolution, automation, and the energy transition. You’ll learn to structure change initiatives that improve safety, productivity, and environmental performance—skills that support responsible growth and organisational resilience.

Joburg’s public sector, healthcare providers, NGOs, and vibrant startup ecosystem all require leaders who can turn bold ideas into measurable outcomes. From smart-city initiatives and service redesign to social innovation and inclusive entrepreneurship, the programme helps you craft compelling cases for change, secure buy-in, and deliver results that matter to communities and markets alike.

Begin your journey

If you’re ready to study from Johannesburg, accelerate your career, and lead with confidence on a global stage, take the next step. Request our course catalogue and discover how this online master’s can help you shape the future you want.