The details
Location: Online Mode of study: Part-time Qualification: CertHE Indicative duration: 16 months
Start date: Awarding body: University of Essex Delivered by: Kaplan Open Learning For queries: Call +44 (0) 1206 489 358

Gain fundamental management skills and an appreciation of the modern business world with this short online course that introduces key business concepts.

Available as the first step towards either of our full undergraduate business degrees, but also beneficial as a standalone qualification, you will study topics such as:

  • establishing effective working teams
  • marketing fundamentals and the impact on consumers
  • the economic environment within which businesses operate
  • financial and management accounting

This short course also includes an introduction to online learning and best practices for getting the most from your study opportunities. With engaging discussion forums, live Q&As and reflective journal entries, you will have a lot of ways to consolidate your learning and apply it to situations that arise within your own personal and professional life.

Why we’re great

  • Gain a recognised qualification in just 16 months.
  • Each student is supported by a dedicated Student Support team, who act as their mentor and guide from admission through to graduation.
  • Receive your degree from the University of Essex, a top 40 UK university (Complete University Guide 2023).

The CertHE Business and Management is made up of the following modules and, upon completion, is equal to a total of 120 credits.

Build your proficiency, grow in confidence and familiarise yourself with the key areas of business in this exciting module. You’ll also develop key academic skillssuch as report writing, research, referencing, writing and reflective learning that will be beneficial in your future career. 

Distinguish between the role of leader and manager, and understand how to establish effective teams to increase motivation in the workplace. This valuable module will also develop your understanding of effective communication channels leaders employ, as well as the overall communication process. 

This valuable module examines the modern marketing environment and the four main decision-making areas to consider in business. You’ll then progress into interesting psychological aspects, such as buyer behaviour and consumer influence, while developing an understanding of the role of marketing in society as a whole.  

Explore the complexities of human resource management in this insightful module. You’ll gain a critical understanding of HR theories and practices in a global context, as well as a deeper awareness of ideologies within a wider social, political and economic setting. You’ll also consider the strategic influences of stakeholders on business performance. 

What role does finance play within an organisation? Find out in this valuable module. You'll cover topics such as budgeting, cost management and capital investment analysis, while developing your ability to analyse and evaluate performance. That way, you can make decisions based on financial information. 

How do businesses work within an international economy? In this insightful module, you'll learn about the internal and external environment of organisations and explore how it impacts people, technology and resources. This module will also provide you with a grounding in approaches to organisation management.  

This in-depth module will introduce you to the core skills currently in demand in the global labour market – while giving you a greater understanding of how to better prepare your skillset for today’s fast-paced job market. Evaluate your current core skills and plan to develop them in-line with fluctuating labour market demands.  

Teaching methods 

Studying online gives you the freedom to study when and where it suits you – at home, during your lunch hour or anywhere else you have internet access.  

Our courses are delivered through a virtual learning environment (VLE) instead of a traditional campus. This means you’ll have access to your study materials 24/7, including:  

  • multimedia lecturecasts made up of written content, short videos, animation, audio recordings, infographics, short tests and mini-assignments 
  • discussion forums for you to chat about the course content with fellow students 
  • live seminars and Q&A sessions with your tutors 
  • a comprehensive eLibrary of textbooks and academic journals  
  • support from academic staff and your dedicated Student Support team 

 

Assessments 

You’ll be assessed through a series of assignments. This can be by engaging in discussion forums throughout your modules, completing reflective journal entries, delivering live presentations or by submitting longer written pieces. 

We’re committed to providing frequent and transparent feedback in the following ways: 

  • our assessment criteria are designed to be simple and transparent 
  • you’ll always be aware of your current provisional grade, right from the start of the programme 
  • you’ll be able to view your marks clearly in your gradebook whenever you log into the learning platform 
  • there’s a 7-day turnaround for marking and feedback of assessed work 
  • you’ll have regular contact with your Student Support team, with whom you can discuss any concerns as soon as they arise 

 

Online learning experience 

Your learning experience will be fully supported by high-quality learning materials and resources, delivered via our state-of-the-art virtual learning environment (VLE).  

On average, your learning experience will include the following: 

  • directed learning (40%) this includes participating in tutor-led discussions and seminars, completing interactive exercises on the VLE, and watching videos and lecturecasts. You’ll also be able to book appointments with your module tutor during their office hours, which can be found on the VLE 
  • self-directed learning (30%) – including undertaking wider reading and research in your area of study to develop your understanding of the subject area 
  • assessment (30%) time spent preparing ad completing assignments and activities that contribute towards your overall assessment. 

Typically, you’ll need to dedicate a minimum 15-20 hours of study per module, per week. 

 

Study duration 

Our CertHE Business and Management has an indicative study duration of 16 months, which is a guide to how long your course will take to complete. The actual duration may be longer or shorter depending on your speed of study, study options chosen and module availability.  

It’s possible to complete your studies faster than the indicative course duration by doubling up on modules at certain times; however, minimum study durations do apply.  

Our academic year is organised into modules, typically with a one or two-week break between modules and a structured three-week break for the Christmas period. Students will receive a course timetable during the application process.  

All our courses have regular start dates throughout the year.  

On successful completion of your degree, you’ll be invited to attend a graduation ceremony at the University of Essex’s Colchester campus. 

 

Academic staff 

A quality teaching experience is at the heart of everything we do.  

The dedicated tutors who teach our course modules are subject matter experts, experienced academics and leading industry thought leaders. They play a vital role in ensuring the latest theories and areas of study are covered in our courses, and are proud to provide a high level of academic support. 

You can find more information on our key academic staff and their experience here. 

 

Quality and assurance  

We’re proud to provide a first-class education to students anywhere in the world and adhere to the strictest quality standards 

The University of Essex Online is a recognised member of the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) and registered with the Office for Students (OfS).

All our degrees are delivered by Kaplan Open Learning, a world-leading education provider with over 15 years’ experience. 

The skills and knowledge gained through this short course can be applied to various careers, as good business acumen is an incredibly transferable skill. In particular, you’d be well suited for roles in finance, consultancy, human resource management, marketing, operations management, accounting and general management. You could further improve your business skillset and knowledge by progressing onto one of our full Bachelors degrees in management or marketing.

Gaining an undergraduate qualification with the University of Essex Online also puts you in good stead for your career prospects. Results from our 2021 student survey showed:

  • 92% of students said their course helped develop their research skills
  • 89% of students say their studies fit with their future plans
  • Almost 60% said their studies had a positive effect on their career
  • 25% of students saw their salaries increase by up to 10%

We believe that education should be accessible for everyone. That’s why we offer an open entry route – meaning you don’t need any prior academic or work experience in order to start studying with us. You will also need to meet our English language requirements.

You will need to pass your first assignment set within the first three weeks of the course in order to continue with your studies.

 

English language requirements

As our courses are delivered in English, a high proficiency with English is required. If English is not your first language, your English ability should be equivalent to an IELTS (Academic) score of 6.0. Don’t worry if you don’t hold an IELTS or equivalent qualification – we offer a free online English test to assess your proficiency.

You don’t need to prove your English ability if you are a national of, or have completed a qualification equivalent to a UK degree in, any of these countries.

Full tuition fee: 
£6,167 UK / £6,475 International (2023-24) Δ 

  • Designated for undergraduate student loans in England. 
  • Simple monthly payment plan available, enabling you to spread the cost over the duration of your studies. 
  • Full payment discount of 5% if you pay upfront. 
  • Regional scholarship available for international students based overseas in eligible countries. 
  • 10% corporate discount available when three or more of your employees study with us.   

Please note, a maximum of two discounts or scholarships can be applied. The corporate discount can only be used in combination with our upfront payment discount, but not in conjunction with any other discount or scholarship. Find out more information about our discounts and scholarships here. 

Our course fees are fully inclusive – all teaching materials and required reading are included, and there are no hidden charges for assessments or resits.  

Δ All tuition fees shown are net of any applicable sales tax payable by you in your country of residence. Where we are required to add sales tax at the local statutory rate, this will be added to the tuition fees shown and confirmed during the payment process. 

Subject specialists, industry authorities and experienced academics: the tutors who teach modules on our CertHE Business and Management are experts in the field of business.

What our students say

testimonials

Matthew Jones - BA (Hons) Business and Management

The lessons are truly global, with students and tutors participating from anywhere. I’d had several good jobs in retail management and banking, yet there was something missing. I didn't want to give up work, as I was enjoying a reasonable salary, yet I longed for more. Online learning brings the classroom to you. Interactive lessons take place via online seminars that give both visual and audio dialogue with a real tutor and classmates at a convenient time of day. The lessons are truly global, with students and tutors participating from anywhere; Brazil, China, America, and the UK – all in real time. Also, the support available is unbelievable: the students, the tutors, the course materials and textbooks – it’s all fantastic. You even get your very own Student Adviser!

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Serina Jonas - BA (Hons) Business and Management

I set out to earn a living instead of studying, but despite this choice I always wanted to fulfil my ambition to have a qualification. I set about furthering my education, to advance my business understanding and enrich my life skills; all from the comfort of my home. That's why I chose to study BA (Hons) Business and Management with the University of Essex Online. My new-found knowledge and confidence have improved my career over the past four years, teaching me the ‘corporate speak’ and I feel qualified to belong to the corporate world. My final objective on my personal development plan was for my daughter to look up to me and see me as a good example of a working mother with a growing career. Having my family at my graduation filled me with pride.   Interested in seeing where a business course could lead you? To find out more,

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Jamie Wakeman - BA (Hons) Business and Management

I started my studies in 2012 and all was going smoothly in my career and with my education until 2015, when I discovered that I had a tumour. This turned out to be non-cancerous, but it was very big and required a seven-hour operation to remove it. The surgeon (who was a big rugby fan) described it as being the size of a size three rugby balls! I recovered from the operation quickly and I was able to carry on with my studies. However, I soon began getting severe inflammation in all my joints. This progressively got worse over Christmas 2015 and into 2016 and I ended up needing three more operations in early 2016. Although this was supposed to help me, it actually made the problems with my joints accelerate and by April/May 2016 I was in incredible pain in more or less every joint of my body. I was eventually diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in the summer of 2016; this is a...

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