The details
Location: Online Mode of study: Part-time Qualification: PG Cert Indicative duration: 8 months
Start date: Awarding body: University of Essex Delivered by: Kaplan Open Learning For queries: Call +44 (0) 1206 489 358

If you’re seeking a way to gain essential business skills and knowledge while keeping your future study options open, our short postgraduate certificate course in business and management is a great choice.

You will begin the course with a critical introduction to the main principles and practices of contemporary management and organisational behaviour. Our optional modules allow you to create a personalised course that caters to your interests and career aspirations, with areas of study including:

  • the key concepts that underlie marketing and how to develop a strategy
  • theories of leadership and how they apply in practice
  • human resource management and its distinction from personnel approaches
  • financial decision-making in the short and long term

Throughout your studies you will be collaborating with your fellow students and tutors through interactive discussion forums, live Q&A sessions and completing thoughtful and well-researched assignments. These will help you develop many of the key transferable skills that will take you far within the ever-changing business world.

After you complete your studies, you have the option to progress onto our postgraduate business pathways in management or finance.

Why we’re great

  • Gain a highly recognised postgraduate qualification in just 8 months.
  • Each student is supported by a dedicated team of Student Advisers, who act as their mentor and guide from admission through to graduation.
  • We achieved the highest student satisfaction rating worldwide for online classroom experience in the Global Student Satisfaction Awards (GSSA 2021)

The PG Cert Business Management is made up of the following modules and, upon completion, is equal to a total of 60 credits.

Optional modules: choose modules worth a total of 20 credits.

Learn the essentials of contemporary management and organisational theory in this career-enhancing module. You'll learn how to manage individuals, teams, groups and cultureswhile studying real-life case studies to provide further background on the wider economic and political landscape shaping management today.  

What role does marketing play in your organisation? Enhance your understanding of this area with this exciting module. You’ll analyse the wider social, political and economic contexts of marketing, and address its role in society today – while looking to the future to see where contemporary marketing is headed. 

What impact do economic forces have on managerial decisions? Find out in this in-depth module. You’ll learn how to apply the fundamental concepts of macro and microeconomics to managerial plans, while gaining an advanced understanding of contemporary literature on the subject.  

In this exciting module, youll build on practical leadership skills and theory to assess organisational leadership performance, as well as your own personal development. Understand how the culture, values and purpose of organisations can in turn demand a variety of different leadership approaches, and begin to implement your own leadership style. 

Finance is key to keeping a business on-track and how you decide how to use your budget is crucial. With a strong focus on accounting matters in financial decision-making, this helpful module allows you to successfully analyse management control – as well as the conflicting implications of challenging budgeting decisions. 

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. 

Ready to explore the complexities of human resources? This in-depth module will give you a critical understanding of the internal and external contexts of organisations. You’ll also develop a deeper awareness of social responsibility and the technological trends shaping human resource management as a whole. 

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 PG Cert Business Management has an indicative study duration of 8 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. 

Companies seek out candidates with the most advanced skills to fill senior positions – and a postgraduate qualification is an excellent way to showcase your abilities. Roles within business management, banking, insurance, accountancy, finance, marketing, sales, retail and human resources would greatly benefit from the knowledge gained through this course.

Gaining a postgraduate 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 know that many people from non-traditional backgrounds would succeed on our courses! That’s why we offer two different entry routes, taking into account your prior work experience and relevant qualifications. You will also need to meet our English language requirements.

Additionally, you will need to pass your first assignment set within your two-week induction period of the course in order to continue with your studies.

 

Academic entry route

In order to satisfy the academic entry route requirements for our PG Cert Business Management, you must have the following qualifications as a minimum:

  •  an undergraduate degree from an approved institution, equivalent to a UK Honours degree, or a relevant professional qualification

 

Work experience entry route

In order to satisfy the work experience entry route requirements for our PG Cert Business Management, you must meet the following criteria:

  • at least five years’ senior level work experience

 

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 6.5. 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: 

£4,056 UK / £4,143 International (2023-24) Δ 

  • 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 
  • Alumni discount of 10% of the tuition fee available if you are a previous graduate with the University of Essex or University of Essex Online. 
  • 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 PG Cert Business Management are experts in the field of business.

What our students say

testimonials

William Annoh - Master of Business Management (MBM)

I was particularly impressed with the way that the online programme was structured. My Student Advisor Rebekah was very helpful in advising me and guiding me through the process. All the faculty who taught the modules were very very helpful; they taught me so much. I've learnt a lot of things and I'm willing and ready to use them in my career path. I particularly loved the discussion forums. It was a platform for us to engage with each other, so it helped us as online participants to get to know each other and think about different things. It helped me open my mind to a lot of different ideas. Now that I've finished my degree, the first thing I plan to do is to better myself in my role at work. I just started a new role last month so I'm looking forward to using my experiences from here to grow that. On the side I do some consultancy as well, and I have helped manage a few...

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Ezzat Habra - Essex Online MBA

I am in the advertising industry working as a Traffic, Studio and Production manager. I have been in the advertising field for the past 20 years and that has allowed me to work across many organisations and handle different roles to enrich my field experience. I love cars, racing and technology and enjoy photography and sandcastle building.  

Why did you choose to study for an MBA?

I wanted to continue my career and...

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Tawa Bishi - BA (Hons) Business and Management

My life has changed for the better since studying for my Business and Management degree with the University of Essex Online. My aspirations lay in opening my own Pilates studio, so I needed a level of knowledge that matched my passion. Other business courses and seminars on the market were just not meeting my needs and so I invested in this course. I chose the University of Essex Online because of the flexibility it allowed for. As a result of my hard work I am now the Director of my own company. I opened a rehabilitation clinic for medical conditions and as my own boss I find the experience even more rewarding knowing that my efforts have paid off.

Read more

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