Overview

The details
Location: Online Mode of study: Part-time Qualification: PG Dip Indicative duration: 16 months
Start date:
Tuition fee: £ For tuition fees see below For queries: Call +44 (0) 1206 489 358 Delivered by: Kaplan Open Learning

Finance is an essential skill to master if you hope to succeed in business. Understanding the income and expenditure of a business, how to prepare financial statements and reports, and how to make decisions about finance with the information you have available – these are all key techniques that you will develop during our online short postgraduate course in business and finance.

This course also allows you to develop more general skills that will assist in other areas of your personal and professional life, such as communication, time management and innovative thinking. Your core modules will form the foundation of your study, as you explore:

  • the main principles and practices of contemporary management and organisational behaviour
  • financial decision-making in the short and long term
  • micro- and macro-economics and their relevance to managerial decision-making
  • project management methodology and environments
  • business strategy and strategic management
  • the framework of accounting and preparation of financial statements

You will also have the chance to select some optional modules, on topics such as leadership, marketing strategy and human resource management.

Once you have completed your course, you have the opportunity to advance onto a full Masters in business with finance.

Why we’re great

  • Gain a highly recognised postgraduate qualification in just 16 months.
  • Each student is supported by a dedicated team of Student Advisers, who act as their mentor and guide from admission through to graduation.

Course structure

The PG Dip Business with Finance is made up of the following modules and, upon completion, is equal to a total of 120 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 cultures – while studying real-life case studies to provide further background on the wider economic and political landscape shaping management today.  

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.  

 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 theories and concepts utilised for effective project management and the use of contemporary project management software. In this valuable module, you’ll gain insight from case studies and delve into project management knowledge areas and process groups while using specialist project management software. 

Hone your strategic management skills with this exciting module. You’ll benefit from an engaging introduction to the key theories, approaches and concepts which form business strategy. Not only that, you’ll learn to critically evaluate the limitations of emerging schools of thoughts and how to they best work in practice. 

Undertake an advanced study of financial accounting with this comprehensive module. You'll explore the preparation of full consolidated financial statements, issues of principle in accounting standards and developments in external reporting. You'll also develop a sound knowledge of the recording of financial transactions in a variety of types of entities.   

In this exciting module, you’ll 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. 

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. 

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. 

Ready to learn more about marketing strategies in private and public organisations? In this exciting module, you’ll critically examine the various software applications and other tools necessary to build a strategic marketing plan. You’ll also analyse the variables essential to delivering marketing strategies in different types of businesses. 

Learning and assessments

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 will 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 Q&A sessions with your tutors
  • a comprehensive eLibrary of textbooks and academic journals
  • support from academic staff and your dedicated Student Support team

To ensure you receive the support you need from your tutor, we cap our class sizes at 20 students.

 

Assessment methods

Rather than fretting about exams, you will be assessed exclusively through assignments. This can be by engaging in discussion forums throughout your modules, completing reflective journal entries, or by submitting longer written pieces.

We are committed to providing frequent and transparent feedback through the following ways:

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

 

Study duration

Our PG Dip Business with Finance 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 of our courses have regular start dates throughout the year.

On successful completion of your course, you will be invited to attend a graduation ceremony at the University of Essex, Colchester Campus.

Your future

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%

Entry requirements

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 Dip Business with Finance, 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 Dip Business with Finance, 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.

Fees and funding

Full tuition fee: 

£7,891 UK and International (2022-23) Δ
£8,111 UK / £8,285 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. 

Our expert staff

Subject specialists, industry authorities and experienced academics: the tutors who teach modules on our PG Dip Business with Finance are experts in the fields of business and finance.

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...

Read more

Erin Lovell - Essex Online MBA

You are smart, capable, and strong. Repeat that to yourself as many times as you need to per day until you believe it.  

Tell us a bit about yourself.

Things I love: writing, long-distance charity walks, my Jack Russell terrier Jada, virtually all animals, tea, travelling to places I don’t speak the language, and learning. Things I dislike: cooking, butterflies, the sound of forks on teeth and being late.  

Why did you decide to open a sports centre?

My business partner and I had been discussing it for a few years before it all started to come together. We recognized that Bermuda was missing a central, family-friendly, location for practitioners of different martial arts & boxing styles to train. Our goal was to open a purpose-built facility that would be high-quality, affordable, and inclusive. So far, so good!  

Have you always...

Read more

Grace Araba - BA (Hons) Business and Management

I dreamt to become the first Nigerian woman ambassador to France which meant getting a university degree in French. Unfortunately, that did not happen because I did not have the resources at the time. So, I went to work after high school, then I got married and put my dreams on hold. I later became a single parent to five children and getting a degree got more difficult as I determined to focus on my children’s education and leave mine for later. After all my children had graduated from the university with second and third degrees, I became a grandmother when they got married and started having children and needed help with their children. So, I thought my dream of ever getting a college degree may not happen after all because of my age and time. However, I found University of Essex Online on the internet. The Admissions Adviser I spoke to was helpful, so I applied and was...

Read more

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