Course summary
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
Modules
The Postgraduate Certificate in Business Management is made up of the following modules and, upon completion, is equal to a total of 60 credits at Level 7. Level 7 modules: Management: Principles and Practices (20 credits) 40 credits of optional modules: Marketing: Principles and Practices (20 credits) Economics for Managers (20 credits) Leadership in Practice (20 credits) Financial Decision Making (20 credits) Human Resource Management (10 credits) Human Resource Management in Context (10 credits) You can choose to continue your journey with our 120-credit PG Dip Business Management or PG Dip Business with Finance courses. Or you can continue your journey by progressing onto our 180-credit Master of Business Management (MBM) or MSc Business with Finance. (Please note: If you plan to progress onto either our management or finance pathway, you must choose the appropriate modules for each pathway. Our Admissions team will be able to advise you on the appropriate choice for you.)
Assessment method
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 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 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.
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 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.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| EU | £3945 | Whole course |
| International | £3945 | Whole course |
| England | £3945 | Whole course |
| Northern Ireland | £3945 | Whole course |
| Scotland | £3945 | Whole course |
| Wales | £3945 | Whole course |
| Channel Islands | £3945 | Whole course |
Additional fee information
Full tuition fee: £3,945 (2022-23) 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.
Partial scholarship available for international students residing in specific regions outside of the UK.
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.
Postgraduate student loans are available in England for full Masters degrees only.
Please note that 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. We also charge the same fee for domestic and international students.
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.
Provider information
University of Essex Online
West One
114 Wellington Street
Leeds
LS1 1BA