Graduate Diploma in Business (Level 7)

Summary

The Graduate Diploma in Business (GDB) is particularly attractive to people who already have a degree or extensive experience because it gives a Level 7 qualification in only one year. We see four typical ways in which you would use the Graduate Diploma in Business (GDB) to develop your career pathway:

You may be a graduate with a degree in a non- business area and wish to change the direction of your career. You will use your existing graduate skills to start your study of business at the equivalent level to that of the final year of a business degree. Most endorsements should be possible but you may need three semesters for some such as accounting.

You have a business degree and wish to change specialisation. This is a very realistic option, many of the points above apply but you would normally be able to complete any endorsement in two semesters. You may also wish to include a selection of level 8 courses in your GDB.

You may wish to continue your current career but need to add management skills. As careers progress they often demand a greater participation in the business aspects of the organisation; the one year nature (or part-time) of GDB can be attractive.

You have worked up from the bottom to a senior position and have recognition within your organisation. However, without a qualification mobility is difficult; here, the ability to enter a one year level seven programme is very attractive.

Outline

The Graduate Diploma in Business is a 120 credit, one year full-time, or equivalent part-time, programme at Level 7 which enables those who have completed a bachelor’s degree to achieve a graduate level qualification in a specialised area of business. Those with extensive business experience at a management level may be able to enter the Graduate Diploma without a degree. The qualification is an ideal opportunity for those with experience to increase their employment mobility (experience entry not available for international students).

The Graduate Diploma in Business has the following endorsements (please check with your Programme Secretary which endorsements are available at your campus):

• Management
• Sales and Marketing
• Logistics and Supply Chain
• Human Resource Management

The Graduate Diploma in Business adds strength to your qualification portfolio. The increases your mobility and range of potential employment roles. Here are a few ideas:

• Operations manager
• Marketing manager
• Sales manager
• Finance manager
• Key account manager
• Product manager
• Financial or management accountant
• Human resources advisor
• Entrepreneur (in your own business!)