PGDip in Business Management
This course allows you to focus solely on general business, or to select optional modules in farm management, international marketing, agriculture, or climate and natural resource management to contextualise your studies in a sector of your choice.
Course overview
The business world is complex, fast-moving and exciting, and demands high-calibre employees with strong management, marketing and financial skills. The ability to manage change, risk and people, and to develop sustainable business strategies is crucial. If you wish to develop your own enterprise then creative and entrepreneurial skills are needed too.
If you are interested in studying Business but cannot commit to the full MSc programme then studying for a Diploma (PGDip) may be the route for you. It is designed to give learners a broad and thorough grounding in the sector to pursue a variety of careers.
UN Sustainable Development Goals: This programme has been designed to foster greater knowledge and awareness of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. These goals are mapped to our modules to ensure that at each stage of the programme we are identifying how these goals can be developed as part of business strategy and managed within a business.
What is a Postgraduate Diploma?
The PGDip - or Postgraduate Diploma – is an MSc level course that sits between the PGCert and the full MSc. It allows you to study a subject in depth but without undertaking the Dissertation element. Consequently, it takes substantially less time to complete than the MSc, while still covering the same taught elements. To complete this qualification, you will take eight modules (120 credits).
Full-time students can complete the course in as little as two semesters (one year). Part-time students can choose to spread the course over up to two years, giving you lots of time for thinking and writing between modules. It is ideal for students who want to study a specific subject but would rather not commit to a full MSc with its attendant time and financial costs.
The PGDip can be a great way to boost your career, or enter a new industry. We recognise that life can be unpredictable so the PGDip is built to be as flexible as possible. Should you desire to continue your studies, PGDip credits can be used to contribute towards an MSc qualification later down the line. Conversely, if you need to cut your studies short for any reason, it is also possible to convert the PGDip to a PGCert after the completion of four modules.
*Please note, Visa students must be full-time (a min of 15 hours per week) and will need to attend all sessions in person due to UKVI visa requirements.
Course content
Here at the RAU we are always looking for ways to support our students. We recognise that a number of our UK domiciled students may be working or have caring responsibilities alongside studying which can sometimes make it difficult to attend all lectures in person. As such we have the ability for you to join lectures and seminars through a live stream, and if you are unable to do this recordings of lectures will be available after they have been held. Please note that this type of study participation is only available to registered UK based students due to UKVI visa restrictions.
Course structure
Our PGDip is designed to be ultra-accessible. All classes are offered both in person and synchronously online, with session recordings available for students unable to attend a particular session.
Timetables
Timetables are normally available one month before registration.
Modules
- 4086 Financial Management: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of economic fluctuations in inflation, finance and unemployment, and understand how these affect business
- 4260 Marketing Strategy: Critically asses the context within which strategic marketing decisions are made
- 4261 Leadership & Personal Development: Explore the theories of leadership and develop the skills and attributes of a leader
- 4262 Sustainable Business Strategy: Investigate how businesses can embed sustainability into their core business models
- 4263 Entrepreneurship and Business Planning: Understand and critically evaluate the linkages between entrepreneurship and venture creation, development and growth
Plus THREE additional modules, selected from (all modules 15 credits each):
- 3317 International Marketing: Explore the impact of the global environment on international marketing decisions
- 4015 Farm Business and Enterprise Management: Critically examine the financial performance of farming businesses
- 4023 Operations Management: Learn the fundamentals of operations and process management
- 4038A Integrated Agricultural Systems: Explore complex systems including agroforestry, regenerative agriculture and vertical farming
- 4203 Small Scale Farming and Local Food Supply: Examine how small scale farmers contribute to food systems on a national and global scale
- 4744 Organic and Regenerative Systems: Understand the agroecological principles and practices of organic systems
- 4722 Climate Change and Sustainability: Critically assess the causes and impacts of climate change
* Optional additions to the course will incur additional charges
Disclaimer information
The University has established various rules and regulations that you must agree to and follow if you accept an offer to study with us. View our full disclaimer notice.
Careers and graduate destinations
Recent graduates have followed careers in:
- Wealth management
- Finance
- Marketing
- Farm management
- Equine business
- Consultancy
Our employers include:
- Old Mill
- Unilever
- ADM
- Millar Cameron
- Weatherbys
It also provides an excellent grounding for further academic study, for example at MSc level.
Entry requirements
We welcome applications from applicants with non-standard qualifications who are able to demonstrate knowledge, experience and skills developed in the workplace or elsewhere and which are relevant to the programme of study. Applicants will need to use their personal statement to provide further details supported by a CV. All non-standard applications will be considered by the Programme Manager on a case-by-case basis and applicants can expect that an interview may be required as part of the admissions process.
If English is not your first language, you will need to reach the requirements outlined in our English language requirements for the level of study. For postgraduate taught programmes this is IELTS Academic min. overall 6.5 with no element below 5.5 (or equivalent). English language tests usually have a validity of 2 years from the date the test is taken.
Offers will typically be made in line with the academic requirements set out above. Offers can be conditional or unconditional. An unconditional offer will be made to applicants who have already met the conditions and provided evidence that conditions have been met. Where academic or language requirements have not yet been fulfilled, applicants will receive a conditional offer stating the requirements that must be met.
Fees
2024-25 Applicants
For the academic year 2024-25 the tuition fees for this course are:
| UK | *Overseas/EU | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time | £7,300 per year | £12,033 per year |
| Part-time | Fees are calculated on a pro-rata basis depending on the number of modules taken. Please refer to Tuition Fees webpage | N/A |
*Please note: International students can study on a part-time basis only if they are in the UK with a different type of visa (other than Student Visa/Tier 4 General) that allows them to undertake part-time study and their visa does not expire prior to the end date of the proposed course of study. Please check your Visa eligibility before applying.
Please contact admissions@rau.ac.uk before you apply to confirm your eligibility.
Tuition fees may be subject to an inflationary increase each year as set out in our Access and Participation Plan 2019/20.
For full details, please visit the fees and funding webpage.
Apply now for September 2024 entry
Applications to study for postgraduate degrees need to be made directly through the University using the online application form via the website.
Alternatively, if you are unable access the online form you can call Admissions on 01285 889 912, or email admissions@rau.ac.uk.
We recommend applicants keep a copy of the completed form for their records.
Application deadline, September entry:
- EU and overseas applicants should submit their application by 30 June 2024 at the latest
- UK applicants should aim to submit their applications the latest by 1 September 2024
Results deadline, September entry:
- EU and overseas applicants will need to meet their conditions by 1 August 2024
- UK applicants will need to meet their conditions by 15 September 2024
If you are applying for a 2024 Chevening Scholarship you can submit your scholarship application prior to receiving a course offer. Further details can be found on the application timeline and eligibility criteria sections on the Chevening website.
Applicants will be notified via email once a decision has been made and decision letters will be emailed to you. If there is a deadline by which applicants must accept an offer of admission or pay a deposit, this will be stated in the offer letter.
Requests to defer the year of entry will be considered only when an applicant holds an Unconditional offer and need to be submitted in writing to the admissions team. We cannot guarantee that requests will be granted. Decisions on deferral requests are considered:
- For September entry at the end of August
If the deferral request is granted applicants will receive a new offer letter with tuition fees which are applicable to their year of entry, at the opening of the next admissions cycle.
Please choose a course from the options below to apply.