ObjectivesThis is a two-year, part-time professional development course at postgraduate level. Successful completion of Stage One leads to the award of Certificate in Management for those students who decide not to progress to Stage Two. This course emphasises the practical aspects of a manager's development, encouraging critical, clear and innovative thinking about 'good' and 'best' practice. The teaching styles and assessment methods require you to engage as an active participant in improving and developing your distinctive management skills, knowledge and behaviour. You are required to participate in two residential periods. This learning is experiential and provides an important context for consideration of reflective practice. On successful completion of this Diploma in Management Studies (DMS), you are also eligible to register for the MA in Management Studies, which additionally involves the completion of a dissertation.
Entry requirementsYou should have an honours degree, an HND or equivalent qualification, plus at least two years of appropriate work experience (this may include supervisory work in voluntary organisations, parent-teacher associations or community groups as well as more conventional paid employment). Exceptionally, applicants without these qualifications are admitted if they have substantial relevant management/supervisory experience.
Academic titlePostgraduate Diploma in Management Studies
Course descriptionCourse structure
Stage One lasts one year and consists of four modules, which introduce the key business functions and focus on individual management development needs. Stage Two has a more strategic emphasis, with the focus being on the organisation in which you work (or with which you are familiar) and consists of four modules.
Stage One modules:
-Managing Self and Others (includes a residential component)
-Accounting for Managers
-The Management Environment
-Managing and Marketing Services
Stage Two modules:
-Research Methods
-Strategic and Comparative Management (includes a residential component)
-Human Resource Management
-Project
Assessment
A variety of methods are used, including assignments and a final project based in your own organisation. Additionally there will be presentations, examinations, reflective reports, simulations and consultancy projects.
Career opportunities
Successful DMS graduates are more likely to gain increased responsibilities at work, secure promotion, and in general enjoy enhanced career opportunities. On completing the DMS you may wish to apply for direct entry to Stage Two of our MBA programme if you have the appropriate work experience. Alternatively you may convert your postgraduate diploma to an MA in Management Studies by the completion of a dissertation by action research.
Attendance & duration
Part-time (eve only): two years, Tues & Thurs evenings, plus two periods of residential study