Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits)

• Financial Management and Control (15 credits)

The module introduces you to the role of accounting in the preparation of strategic plans and measuring and comparing financial performance. Using knowledge of an entity’s cost in operational and strategic management, the module incorporates key accounting concepts such as cost management and analysis, costing methods and control,strategic planning, decision-taking and budgeting, budgetary preparation and financial control, appraising investment opportunities, business financing decisions and the role of working capital in providing finance for the business.

• Strategic Management in an International Context (15 credits)

The module establishes the ‘holistic’ nature of corporate strategy and how this affects organisational decision-making processes. You will develop an appreciation of business and management within a global setting. Analysis and understanding of the various stakeholders and their complex relationships are considered as part of the management of multinational organisations. You will examine the design of strategic management processes and how strategic decisions affect the functioning of the organisation. Within the context of setting a global strategy, you will understand the importance of international trade for survival and growth of a firm and economic well-being of a country. You will focus on a number of key related issues including benefits to be gained by firms and the country from engaging in free trading arrangements, free trading areas, innovation and exporting, custom unions and single currency. You will also review international payment mechanisms and techniques of risk management for international transactions.  

• Professional Management and Leadership Development (Business Game) (30 credits)

This module will provide you with exposure to a range of leadership and management styles and practice. The module aligns with CMI learning outcomes in your achievement of the Level 7 Diploma Strategic Management and Leadership. A key feature of this module is the simulation business game which allows for ‘theory to practice’ in simulated case studies considering organisational change, human resource development and planning (local and global), international strategy; marketing strategy, research & development, product innovation, CSR corporate governance and sustainability. You will examine management and leadership contexts together with their own leadership behaviours, motivations and leadership styles.

Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits)

You will study the same modules as the Postgraduate Certificate plus:

• Value Creation in Organisations - Operations and Marketing Management (30 credits)

This module is designed to develop a critical understanding of how organisations co-create value for customers through the integration of core aspects of operations and strategic marketing management. The module recognises value creation as a primary aim of organisations. Whether new entrepreneurial start-ups or established companies, value needs to be created at every stage of the transformation process; from initial ideas for products and services through to diffusion into relevant markets. Throughout, there is a breadth of understanding and appreciation of how organisations and the market work from ‘end to end’. Focus is provided on approaches and application of frameworks, embedding the required value in product and service offerings through integration across these key functions.

You will examine current challenges presented in today’s volatile competitive environment; value creation and innovation, the importance of co-productive relationships and appreciation of the myriad of channels through which customers experience and interact with firms. You will develop a critical awareness of the importance of the role of value creation within a range of organisational settings.

• Innovation Entrepreneurship and Technology Transfer (30 credits)

The module covers theories and concepts of innovation, entrepreneurship, including ‘business start-ups’ and technology transfer as core business processes.

You will examine key related themes such as development and implementation of a technology strategy, exploitation of global innovation, IP implementation, knowledge transfer, innovation inspiration, building the innovation organisation, managing innovation incubators, sources of innovation, entrepreneurship and innovation networks.

You will also study key complementary topics such as decision making under uncertainty, creating and managing new products and services, exploring open and closed innovation, collaboration and the appreciation of business failure factors.

MSc (180 credits)

You will study the same modules as the Postgraduate Diploma plus:

• MBA Dissertation (60 credits)