Who is it for?

The course is intended for managers of private, not for profit and public sector organisations.

Content

The ABE Level 5 Diploma in Business Management (Ofqual Qualification number 603/1596/9) consists of six units:

Compulsory units

• Managing Agile Organisations and People
• Innovation and Business Performance
• Effective Financial Management
• International Business Economics and Markets

Plus two of the following optional units:

• Operations Management
• Analytical Decision-making
• Managing Stakeholder Relationships

Entry Requirements

You must have suitable academic and or work experience such as:

• A Level 3 or 4 qualification or equivalent
• Evidence of at least two years in employment at supervisory level

and you should be able to demonstrate competence in English language (if English is not your primary language) by attainment of one of the following (or equivalent):

• Minimum IELTS 6.0
• Cambridge ESOL – Cambridge English Advanced (point score 169 or above)
• Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Acaemic) – 56
• Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) – B2

What is included?

The units are taught through our Teaching Zone by a mixture of recorded and live lectures coupled with essential reading texts and exercises. You will have a personal tutor who is a subject expert whom you can contact if you have any questions.

As it is delivered through our Teaching Zone you also gain free access to our Manager’s tool kit and effective learning skills sections along with entry to the student lounge discussion forum.

ABE initial registration and assessment (assignment or examination) fees are included . Please note that if you do not complete the qualification within one year, you will need to renew your student membership with ABE at your own expense. Resits, resubmissions, appeals or other examination/assessment charges are not included.

Aims

The Learning Outcomes show what you will be able to do or what you will know.

Managing Agile Organisations and People

You will:

• Analyse the impact of the internal context and external trends on management practices and approaches
• Evaluate the applicability of contemporary management practices in both a specific and wider organisational setting
• Assess the links between effective people management and organisational achievement
• Assess personal capability to manage agile organisations and people, and develop a justified personal development plan as a result

Innovation and Business Performance

You will:

• Apply measurement techniques as an aid to business performance
• Discuss the sources, drivers and patterns of adoption of innovation in goods, services and ideas
• Assess the information requirements needed to manage the levels of innovation within an organisation
• Evaluate the risks and uncertainties that innovation creates for business performance

Effective Financial Management

You will:

• Assess the objectives of financial management and the role of different stakeholders in the financial strategy of a business
• Evaluate organisational activities, processes and performance, using projected financial statements and measures of business performance
• Evaluate financial risk using suitable techniques in order to apply approaches that reduce exposure to financial risks
• Evaluate options for the financing of business activities, including the characteristics of  different sources of finance and how best to meet the financing needs of the business
• Evaluate investment opportunities in order to ensure that investment decisions reflect the needs of the business and its financial management strategy

International Business Economics and Markets

You will:

• Analyse economic principles associated with international business
• Evaluate markets from an international perspective
• Evaluate the significance of international trading blocks and organisations
• Discuss the key aspects of international finance

Plus two of the following optional units:

 Operations Management

You will:

• Analyse the role and importance of operations management
• Discuss the importance of the supply chain and supply chain management
• Analyse the role of procurement and procurement approaches
• Analyse the role of logistics and logistics management

Analytical Decision-making

You will:

• Examine the role of analytics in decision-making in contemporary dynamic business environments
• Assess business information management data and systems appropriate for analytical decision-making in a variety of contexts
• Prepare evaluative reports to meet the requirements of a specific project brief
• Apply analytic techniques to develop options for decision-making, reports, and recommendations

Managing Stakeholder Relationships

You will:

• Assess the potential influence and impact of stakeholders for a range of organisations
• Evaluate the opportunities and threats that can be created by key stakeholder groups
• Assess the drivers for and key components of effective stakeholder relationships
• Apply relationship management strategies for a range of internal and external stakeholders

How do I study and how long does it take?

There are six units and the total qualification time is 200 hours for each unit, which is the total time you are likely to spend studying including all your time spent on listening to the lectures, reading the online information, reading the workbooks, using the software, undertaking the exercises, discussions with other students and completing the assignments or revising for the exam. The qualification is taught online, so you can start at any time as you are not restricted by term times. You will receive your log in and password for the Teaching Zone as soon as we have received payment. All you need is Internet access!

The time it takes in practice is up to you, and will vary depending on your commitment and how easy you find it to study.

How is it assessed?

The following units are assessed by a Timed Open-book exam in May or November:

• Innovation and Business Performance
• Effective Financial Management
• International Business Economics and Markets
• Analytical Decision-making

The following units are assessed by a 4,000 word assignment in March, May or November:

• Managing Agile Organisations and People
• Operations Management
• Managing Stakeholder Relationships

Please note that the Timed Open-book exams and assignments are submitted electronically and are not restricted to any country.