Business and Management

Diploma in Management Studies

Programme Aims and Objectives

The Diploma in Management Studies aims to provide students with both academic knowledge and practical management skills. Students will apply appropriate academic theories and concepts to a range of business and management issues. During the course, students have the opportunity to add value to both their employers and themselves on a daily basis. In addition to providing a comprehensive knowledge of each of the major management disciplines, the programme is designed to ensure that students will have the widest range of career and further education opportunities open to them upon completion of the programme.

This programme is divided into five modules. Participants can elect to attend individual modules and on completion of a satisfactory assignment an ICM single subject diploma will be awarded. Alternatively, they may take all five subjects thus allowing them to qualify for the ICM Diploma in Management Studies.

In this module, a comprehensive review of management theory and practice will be provided and students will gain an understanding of the complexities of modern management. The module will also familiarise the student with the process of management decision making and organisational design. Students will be empowered to gain insight into the interdependencies of a typical management structure.

Through this module students will learn the basic financial and management principles in use in the modern organisation and understand the construction and use of both financial and management techniques adopted. The interpretation and use of all financial data generated within the business will be covered along with the role accounting data plays in the everyday planning, decision making and control of the modern business.

In this module, students will acquire the skills and knowledge necessary for the motivation and management of an effective marketing and sales function. Emphasis will be placed on such areas as marketing management, incentives and the planning of sales and marketing activities. Participants will be required to complete a commercially viable sales and marketing plan for the launch of a new product.

In this module, participants will develop the skills essential to the management of an effective team. In addition to broadening the understanding of motivational factors, leadership and delegation skills will be developed.

This module demonstrates the techniques of evaluation and application, such as evaluating the relevance and quality of information. Students will develop a strategy for using communication skills, monitor and critically reflect on use of communication skills, adapting strategy as necessary, to produce the quality of outcomes required.

To be awarded the Diploma in Management Studies, students will be required to complete an in-class assessment during each module (30%) and a written assignment at the end of each module (70%), apart from Marketing and Sales Management which is assessed on the basis of a 100% written assignment and Interpreting Financial Statements which is assessed on the basis of an in-class examination.

Student Profile

This programme is particularly suited to the aspiring or newly appointed manager, the section leader, the self employed and those interested in enhancing personal performance.

On completion of the programme students will have the knowledge and skills required to work in a variety of business and management roles. The diversity of the programme can also enhance the career profile of non business candidates. This programme can also add a valuable business related dimension to a presently non business related role/occupation. It can also be beneficial for small business owners to gain an understanding of the importance of marketing, financial and human resource strategies for organisations.