Ranking
Triple
Crown Accredited
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Course overview
Gain the knowledge, skills and mindset to be a responsible, dynamic leader. Elevate your career with a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration from Birmingham Business School. This programme is funded via the Apprenticeship Levy meaning it will be paid for through your employer.
An MBA will elevate your career. Ours nurtures responsible business leaders, preparing you for the next step in your career. Our Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration will challenge you to reflect on your approach to Responsible Business and help you develop key skills for your future.
Course Structure
Our two-year Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration is delivered via a combination of online materials and sessions plus residential long weekends. There is also the option to top-up to the MBA with the completion of an additional module and a research project (top up fee applicable, please contact us for more details).
Course highlights
What makes this course different?
The Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration stands apart by embedding Responsible Business themes throughout the course, preparing students to lead ethically and sustainably. A unique feature is the Deloitte Consultancy Challenge, which provides hands-on experience by allowing students to tackle real-world business challenges alongside industry leaders, fostering practical skills and impactful learning.
Projects are customised to align with your organisation, allowing you to directly apply new skills to your work. The course is also levy-funding compliant, with tailored guidance on leveraging this funding available from our Apprenticeships team. Additionally, students can top up to a full MBA qualification by completing one additional module and a research project.
- Responsible Business themes embedded throughout the programme, preparing students to lead ethically and sustainably
- Join the Deloitte Consultancy Challenge for hands-on experience with real-world business challenges
- Projects customised to align with your organisation, allowing direct application of new skills
- Levy-funding compliant with tailored guidance from the Apprenticeships team
- Option to complete one additional module and a research project to gain a full MBA qualification
- Triple Crown
accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the Association of MBAs (AMBA) and the European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS).
Course delivery
Our Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration includes a wide variety of learning and teaching:
Online learning - learn online at your own pace via various resources and materials
Residential weekends – meet other students on your cohort, network and engage in professional development opportunities
Module information
The course comprises of a series of core and elective modules.
The modules listed for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
Any optional module information listed for this programme is intended to be indicative, and the availability of optional modules may vary from year to year. Where a module is no longer available, we will let you know as soon as we can and help you to make other choices.
The following core modules must be taken:
You must choose two elective modules from the list below, with the option to complete elective modules from the Online MBA (please note: if you choose to complete Online MBA elective modules, this may lead to an extended programme duration).
Entry requirements
- A good Honours degree (or equivalent)
or equivalent professional qualification
Standard Entry Requirements:
A good Honours degree (or equivalent), or equivalent professional qualification
You must have a minimum of three years' professional experience. Usually we expect Birmingham MBA candidates to have a minimum of five years professional experience. You must demonstrate career progression and managerial responsibilities, which could include people management, budget management or project management
IELTS 6.5 (with no less than 6.0 in any band); TOEFL IBT 88 (21 in Reading, 20 in Listening, 22 in Speaking and 21 in Writing); Pearson Academic Test of English 67 overall with no less than 64 in all four skills
Please note we will also consider candidates without a first degree or professional qualification but with at least ten years’ work experience including significant managerial responsibility.
Fees and scholarships
This course is fully funded via the employer Apprenticeship Levy, there will be no costs incurred by you.
All employers who have a payroll over £3 million pay an Apprenticeship Levy. They can use this levy to fund your enrolment on the programme.
Postgraduate Masters Loan
To help with the cost of studies, this loan is available to all UK students. You can use this loan towards fees, maintenance or other costs at your own discretion. It’s available for all full-time, part-time and distance learning Masters programmes, as long as you don’t already have a Masters qualification (or equivalent).If you’re a student from Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, you can apply for Masters loans from your country’s government.
Scholarships
To help you afford your studies, we’ve put more than £33 million into student support and scholarships. We also offer a range of advice on searching for funding and managing your finances.
Birmingham Masters Scholarships
We want to welcome the brightest talent to our postgraduate community. That’s why our Birmingham Masters Scholarships award £3,000 to more than 300 students each year.
Application process
- 30 June 2025
Application deadline for international students requiring a visa. We will close applications as soon as the programme is full. Early applications are encouraged.
Interested applicants will need to apply for the apprenticeship with the support of their employer, who will have their own selection criteria.
For all enquiries relating to this apprenticeship programme or further information please contact the Central Apprenticeships Team.
How to apply to our taught courses
Find out how to apply to our postgraduate taught programmes. Please read this information carefully before completing your application.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have a question about our admissions process, including how to apply, your offer and how to track your application, please visit our admissions portal.
Career opportunities
From day one of your programme, you can tap into the expertise of our career consultants. Whatever your short or long-term goals, our careers support will put you in the best position to achieve them. In fact, we’re one of the few business schools who offer lifelong support throughout your career. Our Skills Development Consultant offers personal coaching to help you develop the soft skills of a top business leader. From interview practice to industry networking events, we’ll help you develop the skills you need to achieve your professional career goals.
Careers Network
Get ready for tomorrow, with advice, guidance and opportunities at every step of your studies. From developing new skills to preparing for a PhD, our Careers Network can help you gain an advantage in the job market or advance in your field.
Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offers a range of events and support services including networking opportunities, career coaching, one-to-one guidance, careers fairs and links with leading graduate recruiters. We also offer subject-specific careers consultants and a dedicated careers website for international students.