Graduate Certificate in Business

About the course

This course is designed to provide entry on to our master's courses at the Business School. We offer a Graduate Certificate in Business which gives those who do not fully meet the entry requirements for our master's programmes the opportunity to study for fifteen weeks to gain the skills, knowledge and English proficiency necessary for master's level study.

In order to give you the most appropriate skills and knowledge for the master's programme they plan to study this course has adopted an innovative approach that combines business modules with an intensive English language programme.

You can start the course in May/June or September and on successful completion of the Graduate Certificate in Business course you will be eligible to join a number of our master's courses.

Students who started the course in the September will be eligible to join the following Master's programmes which start in January/February:

• MBA (please check additional MBA specific entry requirements)
• MSc Business Psychology
• MSc International Business
• MSc Management
• MSc Marketing

Students who start in May/June will, on successful completion, gain access to either one of the above programmes or the following additional programmes starting in September:

• MSc Accounting and Financial Management
• MSc Global Business
• MA Human Resource Management
• MSc International Tourism and Hospitality Management
• MSc Project Management

Why choose this course?

• Develop your skills and knowledge to gain entrance to our master's programmes.
• Study the 15 week programme and begin a master's programme in either September or May.
• Start dates of 28 May 2013 and 2 September 2013.

Study routes

• Full Time, 15 Weeks

Locations

• University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield

Careers

This programme gives you flexibility in your studies at university resulting in flexibility in your choice of career at the end of your course. You will acquire a much broader base of knowledge and experience that could really widen your employment opportunities. Graduates have found employment in diverse roles such as computer programmers, design engineers, management development specialists, accountants and project managers. Over 72% of our graduates had entered employment six months after graduation, and a further 17% had gone on to further study or training.

Teaching methods

We offer a varied programme of teaching that includes facilitated seminars, practical workshops, web-based learning, case study analysis and traditional lectures.

Most importantly, however, this programme offers a new innovative way of integrating language and skills development into the individual business modules. This means you will most likely experience team teaching on this programme.

You will be assessed through a variety of coursework including video discussions, presentations, reports and projects. You will be required to work in multi-national teams and self and peer assess your work.

Structure

Year 1

Core Modules

• Economic Environment of Business (Preparatory)

  The overall aim of this module is to look at the organisation of the firm in the context of a rapidly changing national and international environment. The first section of the module examines the changing organisation of the firm by looking at the legal forms and different structures of the firm, the growth of large firms and the continuing existence of small firms and inter and intra firm restructuring. The second part of the module examines the national context in which firms operate through an examination of competition and industrial policy. The third part of the module looks at changing pattern of trade and investment and the location of production. The focus of the final part of the module is on institutions regulating the international environment such as the IMF, WTO and the World Bank. English language classes are fully integrated into the module to provide maximum support.

• Introduction to Research Methods

  Philosophy of research - the 'messy' nature of business information is reviewed, in the light of which an overview to research philosophies and strategies is given. Students are introduced to the difficulties of defining the research questions and objectives. The need for a theoretical underpinning is emphasised, together with the use of tertiary sources in conducting a literature search. Methods and sources of primary and secondary data - primary data acquisition focuses on (but is not restricted to) survey techniques; the need to make judgements about data quality is emphasised as a determinant of appropriate methods of analysis.

Optional

• Business Strategy (Preparatory)

• Financial Management (Preparatory) GCIB

  The module will introduce students to the main theory and practice of financing companies, the allocation and management of financial resources within a company and the rewarding of the providers of a company's finance. Specific topics covered will include: - the financial environment; - valuation of assets and shares and companies; - sources of finance; - cost of finance; - capital structure - treasury management and working capital; - investment risk, portfolio theory and the capital asset pricing model. English language classes are fully integrated into the programme's Business Strategy module to provide maximum support.

• Managing Accounting Information (Graduate Certificate)

  This module provides an applied understanding of the role and function of accounting information in the decision and communication process of an organisation. It provides an understanding of how data is gathered and how both data and financial measures are used to plan, monitor and control the progress of the organisation. English language classes are fully integrated into the Introduction to Accounting module to provide maximum support.

• People Management

  People Management is a single module aimed at providing students with an introduction into the management of human resources from a mainly UK perspective. Students will consider how people are managed at work, with emphasis on recruitment and selection, equal opportunity and diversity, flexible working, pay and reward and performance management. When considering these activities, the module does not attempt to teach the practicalities of managing people, but rather to develop the students' critical understanding of the subject area. The module aims to raise students’ awareness of possible discrepancies between theoretical models and business reality. Content: 1. Strategic HRM; 2. Equal Opportunities and Diversity; 3. Recruitment and Selection; 4. The Flexibility debate; 5. Pay and Reward; 6. Performance Management. English language classes are fully integrated into the Business Strategy module to provide maximum support.

Fees & funding

Discounts are available for International students if payment is made in full at registration

View detailed information about tuition fees

Other financial support

Find out more about other financial support available to UK and EU students

Living costs / accommodation

The University of Hertfordshire offers a great choice of student accommodation, on campus or nearby in the local area, to suit every student budget.

View detailed information about our accommodation

How to apply