Management courses

From short online courses to Masters degrees and professional qualifications, hone the skills needed to reach the top of the business world by taking a management course

Masters degrees in management

Many employers in the business sector accept graduates of any degree discipline, so postgraduate study isn't essential.

However, it does have a number of advantages, including:

improving your chances of employment in a competitive industry
increasing your business knowledge
widening your pool of contacts
giving you an advantage over other candidates.

Postgraduate management courses are available at most universities. You could study a general management course to keep your options open, such as the:

MSc Management at Queen's University Belfast
MSc International Management at the University of Bath
MSc Business Management at the University of Hull.

Alternatively, if you'd like to study a particular area of management in greater depth, you could choose a more specific course, like the:

MSc Sport Management at Birkbeck, University of London
MSc Human Resource Management at the University of Birmingham
MSc Technology Management at University College London (UCL)
MSc Media Management at the University of Glasgow.

Search for postgraduate courses in management studies.

When applying for courses, discover how to write a postgraduate business management personal statement.

To fit your study around work commitments, most postgraduate management courses give you the option to study part time. Read more about working while studying.

Some employers may even support employees by granting time off to study or by paying for course fees through employer sponsorship.

The Master of Business Administration (MBA), an advanced qualification designed for those with business experience, is also popular for managers and business professionals looking to advance their careers.

Employers hold MBA courses in high esteem, but the cost and reputation of programmes can vary - so be sure to research your options carefully.

Find out more about Masters degrees and how to fund postgraduate study.

Management apprenticeships

You could also consider studying a management degree apprenticeship, where you'll gain a qualification up to Masters level while applying your learning on the job.

Courses are offered in collaboration with employers and professional bodies, such as the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) and The Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM).

Much of the appeal is that you'll earn while you study, bypassing tuition fees and student debt.

For more information on the organisations that run these schemes, see business apprenticeships.

Leadership and management courses

Once you're in a job, achieving additional professional qualifications can enhance the quality of your work. Leadership and management courses are a popular option, as they cover a lot of ground and provide skills that can be used in a variety of roles.

The CMI and ILM offer qualifications and training in:

business and enterprise
coaching and mentoring
leadership and management.

You'll find that CMI management courses span all stages of your career - from Level 2 (first-time or junior managers) to Level 8 (senior managers or directors). The coaching and mentoring programmes cover Levels 3 to 7. Qualifications are available at award, certificate and diploma levels.

A similar qualification structure is available via the ILM. These qualifications cater to all levels of management, from team leaders and junior managers to middle and senior managers.

Awards are the shortest qualifications and usually take one to three months to complete; certificates take between three to six months, and diplomas can last up to a year.

If you're interested in continuing professional development (CPD) courses and training as you progress your career, explore CPD opportunities for graduates.

Management consulting

Progressing your career as a management consultant involves completing a consulting graduate scheme or structured training programme in a large firm or learning on the job in smaller consultancies.

Wherever you're based, professional qualifications and training can be carried out while working, with awards offered by the CMI:

Level 5 Management Consulting Practice - for practising and aspiring consultants looking to formalise their learning.
Level 7 Professional Consulting - develops your skills and knowledge of management consultancy. You'll need a degree or at least five years of business experience to apply.

Becoming a member of a professional body such as the Institute of Consulting (IC) demonstrates your commitment to the profession and enables you to study for the Certified Management Consultant (CMC) qualification.

You'll need at least three years of professional experience and can study for the award at your own pace to fit around work commitments. To maintain your CMC status, you must undergo a re-certification process every three years.

IT consulting

Known as IT management, if working in-house, and IT consulting if working for clients, graduates of any degree discipline can enter this profession.

If your undergraduate qualification is in an unrelated subject, pursuing a postgraduate degree in IT or computing may increase your chances of finding work.

Business analysis certifications are available through BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT.

IT consulting qualifications are available up to the senior business analyst level through its International Diploma in Business Analysis.

You can also explore specific IT courses.

Marketing management

If your interest lies in marketing, you can move into this area of management with a business-related degree, but this isn't an entry-level role.

To become a marketing manager, you'll usually need three to five years of experience in a marketing or business role.

A marketing-based Masters may help if your undergraduate degree is in an unrelated subject.

Professional qualifications are available from The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) for those trying to break into the sector and those already working in it.

These marketing management courses span from Level 3 (Foundation Certificate in Professional and Digital Marketing) to Level 7 (Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Marketing and the CIM Marketing Leadership Programme).

The CIM also provides a variety of individual and in-house training courses.

Read more about relevant marketing courses.

Human resource management (HRM)

It's possible to move into HR with a business or management-related degree. HRM Masters degrees may help you secure a job if your undergraduate study is unrelated.

You can enter HR without professional qualifications but for middle and high-level management posts, many employers prefer that you hold professional qualifications from The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).

Available in award, certificate and diploma form, CIPD qualifications cover foundation Level 3 (introductory), associate Level 5 (undergraduate) and advanced Level 7 (postgraduate).

Associate and advanced qualifications are for aspiring and experienced HR managers. They aim to expand your knowledge, skills, and experience and provide a pathway to chartered membership status.

Specialist and short training courses run by CIPD cover:

leadership, management and business skills
learning and development
employment law
employee regulations.

Consider taking an HR course.

Facilities management

You don't need a specific degree or Masters qualification to become a facilities manager, as graduates of all disciplines can enter the profession. However, a degree in building management, business studies or property may prove useful.

The Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management (IWFM) can aid your progression in the field with its suite of professional qualifications - from Level 2 (entry) to Level 7 (senior, strategic). You can study either an award, certificate, diploma or extended diploma.

Facilities management qualifications include the:

Level 2 Certificate in Facilities Services
Level 4 Diploma in Facilities Management
Level 7 Extended Diploma in Facilities Management.

The IWFM also runs short training courses in areas such as facilities management strategy and essentials of the workplace.

Risk management

If you've set your sights on becoming a risk manager but didn't study the subject, you could consider a Masters qualification to help you gain a foothold in the profession.

Graduates of non-relevant degrees can secure an entry-level role by studying for the Level 5 International Certificate in Enterprise Risk Management from the Institute of Risk Management (IRM).

This introductory qualification is perfect for candidates at the beginning of their careers. No previous experience or qualifications are necessary, and the certificate usually takes six to nine months to complete online. It costs £1,980 for non-members.

If you have a relevant degree, you can study for the Level 6 International Diploma in Enterprise Risk Management, a postgraduate-standard qualification for risk professionals. It can take up to three years and costs £975 for each of the four modules.

The Digital Risk Management Certificate brings risk management into the present day, equipping students with the tools and understanding to manage risk in an increasingly digital world. The course takes six to nine months and provides a detailed introduction to cyber security principles and practices. It costs £1,095. Read more about cyber security training.

Online management courses

While many universities and professional bodies listed above offer part-time and distance learning options for those who need to fit their study around other commitments, there may be times when you're just looking to hone your skills or take a short course.

Often free or at low cost, online management courses are available from dedicated online learning providers, including:

Get the lowdown on online learning and microcredentials.

Find out more

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