Management courses

To find out what's required to reach the top level of business and stay there, consider taking a management course. From degree programmes to professional development courses, these qualifications can give your job prospects a huge boost

Masters degrees in management

Many employers in the business sector accept graduates of any degree discipline, so postgraduate study isn't essential. However, it can help to improve your chances of employment in a competitive industry, increase your business knowledge and widen your pool of contacts, giving you an advantage over other candidates.

Postgraduate management courses are available at a number of 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 your course fees through employer sponsorship.

The Master of Business Administration (MBA), an advanced qualification designed for those with business experience, is also a popular choice for managers and business professionals looking to take their career to the next level.

You'll find that MBA courses are highly regarded by employers, 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 the skills they provide can be used in a variety of roles.

The CMI and ILM both offer qualifications and training in areas such as leadership and management, coaching and mentoring and business and enterprise.

CMI management courses span all stages of your career from Level 2 (first-time or junior managers) through 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 level.

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

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.

Management consulting

Progressing your career as a management consultant involves completing a consulting graduate scheme or structured training programme if you're based 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 - awards are offered by the Institute of Consulting (IC).

The IC provides Level 5 qualifications in Professional Consulting for those at the start of their career. No experience is required, and the qualifications can be studied at award, certificate and diploma level.

The Level 7 award in Professional Consulting develops your skills and knowledge of management consultancy. You'll need a degree or at least five years' business experience to apply.

Becoming a member of a professional body such as the 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 professional experience and can study for the award at your own pace to fit around work commitments. To maintain your CMC status, you'll have to 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, taking a postgraduate degree in IT or an area of computing may increase your chances of finding work.

A range of business analysis certifications are available through BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT. IT consulting qualifications are available up to senior business analyst level through its Advanced 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' experience in a marketing or business role.

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

For those trying to break in to, as well as those already working in, the sector, professional qualifications are available from The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM).

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

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

Read more about relevant marketing courses.

Human resource (HR) management

It's possible to move into HR with a business or management-related degree. HRM Masters degrees are available and 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 posts, especially management, many employers prefer you to hold a professional qualification from The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).

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

Intermediate and advanced qualifications are for aspiring and experienced HR managers and aim to expand your knowledge, skills and experience and to 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 and 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 level) to Level 7 (senior, strategic level). You can study either an award, certificate, diploma or extended diploma.

Qualifications include the Level 2 Certificate in Facilities Services, Level 4 Diploma in Facilities Management and the 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 at undergraduate level, you could consider a Masters qualification to help you gain a foothold in the profession.

However, graduates of non-relevant degrees can still achieve an entry-level role by studying for the Institute of Risk Management's (IRM) Level 5 International Certificate in Enterprise Risk Management.

This qualification is an introductory qualification, perfect for candidates at the beginning of their risk career. No previous experience or qualifications are necessary, and the certificate usually takes five to ten months to complete online.

Graduates of a relevant degree can study for the Level 6 International Diploma in Enterprise Risk Management - a postgraduate-standard qualification for risk professionals.

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 to complete and provides a detailed introduction to cyber security principles and practices. Read more about cyber security training.

Online management courses

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

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

Get the lowdown on online learning and microcredentials.

Find out more

Discover the top UK business schools.
Explore how to become a project manager.
Consider how to answer management interview questions.