Postgraduate Diploma in Business with Financial Services via Online Distance Learning

Introduction to Business Management

The nature of business; Business plans and start-ups; Legalities – sole traders and partnerships; Limited companies, non-profit organisations, public sector organisations;

Strategic Management

Vision and mission; Objectives; Planning and strategy; Contingency planning, implementation, change control;

Operations Management

Production methods, cost, revenue and break-even analysis; Quality assurance; Production planning; Project management;

The External Environment

The nature of business; Economic systems; Structure of the industry; Sources of finance; Share capital, stock exchange, institutions providing finance;

Marketing

Marketing concepts; Market research: Market segmentation, positioning and targeting; New product development and the product life cycle; Brand awareness; The Marketing Mix (product, price, place, promotion); Competitor analysis; Marketing strategies; E-commerce;

Doing Business on the Internet

The Benefits of Digital Marketing; Doing Business on the Internet; Online Marketing Planning; Key Concepts in Internet Technology; Online Market Research;

Doing Business on a Global Scale

International management; Globalisation and multinational companies; Exportation; International marketing;

Mathematics and Statistics for Business

Financial Mathematics; Calculus and Profit Maximisation; Descriptive Statistics; Measure of Association; Probability; Statistical Inference;

Financial Accounting

Introduction to financial accounting; Users of financial information; Key accounting models; Terminology; Need for financial statements; The balance sheet; Balance sheet layouts, ratio and the balance sheet; Income statement and layout; Ratios, revenues and trade receivables; Owners equity; Cash flow measurement and documentation; Inventories and cost of sales; Tangible and intangible assets; Liabilities; Financial statements and recording transactions; Preparing financial statements; Analysing and interpreting financial statements; Analysis tools; Auditing;

Macroeconomics

Introduction to macroeconomics; Understanding macroeconomics; Principles of economics; How the market works; Gross domestic product; International trade; Open economy; Labour market; Income, expenditure and the circular flow; The consumer price index; Cost of taxation, employment, cost of living; The Philips Curve; National income, supply and demand for goods and services; Money and inflation; the Quantity theory of money; Interest rates; Social costs of inflation; Hyperinflation; Exchange rates; Economic fluctuations; Economic growth; Economy in the long run; Accumulation of capital; Population growth; Policies to promote growth; The Solow model; The business cycle; Aggregate demand and supply; The IS-LM model; The money market; How fiscal and monetary policies shift the LM curve; Floating and fixed exchange rates; The Mundell-Fleming model; Policy debates; Investment; Government policies;

Microeconomics

Introduction to microeconomics; Trade, trade-offs and government policy; Production and supply; Elasticities; Individual choice in supply and demand; Production and cost analysis; Competitive markets; Oligopoly and monopolistic competition and strategic pricing; Uncertainty;

Business Administration

Objectives; The office – planning and organisation; Equipping the office; The future of office administration;

Business Information Systems

Human aspects of computer interaction; Security, data protection and auditing; Electronic Data Interchange;

Leadership and Communication in the Workplace

Effective communication skills; Leadership styles; Information gathering and interpretation; Problem solving; Decision making; Workforce planning; Conflict resolution; Time management; Delegation;

Effective Performance in the Workplace

Company organisational culture and structures; Building an effective workforce – recruitment, team selection; Appointment and termination; Training and appraisal; Motivational strategies; Competition in the workplace; Wage and salary administration; Job restructuring;

Employee Relations and the Law

Human resources management; Employee representation; Industrial democracy including bargaining, consultation and participation; Industrial relations - action and disputes; Government policy (including EU and other industrial blocs); Consumer protection, workforce protection, equal opportunities legislation, pressure groups; Taxation;

Business Ethics

Business ethics; Business and the environment; Corporate social responsibility; Commercial Law; Company Law; Contract Law; Employment Law; Law of Tort;

Entrepreneurial Skills

Innovation, research and new product development;

Spreadsheets

Introduction to spreadsheets; Step by step instructions on using the features, functions and applications for spreadsheets; Customizing the spreadsheet software; Installing the spreadsheet software; Security; Platforms; Operating system compatibility;

Setting Up & Marketing Your Own Consultancy

The Business Plan; Legalities; Setting Up; The Marketing Strategy; Knowing Your Competitors; Promotional Tools;

Presentation Skills

Preparation and Research; Speech Content; Subject Matter and Objectives; Speech Delivery and Variety; Body Language; Eye Contact; Presentation Aids; Management of locations and audiences; Presentation structure;

FINANCIAL SERVICES

Introduction to Financial Services

What are financial services, the financial services industry, types of financial services, roles of the financial system, functions of financial services, financial institutions, changes in the financial service sector, trends within the financial service, professional bodies, the financial services consumer.

Fund Administration

Shareholder services (Applications, Redemptions, Transfers), Trading (Principal Features, Market to Market, Margin accounts), Equities (Principle Features, Weighted Average / FIFO Cost Allocation, Realised and Unrealised Profits and Losses), Equities, Gilts/Fixed Interest Securities, Custody (Settlement Procedures, safekeeping, Corporate Actions, Income Collection, Taxation Services, Proxy Voting, Trustees), Valuations.

Lending Practices: Procedure and Policies

Lending policies and procedures, types of loans, managing credit risk, regulating lending, credit analysis, the lending process, the loan agreement, loan review.

Lending Practices: Providing Loans to Consumers

Features of consumer loans, consumer credit and protection code, financial planning, real estate loans, home equity lending, interest only and adjustable mortgages, credit card loans, laws and regulations, determining rate of interest, loan terms and conditions, evaluating consumer loan applications, credit scoring, the FICO Scoring System, bankruptcy.

Lending Practices: Providing Loans to Businesses

Lending to businesses, types of business loans, usage of loans, pricing, short term and long-term loans to businesses, analysing business loan applications, collateral and contingent liabilities.

Deposit and Non-Deposit Related Financial Services

Types of deposits offered by the financial services sector, setting interest rates, deposit related services and pricing, alternative non-deposit sources of funding, liability, determining cost, risk.

Investment Planning

Introduction to investment products and markets, fixed-income investments, savings accounts, marketable and nonmarketable government issues, municipal bonds, corporate bonds, preferred stock, common stock investments. Mutual funds, closed-end-versus open-end funds, types of funds, aggressive growth funds, international/global funds, growth and income funds, fixed income funds, equity income funds, sector funds, money market funds, traditional index funds, benefits and risks, iShares, MSCI funds, variable annuity and life investment products, benefits and disadvantages of variable annuity. Fixed-income security return, fixed-income security risk, buying and selling a bond, equity securities, equity return, equity risk, buying and selling stock, limiting risk, sale of mutual funds, asset allocation model, portfolio management, investment planning process, setting goals, life cycle, risk versus return, the investment portfolio.

Criteria for eligibility must be met in full prior to commencing the programme. For successful enrollment on the Postgraduate Diploma course, the minimum entry requirement is a prior Degree level qualification.

On successful completion of this course you will receive a Professional Postgraduate Diploma qualification that is certified and awarded by the ICM (Institute of Commercial Management).

The Institute of Commercial Management was founded in 1979 and is one of the leading Professional Examination and Certification Bodies in the world today. Fitzwilliam Institute have developed and provided practical skills training courses in liaison with the Institute of Commercial Management qualifications and certifications framework for over 25 years. The Institute of Commercial Management certifications and continual professional development training awards are recognised by leading industries, bodies and professions.

next start date: 29th November 2024

Duration: You will have full access to online resources and subject expert support for two calendar years. However, you can complete the course in as little as 1 year, by dedicating 6-8 hours of study per week.

Course Fees: 1795.00 GPB

To secure your place on the course the full fee is required. All fees must be paid in full before the course begins. Please note, the full course fees are inclusive of all course materials and certification costs.

Enrolment intake is strictly limited on this course. Early application is advised. Places are allocated on a first come first served basis.

Fitzwilliam Institute closes on Bank Holidays and for a number of days at Christmas and New Year. Fitzwilliam Institute reserves the right to postpone, cancel or alter courses without notice or to change any of the details in this brochure. Fees are not refundable unless the course is cancelled by Fitzwilliam Institute. Distance Learning courses are provided by Fitzwilliam Institute BGLS Ltd.