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Postgraduate Diploma in Business Management (ABE)
The Postgraduate Diploma in Business Management from the Association of Business Executives (ABE) has been developed with career progression and recognition by professional bodies in mind. Accredited by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA), the programme is equivalent to level 7 on the National Qualification Framework (NQF). The qualification provides a route for students to gain advanced entry to a Masters degree at UK universities

The ABE Postgraduate Diploma in Business Management has been developed by a senior university professor, utilising current academic learning and research as well as employer knowledge and practice. It is therefore an ideal progression route for those who:

  • are currently studying professional qualifications and wish to proceed to a Masters degree in business/management
  • have a related degree but wish to proceed to a Masters level business/management qualification
  • are in employment, at managerial level, and wish to achieve a Masters level qualification

At a time when global economies are in difficulties, the Postgraduate Diploma in Business Management represents an excellent, cost-effective opportunity to demonstrate talent and ability.

Programme Outline (Core Units)

The Postgraduate Diploma is QCA accredited at level 7 and comprises five units:

  • Strategic Business Management and Planning
  • Organisational Resource Management
  • Management of Financial Resources and Performance
  • Leadership and Change Management
  • Corporate Management in Action (integrative case study assessment)

The programme does not carry study manuals. This is because students at level 7 are expected to be capable of carrying out their own research and reading, which is the practice at Masters level


Registration and Examination Entry
All students studying on this program are required to register with ABE. Registration can take place at any time. However, if you wish to sit for a specific examination session, the following deadlines apply:

For the June Examinations
Register by the first Friday in March

For the December Examinations
Register by the first Friday in September

Students should be aware of the closing dates for registration and examinations as these are strictly adhered to

Students will need to complete an examination entry form and submit it to the ABE office before the closing dates for examination entry

(For closing dates, examination timetables and more information please visit www.abeuk.com)


Assessment/ Examination
Each unit requires two pieces of assessed work:
  • an examination (marked externally by ABE); and
  • an assignment (marked internally by the college and scrutinised by ABE)

To pass the unit requires a pass mark of 40% or above in both pieces of assessed work.
For example, achieving a mark of 70% in one piece of work and 35% in the other will not qualify for a pass.The examination scripts are marked externally by ABE. The assignment is marked by the college using marking criteria provided by ABE. Assignments will be marked and submitted by West End College London.


Entry Requirements :

A student must fulfill at least one of the following criteria to be allowed entry to the programme:

  • Possession of the ABE’s Advanced Diploma in Business Management or Business Administration (note that a student may progress to the Postgraduate Diploma if he/she has one unit of the Advanced Diploma yet to be passed, but cannot be awarded the Postgraduate Diploma until subsequently passing the remaining Advanced Diploma unit)
  • Possession of an ABE Advanced Diploma in another subject (subject to further study requirements, contact education@abeuk.com)
  • Possession of an honours degree in a related subject (contact education@abeuk.com for consideration of your previous qualifications)
  • Possession of a level 6 qualification from another internationally recognised awarding body (contact education@abeuk.com for consideration of your previous qualifications)
  • Five years senior management experience (students must check with ABE regarding this experience prior to registering for the course
English Requirement: If a Tier 4 (General) student will be studying a course that is below NQF Level 6 (except a Foundation Degree or an English language course), using a CAS issued on or after 12 August 2010, he/she must be competent in English language at a minimum of level B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR):
The student must have passed an English language test with an approved test provider for Tier 4, and has achieved at least CEFR level B1 in all four components (reading, writing, speaking and listening). Click here for a list of approved test providers.


Fees (International): £4,750
Fees (Home): £3,000
Duration: One year /part of full-time study.
Intake: January & June
Progression: MBA Programme