Management Studies PgDip/MA top-up

Kingston's Diploma in Management Studies (DMS) course is suitable for professionals working in all sectors of the economy, whether you are in local government or healthcare, or in private-sector companies such as retail, IT or finance. It will provide you with the skills and qualities that are essential to become an effective manager. Once you have successfully completed the diploma you can undertake a further year's study to top up your qualification to masters level.

This course is recognised by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI). Successful graduates are eligible for Associate Membership of the CMI and you will have the chance to upgrade to full member status depending on your management experience.

What you will study?

After an induction programme introducing you to the Business School and the expectations and ethos of the DMS course, you will go on to study modules that cover the broader disciplines of management and some more-focused topics. You will develop your evaluation and analytical skills and focus on the application of management techniques to your job. You will gain a strategic and holistic perspective of your organisation that is critical to its success in today's competitive business environment. You will also have the opportunity to specialise by choosing certain option modules.

If you decide to top up your diploma qualification to masters level, you will undertake the Research Methods and dissertation module, which will prepare you for the production and submission of your dissertation.

"I can honestly say the last two years studying the DMS have helped me develop as a manager better than at any other time in my career. Being able to apply what I am learning has provided me with personal opportunities and clear business benefits." Jason Forster, network manager at Veolia Water

Kingston Business School works closely with the business world's principal professional bodies in order to harmonise its education provision with the needs of today's business practitioners. You will learn how to turn theory into practice and gain a qualification that has real value in the real world. Find out more...

Please note that this is an indicative list of modules and is not intended as a definitive list.

Core modules

• Financial Resource Management

• Financial Resource Management

  This module will develop your ability to analyse and interpret financial data. It covers:

  • how to prepare appropriate financial statements and accounting information; and
  • techniques for evaluating financial risk and decision-making.
  
   
• Managing Information

• Managing Information

  This module develops your appreciation of management information systems. You will gain the skills needed for information processing and financial/statistical data analysis, which are vital for managerial decision-making and business planning processes.

  This module is assessed by coursework (a work-based report of 3,500–4,000 words).

  
   
• Managing Operations

• Managing Operations

  This module will acquaint you with the basic terminology and concepts of operations management. You will:

  • learn how to analyse and evaluate the operations of organisations in both the service and manufacturing sectors; and
  • develop planning and control methodologies to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of an organisation.
  
   
• Managing People and Organisations

• Managing People and Organisations

  This module provides you with a framework which will enable you to critically reflect upon your performance and plan your professional development.

  It provides an understanding of human behaviour within organisations and looks at how management performance can be enhanced through effective human resource management.You will:

  • demonstrate your ability to integrate international aspects of managing people and organisations; and
  • develop an understanding of human resource practices and procedures.
  
   
• Marketing

• Marketing

  This module will develop your understanding of key marketing concepts. It looks at:

  • how effective marketing can be used to enhance organisational performance;
  • the role of analysis, planning, implementation and control in the marketing process;
  • how to  develop positioning strategies, prepare plans using the appropriate marketing mix and assess their financial implications and risk; and
  • key generic marketing strategies and relationship marketing.
  
   
• Strategic Management

• Strategic Management

  This module is designed to enable you to understand, diagnose and contribute to the development of organisational strategies. This will include managing risk and opportunities and applying conceptual frameworks to identify factors which can influence performance and outcomes.

  
   

Option modules (choose two)

• Leadership in the Creative Economy

• Leadership in the Creative Economy

  This module encourages you to learn experientially about leadership through performance and develop conceptual understanding of creative leadership and how it differs from more traditional approaches. 

  Where appropriate, you will apply your learning to leadership roles in the creative project developed within The Creative Economy module.

  
   
• Entrepreneurial Management

• Entrepreneurial Management

  This module looks at entrepreneurship as a way of creating value in a wide range of contexts such as new ventures, established firms and social enterprises. It will develop your entrepreneurial management skills making you aware of the process and challenges involved in designing and managing innovation.

  
   
• Financial Management

• Financial Management

  This module covers how organisations arrange their external financing and manage their internal resources. It looks at:

  • sources of capital and theories of how capital structures behave in response to changes in the choices of capital sources;
  • methods and costs of protecting the firm's capital and operational cash flows against currency, interest and maturity risk;
  • treasury and working capital management; and 
  • the firm's choice in of growth through acquisition or or reduction through spin-off, demerger or reconstruction will be studied.
  
   
• Human Resource Management

• Human Resource Management

  Human Resource Management studies the role and responsibilities of a line manager and looks at the demarcation between this function and that of the specialist HR/personnel department. It will help to:

  • inform your managerial decision-making in areas such as personnel selection, development and performance; and 
  • improve your contribution to issues such as managing people during organisational change.

  The module also provides an introduction to employment law.

  
   
• International Management

• International Management

  This module aims to provide you with the additional skills and knowledge needed by managers operating in an international business environment. It will

  • enable you to participate in the planning and implementation of international business strategy; and
  • extend your knowledge by investigating a topic relevant to you and your organisation.

  It also includes looking at sources of information and risk, cultural aspects and financial issues.

  
   
• Issues in Charity Accounting and Governance

• Issues in Charity Accounting and Governance

  This module considers the ways in which the legal and regulatory frameworks governing charitable entities influence accounting, auditing, fund-raising and financial reporting in the sector. It will enable you to:

  • create financial statements compliant with associated regulation;
  • assess funding sources and policies; and
  • interpret financial information to make appropriate decisions and recommendations.
  
   
• Managing in the Public and Not-For-Profit Sector

• Managing in the Public and Not-For-Profit Sector

  This module studies current public and not-for-profit management issues. It will enable you to apply a range of tools and approaches, sensitive to these issues, which will help to optimise organisational performance. Areas covered include:

  • the role and nature of governing bodies;
  • managing public money;
  • strategic management;
  • public and user involvement;
  • demand and supply;
  • public administrations internationally;
  • managing within a distinctive culture;
  • the use of consultants; and
  • issues and policies.
  
   

MA top-up only

• Research Methods and Dissertation

• Research Methods and Dissertation

  Initially this module will equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to successfully complete a research project.

  You will then investigate a specific business problem via a substantial piece of independent work, which demonstrates your proficiency in:

  • the design of a research project;
  • the application of appropriate methods;
  • the collection and analysis of data; and
  • the presentation of results.
  
   

The Faculty of Business and Law runs a number of postgraduate and post-experience open days. Visit us to find out how we can help you achieve your career ambitions.

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This programme is recognised by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) as an approved management qualification.

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Learn more about the facilities available to you as a student of this course.
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