CertHE Business Management

Course Overview

Do you want to develop the knowledge and skills to break into today’s digital-first world of business management?

Arden University’s CertHE Business Management will introduce you to the latest business and technical skills needed to lead and manage in today’s modern business environment. The CertHE is a recognised qualification in its own right and provides an entry route to degree-level study. This is a great option if you feel ready to study a degree course but don’t have the necessary qualifications usually required, such as GCSEs or A levels.

Exploring business areas such as finance, digital marketing, innovation, and people management, you’ll graduate from your CertHE Business Management with the foundations you need for future study or work in a thriving field.

Course details and modules

This CertHE will provide you with knowledge of the fundamentals of business alongside how modern organisations work. During your studies, you’ll gain a wider understanding of business functions and develop practical skills in business management and leadership.

How do Arden University assess students?

AU assess students using diverse methods that go beyond traditional exams, especially in postgraduate certificate programs. Instead of exams, these programs employ practical, real-world assessments tailored to meet individual needs and help students develop transferable skills for their future careers. These assessments may include:

Essays: Developing critical thinking and analytical writing skills.
Consultancy Reports: Addressing real-world challenges with professional insights.
Recorded Presentations: Enhancing communication and presentation abilities.
Case Studies: Applying theoretical knowledge to practical scenarios.
E-Portfolios: Showcasing personal and academic achievements through organized digital collections.
Visual Research: Combining creativity and analytical skills to present research visually.

This approach ensures that students gain valuable, hands-on experience relevant to their career goals.

Modules

This is a 1-year course available through full-time blended learning, which gives you additional study support and is ideal if you’re still unsure about committing to a full 3-year degree course. Once you’ve completed your CertHE, you’ll be able to continue onto Level 5 (year two) of the CMI and ILM accredited BA (Hons) Business Management course if you wish to do so. To find out more about the Cert HE,

Level 4 core modules (20 credits each)

Digital Skills & Professional Development
Contemporary Business Environment
Marketing Dynamics
Introduction to Business Finance 
People Management
Technology & Innovation

Study Options

Full time blended learning

How does it work?

When you choose our full-time blended learning study mode, you’ll have eight hours of timetabled classes spread over two days at the Arden study centre of your choice. In addition to our usual eight hours of face-to-face teaching per week, as a CertHE student, you’ll also have an extra two hours of online support for academic knowledge and study skills development as well as one and a half additional hours of English Language for those who require it. This is combined with around 20 hours of independent study, which takes place through ilearn, our university campus in the cloud. ilearn contains all the resources you need to study successfully. You’ll also have access to our online library, removing the need to buy expensive course books in order to study successfully, as well as to the excellent student support services which are available to all Arden students.

Blended learning is the best option for students who prefer the structure of regular face-to-face classes with their tutor and fellow classmates, and is particularly suited to students who live within commuting or driving distance of one of our UK study centres.

If you’re a student from England who is enrolling on a full-time blended learning course with Arden (based in one of our UK study centres), you can apply for a Maintenance Loan for living costs to help pay for your living expenses. You can find more information on our fees and funding page. If you’re a student from Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland you can find information on Maintenance Loan from your student finance body.

Career prospects

During the course you’ll gain a range of in-demand and transferable business skills, helping you break into roles across today’s business sector.

You’ll also have the chance to progress on to Level 5 of our BSc (Hons) Business Management and complete your full undergraduate degree.

What can I do after Arden University?

Your CertHE in business management will open up opportunities across all aspects of the business sector. However, AU expect that you’ll want to continue studying and complete the BSc (Hons) Business Management.

If you decide you want to jump straight into the workplace, AU have a dedicated careers and employability team that will support you during your studies and help you achieve your professional ambitions.

Entry requirements

At Arden University applications are considered on a case by case basis. If you have significant work experience, have qualifications you have gained elsewhere, or a degree or qualification that isn’t a clear pathway to this degree – Team is more than happy to discuss your application.

Eligibility

CertHE Business Management

Arden University welcome anyone onto our CertHE course who can show us their determination to complete the qualification. You’ll just need to complete our one-week Introduction to Higher Education which mirrors the timetabled hours of your programme. Once you’ve passed this, you’ll be able to start on your CertHE.

Before you start studying

Whilst you can read your study materials on your smart phone or tablet, to make the most of your learning experience, you will need access to a laptop or computer AU recommend one running the latest version of Windows), and a good stable internet connection.

Course fee

This course is eligible for Student Loans Company (SLC) funding to help cover the cost of your tuition fees and other expenses. Please submit an enquiry to find out more.

In a UK campus	Fee
Full fee:	£9,250

Please note: Fees quoted relate to the intake that you enrol on (i.e. when you start your course), NOT your application date.

English proficiency

IELTS 6.0 (no less than 5.5 in any element); or equivalent
If English is not your first language we’ll provide one and a half additional hours of subject-specific academic English support each week.
Alternatively evidence that you have previously studied in English at the appropriate level can be accepted.

Arden will give you all the support you need to succeed. Then, when you graduate from the CertHE course, you’ll be able to progress on to the rest of the degree course if you decide it’s right for you.

Apply for the Course

Enquire Now

Industry skills

Career development resources

Once you’ve enrolled with Arden, our careers centre is easily accessible directly from inside our online platform, ilearn. The careers centre is here to help you discover the areas of your academic and professional life that you find most meaningful and rewarding, and then apply this to your career pathway.
Just a few of the career tools you’ll find in the careers centre include:

CV360, which analyses your CV and provides instant feedback for improvement
Interview360, helping you practise your interview technique in a stress-free environment and tackle some of the most common interview questions – as many times as you need to
Aptitude tests to help your improve your critical thinking, numeric, and logical reasoning skills
100s of interactive courses focused on giving you the skills and confidence you need to excel in your professional life.
My Jobs, where you can search employment vacancies, browse employer profiles by location and, or connect with other employees on LinkedIn.

LinkedIn Learning

All Arden students will have free access to LinkedIn Learning through the Library Portal. LinkedIn Learning is a video-based online learning platform offering over 16,500 expert-led courses across a wide range of subjects including business, technology, and creative skills.

With LinkedIn Learning, you can:

Pursue curated learning pathways aligned with our curriculum and your career goals.
Add value to your LinkedIn profile by showcasing your newly acquired skills.
Personalise content based on skills relevant to your chosen career path, interests and prior learning.

Chartered Management Institute (CMI)

This course awards a CMI Level 5 Award in Leadership and Management.

The Chartered Management Institute (CMI) promotes excellence in UK management and leadership. The institute aims to boost career development across the management sector and connect you with like-minded professionals across diverse sectors.

The CMI is the only organisation in the UK that can award Chartered Manager status – the gold standard in management. They are also active in business policy-making across the globe and ensure that their more than 140,000 members are represented in policy decision-making.

You will have free CMI Membership throughout your studies, giving you access to a range of exclusive resources, mentoring services, and networking events.

Upon completion of one of Arden University’s CMI-accredited courses, you will be automatically awarded CMI Foundation Chartered Manager (fCMgr) status. This recognises you have the skills needed to be an effective manager, helping you stand out from the competition and start your management career journey – with a clear pathway to full Chartered Manager status.

As an Arden University student, you’ll have access to the Arden Enterprise Incubator (AEI) online platform to support you in the area of entrepreneurship. Whether students are exploring the idea of setting up their own company or need help and guidance launching or growing an existing business, the AEI provides everything students need to kick start their entrepreneurial journey, as well as to support and empower them along the way.

The AEI has a wealth of resources available including monthly master classes, boot camps, podcasts, blogs, external events, and mentorship. Mentors include Arden University lecturers and industry experts so our students receive the very best support and expertise.