Graduate Diploma in Management, Finance, Law or Public Administration (with English Language)
What the Course Offers
- A choice of Management, Finance Law or Public Administration study routes
- Access to Master’s Programmes at Exeter and other universities
- Expert support with applications
- Key language and skills for business courses
Course Aims
The Graduate Diploma in Management, Finance, Law or Public Administration aim to give an introduction to modern management, finance, law or public administration. They are designed as pre-Master's courses and also function as stand-alone university qualifications in business management, finance, law or public administration. You can take one of these courses to improve your English, or if your English is already adequate for academic study, you can choose to study management/finance/law/public administration modules only. If you pass the course at a good level, you are guaranteed a place on Masters programmes in business or finance, law or public administration at the University of Exeter. The Graduate Diploma in Law may also be taken as preparation for research programmes in the School of Law.
Course Content
English Language and Communication Skills (30 credits) (Compulsory for all Graduate Diploma students)
The aim of the English module is to bring your English up to the level required to follow courses or do research at higher education institutions in the UK. The course focuses firstly on the development of general English grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation(5 classes per week in terms 1 and 2). Secondly, the module focuses on the English required for the academic study of Business Management, as follows (7 classes per week, to include tutorials, in terms 1 and 2):
- written language classes provide you with essential reading and writing skills for undertaking academic study through the medium of English
- spoken language classes enable you to develop an understanding of spoken English in a business context as well as to increase fluency through business presentation and discussion.
Students on all pathways * take the above module:
*(Management or Finance students with a sufficient level of English may take modules in the Business School in place of English)
The modules specific to each pathway are given below.
Management
- Human Resource Management
This module is designed to develop knowledge and skills in recruiting, supporting, managing and negotiating with teams and individuals for whom you will be responsible. (30 hours tuition in term 1) (15 credits) - Financial Management
The main purpose of this module is to study the techniques used in managing the finance of a business, and how to monitor and control the business performance. (30 hours tuition in term 1) (15 credits) - Operations Management
The aim of this module is to increase knowledge and understanding of production and operations systems, production management, total quality management, production planning, control and productivity. (30 hours tuition in term 2) (15 credits) - Marketing Management
This module will increase your knowledge and understanding of marketing management, including the analysis of marketing processes, the purposes of marketing within a business context, and the application of marketing management techniques to practical situations. (30 hours tuition in term 2) (15 credits) - Business-based Dissertation
This module brings together all the skills and knowledge which you have gained in the taught programme. You will apply these skills to a real-life business-based problem which is identified through company visits. You will develop independent study skills and practise communication and presentation skills. In term 1, students are given preparation for writing assignments. (30 hours tuition in terms 1 and 2; self study and tutorials in term 3) (30 credits)
I would recommend the GCM course because I think it shows international students how to study well (effectively) in Britain. This gives us an advantage compared to students who didn’t do it (the course).
Finance
- Human Resource Management
This module is designed to develop knowledge and skills in recruiting, supporting, managing and negotiating with teams and individuals for whom you will be responsible. (30 hours tuition in term 1) (15 credits) - Financial Management
The main purpose of this module is to study the techniques used in managing the finance of a business, and how to monitor and control the business performance. (30 hours tuition in term 1) (15 credits) - Operations Management
The aim of this module is to increase knowledge and understanding of production and operations systems, production management, total quality management, production planning, control and productivity. (30 hours tuition in term 2) (15 credits) - Marketing Management
This module will increase your knowledge and understanding of marketing management, including the analysis of marketing processes, the purposes of marketing within a business context, and the application of marketing management techniques to practical situations. (30 hours tuition in term 2) (15 credits) - Fundamentals of Investments
This module will give you an introduction to and overview of the principles of personal and corporate investment. It will include such topics as the functions of finance, asset, bond and equity valuation, risk management, portfolio theory, the capital asset pricing mechanism, investment analysis, derivatives. In term 1, students are given preparation for writing assignments. (30 hours tuition in terms1, 2 and 3) (30 credits)
Law
- Introduction to English Law (30 credits)
This module aims to introduce you to the main themes of Master’s Degree level study of law in UK universities, and to enable you to follow a LLM programme at Exeter University. This module also aims to provide a foundation in English Law and the English Legal System for you wishing to follow any degree programme in Law at any university in England and Wales. - Law-Based Dissertation (30 credits)
The aim of this module is to pursue, under the guidance of an academic supervisor, an individual programme of research on a topic within the scope of the Graduate Diploma in Law, approved by the programme director, applying appropriate research methodologies and drawing on appropriate materials. - Introduction to International Trade and Business Law* (15 credits)
This module is intended to provide a foundation in International Trade and Business Law enabling you to undertake advanced study at Master’s level. This module will cover the sources of WTO Law, in particular GATT, with reference to contentious issues, e.g. international agricultural trade, and selected aspects of transnational commercial law. - Introduction to EU Law* (15 credits)
This module is intended to provide a foundation in EU Law enabling you to undertake advanced study at Master’s level. This module will cover the sources of EU Law, the institutional structure of the EU, the fundamental concepts of EU Law, and legal aspects of the single market. - Introduction to Human Rights* (15 credits)
This module enables you to undertake advanced study of Human Rights at Master’s level. It will focus on the concept and on the definition of human rights as set forth in the European Convention on Human Rights. It will therefore deal extensively with the case law of the European Court of Human Rights as well as, where relevant, with UK domestic case law. Where necessary, a comparative approach with other systems (national, regional, international) will be adopted.
* Please note that you choose 2 of these 3 options, subject to availability
Public Administration
- Human Resource Management* (15 credits)
The main purpose of this module is to develop your knowledge and skills in managing people. It is designed to enable participants to understand how to negotiate as well as how to support and reward teams and individuals for which they are responsible. - Financial Management* (15 credits)
The main purpose of this module is to study the techniques used in managing the finance of a business and the Public Sector, and how to monitor and control performance of the organisation. - Operations Management* (15 credits)
The main purpose of this module is to develop knowledge of the role and contribution of operations management and production function in both public and private organisations; to broaden your knowledge and understanding of process and operations systems in both service provision and manufacturing; and to identify the role of management in operations including total quality management, process and project planning, control and productivity. - Public Sector Management* (15 credits)
The aim of this module is to explore the way in which managing the public sector differs from that in the private sector and the reasons for this. The module also seeks to examine the major issues confronting public sector managers and the way in which the trends for modernisation impact upon the sector. - British Government and Institutions* (15 credits)
This module provides an introduction to British politics, and an examination of UK public policy. The lectures introduce the main institutions and processes of government with both contemporary emphasis and historical awareness.
*Please note that you choose 4 of these 5 options, subject to availability
Plus a specialist research element:
- Public Administration-based dissertation (30 credits)
The module will prepare you for assignment and dissertation writing. The dissertation itself brings together all the skills and knowledge you have gained in the taught programme. It gives you the opportunity to apply these skills to a specific public administration based problem. You will be encouraged to develop independent study skills and be given an opportunity to develop your communication and presentation skills.
Module Details
For more details of the above modules please see the module descriptions.
Additional modules in the Business School for students studying Management or Finance
Students with sufficient English language skills may replace the English Language and Communication Skills module with 30 credits from modules in the Business School. Details will be given at registration.
Assessment of the English component is by coursework assignment, written examination, oral presentation and interview. Assessment of the subject modules component is by coursework assignment, group project work, written examination, oral presentation and dissertation.
Is this course suitable for you?
If you want:
- to be able to study one of the subjects above at postgraduate level
- an introduction to the study of management , finance, law or public administration
- to increase or update your knowledge of these subjects
- to upgrade your qualifications because your first degree does not allow you direct entry to master’s courses
- to improve your knowledge of English and study skills within a specific subjectcontext
then this course is right for you.
What makes the Graduate Diploma the ideal pre-Master’s course?
The Graduate Diploma is an excellent preparation for the study of business management, finance, law or public administration at Master’s level. We do our best to ensure that you achieve the standard necessary to progress to your chosen course through giving you lots of tuition and individual attention. We do this through the following means:
- a substantial amount of class time in small groups
- intensive English tuition
- active learning in your subject areas
- detailed feedback on your performance
- guidance in appropriate study methods through personal tutorials and other means
- one-to-one English language tutorials to help with assignments in all subject modules
- careful individual support for subject-related assessment
- the chance to retake certain assessments a second time within the duration of the course
In the last three years, 98.5% of our students have been able to proceed to study on their chosen postgraduate degree programmes. In addition to studying at Exeter, our students have been offered places at universities such as Warwick, Bath, Durham, London School of Economics, Birmingham, Cardiff, Surrey, Lancaster, and Nottingham.
Study Routes
For those who wish to proceed to Masters’ level study at Exeter, there are designated study routes onto business management or finance courses, law or public administration courses, if you pass at a good level. If you are interested in business management, you can progress to
If you are interested in finance, you can progress to:
If you are interested in Law, you can progress to:
You may also take the Graduate Diploma in Law prior to a research degree in Law
If you are interested in Public Administration, you can progress to the following course:
Entry Requirements
Minimum entry requirements are one of the following in any subject, though business is advantageous:
- An undergraduate degree. The grades may be below those required for direct entry to a Masters’ course
- A 3-5 year Diploma with a good average grades. Work experience is desirable.
(Note: if you wish to proceed to take the finance study route, you will need to have a good level of mathematics in your degree or diploma qualification.)
Plus:
- English language at a level equivalent to IELTS 5.5 (+ 5 in writing) or TOEFL 71 ibt; 197cbt; 530pbt (+ TWE 3.5).
- Management only: English language at a level equivalent to IELTS 6.5 (+6 in writing) or TOEFL 90 (ibt; 230cbt; 570pbt) + TWE 4.
Length of Study
The course runs for 9 months from October to June or from January to September
Course Dates & Fees
For more details please see our Dates and Fees page.
How to Apply
If you wish to apply for any INTO University of Exeter programme please complete and return our new application form. The application form can be downloaded here.
Completed application forms and accompanying documents can be sent to us at the address below or scanned and emailed to us at into@exeter.ac.uk.