Postgraduate Diploma in Business and Management

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The Programme

The Postgraduate Diploma in Business and Management is both a stand-alone, one-year programme and the first year of the Master of Science in Business and Management. Providing graduate-level instruction in core business disciplines, it includes modules in economics, leadership and strategy implemention, and finance. Students learn about, among other things, human resource planning, the management of change, leadership and strategic direction, financial policy, and the principles of business research. The programme, which runs from September to April, can be taken from anywhere in the country and is delivered through blended learning.

Is This Programme for you?

This programme is ideally suited to those who want, in the space of one academic year, to study subjects that are of huge relevance to contemporary business life. Whatever a student’s professional background or areas of responsibility, this course will give them a sold grounding in ideas and practices integral to organisational success, whether the organisation is an SME, a large corporation or a public sector body. Students may then chose to study for one more year, taking specialist streams, and obtain a Masters-level award. 

Subjects

This diploma is divided into two semesters. Students take three subjects in each semester.

Semester One

Economics

This course focuses on the economic principles especially applicable to business strategies and objectives. It addresses such topics as pricing, taxation, growth, regulation, and managing in competitive markets.

Human Resource Management

Among the topics addressed on this course are motivation theory, group dynamics, politics and conflict in organisations, human resource planning, performance appraisal, training and development, corporate culture, and organisational change.

Finance

This course covers, among other topics, annual financial statements, investment appraisal, cost and management accounting, standard costing, ratio analysis, the management of cash, stocks and debtors, business planning and budgeting, and company valuations.

Semester Two

Organisation and Strategy

This course addresses several key issues in the literature on organisation and strategy, including decision-making in organisations, contingency theory, the nature of bureaucracy, markets, strategic management, and networks.

Leadership and Strategy Implementation

The topics addressed in this course include leadership theories, the differences between private- and public-sector leadership, leadership and vision creation, leadership and strategy formulation, policy formulation and implementation, the management of change, and ethics and social responsibility.

Research Methods

This course provides a comprehensive explication and analysis of sophisticated quantitative and qualitative research. It considers, among other things, research strategy and design, sampling, depth interviews, random variables, hypothesis testing, and appropriate mathematical techniques.

Assessment

Students are assessed by means of assignments and examinations. 

How To Apply

To apply, please:

1. Download this Application Form and complete it (if your fees are being paid by your employer, be sure to include the relevant details on the form).
2. Obtain a copy of your degree or other relevant qualification.
3. Send the completed form and scan of your prior qualification to postgrad@ipa.ie.

You may also apply by post.

If you are paying the programme fee yourself, you can do so by cheque, bank draft or by debit/credit card (contact the Postgraduate Office for further details).

Prospectus

Programme Delivery and Application Form

IPA postgraduate prorgammes are part time and delivered through a blended learning model. To apply,  see the How to Apply section on the relevant programme and complete the application form below. 

Application Form

Postgraduate Application Form