Build your management skills. Work towards a degree.
Learn to lead teams, understand business finances and make informed decisions. Study both levels online with RiseLadder, with one to one tutor support as you work towards your 240-credit extended diploma.
On completion, you can apply for eligible degree top-up courses. University entry requirements and separate fees apply.
£3,500 total course fee
The full course fee is payable in one payment through secure bank checkout.
How do you organise a team’s work? What do the financial figures tell you? When is a business ready to grow?
This course helps you build the knowledge to work through questions like these. At Level 4, you study everyday business operations, finance, communication and team leadership. At Level 5, you consider how strategy, people, marketing and law influence decisions across the organisation.
You complete twelve units across both levels, working towards one Level 5 Extended Diploma in Business Management worth 240 credits.
From understanding a business to shaping its decisions
01
Understand how a business operates.Six Level 4 units build your knowledge of research, operations, communication, finance, teams and global business.
02
Learn to weigh up bigger decisions.Six Level 5 units cover strategy, human resources, marketing, law, management accounting and business planning.
03
Decide where to take your learning.Consider further study or use your knowledge in the responsibilities you already have.
One course covering both levels
You study Level 4 before progressing through Level 5. Complete all twelve units to achieve the single extended award under qualification reference 610/0335/9.
HOW YOU LEARN
Study online, with support as you progress.
You have up to two years to complete both levels. Plan regular study time around your other commitments, using online materials, independent research and practical activities to build your understanding.
One to one tutors, live webinars and learner forums give you ways to ask questions and discuss what you are learning. Coursework lets you demonstrate your understanding through the tasks set for each unit. There are no traditional exams.
01
Apply for a monthly intake.
Complete your eligibility review and enrolment arrangements. Your online dashboard brings together learning materials, progress information and support.
02
Work through Level 4.
Build your knowledge of the subjects behind everyday business activity.
03
Continue into Level 5.
Use that knowledge to assess business choices and explain your recommendations.
04
Complete your extended diploma.
Meet the assessment requirements across all twelve units.
Plan the time your studies need.
The qualification has 2,400 total qualification-time hours, including 1,200 guided learning hours. These cover teaching, independent learning and assessment. Discuss the expected weekly workload with the course team so you can make a realistic plan.
What if your work needs another attempt?
Use your feedback to revise and try again. Unlimited free assignment resubmissions are included, within the course’s assessment requirements and timetable.
Start with the study or experience you already have.
The combined course begins at Level 4. You do not need to have completed a Level 4 qualification before applying.
18+
Typical ageApplicants are normally aged 18 or above.
L3
Relevant prior studyA relevant Level 3 qualification or equivalent is the usual route. Two GCE A levels or an equivalent profile may also be considered.
21+
Mature applicantsIf you are over 21, relevant management experience may be considered as part of your application.
EN
English-language readinessYou may need to provide evidence that your English is suitable for study and assessment at this level.
Unsure whether your background fits?
Tell us about your previous study and management experience. We will help you check your starting point.
Build knowledge you can bring to business decisions.
Use the course to develop how you assess a problem, compare options and explain a recommendation. That knowledge can be relevant when coordinating work, supporting a team or planning a business idea.
01
Organise work more effectively.
Understand how processes, resources and communication affect day-to-day performance.
02
Understand what the figures are telling you.
Use financial and management-accounting information to evaluate a business choice.
03
Connect decisions across a business.
Consider how people, customers, legal responsibilities and business goals affect one another.
04
Assess an idea before you act on it.
Test customer need, practical demands and financial assumptions when developing a business plan.
Put your learning in context.
Your experience and each employer’s requirements will also shape the roles and responsibilities you can pursue.
UNIVERSITY OPTIONS
Your next step could be towards a business degree.
Completing both levels gives you a 240-credit extended diploma. You can use it when applying for eligible degree top-up courses or considering separate Level 6 study.
Each university decides whether your qualification meets its entry requirements and how much further study you will need. Admission and university fees are separate from this RiseLadder course.
University progression options
These examples illustrate potential routes from a relevant 240-credit Level 4 and 5 profile. Confirm recognition of this exact extended diploma, the intake, mode and remaining credits directly with admissions.
These are planning examples, not guaranteed offers. Course names, availability and admissions requirements can change. Your RiseLadder adviser can help you prepare the questions to ask.
YOUR TWO-STAGE ROUTE
Build towards your next course.
Level 4Six units · 120 credits
Level 5Six units · 120 credits
Apply for an eligible next courseLevel 6 or degree top-up · Separate fees and entry requirements
The completed extended diploma can support advanced standing, but a university will review your full profile and decide the appropriate entry point.
Plan the route that matters to you.
Give admissions the exact qualification title and reference 610/0335/9.
Confirm whether the full 240 credits meet the route’s prior-learning requirement.
Check the current course, mode, intake, entry stage and remaining credits.
Ask about grades, English-language evidence, fees, deadlines and other requirements.
On successful completion of all twelve units, you receive the Level 5 Extended Diploma in Business Management, worth 240 credits across Levels 4 and 5.
QUALIFICATION RECORD
Level 5 Extended Diploma in Business Management
Awarding organisation
OTHM
Levels studied
4 and 5
Total credits
240
Total qualification time
2,400 hours
Guided learning
1,200 hours
Mandatory units
12 × 20 credits
Qualification reference
610/0335/9
What the record means
The extended diploma is listed on the Ofqual register. Its level describes the highest academic demand; its credits describe the combined qualification size. An employer or university decides how it recognises the award for a particular role or course.
Your additional CPD certificate
The course offer includes an extra CPD certificate. It is separate from the extended diploma; ask the team what activity it recognises and which completion requirements apply.
Keep the course details in one place.
Download your RiseLadder learner guide to compare the subjects, entry requirements, support and fees in your own time.
Ask the course team about certification after successful completion and to show you an authorised example for this exact award. Check that its title and reference match this record.
A difficult topic or a piece of assignment feedback can leave you unsure what to do next. One to one tutor support gives you a place to work through that question and understand how to move forward.
Talk through the difficult part.
Get individual help with a subject you are finding difficult or an assessment requirement you need to understand.
Explore ideas in live webinars.
Discuss what you are learning and hear different approaches to business problems.
Learn with other people.
Use learner forums to exchange perspectives and contribute to course discussions.
Keep improving, without resubmission fees.
Use your feedback to revise and try again. Unlimited free resubmissions are included, within the course’s assessment requirements and timetable.
BEFORE YOU START
Confirm the right route
Discuss your Level 3 study, management experience and English-language readiness with an adviser.
BETWEEN THE STAGES
Review your progress
Use feedback from Level 4 to strengthen the research and reasoning you bring into Level 5.
BEFORE YOU SUBMIT
Check the assessment brief
Map your work to the criteria, reference your sources and ask how any resubmission should be completed.
Make a study plan that works for you.
Ask about tutor availability, contact methods, response times, accessibility arrangements and webinar schedules before enrolling.
Work through difficult topics, learn with other people and use feedback to move forward. Your support is part of the course.
01 / PEOPLE
Talk through the difficult part.
Get individual help with a subject you are finding difficult or an assessment requirement you need to understand.
02 / CONNECTION
Learn with other people.
Join live webinars and learner forums to discuss ideas and hear different approaches to business problems.
03 / PROGRESS
Keep improving, without resubmission fees.
If an assignment needs more work, use the feedback to revise and try again. Unlimited free resubmissions are included, within the course’s assessment requirements and timetable.
04 / TOOLS
A laptop to support your studies.
A free laptop is included only when the full, undiscounted course fee is paid in one payment.
05 / RECOGNITION
An additional CPD certificate.
Your course offer includes a separate CPD certificate. The course team can explain the activity it recognises and its completion requirements.
06 / CHOICE
Take a look before you commit.
Request free trial access to get a closer look at studying with RiseLadder. You can also try the sample activity on this page now.
Request my free trial →Free trial requests are arranged by the RiseLadder team. The sample activity below is available now.
IS THE COMBINED ROUTE RIGHT FOR YOU?
Start with the study or experience you already have.
The combined course begins at Level 4. This may be the right next step if:
You want to build management knowledge after Level 3 or equivalent study
You want to understand business decisions beyond your current responsibilities
You are considering further degree study and want to understand a possible route towards it
You can make time for regular research, learning and coursework
You study online and have up to two years to complete both levels. Set aside regular time for learning, research and coursework. The qualification has an estimated total learning and assessment time of 2,400 hours, so discuss a realistic weekly routine with the course team before enrolling.
How do I pay the course fee?+
The full course fee is payable in one payment through secure bank checkout.
What happens if an assignment needs more work?+
Use your feedback to revise and resubmit. There is no cap on free assignment resubmissions, provided you follow the course’s assessment requirements and timetable.
I have been away from study. Where should I start?+
Begin by checking the entry requirements against your previous qualifications and management experience. If the route is suitable, your course includes Academic Writing and Research Skills at Level 4, alongside one to one tutor support as you study.
Can I try the learning before enrolling?+
Yes. Request free trial access through the RiseLadder team, or try the sample activity on this page now. The sample is available without registering and is separate from full course access. You can also download the learner guide immediately.
The completed 240-credit extended diploma can support an application to an eligible degree top-up course. The university will assess your exact qualification and application. Entry requirements, availability, further study and fees depend on the course you choose.
Does the £3,500 include a degree?+
The fee covers the combined Level 4 and 5 extended diploma. A university degree or separate Level 6 course requires another application and has its own fees.
Who receives the free laptop?+
The full course fee is payable in one payment through secure bank checkout.
What do I need to enrol?+
Applicants are typically 18 or above with a relevant Level 3 qualification or equivalent. Two GCE A levels or an equivalent profile may also be considered. Applicants over 21 may use relevant management experience, subject to review. English-language evidence may also be required.
How will I be assessed?+
Assessment is through coursework across twelve mandatory units, with no traditional examinations. Each unit is judged against its learning outcomes and assessment criteria, and the qualification is graded Pass or Fail.
What qualification will I receive?+
After meeting all course requirements, you receive a Level 5 Extended Diploma in Business Management worth 240 credits. See Your qualification for the formal awarding and Ofqual record.
How is this different from the standalone Level 4 or Level 5 course?+
This is one extended 240-credit route containing both stages. The standalone courses each cover one 120-credit level and have separate qualification records, fees and entry points.
When can I start?+
RiseLadder offers monthly starts. Complete your application and eligibility review so the team can confirm your intake and enrolment arrangements.
What makes this a formal qualification?+
The extended diploma is listed on the Ofqual register under reference 610/0335/9. You must pass all twelve mandatory 20-credit units to achieve its 240 credits.
What support is available?+
Your course includes online materials, one to one tutors, live webinars, learner forums, assessment guidance and feedback. Ask about tutor availability, webinar schedules and accessibility arrangements when planning your studies.
How could this help me at work?+
Use your learning to assess business problems, compare options and explain a recommendation. It can be relevant to organising work, supporting teams, making departmental decisions, marketing and business planning. Your experience and each employer’s requirements will also shape the responsibilities you can pursue.
Is the CPD certificate the same as the diploma?+
No. The additional CPD certificate is separate from your Level 5 Extended Diploma in Business Management. The course team can explain the activity it recognises and its completion requirements.
