The Professional Business Diploma

Fast-track your career in just one year.

The Professional Business Diploma is an intensive one-year course in Oxford, designed for ambitious young people who want a real alternative to university.

Instead of large lectures, limited contact time and theory knowledge, you’ll gain practical, employment-ready business skills by studying five employment relevant modules, face-to-face teaching, small classes and hands-on learning.

By the end of the course you’ll be confident, work-ready and prepared to step straight into a professional business role.

Why choose the Professional Business Diploma?

This course is built around one simple goal: to prepare you for the real world of work.

Our students graduate with:

A wealth of advanced, up-to-date workplace business skills
Strong professional business communication skills and workplace confidence
A clear career direction
Real business industry experience

In recent years, 95% of our graduates were in employment within three months of finishing the course.

What you’ll gain

By the end of the year, you will graduate with:

Practical Business Skills

You’ll develop the skills employers actually look for, including:

High-level proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook, Google Workspace)
An understanding of the ethical use of AI tools employers are looking for knowledge of
Professional communication and presentation skills
Time management, organisation and problem-solving skills
An understanding of how businesses operate day-to-day
Introductory knowledge of investing and financial decision-making
Relevant digital marketing and event management skills

Career Support

You’ll receive:

One-to-one support with your CV and job applications
Interview preparation and practice
Ongoing career guidance throughout the year
A week’s work experience in a business sector that interests you
Guidance through Myers Briggs Personality Profiling, to support you in understanding the right career paths for your personality
The knowledge of how to professionally use LinkedIn for your career and job search
An insight into a variety of business careers through our termly speaker’s day programme, attended by experienced industry professionals and alumni.
Networking opportunities with career speakers that visit the business school

How you’ll learn

One of the reasons students choose us is our face-to-face teaching model.

Unlike most universities, where students may only receive a few hours of contact time per week, our course is built around:

In-person classes
Small group teaching
Direct access to tutors
Continuous feedback and support
Continuous assessment throughout the year

You’ll be learning in a professional environment, with tutors who know you by name and are invested in your success. This approach helps students:

Learn faster
Build confidence
Stay motivated
Develop strong professional workplace skills

Who is the course for?

The Professional Business Diploma is ideal if you:

Are aged 18 upwards
Want a practical alternative to university, or have found that university life is not for you
Prefer learning by doing, not just listening
Want to start your career sooner
Are motivated to succeed in business
Have graduated from a university but want to gain practical employment skills

You don’t need to know exactly what role you want yet – the course is designed to give you a broad, flexible skillset that opens doors across multiple industries.

Professional Business Diploma

An outstanding alternative to university and a fast-track to your career

Download the Prospectus

BUSINESS

This module focuses on developing and improving your business communication (writing, speaking, presenting, listening and non-verbal). You’ll also learn the basics of financial investing (shares and stock markets), and how to write professional business reports. You’ll spend time understanding the business environment in which companies operate and feel confident about entering employment in your chosen sector.

DIGITAL MARKETING

Interested in a career in digital marketing? In this module you’ll understand how to define a target audience and create a brand using practical skills. You’ll learn how to optimise key digital channels including social media platforms for business using situational analysis, objective setting, strategies, tactics, resource and action plans and measurement KPI’s.

IT & DIGITAL LITERACY

In the IT module you’ll become highly proficient in Microsoft 365 which hosts a comprehensive suite of productivity tools designed to enhance collaboration, streamline workflows, and boost efficiency. You’ll be proficient in document creation to an advanced standard utilising Microsoft Word and adept at crafting professional presentation decks with Microsoft PowerPoint. You’ll be skilled to an advanced level in problem-solving within Microsoft Excel, learning over 80 functions including logical, financial & statistical.

EVENT MANAGEMENT

Fancy getting an insight into a career in the events industry? This module will introduce you to the knowledge and skills you need. You’ll understand the different roles and responsibilities required for organising a wide range of events, learn about the tools, documentation and processes required in the planning process and work on a dedicated event management project, responding and pitching to a client’s brief.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT PLANNING

Land the job you want after graduating. In this module you’ll follow a personal job search programme. You’ll understand your personality and different learning styles through Myers Briggs Personality Profiling and develop your teamwork skills by learning about Belbin Team Roles. You’ll craft a standout CV, develop and refine your interview skills, and be introduced to our recruitment partners to help you impress potential employers.

Graduate Destinations

Our graduates go on to roles such as:

Marketing Executive
Sales Support Executive
Executive Assistant
HR Assistant
Sales Operations & Negotiators
Finance Assistants
Recruitment Consultants

Open Days

Leavers destinations

The combination of practical training, real experience and personal confidence means our graduates often compete very successfully with university applicants – and frequently outperform them.