Undergraduate Certificate in Operational Business and Management

Virtual Open Events

To learn more about the programme and the student experience, watch the recording of our recent Undergraduate Info Session here.

A course guide will be available containing detailed information including teaching dates in due course. Details of the Unit start dates and assignment submission deadlines are under the Teaching & Assessment tab. For an overview of the course scroll down this page.

Our part-time Undergraduate Certificate of Higher Education in Business and Management has been designed in collaboration with the Judge Business School. This qualification has been split into two complementary courses; the Certificate in Operational Business and Management and the Certificate in Strategic Business and Management, when studied together, they will provide you with a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the fundamental concepts of management theory and practice. This course is an accessible and flexible option to gain a University of Cambridge business and management qualification.

What will I be studying?

The course aims to provide you with fundamental knowledge in understanding of organisations, their management, the economy and the business environment. It will prepare you for working and developing a career in business and management or enhance your profile within your chosen specialist function. It will enhance a range of skills and attributes needed to become an effective global citizen, including awareness of ethics, sustainability and responsibility.

Unit 1: Organisational Behaviour

Start date:  8 October 2021
Study days: 
Workshop session: 1:00-4:00pm GMT (incl. breaks)
Guest session/continuation of workshop: 4:00pm-5:30pm GMT

• 15 October 2021
• 29 October 2021
• 12 November 2021
• 26 November 2021

Assignment submission dates

• 26 November 2021 (group presentations)
• 5 January 2022

Discover techniques to manage motivation and wellbeing within your organisation, learn the skills necessary to provide effective leadership and analyse the concepts of people management and organisational culture. Organisational behaviour is concerned with how work is structured and the experience of work within organisations, from managing the individual to managing the organisation.

Unit 2: Business Economics

Start date:  5 January 2022
Study days:
Workshop session: 1:00-4:00pm GMT (incl. breaks)
Guest session/continuation of workshop: 4:00pm-5:30pm GMT

• 14 January 2022
• 28 January 2022
• 11 February 2022
• 25 February 2022

Assignment submission dates

• 11 March 2022 (Group presentations)
• 23 March 2022

Explore the impact of business economics on the company and how it may be used to explain and predict phenomena relating to markets and firms. As the Unit develops, you will further explore some of the possible uses of business economics in the analysis of management problems and in managerial decision-making as well as the impact of government policy on businesses and vice versa.  

Unit 3: Operations Management 

Start date:  28 March 2022
Study days:
Workshop session: 1:00-4:00pm BST (incl. breaks)
Guest session/continuation of workshop: 4:00pm-5:30pm BST

• 1 April 2022
• 14 April 2022 (Thursday)
• 29 April 2022
• 13 May 2022

Assignment submission dates

• 27 May 2022 (Group presentations)
• 10 June 2022

This unit will focus on operations management as the business function concerned with the creation, management and improvement of manufacturing and service processes. These processes must be efficient and effective in the delivery of products and services, and play an important role in executing the organisation’s business strategy. You will explore key tools and techniques of operations management and process improvement methodologies. 

Become more attractive to recruiters in the job market

The Undergraduate Certificate in Business and Management also provides transferable skills for further study and employability. For example, it will develop your:

• capacity for independent thought and judgement 
• independent learning, study and time management skills 
• skills in critical reasoning 
• competence in using IT to support your work 
• ability to work with others, productively and equitably 
• qualities necessary for employment requiring the exercise of some personal responsibility and the demonstration of high levels of motivation and personal commitment through part-time study.

What can I go on to do?

There are two pathways to further study and qualifications:

1. Further studies at University of Cambridge, Institute of Continuing Education (ICE)
Undergraduate Certificate in StrategicBusiness and Management - as a further pathway for those seeking business and management skills. The course will focus on Strategic Management, Accounting &Finance, and Marketing.

2. Further studies at other UK institutions
The award of our Undergraduate Certificate in Business and Management will give you 60 credits at FHEQ4 which is broadly equivalent to half a year of a full degree programme. You may choose to build on this by applying to other institutions for further study at Undergraduate level.

Entry requirements

There are no formal academic entry requirements for this course but as it is taught at university level applicants should be able to read, write and speak English fluently. 

English language requirement: If English is not your first language, you need to be able to prove you meet the University of Cambridge English language requirements on application. Please refer to our English language requirements pages for further information. 

Technical requirements

For the 2021-2022 Academic Year this course is being taught remotely. This means there will be no face-to-face teaching and you will not need to be present in person in Cambridge, although there is an expectation that you will attend synchronous teaching sessions. The course content will be delivered, and the learning outcomes met, through the use of video-based teaching platforms and a dedicated course Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). 

You will therefore need to have access to: 

• the internet via a computer, laptop, tablet or other smart device
• speakers or headphones in order to hear any pre-recorded material 
• a webcam and microphone for any interactive sessions which may be available 

Once you are logged into the VLE you can familiarise yourself with the learning environment. There is also guidance about how to access course materials and activities.  

The tuition fee for the course is £2,950.00.   

You can pay in two ways: 

• in full on enrolment by credit or debit card 

• in three equal instalments (credit/debit card only): the first on enrolment, with the second and third instalment being taken on 1 January and 1 April . The exact dates will be confirmed in the student’s individual booking details. 

Please note your place on the course is not secured until payment is received by the Institute of Continuing Education and any necessary documentation, i.e. proof of English language proficiency. 

ICE Cancellations and Refunds policy 

Information on sources of funding, bursaries and Disabled Students' Allowances (DSAs) 

This course will require a minimum number of students in order to run. Applicants for this course will be notified by 13 September 2021 if the course is not going to be running at which point students will be offered to transfer their application to another course or receive a refund of the fees they have paid so far (please see our ICE Cancellations and Refunds policy). 

Please apply via the link at the top of this page. Your application will be assessed and you will be notified of the outcome by email. If you are offered a place, you will receive instructions as to how to register and pay. Please note that places are limited and on a first-come first-served basis. 

Closing date for applications

Applications for this course can be received until midday (12 noon) on Monday 6 September 2021. If you are offered a place on the course, we will ask you to complete your booking within a limited time and to pay the fees or if paying fees by instalments, the first instalment of fees to secure your place.