Royal Holloway, University of London, is ranked in the top 30* universities in the UK.
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CertHE Business Administration
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Prepare for today's highly competitive business environment and learn to devise effective solutions to real management situations studying at one of our local teaching centres. This CertHE is qualification in its own right and provides an entry route to degree-level study.
Key features
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An entry route to degree-level study
Gain the essential skills you need to succeed with this one-year programme designed as an entry point into the BSc for students who do not have the qualifications usually required. Equivalent to the first year of the BSc, it lays the foundations for advanced and independent study.
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Gain a UK education near you
Study at a teaching centre near you and gain a prestigious qualification. With no travel, relocation or accommodation costs, studying a University of London programme at a distance is more affordable than coming to London to study on campus.
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Outstanding study support
Benefit from local support and the facilities of a campus-style environment at one of many recognised teaching centres based around the world. They offer lectures and workshops to guide you through your studies and the opportunity for face-to-face interaction with academics and other students.
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Unlock world-class resources
Benefit from study materials designed for distance learning via the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), including notes, videos, podcasts, book chapters, past examination papers, and a range of learning activities. You can interact with your tutors and fellow students or access academic electronic resources through the Online Library.
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Join our global alumni community
Follow in the footsteps of a distinguished list of University of London alumni from Nobel prize-winners to leaders in law, finance, humanities and other fields in more than 190 countries. Enjoy wide-ranging benefits including events, free online courses and more.
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A mark of excellence
Everything you learn in your degree has been developed by Business Administration experts at Royal Holloway, a UK top 29 university (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023). Its School of Management is one of its largest departments and gives high priority to original research in international business.
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Teaching Centre Support
General entry requirements
Course overview
You complete four courses to CertHE qualification. The taught programme consists of the following compulsory courses:
- Foundations of quantitative methods for sustainable organisations
- Interpreting management, market and consumption
- Information systems and organisation studies
- International business and accounting
The Programme Specification and Programme Regulations contain information and rules regarding what courses you can choose and the order in which they must be studied.
You complete four compulsory courses to CertHE qualification.
Local teaching support
To study the CertHE you must register at an approved teaching centre that supports this programme. In this way, you benefit from local support and the facilities of a campus-style environment.
Online support
When you register, we will give you access to your Student Portal. You can then access your University of London email account and other key resources:
- The Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). Here, you can access electronic copies of all printed study materials, resources including audio-visual and revision guides, and forums to discuss course material and work collaboratively with others.
- The Online Library. As a student at the University of London, you will have access to a range of resources, databases, and journals via the Online Library. You will be able to contact a team of professional and qualified librarians for any help you require.
Senate House Library
If you’re based in the United Kingdom, or are visiting London, make sure to visit Senate House Library. Students studying with the University of London can join the library free of charge. Membership includes a 10-book borrowing allowance, access to all reading rooms and study areas, and on-site access to Senate House Library digital resources.
Student Support
We are committed to delivering an exceptional student experience for all of our students, regardless of which of our programmes you are studying and whether you are studying independently or with a Recognised Teaching Centre.
You will have access to support through:
- The Enquiry Hub – provides support for application and Student Portal queries.
- TalkCampus – a peer support service that offers a safe and confidential way to talk about whatever is on your mind at any time of day or night.
Assessment
Each course is examined by one written examination and one piece of coursework. You can sit examinations at any of our 400 examination centres around the world. Conversely, the coursework is submitted in the Virtual Learning Environment.
Founded in 1879, Royal Holloway is one of the University of London’s six largest federation members and is home to more than 9,000 students.
The CertHE in Business Administration is led by academics within the School of Management. Now one of Royal Holloway’s largest departments, the School gives high priority to original research in international business, and the deep understanding of the subject that follows is reflected in its teaching of management studies. All staff members are active researchers, and the publication of their findings in books and journals is a key part of their professional work.
Programme Director
Dr Ran Bhamra is Senior Lecturer in Operations & SCM at Royal Holloway University of London, UK. He is a Chartered Engineer (CEng) and a Member of the Institution of Engineering & Technology (MIET). Ran is the Editor of Continuity & Resilience Review Journal and Chief Examiner for the Business Continuity Institute. Ran's earlier industrial career includes process/productivity improvement, project and operations management for organisations that include Siemens Ltd., SCA Hygiene and Alstom Power Service UK. Ran has been a Visiting Associate Professor at the University of Hong Kong.
Key dates
To study the CertHE Business Administration you must enrol and study at a local teaching centre that has been approved by the university to support the programme. Your application can only be submitted via an approved teaching centre which may have earlier application deadlines than those listed on the website. You should contact your local teaching centre to find out the application deadlines.
| Applications open | 6 February 2024 |
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| Programme starts | November 2024 |
Admissions
What qualifications do you need?
For access to the CertHE in Business Administration, you should meet the following criteria:
- Be aged 17+ by the date of registration.
- Hold either one GCE A Level (grade A–E) plus four GCSE/O levels or equivalents (grades A–C) or six GCSE/O levels or equivalents (grades A–C).
- Have a place to study at an approved teaching centre for the programme.
- Each teaching centre will have its own admissions criteria. Contact your chosen centre directly for these requirements.
Even if you do not meet the standard requirements, we will consider each application on its own merits. Our Admissions Panel will consider whether any alternative / incomplete qualifications or work experience you have are suitable for entry to the programme. If we are unable to issue you an offer then if available we will advise on further alternatives such as our International Foundation Programme.
or on additional qualifications you need to take in order to meet our minimum entrance criteria.
English language requirements
You need to demonstrate a good level of English to be admitted to our programmes. We accept a range of evidence, including proficiency test scores. If you don’t have evidence but believe you can meet the standard, we may consider your case.
Do I meet the language requirements?
Computer requirements
We set minimum basic computer requirements because your study resources are accessed via the Student Portal and it is vital that you can access this regularly. For this degree, you will also need Adobe Flash Player to view video material and a media player (such as VLC) to play video files.
More about computer requirements
Fees, funding and payment
The fees below relate to new students registering for the 2023-2024 session. On average, fees are subject to a five per cent year-on-year increase.
Students who registered earlier can view their fees on the Course Fees page.
| Programme fees | 2023-2024 |
| Registration fees | £918 |
| Examination fee per course (x4) | £441 |
| Indicative total CertHE | £2723 |
Disclaimer: Currency conversion tool
You pay for the programme as you progress rather than in a single payment. This indicative total is a guide to what you would pay if you complete the degree in one year (with no exam resits) and therefore with no fee increase. However, if completion takes longer than one year, the fees for subsequent years may be subject to increase.
Additional Costs
You will also need to budget for:
- Teaching centre tuition costs.
- Exam centre fees, which are paid directly to the venues where you sit your exams.
Sales Tax
Please note: All student fees are net of any local VAT, Goods and Services Tax (GST) or any other sales tax payable by the student in their country of residence. Where the University is required to add VAT, GST or any other sales tax at the local statutory rate, this will be added to the fees shown during the payment process. For students resident in the UK, our fees are exempt from VAT.
Further information on Sales Tax
Your payment provider may apply additional transaction fees (if in doubt, please check with them before making a payment).
You can pay your fees in a number of ways, including an online payment facility via the Student Portal and Western Union Quick Pay.
Career opportunities
When you graduate from the programme, you will have a sound basis for careers in business, management, consultancy and beyond. Successful completion can also allow students to progress to a higher level award in the subject area, such as the BSc.
What do employers think of our graduates?
University of London graduates are among the most employable in the world. Our rigorous courses provide not only subject specific knowledge but also important transferable skills that are valuable to your career progression.
In some countries, qualifications earned by distance and flexible learning may not be recognised by certain authorities or regulators for the purposes of public sector employment or further study. We advise you to explore the local recognition status before you register, even if you plan to receive support from a local teaching centre.
You’ll have access to a wide range of careers and employability support through the University of London Careers Service, including live webinars and online drop-in sessions.
