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Institute of Public Administration - IPA

Business & Management

The Programme
The Postgraduate Diploma in Business and Management is a one-year programme that provides graduate-level instruction in core business disciplines. Students take six subjects over two semesters that cover both quantitative and general management topics. They will 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 a blend of self-directed study and scheduled weekend seminars at the IPA campus in Dublin.

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 solid grounding in ideas and practices integral to organisational success, whether the organisation is an SME, a large corporation or a public sector body.

Entry requirements

Admission Requirements
Applicants for Postgraduate Diplomas, Postgraduate Certificates, MA, MEconSc and MSc programmes must have a primary degree or equivalent qualification.

Duration

One academic year (September to April).

Delivery Method
A blend of distance learning and weekend seminars at the
IPA campus in Dublin.

Further enquiries

Tel: +353 1 240 3600
Email: postgrad@ipa.ie

Subjects taught

Programme Content
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.

Comment

Accreditation: National University of Ireland
Place on NFQ: Level 9
Award: Postgraduate Diploma in Business and Management

Accreditation
Students who commence an IPA programme in the academic year 2018-2019 will graduate with a qualification accredited by the National University of Ireland (NUI). IPA postgraduate programmes sit between levels eight and ten on the ten-point National Framework of Qualifications.

Assessment method

Students are assessed by means of assignments and examinations.

Application date

Apply Online from August 2018, students can apply online at www.ipa.ie.

Apply by Post
Please complete the application form and return it to the IPA, together with:
• One copy of your degree or relevant qualification
• One passport-type photograph
• The semester fee or
• A letter from your employer confirming that fees will be paid directly to the IPA.

Places on the programmes are limited and demand for places is likely to exceed the number available. Consequently, you are strongly advised to apply as early as possible.

Course fee

The cost of the programme is 5,000 per annum (includes all matriculation and examination fees, all seminars, textbooks and course material), payable in two instalments.

Fees cover seminars, distance education manuals, essential textbooks and matriculation and examination charges. When fees are being paid by the participant's employer, the IPA will
invoice the fee for each semester separately.