THE TRINITY COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY


london examinations board



Our partnership with London Examinations Board (LEB), provides a unique online pathway to the UoG MBA top-up (Masters Stage).


TCU Bachelor students (APL and top-up) have direct access to the LEB Professional Diploma in Business Administration (PDBA). Once completed, they are eligible to enrol on to the University of Gloucestershire (UoG) MBA top-up (Masters Stage) programme.


This online pathway means that students can make great savings in time and cost, combining the benefits of APL and traditional education.


The Professional Diploma in Business Administration (PDBA) is a prestigious SCQF Level 11 qualification designed for ambitious professionals seeking to elevate their careers to senior managerial and leadership positions. This 120-credit programme provides a comprehensive and critical understanding of core business functions, strategic management, and leadership, equipping you to navigate the complexities of the modern business world.


Ideal for those with an existing degree or significant professional experience, the PDBA goes beyond traditional management education. It fosters the development of critical thinking, independent research skills, and ethical leadership, enabling you to apply advanced knowledge systematically and creatively to complex business challenges.


This programme serves as a powerful catalyst for career advancement, personal development, and lifelong learning.



The MBA Pathway

The programme is delivered through a flexible two-stage structure, offering two distinct MBA pathways depending on your chosen awarding university. This dual-stage approach allows you to achieve a recognised postgraduate diploma before progressing to the MBA, making it an ideal choice for working professionals.


  • Stage 1 involves completing the SCQF Level 11 Professional Diploma in Business Administration (PDBA) , which builds your foundational and strategic business knowledge.
  • Stage 2 is the Master’s Stage , which consists of a research methods training module followed by a Dissertation. Upon successful completion, you will be awarded an MBA


stage 1 - the pdba



programme aims



  • The Professional Diploma in Business Administration is designed to: Enable the advanced study of organisations, their management, and the changing external context in which they operate.
  • Equip individuals for a career in business and management by developing professional-level skills for senior managerial and leadership positions.
  • Develop the ability to apply knowledge and understanding of business and management to complex issues, both systematically and creatively, to improve business leadership and practice.
  • Enhance lifelong learning and personal development, enabling you to work with self-direction and originality and contribute to business and society at large.


Programme learning outcomes



  • Demonstrate a critical understanding of management theories, current issues, and the development of conceptual frameworks to guide their application within organisations.
  • Acquire a strong foundation in key functional areas of business management to succeed as effective managers and leaders in an increasingly complex and dynamic environment.
  • Acquire and use a range of concepts, tools, and techniques for problem-solving and decision-making when analysing complex and inter-related business scenarios.
  • Demonstrate and apply independent research and critical skills enabling the investigation and evaluation of valid and relevant management issues and practices.
  • Demonstrate initiative, insight, attitudes of responsibility, and ethical leadership in the development of the strategic management agenda in the organisation they work in or expect to work in the future.


mode of delivery



The programme is delivered through two flexible modes, designed to accommodate the needs of working professionals:


Blended Learning (Mode A):

Combines 8 hours of face-to-face lectures per module with self-study using Online Learning Resources and online interactions with the Module Leader.


Fully Online (Mode B):

Offers 8 hours of asynchronous classes per module. Support is provided by a Programme Tutor to answer questions and queries. Learning is supported by pre-recorded video lectures and self-study using Online Learning Resources.



duration



The programme offers two study pathways to accommodate different schedules:


Full Programme (8 Modules):

  • Minimum Duration: 6 months
  • Maximum Duration: 12 months


With Exemptions through APL Process (2 Modules): This option is for students who are exempted from 6 taught modules and are only undertaking the remaining 2 modules.

  • Minimum Duration: 2 months
  • Maximum Duration: 4 months


course fees



£1500 for the LEB PDBA course. TCU students who have completed the APL or top-up Bachelor are able to get a reduced fee. Please get in touch to discuss your options.



pathway to the uk mba



When you successfully complete your LEB Professional Diploma in Business Administration (PDBA), you can continue your studies to obtain an MBA by completing the Master’s Stage with LEB through a collaborative arrangement with the University of Gloucestershire. It requires that you undertake research methods training followed by a dissertation delivered and supervised by LEB.



stage 2 - the uog mba (master's stage)



programme aims



  • To enable learners to undertake a substantial, self-directed piece of research that demonstrates mastery of advanced knowledge, critical evaluation, and original application in a chosen area of business, management, or leadership.
  • To develop the ability to identify complex management issues, design rigorous investigations, and synthesise theory with practice to produce actionable insights.
  • To foster high-level intellectual autonomy, ethical research conduct, and effective communication of findings at a level appropriate for senior strategic roles or further doctoral study.


Programme learning outcomes



  • Research Design and Scholarly Independence: Design and execute a well-defined, independent research project demonstrating originality, methodological coherence, and effective engagement with supervisory support.
  • Advanced Analytical Competence: Critically analyse complex business problems using appropriate qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods, ensuring methodological validity and reliability.
  • Critical Literature Engagement: Conduct a systematic and critical review of contemporary academic literature to identify research gaps and construct a robust conceptual framework.
  • Ethical and Responsible Research Practice: Demonstrate adherence to research ethics, governance standards, academic integrity, and data protection regulations.
  • Evidence-Based Decision Making: Generate well-substantiated findings and develop actionable, strategically relevant recommendations grounded in empirical evidence.
  • Scholarly Communication and Defence: Communicate research processes and outcomes effectively through written submission and viva voce examinations.


specialisations



Students have various options for their MBA, including specialisations available provided that students are able to prove they can conduct research in the specialist area and that they have the knowledge and access to suitable data to conduct relevant research.


Ideally, they should be working in the same field as their chosen specialisation. Available Specialisations:

  • General MBA
  • MBA in Accounting and Finance
  • MBA in Human Resource Management
  • MBA in Operations and Supply Chain Management
  • MBA in Marketing Management
  • MBA in Healthcare Management


mode of delivery



The programme is delivered through two flexible modes, designed to accommodate the needs of working professionals:


Blended Learning (Mode A):

Each taught module has a total of 8 hours of face-to-face lectures, supported by self-study using Online Learning Resources and online interactions with the Module Leader.


Fully Online (Mode B):

Each taught module has a total of 8 hours of online classes, tutorials, and interaction with the Module Leader. This is supported by self-study using Online Learning Resources. Pre-recorded video lectures for each module will be provided.


DURATION

The UOG MBA (Master's stage) can be completed in a minimum of 6 months



course fees



Current fees are £7440 for the UOG MBA (Master's Stage) course. TCU students who have completed the (APL or top-up Bachelor) and the LEB PDBA are able to get a reduced fee. Please get in touch to discuss your options.



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