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The level 4 Diploma in Human Resource Management and the level 5 Extended Diploma in Management are a 240 credit course designed to provide learners with the skills they will need to succeed in management, with a specific focus on Human Resources within medium to large businesses. These are valuable skills to have, and can be used to open up opportunities at a huge variety of employers – from healthcare to hospitality, banking to broadcasting, this course can be your way of preparing for a career at any number of organisations.

The Human Resource Management course at level 4 and 5 is equivalent to the first two years of an undergraduate course, allowing learners to progress onto the final year of an undergraduate degree programme at a University.

This course is made up of 10 Level 4 modules and 10 level 5 modules, each of which will be assessed by one multiple choice exam and written assignments (10 assignments at level 4 and 8 assignments at level 5). To help you study for these assessments, our team of expert academics have designed a series of exclusive, comprehensive lessons for online study. This material will cover everything you need to know and can be accessed anytime and anywhere.

Each module of the course consists of approximately 40 guided learning hours of material with an additional 30-50 hours of optional learning material. These materials are comprised of interactive exercises, further readings and internet resources. A full explanation of how you’ll be assessed can be found here.

Course fees

The fee for enrolling onto the level 4 and level 5 courses together is £1995. Alternatively students can enrol onto a single level (level 4 or 5) for £1600 each.

Students can make payment using one of the following methods:

  • Credit or debit card
  • Bank transfer
  • Interest free monthly instalments
  • Paypal
  • Western Union
What is included in the cost of my course?

All course material, including online modules and written assignments
Personal tutor support with 1-2-1 Skype sessions
Dedicated student support
Access to an online social learning forum
Assignment marking and feedback
FREE NUS Extra card worth £19.90
FREE Laptop
Free CV writing help on completion of the course

University top-up?

If you decide to top up to a full Undergraduate Degree through an accredited UK university, the costs are listed below. Please note, the below costs are for distance learning/online only. You have the option of finishing on campus; costs will vary depending on which university you chose to complete the final year at.

Northampton University

BA (Hons) in Business and Management Top up – £3,800

BSc (Hons) in International Accounting Top up -£3,800

University of Derby

Undergraduate Top up to BA – £4,400

Edinburgh Napier University

BA in Business Management (Top-Up) – £4,600
BA in Business and Enterprise (Top-Up) – £4,600
BA in Sales Management (Top-Up) – £4,600

University of Worcester

BA (Hons) Business Administration Final Year Top up – £4,000

University of Sunderland – On Campus

BA (Hons) Business and Management (Year 3 ) – £9,250

University of Glendywr

BA (hons) Business & Management – Online – £3,950

University of Bolton 

BA (Hons) Top-up, fee £10,250, duration 2 semesters

Buckinghamshire New University 

BA (Hons) Top-up – £3,000

Anglia Ruskin University

BSc (Hons) Business Management (Final Year) – £4,450

BA (Hons) Management (Top-Up) – £4,450

Coventry University 

BA (Hons) Top-up – progression from ATHE Level 5 Extended Diploma in Management, fee £9,560

Southern Cross University

Bachelor of Business
Bachelor of Business Administration
Bachelor of Business in Convention and Event Management
Bachelor of Business in Hotel Management
Bachelor of Business in Tourism and Hospitality Management

Please enquire for top up prices for Southern Cross University.

University of Nicosia, Cyprus

Undergraduate Top up to BA – €6,000

NOTE: UK/EU students may be eligible for student loans for the top-up portion of their studies. Visit www.slc.co.uk for more information. 

Level 4 module listing

Culture and the organisation

Develop an understanding of what is meant by “organisational culture” and its various influences on the operation of the organisation itself.

Developing interpersonal skills

Come to understand the interpersonal skills that are required by managers and leaders in different managerial responsibilities. Learn how to develop these skills for improved performance.

Managing and rewarding performance

Learn what effective performance management means, and how it can be used to improve workplace performance, both in terms of discipline and reward.

Managing ethically

Develop an understanding of what ethical issues can arise as a part of effective management, how ethical decisions can be made, and what the legal and regulatory context of what workplace ethics looks like.

Managing people in organisations

Learn about the reasons for, and best methods of, training people in an organisation.

Motivating and influencing people

Learn the best methods for motivating people, both individually and as part of a team.

Organisation structures

Develop an understanding of the factors that shape the design of structure within organisations, and how the organisational structure can influence management strategy.

Recruitment and CPD

Develop an understanding of the internal approaches used to determine recruitment needs, and of the different approaches taken by organisations to attract and select potential candidates. Learn about the requirements of contracts of employment, and the importance of personal development.

Strategic human resource development

Learn about the importance of strategic HRM in an organisation. Develop knowledge concerning the analysis of various factors impacting the labour market, the ways in which employment can be terminated, and the different forms of discrimination.

Working in teams

Develop an understanding of the core principles that underpin an effective team, both in terms of team membership and team leadership.

Level 5 module listing

The entrepreneurial manager

What is an Entrepreneur? Examine the skills and qualities of entrepreneurship.

Organisation structures

Why are organisations structured in the way they are? What determines the optimum structure and how does it differ between organisations? In this module, learners will look at the numerous models and theories that make up organisational structure.

Practical accounting analysis

Learners will complete exercises in accounts throughout this module to understand what they are telling us and the actions that analysis can precipitate.

Business planning and goal setting

What is the business trying to achieve? What will it do? How will it do it? This module focuses on the creation of clear goals and clear plans to achieve a clear objective.

Politics and business

Impact of politics on business and how it may help or hinder business. This module will educate learners on economic impact, exports and government support.

Business law

Explore the statutory responsibilities of managers as learners look into the legalities of business and business executives.

Managing in today’s world

Business in the modern world. This module focuses on governance and equality as a means to do right in business.

Performance management

Understanding how your people and your business can continually improve together, learners will review reward structures, CPD, training and development to ensure high performance in business.

Marketing and sales planning

Learners will analyse how markets, customers, competitors and products can come together in a cohesive plan.

Quantitative skills

On successful completion of this module, learners will have knowledge of numeric exercises and will understand their use within the context of the business.

Written assignments

The ATHE level 4 Diploma in Human Resource Management and the level 5 Extended Diploma in Management has 10 modules and 10  written assignments at level 4 and 8 assignments at level 5. On completion of the modules, students will be given access to the assignments. The assignments are approximately 5,000-8,000 words each. Students are provided support on the modules and assignments via the ‘Tutor’ section of the learning platform.

The assignment unit titles for the level 4 course are:

  1. Strategic HRM
  2. Managing ethically
  3. Culture and the organisation
  4. Organisational structure
  5. Recruitment and CPD
  6. Working in team
  7. Measuring and rewarding performance
  8. Managing people in organisations
  9. Interpersonal skills
  10. Motivating and influencing people

The assignment unit titles for the level 5 course are:

  1.  Managing communications
  2. Business organisations in a global context
  3. People management
  4. Finance for managers
  5. Research project
  6. Marketing principles and practice
  7. Planning a new business venture
  8. Business law
Level 5 sample certificate

Career path

Successful completion of The Undergraduate Level 4 (Human Resource Management course) and Level 5 (Extended Diploma in Management) and the final year of an accredited Undergraduate Degree programme, students will have attained the right credentials to go on and apply for a job in management, HR, strategic business management or business consultancy.

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