Undergraduate Higher Diploma in Human Resources, Marketing and Finance

Learners who wish to widen access to higher education and improve their career prospects within the HR sector.

This qualification is ideal for learners who have obtained the matriculation certificate or relevant qualification at MQF/EQF Level 4 and would like to pursue a progression route to a degree-level study in Human Resource management. It is also suitable for mature learners who are currently employed and wish to change or advance their career in HR.

‍Target Audience:

• 19+

Higher Diploma

Employability (6 ECTS Credits)

This module will focus on general skills of employability that any professional needs to adopt, and will focus on enabling participants to improve their employability within the labor market.

Management Concepts (6 ECTS Credits)

This module will focus on providing a general overview of Management concepts, the role of management within an organization, and how management helps to build value within the firm. The scope of this module is to introduce various concepts that the participants will be able to relate to within Human Resources, Marketing, and Finance.

Strategic Human Resources (6 ECTS Credits)

This module will focus on the strategic role of Human Resources within an organization, focusing on the nature of the HR function, the deliverables provided by the Human Resources function, and how this function can be a source of competitive advantage for the organization. During this module, participants will also focus on the link between organizational strategy and Human Resources strategy.

Recruitment and Selection (6 ECTS Credits)

This module will focus on the nature and function of Recruitment and Selection within an organization, focusing on the sources of Recruitment, various recruitment techniques used to attract job applicants to the organization, when to use internal and external sources of recruitment, selection techniques, and the conclusion of the recruitment and selection process through the induction process of the new employees. During this module, participants will also focus on the strategic importance of Recruitment and Selection in achieving competitive success.

Equality and Managing Diversity (6 ECTS Credits)

This module will focus on the nature and importance of managing equality, equal opportunities, and diversity within an organization, focusing upon not only the origins of equal opportunities and diversity but also the challenges of implementing and maintaining such a culture within an organization. Moreover, this module will also focus on different approaches to diversity management that may be implemented, as well as an introduction to the Business Case for Diversity. During this module, participants will also focus on the advantages and realities of adopting an inclusion strategy in all operational activities.

Financial Reporting (6 ECTS Credits)

This module will focus on the nature and importance of financial accounting, the respective importance of financial reporting for organizational stakeholders, and the additional value of the financial reporting process. This module will also introduce the accounting standards and generally accepted accounting practices (GAAPs), as well as focus on how financial reporting practices provide stakeholders and interested persons with valuable information for decision-making purposes. During this module, participants will also focus on financial statements, the importance of cash and liquidity, as well as interpreting organizational trends in performance.

Cost Accounting (8 ECTS Credits)

This module will focus on the nature and importance of cost accounting, and the respective importance of identifying, calculating, and managing costs involved in either producing a product or providing a service. Being able to identify and measure costs is a fundamental task of most managerial positions, thus providing valuable information for decision-making. During this module participants will focus on understanding the different types of costs, what constitutes them, how to determine such costs, and their importance within specific business activities

Financial Management (8 ECTS Credits)

This module will focus on the importance of financial management, the sources of finance, the costs, and benefits of the different sources of finance, the strategic and operational implications of using different sources of finance, differences between short-term, medium-term, and longer-term sources of finance, cost of capital, methods used to improve financial management and the effect of financial management on an organization’s liquidity. Being able to identify and measure the effects that using different sources of finance has on an organization is important for most managerial positions, thus providing valuable information for decision-making. During this module participants will focus on understanding the different sources of finance available to organizations, how to determine their effects on business activities, and how to improve an organization’s finances.

Fundamentals of Marketing (8 ECTS Credits)

This module will focus on the introductory aspects of marketing, the foundational aspects of marketing, understanding the need to meet people’s wants and needs, customers’ expectations, laws of market attractiveness and market competition, designing the customer journey, the importance of customer experience, building the strength of brands, and the key elements of customer service. Being able to identify and measure the marketing elements is important in any managerial position as one seeks to meet customers’ requirements as effectively as possible. This in turn generates positivity within the organisation as customers develop loyalty towards an organization and what this organization represents. During this module participants will focus on understanding the difference between meeting and exceeding customer expectations, understanding the criteria of excellent service, and how to strengthen a brand, thus improving the organization’s competitive position.

Marketing Elements (8 ECTS Credits)

This module will focus on the main marketing elements comprising what is referred to as the marketing mix of products and services – or the 4Ps of products / 7Ps of services. Participants will be exposed to practical applications of the marketing mix, being able to not only understand their respective importance in business but also how these are applied in real-life situations, taking well-known examples from the industry as practical learning situations. Being able to identify and measure the importance of each marketing element will enable participants to develop further awareness of the applicability of marketing aspects to work situations that they are familiar with. During this module participants will focus on understanding the similarities and differences between developing the marketing mix for products compared with developing the marketing mix for services – thus being able to also apply the marketing mix to those client offers involving both products and services.

Branding and Advertising (8 ECTS Credits)

This module will focus on the composition of brands, and how these are developed, built, and sustained through various marketing initiatives. The module will also cover the nature and different forms of advertising that organizations use to attract and retain customers. Participants will be exposed to the concepts of branding, the benefits of branding, and the importance of uniqueness that brands provide through their own individual promises of quality. Participants will also understand the importance of advertising initiatives taken, how to measure the effectiveness of advertising, and how to determine which advertising initiatives are more adequate for specific situations. During this module, participants will focus on understanding how brands function as well as learning how advertising helps the organization reach out to its customers.

Performance and Rewards (7 ECTS Credits)

This module will focus on the importance of managing performance within an organization, the effect of performance upon people management, employees’ expectations following performance, performance appraisal systems, the composition of rewards, motivation, and rewards, financial and non-financial reward systems, and understanding and developing reward strategies. The module will also cover the nature of performance management and the effects that rewards have on employees’ performance. Participants will be exposed to the concepts of motivation, the benefits of financial and non-financial rewards, and how these are dependent upon and affect performance. During this module, participants will focus on understanding how rewards and performance are linked to and affect each other continuously.

Developing Human Capital (7 ECTS Credits)

This module will focus on the importance of focusing on people development, identifying employees’ training requirements in line with organizational objectives and requirements, focusing on employees’ development requirements, return on investment from training, technical, professional, and personal skills, and knowledge requirements, the additional investment made in people development and the development of human capital. The module will also cover the nature of people management through continuous and ongoing development in human capital. Participants will be exposed to the concepts of ongoing training, the different approaches towards training and development, as well as the benefits for the organization of focusing on both short-term and long-term human capital requirements. During this module, participants will focus on understanding how human capital can be nurtured, developed, and sustained to ensure continued benefits obtained from the investments made in Human Capital.

International HRM (7 ECTS Credits)

This module will focus on the development and implementation of international HRM practices focusing on inclusion, cultural adaptability, standardization of HRM practices across different countries, and the mass individualization that is present in both global and international organizations. The module will also cover the challenges of ex-pats and of people working abroad, as well as the opportunities for development that such experiences present to employees. Issues related to familiarisation with different cultures, different expectations, and also different standards that employees working abroad have to handle. Participants will be exposed to the concepts of multiculturalism, universal HR practices, and also the opportunities and challenges of working within different cultures.

Managing Organisational Performance (7 ECTS Credits)

This module will focus on the importance of analyzing and managing organizational performance, as the objective of all business operations is to provide greater wealth and adequate return on investment to shareholders. This module will focus on understanding and using the main analytical tools available to analyze organizational performance, including ratio analysis, standard costing, and management accounting analytics. Being able to identify and measure the effects on organizational profitability, liquidity and efficiency resulting from the different activities is critical to organizational growth, and participants will be able to understand and apply such reasoning and requirements to actual organizations. During this module, participants will focus on understanding the indicators of adequate and inadequate organizational performance.

Investment Management (7 ECTS Credits)

This module will focus on the importance of investments, and understanding the composition of stocks, shares, and other investment instruments that are available to most organizations. Among other matters, this module will cover investment analysis, benefits and costs of each form of investment that may be made, and how each affects an organization’s performance and attractiveness for further investment, as well as how an organization can harness the advantages that such investments provide to the organization. Investments provide a valuable source of funds, development opportunities, and financial growth for an organization, and harnessing these investments, and exploiting opportunities presented by the market, are valuable insights that the modern manager dealing with financial investments needs to be aware of. During this module, participants will focus on understanding the variances existing between different financial investments available.

Managerial Decision Making (7 ECTS Credits)

This module will focus on managerial decision-making, the reasons behind the rationale leading up to decisions, financial and non-financial factors that are considered, the timing and importance of different decisions taken, the concept of relevance, and different costs that need to be considered in such decision-making situations. During this module, participants will also be introduced to the inter-relationship of decisions taken across the organization, and how these affect the overall organizational performance. Participants will also be introduced to the more relevant cost and management accounting methods that are instrumental in such decisions

Consumer Behaviour (7 ECTS Credits)

This module will focus on the main aspects of Consumer Behaviour, including Customer Value, Customer Satisfaction, Customer Relationship Marketing, the main factors influencing Customer Behaviour as well as the Buying Decision Process. Participants will also understand the differences between business markets and business buying behavior and customer behavior, and understand further the factors affecting business buying behavior. During this module course, participants will also focus on market segments and the main bases used to segment different consumer markets.

Marketing of Services (7 ECTS Credits)

This module will focus on the main aspects of marketing Services, specifically focusing on the additional complexities involved in marketing services and particularly the person(s) providing the service(s).

During this module, participants will focus on the diverse characteristics of services, and their marketing implications, including the inseparability of the service from the person providing that service, as well as focus on some marketing strategies that organizations providing services may apply. Furthermore, aspects relating to service quality, service differentiation, and post-sale services will also be covered during this module. Course participants will also get the opportunity to learn how different types of service-related industries apply and provide their services adapted appropriately to increase customer experience

Digital Marketing Principles (7 ECTS Credits)

This module will focus on the main aspects and principles of digital marketing, focusing on the growth and continuous development of digital marketing thanks to continuous technological improvements. During this module participants will be introduced to the business importance of websites, the basis of search engine optimization (SEO) techniques, elements of social media marketing, content marketing and strategy, web analytics, web, mobile and email marketing as well as online reputation management. Course participants will also get the opportunity to learn and apply different digital marketing applications and how such applications help the business generate and take advantage of further market opportunities.

Business Research Methods (6 ECTS Credits)

This module will focus on the main research methods that are used when conducting any kind of research. The scope of this module is to introduce participants to the field of research, the requirements and objectives of research, and the different aspects and types of research carried out. Participants will be exposed to the standard process normally applied in research projects, starting from choosing the area and subsequently, the title of the research, leading to the problem description, literature review, and choice of a research strategy. Participants will also be introduced to quantitative and qualitative research aspects and get the opportunity to apply these to a subject or issue of their choice

Research Project (12 ECTS Credits)

The scope of the Research Project is to provide participants with the opportunity to apply a specific research problem related to any area in Human Resources, Marketing, or Finance, and apply all that has been learned in researching for solutions to the particular problem that can be applied within industry. In this regard, participants will be assisted by a tutor who will be able to guide each participant in what should be worked on, how the research problem chosen should be addressed, and how to not only carry out the necessary research but also analyze possible solutions and prepare to implement the selected recommended solution

Assessment

Formative assessment

The goal of formative assessment is to monitor student learning to provide ongoing feedback that can be used by lecturers to improve their teaching and by students to improve their learning and development. More specifically, formative assessments throughout the modules will:

• Help students identify their strengths and weaknesses and target areas that need improvement
• Help lecturers recognize where students are struggling and address problems immediately

Summative assessment

Assessments will be designed according to the guidelines of each module specification. In general, the assessments will enable learners to demonstrate achievement of learning outcomes across the individual elements of the program. The range of assessments utilized will normally include essays, reports, presentations, and other structured assignments.

Assessments are drafted in conjunction with the curriculum development department and tutor concerned. The final version is confirmed by the curriculum development department.

Assessments are moderated by the tutor concerned, and then also verified by the Internal Verifier.

The assessment will be based on assignments for each module. There may be one or two assignments for each module.

The assignment will consist of criteria related to each topic within the module with the respective outcomes.

Teaching, Learning, and Assessment Procedures

This program offers both variety and flexibility, ensuring that the learning and assessment activities are relevant and of value for future progression. Throughout this program learners are continuously and actively involved in all teaching methods including;

• Lectures
• Hands-on activities
• Seminar
• Workshops
• Enquiry-based learning

Lectures and other teaching methods are delivered interactively, with discussion sessions and tutorials in the form of hands-on and problem-solving activities building on the relevant academic study skills including concepts and practices.

These activities help learners to use different research and online tools. Learners are asked to reflect on the tools and activities, inviting discussions with regard to their own knowledge and skill and adapting these tools to their current situations and contexts. Feedback is given where appropriate throughout the course.

Learners are also introduced to appropriate websites and other related material for further development of their knowledge and skills.

Grading System

Grading will be based on – Pass – Merit – and Distinction.

Resits will be permitted for each respective assignment and module. No more than two resits are permitted to the student and the grading will be only a Pass.

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By the end of the program the learner will be able to:

• Work with financial and non-financial information for both organizational and personal decision-making purposes.
• Carry out financial analysis to determine an organization’s performance.
• Lead effectively one or more groups of people in an organization’s Human Resources, Finance, Marketing, or Administrative departments.
• Apply marketing principles to implement one or more specific marketing activities within a specific organization.
• Develop and implement a marketing plan for a product or service.
• Identify and implement innovative solutions to meet employees’ training and development requirements within a specific organization.
• Analyse and interpret an organization’s financial statements to help an organization make better use of its financial resources.
• Prepare commendations for superiors to improve business performance in areas such as organizational profitability, market attractiveness, staff motivation and engagement, and customer satisfaction.