Qualification Structure

The Qualifi Level 5 Extended Diploma in Business Management is an Ofqual-regulated qualification accredited on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF). The qualification has a Total Qualification Time (TQT) of 2,400 hours and 960 Guided Learning Hours (GLH).

Assessment for the Qualifi Level 5 Extended Diploma in Business Management is assignment-based. Learner work is internally assessed and marked by the Qualifi-approved centre, with external quality assurance and moderation by Qualifi prior to certification. Written assessment tasks address the learning outcomes and assessment criteria for each unit, with learners required to demonstrate achievement across the qualification.

To achieve the qualification, learners must successfully complete all 12 mandatory units.

Core Study Units

1. Communication in Organisations

Learning outcomes:

• Analyse the role and effectiveness of communication within organisations.
• Develop and improve personal and interpersonal communication skills.
• Evaluate how organisations manage internal and external workplace communication.

2. Leadership and the Organisation

Learning outcomes:

• Evaluate how different leadership qualities and skills affect organisations.
• Examine current leadership theories, models and principles.
• Analyse the leadership skills and approaches required for different organisational situations.

3. Financial Awareness

Learning outcomes:

• Explore the nature, purpose and use of financial information.
• Investigate the principles and standards underpinning accounting and financial information.
• Examine financial commentary and the interpretation of published financial information.

4. Managing Change

Learning outcomes:

• Research and analyse issues associated with significant organisational change.
• Develop plans for involving stakeholders in planning and supporting organisational change.
• Plan, implement, monitor and evaluate an organisational change process.

5. Business Operations

Learning outcomes:

• Examine the importance of business processes in achieving organisational goals and objectives.
• Investigate how business goals and objectives influence business operations.
• Develop and implement plans for an operational area.

6. Developing Teams

Learning outcomes:

• Analyse the characteristics and attributes of effective teams.
• Evaluate approaches and methods for developing teams.
• Evaluate methods for setting team objectives, monitoring performance and improving team effectiveness.

7. Responding to the Changing Business Environment

Learning outcomes:

• Evaluate and analyse factors influencing businesses and appropriate organisational responses.
• Examine how an integrated understanding of the business environment can support decision-making and business development.
• Investigate changes in the relationship between the private and public sectors.

8. Effective Decision Making

Learning outcomes:

• Review business issues that require effective managerial decision-making.
• Explore approaches to organisational decision-making and ways of improving them.
• Recommend approaches for improving decision-making processes and evaluating their effectiveness.

9. Business Development

Learning outcomes:

• Analyse the role of planning in developing new business streams.
• Conduct market research to assess demand and market potential.
• Prepare a business model and present a business sales or development plan.

10. Business Models and Growing Organisations

Learning outcomes:

• Examine business growth options and their implications for organisational structures and operations.
• Develop an understanding of different business models and approaches to evaluating organisational performance and venture success.
• Evaluate environmental scanning and methods for analysing business growth options.

11. Customer Management

Learning outcomes:

• Examine different approaches organisations use to manage their customers.
• Develop practices and skills that support customer retention and stronger customer relationships.
• Evaluate customer-centred organisations and identify ways to improve an organisation’s approach to its customers.

12. Risk Management and Organisations

Learning outcomes:

• Review organisational risk tolerance across different business environments.
• Develop skills for identifying and assessing organisational risk profiles.
• Investigate how innovation can be managed to reduce risk aversion and create organisational advantage.

Who Is This Qualification For?

The Qualifi Level 5 Extended Diploma in Business Management is designed for learners seeking to develop advanced business and management knowledge for professional or academic progression.
It is suitable for UK and international learners interested in leadership, business operations, decision-making and organisational development.

• Aspiring business managers and future leaders
• Existing managers, supervisors and team leaders
• Business professionals seeking to strengthen their management skills
• Entrepreneurs and business owners developing their business knowledge
• Learners progressing from Level 3 or Level 4 business qualifications
• Professionals seeking an RQF-regulated business management qualification
• UK and international learners pursuing further higher education
• Learners considering progression to a related undergraduate top-up degree, subject to university requirements

Career Opportunities

The Qualifi Level 5 Extended Diploma in Business Management develops practical and strategic business skills for aspiring and existing managers across diverse sectors. It covers leadership, operations, financial awareness, change management, decision-making, business development, customer management, and risk management, supporting progression in business-related roles and further higher education.

Future Progression

The Qualifi Level 5 Extended Diploma in Business Management supports career development in management, operations, business development, customer management, and organisational roles across diverse sectors. The qualification provides a broad foundation for learners seeking to strengthen their business knowledge and progress professionally.

Academically, learners may progress to relevant higher-level business and management qualifications, including undergraduate degree top-up programmes where accepted by the receiving institution and subject to its entry requirements. It can also provide a foundation for continued professional development in areas such as leadership, business strategy, operations, finance, marketing, and organisational management.

Professionally, the qualification can support progression into roles such as Business Manager, Operations Manager, Business Development Executive, Project Coordinator, Team Leader, Business Analyst, Customer Relationship Manager, and Risk Management Officer. The knowledge developed across leadership, decision-making, business operations, change management, financial awareness, business development, customer management, and risk management can help learners contribute effectively to organisational performance and management activities.