Diploma in Management Studies (Pre-MBA)

Introduction
The London School of Business (LSB) Diploma in Management Studies (DMS) programme aims to develop the skills of the programme members in taking decisions at a strategic as well as an operational level across the spectrum of management problems. On successful completion of the programme, programme members should be capable of assuming a high level of responsibility in the management of private or public sector organisations.

MBA Qualification
Those completing the programme at an appropriate level can proceed to a University of Plymouth MBA programme at Greenwich School of Management.

Modes of attendance
The Greenwich School of Management DMS Business Management can be studied by attendance in the following modes:

Daytime - 1 semester full-time

Starting Dates
The Daytime and Evening DMS programmes have enrolment dates in February, June and October each year.

Tuition
There are lectures and tutorials in all modules and the learning process is augmented by participation in case studies and group work. This allows programme members to understand the theoretical concepts of management by applying them to business problems in the real world.

Admission Requirements
Candidates will be expected to possess either a degree or equivalent academic qualification or a professional qualification, for example a Certificate in Management Studies, and have relevant work experience. Candidates without these qualifications will be considered on their merits. All candidates should possess a good command of written and spoken English.

Pathways

DMS Business Management

Programme Structure
The DMS Business Management specialisation comprises four taught modules. Full time course members study the four modules in one semester. Part-time and Evening course members study the four modules in two semesters (two per semester). Executive course members study one module per weekend; there are four weekend sessions.

Assessment
Each module will be assessed by means of one written assignment and one written examination.

Programme Modules

Human Resource Management

Module Description
The role of management in organizations; the planning and decision making process, and managerial accountability and responsibility; the structure and design of organizations; the change process and identification of the social and ethical responsibilities of organizations and management. Problems of human motivation and methods of improving performance at work; human resource planning including recruitment and performance appraisal; the causes of conflict; the interrelationship between corporate cultures and methods of managing human resources; the impact on all management functions of good human relations.

Financial Analysis

Module Description
The importance of both financial and managerial accounting methodology; information in managerial decision-making; techniques and terminology applied to the structure of the company accounts and business transactions with particular emphasis on assessing profit and asset valuation; interpreting and analysing published financial statements; the internal managerial accounting requirements for effective decision-making, planning and control. The management problems of raising and deploying capital within the organization; the appraisal of investment and measurement of profitability; international financial management issues; capital budgeting and risk analysis.

Marketing Strategy

Module Description
Nature of markets and segments; defining and measuring potential in different segments; need for market information; relating market research and marketing planning; market selection; evaluating overseas markets; technology and changes in market potential; life cycles in markets. Formulating and evaluating marketing strategy; product policy; relationship with non-marketing management functions; identifying the environment and its effects on performance; use of promotional techniques; pricing, selling, packaging and servicing; distribution; relating performance in different segments.

Information Systems Management

Module Description

Nature and importance of information systems; scope of hardware and software and methods of selection; databases and their use for management information; use of spreadsheets; management implications of information technology; data security; integrating data; managing the system. Nature and scope of business decisions; decision making with computers; scope and limitations of quantitative decisions; market entry decisions; resource allocation and opportunity cost; relating decision making to changes in the business environment; investment decision and appraisal; operational decisions; information requirements.