OTHM Level 5 Diploma in Business Management (120 credits), online from 6 months
Awarded by OTHM Qualifications and Ofqual-regulated at RQF Level 5: 120 credits, 6 units, assessed by assignment with no exams. Delivered 100% online by LEAP Education.
£10 to apply · Offer within 24 hours · Apply with qualifications or relevant work experience
Stanmore School of Business Limited — UK registered learning provider since 2017.
- Duration
- 9 months
- Credits
- 120
- Level
- RQF Level 5
- Assessment
- Assignment-based (no written exams)
- Start date
- Any time
- Fees from
- £190 / month
What this qualification is
The OTHM Level 5 Diploma in Business Management (120 credits) is awarded by OTHM Qualifications and regulated by Ofqual at RQF Level 5. The qualification totals 120 credits across 6 mandatory units. Listed on the Ofqual Register of Regulated Qualifications. LEAP Education delivers this programme 100% online with tutor support.
Standard completion is 9 months; accelerated completion in 6 months is offered on this programme where shown below. Fees from £950. Assessment is through coursework and assignments — there is no requirement to attend a UK campus.
Supervisors and managers building formal business credentials. Level 6/7 business diplomas or degree pathways where eligible.
Regional headquarters in emerging economies are systematically replacing internal promotions with external hires who hold standardized Level 5 credentials, leaving experienced local coordinators invisible to recruitment algorithms that filter for formal management qualifications.
You gain the authority to present strategic business cases directly to the board rather than filtering insights through middle management layers. This qualification enables you to take ownership of departmental P&Ls, lead cross-functional restructuring initiatives, and command a salary commensurate with a formal Business Manager title in multinational firms.
This path is designed for Operations Coordinators, Office Managers, and Senior Administrators across Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia who possess three to five years of hands-on experience but lack the formal credential required for promotion. You are currently performing the duties of a manager—overseeing teams, optimizing workflows, and managing budgets—yet you remain stuck in a support role with a compensation ceiling that does not reflect your actual contribution. This diploma validates your operational expertise as executive potential, allowing you to bypass the "experience vs. qualification" trap and secure a leadership position in a regional or global organization.
Six OTHM units covering strategy, HR, marketing, business law, management accounting and business start-up — assessed through assignments.
- Awarding organisation: OTHM Qualifications
- Regulation: Ofqual, RQF Level 5
- Credits: 120
- Units: 6
- Duration: 9 months (accelerated 6 months)
- Progression: Level 6/7 business diplomas or degree pathways where eligible.
Key facts
- Qualification:
- Level 5 Diploma in Business Management (120 credits)
- Awarding organisation:
- OTHM Qualifications
- Level:
- RQF Level 5
- Credits:
- 120
- Study mode:
- 100% online
- Duration:
- 9 months
- Assessment:
- Assignment-based (no written exams)
- Fees from:
- £190 / month
- Entry requirements:
- A Level 4 qualification or equivalent (e.g., HNC, Level 4 Diploma), or equivalent; or relevant experience. Minimum age 18.
- Progression:
- Level 6/7 business diplomas or degree pathways where eligible.
- Last verified:
- 5 September 2026 by Dr Namita Singh, Head of Academics
Related: Level 4 Business Management (Qualifi), BA (Hons) Business Management degree, Level 7 Strategic Management, business management qualifications.
120-credit route: This is the standalone OTHM Level 5 Business Management diploma (six units). Combined high-credit bundles are listed separately on the courses catalogue.
See how the programme works, how you're assessed and how online study fits around your job.
Level 5 business management units
Principles and Concepts of Strategy
20 creditsDiagnose market positioning gaps and align resource allocation with long-term competitive advantage in complex, cross-border environments.
The Management of Human Resources
20 creditsDesign talent retention and performance frameworks that navigate diverse cultural norms and international labor regulations.
Marketing for Managers
20 creditsTranslate consumer insights into localized go-to-market strategies that drive revenue across distinct international segments.
Business Law for Managers
20 creditsIdentify contractual liabilities and regulatory risks that threaten operational continuity in global supply chains.
Management Accounting and Decision Making
20 creditsInterpret financial variance and cash flow data to justify capital expenditures and optimize operational efficiency to senior stakeholders.
Business Start-up; Conception to Market
20 creditsValidate new business models and secure investor funding by demonstrating scalable market entry potential.
Every unit is assessed by written assignments submitted online, with tutor feedback and sample assignments to guide you.
Entry requirements
Qualifications
A Level 4 qualification or equivalent (e.g., HNC, Level 4 Diploma), or an international equivalent. Higher qualifications are also accepted.
Work experience
Candidates with 2+ years of relevant professional experience are encouraged to apply. Your practical knowledge counts.
Minimum age 18. International applicants welcome. Send us your certificates and we'll confirm eligibility within 24 hours.
Fully online
No campus visits. Study on any device, in any time zone.
Materials included
Study notes, sample assignments and resources from day one.
24/7 study assistant
Instant explanations and assignment guidance from our AI study assistant.
Tutor feedback
Qualified tutors mark assignments and give feedback by email and chat.
Where this can take you
A published source has not yet been matched to a salary figure for these roles.
Indicative UK salary information for related occupations. Figures reflect the referenced occupation and data source, not guaranteed earnings after completing this qualification.
Progression: Level 6/7 business diplomas or degree pathways where eligible.
Fees and payment options
All plans are interest-free and include every unit, study material and tutor support. A £10 enrolment fee applies.
| This page9 monthsStandard mode | 6 monthsFast-track | |
|---|---|---|
| Total fee | £950 | £1,250 |
| Monthly | £190 × 5 | £416.67 + £416.67 + £416.66 (total £1,250) |
| Quarterly | £475 × 2 | — |
| Pay in full | £902.50 (save 5%) | £1,187.50 (save 5%) |
| Apply | Apply |
- Monthly£190 × 5
- Quarterly£475 × 2
- Pay in full£902.50 (save 5%)
- Monthly£416.67 + £416.67 + £416.66 (total £1,250)
- Pay in full£1,187.50 (save 5%)
* Programme fees shown include online learning, study materials and tutor support for the qualification. A separate £10 enrolment fee is payable when you submit your application. Interest-free instalment plans and a 5% discount for paying the full programme fee upfront are available where shown.
Need a different payment plan? Our admissions team can help.
Talk to an adviser on WhatsApp →Who awards your qualification
This qualification is awarded by OTHM Qualifications, an Ofqual-recognised awarding organisation. OTHM qualifications are regulated on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) and recognised by employers and universities in the UK and internationally.
Regulation
Ofqual-regulated at RQF Level 5, 120 credits.
Find OTHM Qualifications qualifications on the Ofqual Register →
Provider
Stanmore School of Business Limited · Company No. 10591140 · UKPRN 10085235.
OTHM Qualifications →
Start in three steps
- 01
Apply online
Complete the short form and pay the £10 enrolment fee. About five minutes.
- 02
Receive your offer
We confirm eligibility and email your start date and payment options.
- 03
Start learning
Pay your first instalment and get access to your units.
Insights and Q&A
Extra detail beyond this page — written for learners researching fees, assessment and outcomes.
Common questions
Is this qualification regulated by Ofqual?
Yes. This qualification is awarded by OTHM Qualifications at RQF Level 5 and is listed on the Ofqual Register of Regulated Qualifications.
Can I study from outside the UK?
Yes. The programme is 100% online with no campus visits, so you can study from anywhere in the UK or internationally.
Are there any exams?
No. Every unit is assessed through written assignments submitted online. There are no written examinations.
What are the entry requirements?
Applicants should hold a Level 4 qualification or equivalent (e.g., HNC, Level 4 Diploma) or an equivalent credential. Candidates with 2+ years of relevant professional experience are also encouraged to apply. Minimum age 18.
How long does it take and what does it cost?
You can choose 9 months (Standard mode, £950); 6 months (Fast-track, £1,250). Interest-free instalment plans are available on each option.
When can I start?
You can enrol at any time. Once your application is accepted and the first payment is made, you receive access to the learning platform and study materials.
What can I progress to?
Level 6/7 business diplomas or degree pathways where eligible.
Who operates LEAP Education?
LEAP Education is a brand of Stanmore School of Business Limited (Company No. 10591140, UKPRN 10085235), a UK learning provider.
Is this the OTHM Level 5 Business Management 120-credit diploma?
Yes. This page covers the standalone 120-credit OTHM Level 5 Diploma in Business Management, including six units such as strategy, HR, marketing, business law and management accounting.
Can I study Level 5 business management online?
Yes. LEAP delivers the programme 100% online with flexible start dates and instalment plans.
How is the diploma assessed?
Assignment-based assessment per unit. No written examinations.
What can I progress to after Level 5 business management?
Learners often progress to Level 6 or Level 7 business diplomas or degree pathways where eligible.
How does this differ from the Qualifi Level 5 business management course?
This is the OTHM 120-credit route. Qualifi offers a separate Level 5 business management qualification — choose the page that matches your target awarding body.
Last reviewed 5 September 2026 by Dr Namita Singh, Head of Academics
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