PG Cert Business Scale-Up and Leadership
- Entry year:
- 2025/26
- Start date:
- January
- Study mode:
- Part-time
- Course duration:
- 12 months
- Campus:
- Mount Pleasant
Why study this course with LJMU?
- Designed in partnership with employers to meet the leadership and management needs of SMEs and scale-up businesses.
- Delivered in flexible two-day blocks each month, making it accessible for working professionals.
- Focused on responsible, sustainable, and inclusive business growth.
- Highly applied and practice-driven: engage with live business challenges, simulations, and employer-led projects.
- Build leadership, innovation, and strategic management skills while applying them directly to real-world contexts.
- Strengthen your personal and professional development with coaching, reflection, and feedback.
About this course
The PG Cert Business Scale-Up and Leadership is a specialist, employer-informed qualification designed to prepare professionals for leadership roles in high-growth SMEs.
This part-time programme is student-centred, grounded in the realities of scaling businesses, and shaped by regional workforce needs. It equips learners with the tools to lead organisational change, manage complex challenges, and deliver sustainable growth strategies.
On successful completion of this PG Cert you will be able to:
- Critically evaluate and apply leadership and management theories in SME growth contexts.
- Demonstrate creative and critical thinking in responding to real-world business challenges.
- Apply interpersonal, teamwork and communication skills to drive innovation and lead organisational change.
- Reflect on personal and professional development needs, using coaching and feedback to strengthen leadership potential.
Course modules
Discover the building blocks of your programme
Further guidance on modules
Modules are designated core or optional in accordance with professional body requirements, as applicable, and LJMU’s Academic Framework Regulations. Whilst you are required to study core modules, optional modules provide you with an element of choice. Their availability may vary and will be subject to meeting minimum student numbers.
Where changes to modules are necessary these will be communicated as appropriate.
Core modules
Leadership and Strategy for Scale Up Growth
20 credits
20 credits
Central to scaling a business is the need for leaders to develop their mind-set for growth and the responsibility that comes with growth in the context of a changing business environment. This module will use application of learning to drive students to review and reflect on their leadership styles. Through student-managed activities (e.g. networking events, employer sessions) you will have opportunity to identify your own leadership needs through self-review and assessment. Such insight is useful to consider the way leaders engage and equip those around them to scale the business and in developing a growth mind-set. You will identify key strategic issues that are recognised to underpin sustainable business growth. Such insights will be used to inform strategic approaches to sustainable growth and value creation in the context of a variety of ecosystems and business environments.
Applied Business Skills for Scale Up
20 credits
20 credits
In developing a mind-set for responsible business growth within contemporary business environments, this module supports students in building up practical business acumen for career progression. Learners will be expected to reflect on opportunities for applied learning and professional skills development through coaching practices and team activities to tackle real-world business challenges creatively and critically. Gaining experiencing in managing responsive business projects, students will explore scale-up business processes to drive change quickly, yet responsibly.
Operationalising Scale Up Growth
20 credits
20 credits
This module equips learners with the skills and knowledge to drive innovation and manage change within growing organisations. Knowledge and ability to innovate within the digital and technology spheres holds a particular opportunity for scale-up businesses. Students will gain further strategic understanding of the finances of the business to inform and shape decision making in positioning the business with potential funding and investment sources. The module also explores ongoing challenges of growing and managing talent to ensure workforce productivity in supporting growth.
Your Learning Experience
An insight into teaching on your course
How you will study
- Delivery model: monthly two-day face-to-face workshops supported by online learning (via Canvas).
- Learning style: interactive workshops, flipped learning, live business challenges, simulations, guest lectures, and peer-to-peer learning.
- Approach: a heutagogical model where students take ownership of their learning and align development with career aspirations.
- Support: personal and academic tutors act as facilitators, using coaching to guide reflection, growth, and applied skills development.
Teaching & Support
- Co-delivered by LJMU academics and industry experts.
- Coaching-led learning environment that encourages ownership and self-directed development.
- Applied, work-related projects to ensure direct relevance to SME growth and leadership.
- Peer learning and collaborative projects embedded throughout.
How learning is monitored on your programme
To cater for the wide-ranging content of our courses and the varied learning preferences of our students, we offer a range of assessment methods on each programme.
All assessments emphasise responsible leadership and the ethical use of Artificial Intelligence, and are supported with clear rubrics and formative feedback. All asessments designed to build business acumen, leadership capability, and employability.
- Personal Development Portfolio – reflective assessment aligned to professional growth.
- Group Project – collaborative applied challenge with a focus on innovation and leadership.
- Company/Sector-Focused Report – independent research and analysis addressing real-world business growth challenges.
Postgraduate research opportunities
At LJMU, you can take the next step in your academic journey with a PhD or MPhil, available on a full-time or part-time basis. International students also have the option to study remotely.
- PhD duration: Up to 4 years full-time, or up to 7 years part-time
- Funding options: Choose between funded projects (with supervisors already in place) or self-funded study
Our Doctoral Academy is here to support you every step of the way—from your first enquiry through to successful completion—working closely with Schools, Faculties, and Professional Services.
For more details on postgraduate research and full details on how to apply, visit the Doctoral Academy website.
Career paths
Further your career prospects
LJMU has an excellent employability record with 94% (HESA 2022) of our postgraduates in work or further study fifteen months after graduation. Our applied learning techniques and strong industry connections ensure our students are fully prepared for the workplace on graduation and understand how to apply their knowledge in a real world context.
The PG Cert prepares emerging and current leaders to thrive in SME and scale-up environments. It develops leadership, strategic thinking, and project management skills directly aligned to workforce needs. Graduates may progress to roles such as:
- SME team leaders, project managers, and department heads
- Business development and operations managers
- Scale-up advisors and consultants
- Future directors and entrepreneurs
The qualification also strengthens regional talent pipelines for high-growth businesses and provides a pathway to further postgraduate study.
Tuition fees and funding
- Part-time per year:
- £3,650
Fees
The fees quoted above cover registration, tuition, supervision, assessment and examinations as well as library membership and student IT support with access to printed, multimedia and digital resources including programme-appropriate software and on campus wifi.
Financial Support
There are many ways to fund postgraduate study for home and international students. From loans to International Scholarships and subject-specific funding, you’ll find all of the information you need on our specialist postgraduate funding pages. The University offers a range of financial support for students. You'll find all the information you need on our specialist financial support pages including details of the Student Support Fund and other activities to support with the cost of living.
Additional Costs
In addition to fees, students should also keep in mind the cost of:
- Accommodation
- Travel costs and field trips unless paid for by LJMU
- Stationery, IT equipment, professional body membership and graduation gown hire
Entry requirements
You will need:
Qualification requirements
Undergraduate degree
A minimum 2:2 honours degree from a recognised University or equivalent awarding institution.
Alternative qualifications considered
A professional qualification recognised as equivalent to the above.
Additional requirements
-
Relevant work experience
An award or professional experience which the University has agreed to accept as equivalent to the above. Applicants should provide an up-to-date CV at the point of application and may be invited to interview.
Further information
-
Extra Requirements
If you do not meet the admissions criteria above, the course team has a strong commitment to widening participation and positively welcomes non-standard applicants.
Please Note: All international qualifications are subject to a qualification equivalency check.
How to apply
Securing your place at LJMU
To apply for this programme, you are required to complete an LJMU online application form. You will need to provide details of previous qualifications and a personal statement outlining why you wish to study this programme.
Your university life
From accommodation and academic support to clubs and societies. Find out what LJMU has to offer.
Related Links
Talk to our students
Connect with a current LJMU student for advice and guidance on university life, courses and more.
See what our students are saying
At LJMU we want you to know you’re making the right choice by studying with us. You can see what our students are saying about their experience with us through their reviews on the following websites:
News and views
Browse through the latest news and stories from the university
The University reserves the right to withdraw or make alterations to a course and facilities if necessary; this may be because such changes are deemed to be beneficial to students, are minor in nature and unlikely to impact negatively upon students or become necessary due to circumstances beyond the control of the University. Where this does happen, the University operates a policy of consultation, advice and support to all enrolled students affected by the proposed change to their course or module.