is a postgraduate qualification, such as a master's degree?

The Level 7 Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership Online – MBA Top-Up Route (120 Credits) is a postgraduate qualification regulated by Ofqual at RQF Level 7, which is academically equivalent to a master’s degree. However, it is not a master’s degree itself; it is a professional diploma that serves as a direct entry route to an MBA top-up. This distinction is critical for strategic leaders: you gain the same academic standing and credit value as the first year of a master’s programme, but without the final dissertation or university branding until you complete the top-up. The qualification focuses on applied strategic management, organisational capability, and governance, preparing you for the final stage of an MBA. It is designed for working managers who need flexible, online study modes that fit around professional commitments. By completing this 120-credit diploma, you secure the academic credits required to progress to a full MBA, making it a cost-effective and time-efficient alternative to starting a traditional two-year master’s programme from scratch.