is postgraduate level, broadly equivalent to a master's degree?

No. The Level 7 Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership Online – MBA Top-Up Route (120 Credits) is not a master’s degree. It is a regulated qualification at RQF Level 7, which aligns with the academic level of a master’s degree but does not confer the title. It serves as a strategic stepping stone. Upon completion, graduates can access an MBA top-up module at a partner university. This final step, typically one year, awards the full Master of Business Administration. The diploma itself focuses on organisational capability and governance, providing the academic credits required for progression. It is a distinct, cost-effective route to a master’s-level outcome, designed for working managers seeking strategic direction without committing to a full three-year MBA programme immediately.