Postgraduate Diploma in Business and Oracle Programming via Online Distance Learning

Introduction to Business Management

The nature of business; Business plans and start-ups; Legalities – sole traders and partnerships; Limited companies, non-profit organisations, public sector organisations;

Strategic Management

Vision and mission; Objectives; Planning and strategy; Contingency planning, implementation, change control;

Operations Management

Production methods, cost, revenue and break-even analysis; Quality assurance; Production planning; Project management;

The External Environment

The nature of business; Economic systems; Structure of the industry; Sources of finance; Share capital, stock exchange, institutions providing finance;

Marketing

Marketing concepts; Market research: Market segmentation, positioning and targeting; New product development and the product life cycle; Brand awareness; The Marketing Mix (product, price, place, promotion); Competitor analysis; Marketing strategies; E-commerce;

Doing Business on the Internet

The Benefits of Digital Marketing; Doing Business on the Internet; Online Marketing Planning; Key Concepts in Internet Technology; Online Market Research;

Doing Business on a Global Scale

International management; Globalisation and multinational companies; Exportation; International marketing;

Mathematics and Statistics for Business

Financial Mathematics; Calculus and Profit Maximisation; Descriptive Statistics; Measure of Association; Probability; Statistical Inference;

Financial Accounting

Introduction to financial accounting; Users of financial information; Key accounting models; Terminology; Need for financial statements; The balance sheet; Balance sheet layouts, ratio and the balance sheet; Income statement and layout; Ratios, revenues and trade receivables; Owners equity; Cash flow measurement and documentation; Inventories and cost of sales; Tangible and intangible assets; Liabilities; Financial statements and recording transactions; Preparing financial statements; Analysing and interpreting financial statements; Analysis tools; Auditing;

Macroeconomics

Introduction to macroeconomics; Understanding macroeconomics; Principles of economics; How the market works; Gross domestic product; International trade; Open economy; Labour market; Income, expenditure and the circular flow; The consumer price index; Cost of taxation, employment, cost of living; The Philips Curve; National income, supply and demand for goods and services; Money and inflation; the Quantity theory of money; Interest rates; Social costs of inflation; Hyperinflation; Exchange rates; Economic fluctuations; Economic growth; Economy in the long run; Accumulation of capital; Population growth; Policies to promote growth; The Solow model; The business cycle; Aggregate demand and supply; The IS-LM model; The money market; How fiscal and monetary policies shift the LM curve; Floating and fixed exchange rates; The Mundell-Fleming model; Policy debates; Investment; Government policies;

Microeconomics

Introduction to microeconomics; Trade, trade-offs and government policy; Production and supply; Elasticities; Individual choice in supply and demand; Production and cost analysis; Competitive markets; Oligopoly and monopolistic competition and strategic pricing; Uncertainty;

Business Administration

Objectives; The office – planning and organisation; Equipping the office; The future of office administration;

Business Information Systems

Human aspects of computer interaction; Security, data protection and auditing; Electronic Data Interchange;

Leadership and Communication in the Workplace

Effective communication skills; Leadership styles; Information gathering and interpretation; Problem solving; Decision making; Workforce planning; Conflict resolution; Time management; Delegation;

Effective Performance in the Workplace

Company organisational culture and structures; Building an effective workforce – recruitment, team selection; Appointment and termination; Training and appraisal; Motivational strategies; Competition in the workplace; Wage and salary administration; Job restructuring;

Employee Relations and the Law

Human resources management; Employee representation; Industrial democracy including bargaining, consultation and participation; Industrial relations - action and disputes; Government policy (including EU and other industrial blocs); Consumer protection, workforce protection, equal opportunities legislation, pressure groups; Taxation;

Business Ethics

Business ethics; Business and the environment; Corporate social responsibility; Commercial Law; Company Law; Contract Law; Employment Law; Law of Tort;

Entrepreneurial Skills

Innovation, research and new product development;

Spreadsheets

Introduction to spreadsheets; Step by step instructions on using the features, functions and applications for spreadsheets; Customizing the spreadsheet software; Installing the spreadsheet software; Security; Platforms; Operating system compatibility;

Setting Up & Marketing Your Own Consultancy

The Business Plan; Legalities; Setting Up; The Marketing Strategy; Knowing Your Competitors; Promotional Tools;

Presentation Skills

Preparation and Research; Speech Content; Subject Matter and Objectives; Speech Delivery and Variety; Body Language; Eye Contact; Presentation Aids; Management of locations and audiences; Presentation structure;

ORACLE PROGRAMMING

Oracle Fundamentals: Introduction to Database Concepts

What is a database; Traditional Databases; The Hierarchical Database Model; The Network Database Model; The Relational Database Model;

Data Modeling

Introduction to Data Modeling; Entities; Attributes; Relationships; Entity-Relationship Diagrams;

Nominalization

Importance of Normalization; Database Normalization Rules; 1st Normal Form; 2nd Normal Form; 3rd Normal Form; 4th and 5th Normal Forms; Resolving Many-to-Many Relationships;

Overview of Oracle Architecture

Why you must know the Architecture; Database structure; Logical Database Structures; Schema Objects; Tablespaces; Physical Database Structures; Password File; Parameter File; Data Files; Redo Log Files; Control Files; Memory Structures;

Features of Oracle11

New Features in Oracle11; Internet File System; ConText Cartridge; JDeveloper; Java Virtual Machine; XML support; Oracle 11 Lite; Web Assistant; Popular Oracle Tools; WebDB; Designer; Developer; Oracle Application Server;

Introduction to SQL

Programming Technology; Datatypes; Data Definition Language Commands; Create; Integrity Constraints; Alter; Drop; Rename; Truncate; Data Manipulation Language Commands; Insert; Update; Delete; Select statements; Where Clause; Transaction Control Language Commands; Grant; Revoke; Data Control; Language Commands; Commit; Rollback; Savepoint;

Programming Concepts

Software Development Life Cycle; Introduction to Programming; Flowcharts; Pseudocode; Variables; Constants; Basic Program Control Structures; Conditional Logic; Iterative Logic;

PL/SQL Basics

What is PL/SQL; PL/SQL Blocks; Types of PL/SQL Blocks; Basic Procedural Rules; Declaring Variables and Constants; Generating output on screen; SELECT INTO statement; Overview of PL/SQL Control structures; IF conditional statements; Simple Loop; While Loop; For Loop;

Object Oriented Technology

Overview of Object-Oriented Technology; Object Oriented Components; Classes; Objects and Properties; Methods; Discussing System Behaviour; Encapsulation; Inheritance; Polymorphism; Object Relational Database Management System; Object Types;

Introduction to Oracle 11: SQL and PL/SQL

Introduction to Structured Query Language; Overview of SQL commands; SQL*PLUS; PL/SQL;

Tables and Constraints

Creating and Modifying Tables; Integrity Constraints; Creating and Modifying Constraints;

SQL Functions

Numeric Functions; Character Functions; Date Functions; Conversion Functions; Error Reporting Functions; Miscellaneous Functions;

Restricting and Sorting Data

Comparison Operators; Sorting Data; Aggregate Functions;

Working with Multiple Tables

Working with Compound Triggers, Identifying the Timing-Point Sections of a Table Compound Trigger; Joins; Using a Select Statement without a Direct Match; Writing Simple Subqueries; Writing Multi-Column; Subqueries; Performance Comparisons;

Creating a Simple PL/SQL Block

Building a PL/SQL Block; Declaration; Naming Convention; Scope & Visibility; Understanding Identifier; Creating Scalar Data Types; Expressions and Comparisons;

Manipulate Data with PL/SQL

Using Composite Variables; Writing SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, and DELETE Statements; Using Commit and Rollback; Including Save Points in the Program;

PL/SQL Control Structures

Understanding the Conditional Constructs; Using Loops in PL/SQL; Using the Unconditional Branching; Constructs within the PL/SQL;

Collections and Records

Defining and Declaring Collections; Initializing and Referencing Collections; Assigning and Comparing; Manipulating Collections; Collection Methods;

Creating a Database

An Overview of Database Creation; Creating a Database with the Database Configuration Assistant;

Managing the Oracle Instance

Logical and Physical Structures; Database Objects and Their Physical Structure; Managing the Instance; Managing and Maintaining the Control File;

Managing Tables

Constructing Tables; Information and Analysis;

Managing Users and Security

Managing Users; Managing Resources and Roles; Authenticating and Auditing;

Oracle Troubleshooting Utilities

Oracle Problem Detection; LogMiner;

Criteria for eligibility must be met in full prior to commencing the programme. For successful enrollment on the Postgraduate Diploma course, the minimum entry requirement is a prior Degree level qualification.

On successful completion of this course you will receive a Professional Postgraduate Diploma qualification that is certified and awarded by the ICM (Institute of Commercial Management). As this is a professional qualification, it does not fall under the NFQ framework or carry academic credits.

The Institute of Commercial Management was founded in 1979 and is one of the leading Professional Examination and Certification Bodies in the world today. Fitzwilliam Institute have developed and provided practical skills training courses in liaison with the Institute of Commercial Management qualifications and certifications framework for over 25 years. The Institute of Commercial Management certifications and continual professional development training awards are recognised by leading industries, bodies and professions.

next start date: 6th March 2026

Duration: You will have full access to online resources and subject expert support for two calendar years. However, you can complete the course in as little as 1 year, by dedicating 6-8 hours of study per week.

Course Fees: 1995.00 EUR

To secure your place on the course the full fee is required. All fees must be paid in full before the course begins. Please note, the full course fees are inclusive of all course materials and certification costs.

Enrolment intake is strictly limited on this course. Early application is advised. Places are allocated on a first come first served basis.

Fitzwilliam Institute closes on Bank Holidays and for a number of days at Christmas and New Year. Fitzwilliam Institute reserves the right to postpone, cancel or alter courses without notice or to change any of the details in this brochure. Fees are not refundable unless the course is cancelled by Fitzwilliam Institute. Distance Learning courses are provided by Fitzwilliam Institute BGLS Ltd.