Home » Courses » Leadership and Management for England Level 5 Higher National Diploma (HND) Full-time
Leadership and Management for England Level 5 Higher National Diploma (HND) Full-time
Course Overview
Leadership and Management for England Level 5 Higher National Diploma (HND) Full-time
This course is designed to deepen your knowledge, skills and behaviours in line with the Occupational Standard (OS) for Operations Manager. The course builds strong foundations in leadership, operational planning, problem solving and strategic decision making, preparing you to take on roles that require autonomy, responsibility and confident judgement.
This course is ideal for:
Individuals aspiring to progress into management or supervisory roles
Current team leaders or supervisors seeking to formalise and enhance their skills
Employees looking to broaden their operational and strategic understanding
Individuals aiming to continue their studies at Level 6 or pursue Higher Apprenticeships
Throughout the programme, you will explore real world business challenges, apply theory to practice, and develop the ability to work effectively in complex and uncertain environments.
By the end of the course, you will have a solid understanding of leadership and management principles and the capability to apply them across a wide range of organisational contexts. You will be equipped to generate and evaluate ideas, analyse complex business situations, and apply both theoretical and practical approaches to organisational challenges. Completion of the course provides a strong platform for:
Entry into management positions requiring independent decision making
Progression to Level 6 Higher Education study
Higher and degree apprenticeships
Professional body qualifications in leadership and management
You will benefit from a supportive and professionally focused environment, which include:
Modern classrooms and collaborative learning spaces
Access to digital learning platforms and online resources
Support from experienced teachers with professional backgrounds
Opportunities for group projects, case studies and employer linked activities
The course is delivered 9.00am - 4.30pm, on Thursday and Fridays. It will take one year to complete.
Detailed course description
The Leadership and Management Higher National Diploma (HND) provides a broad and professionally relevant curriculum across key business and management disciplines.
You will explore subject areas such as:
Leadership and management theory
Human resource management
Marketing and customer engagement
Accounting and financial principles
Operations and project management
Organisational behaviour and change
Business strategy and digital transformation
Data analytics and business intelligence
This blend of subjects ensures you develop both the operational competence and strategic insight required for modern management roles.
Core Mandatory Units
At Level 5, you deepen your understanding and begin applying strategic thinking to complex organisational challenges. You will study 8 units:
Organisational Behaviour Management
Managing and Leading Change
Principles of Operations Management
Business Strategy
Business Information Technology Systems
Developing Individuals, Teams and Organisations
Business Communications and Relationship Management
Business Data Analytics and Insights
Located at: Barnsley College University Centre
Course Start:
August 2026
Course length:
1 Years
Study Mode: Full-time
Course Code: HMANLHND
Course Fees and Funding
How much does the course cost?
£6,995. This programme can be funded either through full cost payment or by applying for a Tuition Fee Loan.
Other funding information
As a Higher Education student living in England you may be eligible for the non-means tested Tuition Fee Loan from the Government and a Maintenance Loan.
Students with children or dependant adults may qualify for a Childcare Grant or Adult Dependants' Grant. Students can apply for these at the same time as applying for a Maintenance Loan.
Remember: Eligible students will not have to pay tuition fees in advance and can apply for the Maintenance Loan before they start the course.
We offer a service to any student who has a diagnosis of anything persistent or long-term which might interfere with how they study and manage their day-to-day academic engagement. The service is flexible and shaped around the needs of each individual; it might be consistent support or intermittent support.
be 18 years of age or older at the start of the programme
have successfully completed the Level 4 Higher National Certificate (HNC) or an equivalent Level 4 qualification in a relevant subject area
We also recommend that you have achieved:
GCSE English Language at grade A - C or 9 - 4*
GCSE Mathematics at grade A- C or 9 - 4*
Applicants with alternative qualifications or relevant industry experience may be considered on an individual basis, supporting a flexible and inclusive admissions approach.
All units are assessed through coursework assignments, which may include:
Written reports
Case study analysis
Presentations
Research projects
Practical or work related tasks
Each assignment is graded at Pass, Merit or Distinction, allowing you to demonstrate your knowledge, application of theory and analytical skills at increasing levels of complexity. This assessment approach supports the development of real world competencies and encourages you to apply learning directly to business scenarios.
There are no specialist equipment requirements for this programme. You will need standard study materials such as: notebooks or writing paper; pens, pencils and highlighters; and a folder or organiser for keeping coursework and handouts.
Access to a computer or laptop is recommended for completing assignments and engaging with online learning resources, but no specific software or technical equipment is required.
Higher National Diploma
Completing the Level 5 Leadership and Management Higher National Diploma (HND) opens a wide range of progression routes, including employment, university study and further professional development. The qualification is widely recognised by employers and Higher Education providers, giving you the flexibility to shape your next steps.
Progression to Employment
The skills developed throughout the HND prepares you for a variety of management and supervisory roles across business, public sector and non-profit organisations. Typical career pathways include:
Operations Manager
Team Leader or Supervisor
Department or Divisional Manager
Project Co-ordinator
HR or Training Officer
Business Development or Customer Service Manager
Administrative or Office Manager
Progression to University
The the Level 5 Leadership and Management HND is recognised by many UK universities as meeting the entry requirements for progression to the final year (or second/third year, depending on the institution) of a relevant BA or BSc degree. Universities may have specific entry criteria, but the HND provides a strong academic foundation for further study at Level 6.
You may progress to courses such as:
Leadership and Management for Business BA (Hons)
Business Studies with Leadership and Management BA (Hons)
Business Management BA (Hons)
BA Business and Human Resource Management
Global Business Management BA (Hons)
Digital Business Management BSc (Hons)
Further Study and Professional Development
In addition to university progression, you may choose to continue your professional development through:
Higher and Degree Apprenticeships (e.g. Operations/Departmental Manager Apprenticeship)
Professional body qualifications, such as:
Chartered Management Institute (CMI) Level 6 or Level 7 qualifications
Institute of Leadership (ILM) Level 6 or Level 7 programmes
CIPD qualifications for those interested in HR pathways
Specialist short courses in areas such as project management, digital transformation, data analytics or strategic leadership
These routes support continued career advancement and help you build expertise aligned to your chosen field.
Other Resources
For further details, please contact our Information Unit by calling 01226 216 123 or emailing: info@barnsley.ac.uk
Barnsley College has a range of sports opportunities for all students to take part in, gain professional training and compete nationally and internationally. We also have a state-of-the-art fitness village, the Sports Village, where students can make use of our fitness suite, spinning studio and classes for competitive rates.
Barnsley Sports Academy offers state-of-the-art facilities and diverse sports programs, enabling students to achieve academic and athletic excellence. Remember, you don't have to be studying Sport to join Barnsley Sports Academy.
Disclaimer: Please note we reserve the right to change details without notice. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
The course information on this page was last updated
20 March 2026.
Are you applying to study at Barnsley College University Centre only?
If you only wish to apply to Barnsley College University Centre, you can apply directly via our website, using OnTrack.
Simply select the course you wish to apply for and click the “Apply direct” button.
You will then be asked to complete an online application form and create your Barnsley College OnTrack account.
You will need to upload your qualification certificates and a form of ID. Once you have applied, your application will be reviewed by a course lecturer and you may be invited in for an interview.
Are you applying to more than one institution?
If you would like to apply to more than one university, you will be required to apply via the UCAS website.
As a general guide, applications can be made via UCASbetween September and late January.Please check the UCAS website for further information.
We do consider applications throughout the year, although the earlier you submit, the earlier you will receive a decision and can start to plan accordingly.
The UCAS Code for Barnsley College University Centre is: B13.
