Diploma in Business Management | Course at GIE Riyadh

Our course

Diploma in Business Management

The business management diploma is a single, Technical and Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC) approved programme delivered over five semesters, with four academic semesters of classroom learning followed by a full internship semester.

Across four academic semesters, you study the Pearson BTEC International Level 2 and Level 3 curriculum, then in Semester 5 you apply it in a real business environment. Each academic semester runs for 14 weeks, with small cohorts and continuous, practice-based assessments.

This course follows a core programme structure:

SEMESTER 1 & 2

Foundation phase

11 core business modules and practical experience

SEMESTER 3 & 4

Advanced phase

15 specialised modules and strategic thinking

SEMESTER 5

Internship semester

Real business experience and career launch

Course overview

This Diploma in Business Management in Riyadh is designed for one continuous learning from business fundamentals to advanced management level capability. Your curriculum will begin with Level 2 foundational studies and then automatically move to advanced studies at Level 3, followed by one internship semester.

The Diploma in Business Management follows the detailed curriculum:

Pearson BTEC International Level 2 Diploma in Business

Level 2 is a foundation phase that explores how organisations operate, including their structure, strategy, people and finances.

View curriculum

Pearson BTEC International Level 3 Extended Diploma in Business

Level 3 is an advanced qualification that explores advanced topics where you will move from learning concepts to applying strategic thinking in real business contexts.

View curriculum

Total learning hours and structure

Component Details
Total Guided Learning Hours 1,560 GLH (480+1080)
Tuition fees SAR 65,000 
Semesters Five total (4 training + 1 internship)
Weeks per semester 14 weeks
Total duration Two years
Delivery mode On-campus, weekdays
Qualifications awarded Diploma in Business Management

How the diploma is structured

Semesters 1–2: Foundation phase (Pearson BTEC International Level 2 Diploma in Business)

In the first year, you focus on the foundations of business: what organisations do, how they are structured, how companies make profits and how people work together effectively. You complete 480 Guided Learning Hours (GLH) of Level 2 content within the diploma, covering topics such as:

  • Business purposes and organisations.
  • Financial forecasting and budgeting.
  • Marketing planning and customer relations.
  • Starting and running a small business.
  • Working in teams and understanding online business.
  • You build confidence and practical skills through assignments, projects and case studies that prepare you for the advanced phase.

Once you have built a solid foundation, you move into the advanced phase, where you explore how business leaders think, decide and plan for growth. You complete 1,080 Guided Learning Hours (GLH) of Level 3 content within the same diploma, with modules such as:

  • Exploring business and business finance.
  • Researching and planning marketing campaigns.
  • Managing events and leading teams.
  • International business and human resources.
  • Digital marketing, creative promotion, ethics and career planning.
  • At this stage, you take on more complex projects, conduct independent research and develop strategic thinking.

In Semester 5, you step into a real business environment for a structured internship, which is an academic part of the Diploma in Business Management. The internship helps you:

  • Apply what you learned in Semesters 1–4 to real business tasks.
  • Build communication, teamwork and problem-solving skills in the workplace.
  • Gain references, contacts and experience that strengthen your CV.
  • For many learners, the internship becomes the point where classroom learning translates directly into job offers and career opportunities.

Entry Requirements

General Requirements

For KSA applicants: General Secondary Education Certificate (Grade 12), equivalent to UK GCSE Level.

Academic Requirements

  • Valid passport or National ID
  • Certificate and transcripts required
  • Certificates can be provisional for up to 3 years from the course start date
  • CV required if study gap exceeds 2 years
  • English Proficiency or Admission Interview

A good working level of English is required at GIE Riyadh to ensure you can participate actively in classes, collaborate with peers and achieve your best academically. Students are expected to demonstrate their English level through one of the following recognised tests:

Accepted English test scores:   IELTS Academic: 4.5TOEFL iBT: 35PTE Academic: 40LanguageCert ESOL: B1Duolingo: 65

If your current English proficiency is below the required level, you will need to strengthen your language skills before commencing the diploma. In Riyadh, students may begin with a dedicated English language programme and, upon achieving the required proficiency, progress to the Diploma in Business Management. This pathway ensures you are well prepared for academic study and future employment.

Contact English Path Riyadh: englishpath.com/destinations/middle-east/riyadh/

To know detailed information on English requirements, please click our dedicated page here.

Why study a Diploma in Business Management?

A Diploma in Business Management provides a broad foundation in how businesses operate. At GIE Riyadh, you will combine business theory with practical learning and develop skills, preparing you to lead projects, launch commercial ventures or pursue further vocational or academic studies within the Kingdom.

  • Broad career opportunities: Explore diverse entry-to-mid-level roles across marketing, business development, operational planning and human resources.
  • Applied learning: Learn through practical assignments, projects and business challenges.
  • Accelerated academic progression: Seamlessly transition into vocational pathways or higher-level qualifications. Build cross-functional expertise in budget forecasting, commercial communication, conflict management and strategic team leadership.
  • Entrepreneurial readiness: Develop the foundational skills to assess business ideas, build business models and explore starting a business.
  • Accelerated academic progression: Seamlessly transition into vocational pathways or higher-level qualifications.

Why choose GIE Riyadh?

Study a business management diploma in Riyadh through a structured programme that combines Pearson BTEC learning with practical experience and an academic internship.

  • Internationally recognised qualifications: Graduate with a British Pearson BTEC qualification, approved by TVTC in Saudi Arabia.
  • Prime Riyadh location: Study in the Kingdom’s financial hub, placing you within easy reach of major national corporate headquarters and multinational enterprises.
  • Practical learning: Develop your skills through assignments, projects, case studies and applied business activities across the four academic semesters.
  • Industry internship: Complete a dedicated fifth-semester internship to apply your learning in a real business environment and build workplace experience.

Seamless progression: Earn a qualification in international frameworks that offer progression pathways to further vocational or academic study within the Kingdom.

Career opportunities

The Diploma in Business Management helps you gain a broad knowledge across business functions, alongside practical and workplace skills developed through assignments, projects and your internship. It prepares you to explore entry-level and junior roles across business development, operations, marketing, human resources and finance. Possible career paths include:

  • Business development executive
  • Operations coordinator
  • Marketing executive
  • Human resources assistant
  • Finance assistant
  • Customer service executive
  • Entrepreneur/small business owner

Accreditation and regulatory approval

The Diploma in Business Management is approved by the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC) as a single vocational programme in Saudi Arabia) and accredited by Pearson which is globally recognised degree in 130+ countries.

About TVTC

TVTC approval means:

  • Your diploma is officially recognised across Saudi Arabia. 
  • Your skills meet local employer expectations for business roles. 
  • You can progress into further vocational or academic study within the Kingdom. 

Pearson BTEC qualifications

Studying with Pearson BTEC inside the diploma gives you:

  • Internationally recognised business content and assessment standards. 
  • A curriculum designed with employers and higher education institutions in mind. 
  • A bridge between vocational, applied learning and academic progression.

Frequently Asked Questions

For KSA applicants, you need a General Secondary Education Certificate (Grade 12), equivalent to the UK GCSE Level. You must also provide the required identification and academic documents and meet GIE Riyadh’s English language requirements.

The business management diploma in Riyadh takes two years and is delivered across five semesters. Four semesters are dedicated to academic study and practical training, followed by a fifth-semester internship. Each semester runs for 14 weeks.

The current tuition fee for the Diploma in Business Management is SAR 65,000.

Yes. Semester 5 is a structured internship semester and forms part of the academic programme. You apply what you learn in Semesters 1-4 in a real business environment while developing workplace skills and gaining practical experience.

Applicants who do not meet the minimum scores (e.g., IELTS 4.5 or Duolingo 65) can take a foundational English pathway with English Path Riyadh.

You graduate with a TVTC-approved and internationally recognised British qualification awarded by Pearson (BTEC International Level 2 and Level 3 Extended Diploma in Business).

You can explore entry-level and junior roles in areas such as business development, operations, marketing, human resources, finance and customer service. You can also explore entrepreneurship pathways or continue into further business studies, depending on the progression route available to you.

Yes. The Level 3 pathway is designed to support progression into further vocational education and higher-level qualifications within the Kingdom. Your specific progression route will depend on the qualification and institution you choose.

January 2027 intake now open.

Apply Now