PgDip in Business Administration (Water Management)
Access to clean, safe water resources is essential for sustainable development, integral to our ability to grow food and generate power. This course equips you with the leadership skills, knowledge, and competencies to lead and innovate across the water sector and related industries.
Course overview
The UN goal to ensure safe and affordable drinking water for all by 2030 requires investments in critical infrastructure and sustainable technologies to manage the collection, storage, treatment and distribution of water and leaders with the skills and flexibility to respond to the challenge of climate change and related water threats.
Water Management is a multidisciplinary field that addresses the challenges and opportunities of managing water resources in a complex and uncertain world.
If you are interested in studying Water Management but cannot commit to the full MBA programme then studying for a Diploma (PgDip) may be the route for you. It is designed to give learners a broad and thorough grounding in the sector to pursue a variety of careers.
UN Sustainable Development Goals: This programme has been designed to foster greater knowledge and awareness of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. These goals are mapped to our modules to ensure that at each stage of the programme we are identifying how these goals can be developed as part of business strategy and managed within a business.
What is a Postgraduate Diploma?
The PgDip - or Postgraduate Diploma – is a level 7 course that sits between the PgCert and the full MSc. It allows you to study a subject in depth but without undertaking the Dissertation element. Consequently, it takes substantially less time to complete than the MSc, while still covering the same taught elements. To complete this qualification, you will take eight modules (120 credits).
Full-time students can complete the course in as little as two semesters (one year). Part-time students can choose to spread the course over up to two years, giving you lots of time for thinking and writing between modules. It is ideal for students who want to study a specific subject but would rather not commit to a full MSc with its attendant time and financial costs.
The PgDip can be a great way to boost your career, or enter a new industry. We recognise that life can be unpredictable so the PgDip is built to be as flexible as possible. Should you desire to continue your studies, PgDip credits can be used to contribute towards an MSc qualification later down the line. Conversely, if you need to cut your studies short for any reason, it is also possible to convert the PgDip to a PgCert after the completion of four modules.
*Please note, Visa students must be full-time (a min of 15 hours per week) and will need to attend all sessions in person due to UKVI visa requirements.
Course content
Here at the RAU we are always looking for ways to better support our students. We recognise that a number of our students may be working or have caring responsibilities alongside studying which can sometimes make it difficult to attend every teaching session in person. As such we have the ability for you to join lectures and seminars through an alternative digital format in prior discussion with your programme leader. Please note that for international students on a student visa you are expected to attend your classes in person. Remote delivery is not an UKVI authorised mode of attendance for the taught element of your course and therefore non-attendance would affect your student visa.
Course structure
Our PgDip is designed to be ultra-accessible. All classes are offered both in person and synchronously online, with session recordings available for students unable to attend a particular session.
Timetables
Timetables are normally available one month before registration.
Modules
- Responsible Leadership and People Skills
- Sustainable Strategies for Business Excellence
- Sustainable Water Management
- Financial Decision-Making Skills
- Climate Change and Sustainability
- Managing Global Soils in a Changing Climate
- Water Policy and Governance
A description of each module can be found here.
* Optional additions to the course will incur additional charges
Disclaimer information
The University has established various rules and regulations that you must agree to and follow if you accept an offer to study with us. View our full disclaimer notice.
Careers and graduate destinations
Opportunities include:
- Senior roles in the water charity sector
- Corporate or government advisors
- Environmental consultancies
- Leadership role in international NGOs
- Water security policy analysts
It also provides an excellent grounding for further academic study, for example at MBA or MSc level.
Entry requirements
We welcome applications from applicants with non-standard qualifications who are able to demonstrate knowledge, experience and skills developed in the workplace or elsewhere and which are relevant to the programme of study. Applicants will need to use their personal statement to provide further details supported by a CV. All non-standard applications will be considered by the Programme Manager on a case-by-case basis and applicants can expect that an interview may be required as part of the admissions process.
If English is not your first language, you will need to reach the requirements outlined in our English language requirements for the level of study. For postgraduate taught programmes this is IELTS Academic min. overall 6.5 with no element below 5.5 (or equivalent). English language tests usually have a validity of 2 years from the date the test is taken.
Offers will typically be made in line with the academic requirements set out above. Offers can be conditional or unconditional. An unconditional offer will be made to applicants who have already met the conditions and provided evidence that conditions have been met. Where academic or language requirements have not yet been fulfilled, applicants will receive a conditional offer stating the requirements that must be met.
Fees
2025-26 Applicants (including January 2026)
For the academic year 2025-26 the tuition fees for this course are:
| UK | *Overseas/EU | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time | £7,700 per year | £14,700 per year |
| Part-time | Fees are calculated on a pro-rata basis depending on the number of modules taken. Please refer to Tuition Fees webpage | N/A |
*Please note: International students can study on a part-time basis only if they are in the UK with a different type of visa (other than Student Visa/Tier 4 General) that allows them to undertake part-time study and their visa does not expire prior to the end date of the proposed course of study. Please check your Visa eligibility before applying.
Please contact admissions@rau.ac.uk before you apply to confirm your eligibility.
Tuition fees may be subject to an inflationary increase each year as set out in our Access and Participation Plan.
For full details, please visit the fees and funding webpage.
Applications for September 2026 to open shortly
To apply for a postgraduate course you need to complete an online application form. This can be found by selecting your preferred course option at the bottom of this box.
Alternatively, if you cannot access the online form please call Admissions on 01285 889912, or email admissions@rau.ac.uk.
We recommend you keep a copy of the completed form for your records.
Important Information for EU and Overseas applicants for PgDip: EU and Overseas applicants who wish to apply for the PgDip programme, and need a UK study visa to do so, should be aware that upon completion of their study they will not be eligible to apply for a Graduate Route visa.
Application deadline, September entry:
- EU and overseas applicants must submit their application by 30 June 2026
- UK applicants must submit their applications by 1 September 2026
Results deadline, September entry:
- EU and overseas applicants will need to meet their conditions by 1 August 2026
- UK applicants will need to meet their conditions by 15 September 2026
Application deadline, January entry:
- EU and overseas applicants requiring a study visa should submit their application by 1 December 2026 at the latest, applications received after this may be considered for September entry
- UK applicants should aim to submit their applications the latest by 5 January 2027
Results deadline, January entry:
- EU and overseas applicants will need to meet their conditions by 8 December 2026
- UK applicants will need to meet their conditions by 7 January 2027
Applicants will be notified via email once a decision has been made and decision letters will be emailed to you. If there is a deadline by which applicants must accept an offer of admission or pay a deposit, this will be stated in the offer letter.
Requests to defer the year of entry will be considered only when an applicant holds an Unconditional offer and needs to be submitted in writing to the admissions team. We cannot guarantee that requests will be granted. Decisions on deferral requests are considered:
- For September entry at the end of August
- For January entry at the end of January (or later)
If the deferral request is granted applicants will receive a new offer letter with tuition fees which are applicable to their year of entry, at the opening of the next admissions cycle.
Applying to the RAU for postgraduate courses
