The Professional Business Diploma

An outstanding alternative to university and a smarter route into business. One year in Oxford, face to face learning, career focused. 

Based in central Oxford, Oxford Media & Business School offers a one-year intensive Professional Business Diploma for ambitious young people aged 18+ who want to launch their careers and become highly employable business professionals.  

Our students don’t sit in lecture theatres or get lost in the system. They are taught in personknown by name, and prepared for real graduate-level business roles from day one.

Why Choose Us?

One course. Five modules. A curriculum designed for success

The diploma blends advanced IT and digital skills with business knowledge, communication, digital marketing, and event management, alongside a personalised career plan.

Face-to-face teaching (up to 20 hours per week)

Lessons are delivered in person by industry-experienced and academic tutors, ensuring learning is engaging, practical and relevant to today’s business workplace. 

Personal tutor support

Every student is allocated a personal tutor who supports their academic journey, professional development, and pastoral care throughout the course. 

Practical skills employers value

Students develop the digital, business and professional skills employers actively look for in graduate recruitment, along with the ability to confidently demonstrate them at interview.

Continuous assessment, not high-pressure exams

Students are assessed through practical assignments, group projects, and coursework, helping them perform at their best and build confidence throughout the year.

Andrea Freeman, Principal, Oxford Media & Business School

Principal’s Welcome

Welcome to Oxford Media & Business School, the home of the Professional Business Diploma. We are a small, supportive business school centrally located in Oxford.

Exceptional Graduate Outcomes

Our graduates secure impressive first roles across a wide range of business sectors, often competing with university graduates at interview. The practical skillset we teach is highly valued by business employers and our curriculum is regularly updated in line with business needs. 

By the end of the year, OMBS graduates will leave with:

  • Strong IT & digital workplace skills  
  • Confident business communication skills & strong business acumen 
  • Real experience of marketing, events and business project work 
  • A professional CV, interview technique and career plan 
  • An OMBS Professional Business Diploma certification 
  • The confidence to succeed in graduate-level roles

Our graduates can then choose to:

  • Enter full-time employment immediately 
  • Take a gap year  
  • Progress to university with greater clarity, confidence and maturity 

The Oxford Student Experience

OMBS students enjoy a full and exciting student year in Oxford, with access to social activities, friendships and independencewithout the commitment to a three-year degree. 

We offer quality student accommodation within walking distance of the business schoolin several vibrant student areas around the city. Overall, we offer a focused academic experience, combined with everything students expect from higher education student life. 

Read more about life in Oxford as a student

Who Are We For?

We welcome applications up to three years in advance from young people aged 18 upwards with:

  • Sixth form leavers from schools 
  • Students seeking a credible alternative to a traditional degree 
  • Young people who want clear career direction and real-world employment skills 
  • Students who value small classes, personal support and practical learning 
Isabella

I had heard about Oxford Media & Business School from a friend so I decided to look into it. The Professional Business Diploma is highly regarded by a wide variety of employers and, having looked at the course content, I realised that this was the perfect alternative to university and would give me the skills I would need to follow the career path I wanted to take…

Freya

Coming to OMBS was the best decision I ever made. I have learnt so many skills that I never thought would be possible and have been given endless opportunities to prepare me for the workplace. Living in Oxford has been an amazing experience and I have met some great lifelong friends

Camilla

Since finishing OMBS my life has completely changed. I never would have thought I would have the job and salary I do now for my first job…

Louisa

I feel proud to have OMBS on my CV. It is a guaranteed way of finding a job without going to university. I now picture myself further ahead of university graduates…

Jack

I chose the course because uni didn't feel right for me, and I didn't know what to study. I've learned lots of really valuable practical skills for future work, and I've also come out with life-long friends. Being a student in Oxford is amazing – it’s such a lovely city with so much to see..

Isabella

I chose the course because I didn’t know what I wanted to do after A-levels. OMBS offered the exact course I wanted to do, which was not completely orientated around one academic subject. The course has benefitted me with practical and IT skills that I didn't have before. Being a student here has been great because of the social aspect and all the Oxford student discounts available to us…

Olivia

I chose the course because I knew uni wasn't for me, however I knew I didn't have the skills to go straight into work. The course has now given me knowledge and skills to go straight into work from here. Being a student in Oxford is good - it has a good mix of being a small city but with lots to do…

Jessica

I have really enjoyed my time at OMBS. It has given me confidence to do things I didn’t think I could before, such as giving presentations to an audience. I've loved being a student in Oxford!..

Estelle

I chose OMBS because university did not work for me….the course has very much exceeded my expectations as I feel I have come out of this year more confident and certainly more equipped for the working world. Being a student in Oxford is the most fun I have ever had (perhaps too much fun!), especially living in an OMBS house in Cowley….The structured routine of lessons everyday certainly made me keep more on track and get less distracted….

Perdita

I chose OMBS as I didn't want to go to university for 3 years. I have enjoyed the structure and the people I have met. The OMBS houses have also been lovely to live in, unlike university accommodation! The skills I have gained have been amazing, along with a very good CV and much more confidence in myself and what I can achieve….

Jasmine

I think coming to OMBS is one of the best decisions I made and it has benefited me in so many ways. I feel so equipped to go into the workplace now with my new skills, and I feel I have grown as a person here. I loved every second of being a student in Oxford as you get to experience the real uni lifestyle…

Information for Schools & Careers Teams – supporting informed post-18 education choices 

We work closely with Heads of Sixth Form and Careers to support students exploring professional, employment-focused routes into business. Learn more about our curriculum, outcomes and how we support students during the transition from school.

Featured Headlines

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Open Days

We hold regular open days throughout the year so that you can find out more about studying with us. You can also visit the business school outside of open days by booking an appointment at a time to suit you.

  • Thursday 28 May
  • October – date tbc

Graduate Stories

Polly Coey Graduate Story
From OMBS Graduate to Digital Marketing Tutor: Meet Polly CoeyGraduate CareersOMBS News Old

From OMBS Graduate to Digital Marketing Tutor: Meet Polly Coey

BethKBethKJanuary 29, 2026
Amelia Krabbe Professional Business Diploma graduate
Meet OMBS Alumni: Amelia Jane, Brand Account ManagerGraduate CareersOMBS News Old

Meet OMBS Alumni: Amelia Jane, Brand Account Manager

BethKBethKNovember 25, 2025
Bella Christie Bcj Jewellery
Meet Bella — OMBS Graduate and Founder of Bella Christie JewelleryGraduate Careers

Meet Bella — OMBS Graduate and Founder of Bella Christie Jewellery

BethKBethKOctober 17, 2025
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Graduate Careers: From OMBS to Operations DirectorGraduate Careers

Graduate Careers: From OMBS to Operations Director

BethKBethKSeptember 30, 2025
Recruitment Career Advice
Graduate Careers: From OMBS to Senior Recruitment ConsultantGraduate CareersOMBS News Old

Graduate Careers: From OMBS to Senior Recruitment Consultant

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