Secretary Diploma
NCFE CQ 11602
Start your career as a Secretary with our online Secretary Diploma Level 2, accredited by NCFE, one of the leading vocational awarding bodies in the UK, providing key core skills to open up a range of job opportunities working in different office roles as a Secretary or Administrator.
Suitable for school leavers as well as those who wish to move on from working in hospitality or retail, using their customer care and communication skills they have already gained in the workplace. For those who wish to develop their career further to a more demanding PA role can top up their training later on by studying the PA Diploma or Executive PA Diploma.
Flexible online study to fit in around work, holidays and family commitments with continuous specialised tutor support throughout the course.
See below summary of course content, course fees and payment options.
About this Secretary Diploma
This section of the course is designed to develop your skills and knowledge in a range of administrative roles and responsibilities a Secretary would need to carry out including:
- Supporting Diary Management
- Supporting organising Business Trips
- Supporting Business Meetings
- Supporting HR Recruitment
- Supporting Business Events
- Petty Cash
- Using Office Equipment
- Role of the Secretary
You will complete a range of office style assignments to develop your practical skills and knowledge.
This section in the course develops your skills in being able to produce a range of business documents, including:
- Touch Typing and Speed Development
- Business Letters – conventional layout of business letters
- Tables – effective display techniques
- Reports – preparing a range of reports
- Mail Merge – for marketing and mailshots
- Audio Transcription – preparing documents from dictation
You will complete a range of build up exercises to develop your skills in Word to a professional standard as well as learn business conventions in preparing a range of business documents.
This section of the course develops your IT skills to a business standard and covers a range of Microsoft Office programs, including:
- Outlook – Email and Personal Information Management
- Word – word processing
- Excel – spreadsheets, charts and graphs
- PowerPoint – electronic presentations
- Access – databases
- Canva – desktop publishing
- Internet and Web Research
- Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
You will complete a range of How To build up exercises as well as office style assignments to put into practice what you have learnt and to develop your business knowhow.
Teeline shorthand is a quick and easy system to learn and is designed to enable you to take down the spoken word at a verbatim level – useful for business meetings, instructions and telephone messages.
Having this skill on top of all the other skills and knowledge you will gain on this course will give you the edge in the business world when applying for jobs.
You will cover the following topics:
- Teeline alphabet
- Special outlines and how to phrase
- Blending outlines for a smooth join
- Common word beginnings and endings
- Doubling for letter R
- Penmanship skills
- Transcription skills
- Speed dictation to 80 wpm
- Correspondence dictation
- Minutes of business meetings
There is an additional cost for this option – £225 (reduced from £350) when you add Teeline to the main course on enrolment.
There is a text book – Teeline Fast – which covers the Teeline theory and is included in this course.
Teaching material includes hints and tips throughout, build up assignments, mini dictation practice, speed dictation, and minutes of meetings assignments.
We have had over 40 years of success – our students success – in developing their career and enabling them to have a more rewarding job.
Part of this success is through our unique job and career support we provide which is included in this course.
You will have:
- Personalised CV design
- Advice, guidance and support as you apply for jobs
- Registering with Recruitment Agencies
- Interview techniques
- Support both during your course and for up to 2 years after completion
This is particularly important for school leavers and those starting out in their careers.
Course Fees and Payment Options
TASTER COURSE
Our Taster Course let’s you see what it is like studying with us.
Request a free Taster Course and see how it suits you.
Course Fees - £712.50
Save over £237.00 – Was £950
25% Early Booking Discount for Autumn start dates!
Pay in full by Credit/Debit Card
, please spend more than £50Course Open for 16 months
Study from as little as 2-3 hours most weeks as a guide, with breaks for holidays and other commitments
If you have prior experience you may find you can complete some units more quickly
You can study as many hours as you wish each week to suit completing the course in a shorter time – all very flexible
Certificates issued by NCFE upon successful completion of the course and posted directly to you.
Why Employers Value a Recognised Qualification
Secretary roles are highly competitive, with employers often looking for candidates who hold a recognised Level 2 qualification.
A recognised Diploma demonstrates structured professional training, strong administrative and organisational skills, and that you are career focused and ready to support senior managers effectively. This helps your application stand out in a competitive job market.
Student Reviews
"An excellent course with flexible online learning and great tutor support. The content was relevant, engaging, and helped me strengthen the skills needed to support senior leaders effectively. I gained valuable knowledge and confidence that I can apply directly in my role. Highly recommended for anyone looking to progress their career as an Executive PA - Kay Robinson - Bournemouth University Aug26
I studied the Medical Secretary Diploma with Lewis College and had a really positive experience. The tutors were friendly, very supportive and always quick to respond to any questions. The course was itself was detailed, easy to follow and flexible enough to fit around other commitments. I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking to start a career in medical administration.
I recently completed a Certificate III in Personal Assistance and it was a great experience! I was looking to up-skill while I was working full time and came across Lewis College in a Google search.
The tutors are incredibly helpful and responsive and really care about your development during and even after you've completed the qualification with the offer of Career advice/counselling if desired. There are payment options too which makes the course fees a lot more manageable, and you're able to complete the units and assessments at your own pace, which is great for anyone who works full-time.
Highly recommend! 🙂
The tutors are incredibly helpful and responsive and really care about your development during and even after you've completed the qualification with the offer of Career advice/counselling if desired. There are payment options too which makes the course fees a lot more manageable, and you're able to complete the units and assessments at your own pace, which is great for anyone who works full-time.
Highly recommend! 🙂
I’m very grateful for my experience with Lewis College. The staff were always kind, supportive and professional, and they guided me through every step of my course. I felt encouraged from start to finish. Thank you for helping me achieve this milestone. Highly recommended!
Taking my course in Advanced Administration gave me a more specific understanding of how to support managers with a high quality service. The support provided since the beginning was outstanding and made my experience better. The entire team is made of excellent professionals that provide amazing tips throughout the entire processe, enabling to learn and acquire knowledge in a very smooth way. I would definitely recommend people to have a look into the big variety of courses available and invest in themselves.
I recently completed Advanced IT Diploma course with Lewis College. The course was well structured and easy to follow. The Tutors were excellent, patient and supportive they helped me to grow in both, skills and confidence. Thank you to everyone at Lewis College for helping me complete my qualification. I highly recommend Lewis College to anyone looking to further their education in IT.
I have had a wonderful experience studying with Lewis College. I completed the Medical Secretary Diploma, and the course content was planned and delivered exceptionally well. Everything was easy to follow, and the resources provided were extremely useful.
I learnt a lot of new things throughout the course, and the medical terminology section was broken down in such a clear and structured way that it was easy to follow and keep up with.
The tutors have been amazing — always approachable, supportive, and patient. Not once was I made to feel like I was asking a silly question, which made such a difference to my confidence.
Completing this course has not only given me the confidence to start applying for jobs, but it has also helped me refresh my existing skills and develop them to a much more advanced level. I genuinely feel prepared for the next step in my career.
I highly recommend Lewis College to anyone considering a career in medical administration.
I learnt a lot of new things throughout the course, and the medical terminology section was broken down in such a clear and structured way that it was easy to follow and keep up with.
The tutors have been amazing — always approachable, supportive, and patient. Not once was I made to feel like I was asking a silly question, which made such a difference to my confidence.
Completing this course has not only given me the confidence to start applying for jobs, but it has also helped me refresh my existing skills and develop them to a much more advanced level. I genuinely feel prepared for the next step in my career.
I highly recommend Lewis College to anyone considering a career in medical administration.
I would highly recommend Lewis College to anyone looking to enhance their skills through further study. The tutors are incredibly supportive, always providing helpful guidance and readily answering any questions. Their encouragement really helps to build your confidence and belief in your abilities.
I had a positive experience at this college. The tutors are helpful and knowledgeable and the content was clear, engaging and well organised.
I have completed the Level 3 Medical Secretary Course with Lewis College. I have really enjoyed the course and it's content. Some of the content I already had experience with but there was lots I had not done before and I am glad to be able to refresh and add to my knowledge, and also be able to prove to future employers that I am able to do these things - a big tick for my CV! I started this course when working in a call centre which I did not enjoy and wanted a change. I have since changed to a band 3 medical secretary role in the NHS with no previous experience in healthcare whilst I was in the middle of this course and I definitely think mentioning it my interview gave me a big leg up. The tutors are all very friendly and encouraging. I would be happy to complete another course with Lewis College.
More information
No formal qualifications are needed to enrol — just a good level of English and a drive to succeed. This makes the Secretary Diploma accessible to anyone ready to take the next step in their career, whether you’re starting fresh or looking to advance.
The diploma is delivered 100% online, giving you the freedom to study anytime, anywhere. You can work at your own pace and fit your learning around your lifestyle, while still benefiting from expert tutor guidance..
All assessments are completed online, making them simple and convenient. Each assignment is carefully reviewed by your tutor, who provides personalised feedback to help you progress with confidence. On completion, you’ll achieve an NCFE CQ-certified qualification.
You’ll have access to expert tutors who provide one-to-one feedback, guidance, and support via email and video calls throughout your studies. They’ll be there to answer your questions, keep you on track, and ensure you feel confident as you progress.
You can start at any time — there are no fixed enrolment dates. The diploma is designed to be flexible, with a completion time of up to 16 months at a pace that suits you.
Yes. On successful completion of the Customised Qualification, learners will receive a certificate of achievement. The certificate is evidence of the knowledge and skills gained by completing the qualification. This qualification has been accredited by NCFE under the Customised Qualification and the certificate of achievement will be issued directly by NCFE.
Graduates of the Secretary Diploma are prepared for roles such as Secretary, Administrative Assistant, Office Support Specialist, or Receptionist. With your qualification, you’ll also be well-placed to progress into senior administrative positions or move towards PA and EA roles as your career develops.
We offer flexible monthly instalments to help spread the cost, plus big savings when you choose to pay in full. You can also pay securely using Klarna, PayPal, major credit or debit cards, or bank transfer.
Secretaries in the UK typically earn between £22,000 and £35,000 per year, depending on experience, industry, and location.
With additional skills and career progression, many secretaries go on to senior roles such as PA, Executive Assistant, or Office Manager, where salaries and benefits are even higher.
Yes, many of our students are funded by their employers as part of their professional development. We can provide invoices, receipts, and any required documentation to make the process simple for your company. If you’d like to explore this option, just let us know when enquiring.
Would you like to know more about our Secretary Diploma?
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