Diploma in Admin, Secretarial & PA
Personal Secretary Course Level 5
Develop advanced administrative and organisational knowledge with the Personal Secretary Course from eLearning College. This free-to-study Level 5 Diploma in Admin, Secretarial & PA explores the day-to-day responsibilities of personal assistants and secretaries, including telephone skills, mail and shipping, travel arrangements, meetings, time management, accurate records and professional written communication.
The programme is delivered online, has a stated duration of 12 months and has no formal entry requirements. Enrolment is ongoing, so you can begin when it suits you. If you would like to compare this programme with other options first, browse our wider range of online secretary and personal assistant courses.
This is an advanced course within our Admin, Secretarial & PA subject area. It is designed for learners who want broader coverage than a short introductory programme and more depth than the Level 3 Personal Assistant Certification.
Who Is This Personal Secretary Course For?
The course is intended for learners who want a structured introduction to professional secretarial and personal-assistant responsibilities at a more advanced level.
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Aspiring personal assistants, secretaries and executive-support professionals;
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Office administrators who want to strengthen practical business-support skills;
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People returning to office-based work after a career break;
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Learners who want to improve telephone, records, meeting and correspondence skills;
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Professionals who need stronger organisation and time-management knowledge;
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Learners who prefer flexible online study without formal entry requirements.
The course does not provide a professional licence or guarantee employment. Its purpose is to develop knowledge and practical workplace skills that can support further learning and professional development.
How Online Study Works
The programme is studied online, allowing learners to work through the materials without attending scheduled classroom sessions.
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Work through the course materials and learning resources provided.
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Complete each end-of-unit assessment to progress through the programme.
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Continue through all nine topics at your own pace.
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After successful completion, decide whether you would like to request an optional paid certificate.
The course duration is 12 months, while the ongoing start date means you do not need to wait for a fixed intake before beginning.
Choosing the Right PA or Secretarial Course
This Level 5 Personal Secretary Course is the more extensive option for learners who want broad coverage of PA and secretarial responsibilities. Learners seeking an intermediate route can instead consider our Personal Assistant Certification, a separate Level 3 programme with a stated duration of six months.
The Level 3 course covers seven areas, including the job functions of a PA or secretary, telephone skills, mail services and shipping, travel arrangements, organising meetings, keeping accurate records and writing business letters. The Level 5 diploma extends the subject further with additional emphasis on time management and other written communication, alongside the wider communication and presentation outcomes published for the course.
Developing Practical PA and Secretarial Skills
Personal assistants and secretaries often combine several responsibilities at the same time. A typical working day can involve calls, messages, travel arrangements, meeting preparation, record keeping and written correspondence. The ability to organise these activities consistently is therefore central to effective administrative support.
For example, arranging a business trip may require more than booking transport. A PA may also need to coordinate dates, gather relevant documentation, communicate arrangements clearly and ensure important information is recorded accurately. The course addresses the individual skills that contribute to this broader organisational role.
Communication in Administrative Roles
Communication is another recurring theme within the programme. Secretarial and PA work can involve direct contact with colleagues, managers, clients and external organisations, so listening, questioning and professional presentation all matter.
The learning outcomes extend beyond written and telephone communication to areas such as active listening, empathy, body language, presentation delivery and confidence. This gives the Level 5 programme a wider communication focus than a purely task-based secretarial course.
Managing Time, Priorities and Pressure
Administrative roles can involve multiple requests arriving at once. Effective time management therefore depends on recognising priorities, organising information and making considered decisions about what needs attention first.
The course also includes outcomes related to pressure, emotional intelligence, resilience, stressors and anger. These topics help learners consider the personal skills needed to remain organised and professional when workloads or interactions become demanding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Personal Secretary Course free?
Yes. There is nothing to pay to participate in the online course. Optional certification is available separately for a fee after successful completion.
What level is the course?
This is a Level 5 Diploma in Admin, Secretarial & PA.
How long does the course take?
The course duration is 12 months.
Are there any entry requirements?
No. The course states that there are no entry requirements.
How is the course studied?
The programme is studied online.
When can I start?
The start date is ongoing.
How many course topics are included?
The course contains nine topics: The Job Functions of a PA / Secretary, Telephone Skills, Mail Services and Shipping, Travel Arrangements, Organising Meetings, Time Management, Keeping Accurate Records, Writing Business Letters and Other Written Communication.
Is a certificate included for free?
No. The course itself is free to study, while certification is optional and subject to a separate fee.
What certification options are available?
After successful completion, learners can choose a CPD Accredited Certificate or an Endorsed Certificate issued by the Quality Licence Scheme.
Is this the same as the Level 3 Personal Assistant Certification?
No. The Level 3 Personal Assistant Certification is a separate six-month programme. This Level 5 course has a stated duration of 12 months and a broader syllabus.
Is this a regulated qualification?
The course page does not identify the programme as a regulated qualification. CPD accreditation or QLS endorsement should not be interpreted as regulated qualification status, academic credit or professional licensing.
Start Your Personal Secretary Course
If you want to develop a broader understanding of PA, secretarial and administrative work, this Level 5 programme provides a structured route through nine practical areas of study.
Build your knowledge of office communication, travel arrangements, meetings, time management, records and professional correspondence through flexible online learning.
Start your Personal Secretary Course with eLearning College and study online for free, with optional paid certification available after successful completion.
Learning Outcomes
Learning outcomes include the ability to:
- Establish rapport with your audience
- Implement techniques to reduce nervousness and fear
- Understand your strengths as a presenter and how to appeal to different types of people
- Speak with more confidence in one-on-one conversations
- Feel more confident speaking socially or small groups such as meetings
- Develop techniques to create a professional presence
- Learn some different ways to prepare and organize information
- Improve your communications skills, including listening, questioning, and being more assertive.
- Explore various communication skills.
- Define active listening and its key components
- Identify ways to become a better listener
- Use body language to reflect a positive listening attitude
- Understand the difference between sympathy and empathy, and when each is appropriate
- Learn some different ways to prepare and organize information
- Prepare, practice, and deliver a short presentation
- Apply a direct understanding of pressure points and their costs and payoffs
- Speak in terms related to emotional intelligence, optimism, and resilience
- Create a personalized toolkit for managing stressors and anger
- Work on priorities and achieve defined goals
Certification
Free Study and Optional Certification
There is no charge to study this course. After successful completion, you may choose to order an optional certificate if you want formal evidence of your learning. Available options include a CPD Accredited Certificate and a certificate endorsed by the Quality Licence Scheme.
Certification is not included automatically with free study, and you do not need to buy a certificate to complete the course. Certificate options and fees may change, so review the current certificate information and pricing before ordering.
These optional certificates provide evidence of course completion or continuing professional development. They are not regulated qualifications, professional licences or statutory registrations
COURSE CONTENT
Begin by examining the core responsibilities of personal assistants and secretaries. This topic establishes the professional context for the practical office-support skills covered throughout the remainder of the course.
Explore professional telephone communication and the role of effective call handling in administrative and secretarial work.
Develop an understanding of mail handling, postal services and shipping considerations within an office environment.
Examine the practical steps involved in organising business travel and coordinating the information needed for smooth arrangements.
Explore how meetings are prepared, coordinated and supported, including the organisational responsibilities that often fall to PAs and secretaries.
Consider techniques for setting priorities, organising workloads and using time more effectively in a busy administrative role.
Study the importance of reliable record keeping and why accurate information management matters in professional office environments.
Develop knowledge of professional business correspondence and the principles involved in producing clear, appropriate letters.
Extend your understanding of workplace writing beyond traditional business letters and consider other forms of professional written communication.
Student Feedback
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This course is one of the best.
Keamogetswe Masango
Easy to understand
HOW IT WORKS
Explore engaging course materials designed to build useful knowledge and practical understanding.
Complete each end-of-unit assessment as you progress, studying whenever it suits you.
Finish your course successfully and order an optional certificate or diploma separately.
MAKE YOUR CERTIFICATE COUNT
An optional certificate provides a clear record of your completed learning. Add it to your portfolio or share it whenever relevant.
Completing the course and its assessments reflects motivation, consistency and a genuine commitment to developing your knowledge.
Use your learning as a foundation for further study, workplace development or personal goals. Certification records course completion but does not guarantee employment or professional status.