Master of Business Administration (Full-time or Flexible Learning)
ObjectivesThe MBA provides a foundation in general management functions and a range of specialist options. In addition, it enhances previous work experience for those who do not have a conventional academic background. It enables you to evaluate and reflect upon your experiences and promotes a more comprehensive understanding of the current global business environment. The programme aims are delivered by: A rigorous and critical grounding in the key areas of management. Linking practical experience with an academic perspective and technical and problem-solving skills. Promoting a greater awareness and knowledge of contemporary national and international business environments. Providing specialist pathways to deepen your knowledge. Instilling a professional attitude and orientation to management and building confidence in your abilities.
Entry requirementsEntrance Requirements A good Honours degree in any discipline. Applicants are normally expected to have at least two years’ managerial work experience, though this may be waived in the case of candidates with an exceptional academic record. In addition, applicants with considerable managerial level experience may be considered with lesser academic qualifications.
Academic titleMaster of Business Administration
Course description Structure and Content
The full-time programme comprises two 15-week semesters of taught modules and a three-month dissertation period. Successful completion of the taught element leads to the award of the Postgraduate Diploma.
In the Autumn Semester core modules are:
Accounting and Finance: The basic concepts and techniques of accounting and finance and their application to business management.
Business Economics: Focuses on decision-making within business and builds on the essentials of economic theory that lie behind production and employment decisions of business organisations.
International Business: An introduction to the primary elements of international business and globalisation.
Marketing Management: The nature of marketing and marketing management. It distinguishes between marketing in theory and in practice, focusing on market analysis and marketing communications.
Organisational Behaviour and Analysis: This module introduces the key concepts and theoretical approaches used in understanding social behaviour in organisations and models of organisational analysis.
Quantitative Management Techniques: Aims to introduce you to the use of quantitative methods in business and to give you the ability to apply statistical and quantitative approaches to handling management problems.
Research Methods and Dissertation Planning (Part 1): This is a two-semester module in which you will be introduced to research methods in the field of business and management and be shown how these methods can be used in practice in preparing for your dissertation. It includes extensive workshop-based sessions.
In the Spring Semester core modules are:
Entrepreneurship and E-commerce: Investigates the entrepreneurial challenges of e-commerce and e-business and explores how corporate managers and entrepreneurs adapt to the realities of this virtual world.
Strategic Management: Provides an overall understanding of the needs, contexts and processes involved in strategic management within organisations.
Research Methods and Dissertation Planning (Part 2): The second half of the module continues and develops the work of the first semester and includes the preparation and submission of an individual research proposal that may form the basis of your dissertation topic.
You will also take three elective modules either from an approved field of study called a variant, which leads to a named degree e.g. the MBA in Corporate Finance, or from the full list, which leads to the more broad-based general MBA.
You will complete your 15,000 word dissertation from June to the end of August.
Flexible Learning
The flexible learning programme offers the same core and elective programmes but the taught element is normally spread over four semesters. You are allowed a further six months to complete the dissertation.
Entry can take place at the beginning of either the Spring or Autumn Semester.
Delivery and Assessment
Delivery takes the form of lectures, seminars, case studies and workshops, followed by the dissertation. Assessment is by a mixture of examination and coursework, including written assignments and presentations.
Career Opportunities
Students enter the programme from a diverse range of professional and commercial backgrounds. Their careers upon graduation have been in the full range of public and private sector organisations, including positions in sales and marketing, production management, finance and banking, PR and customer relations, higher education, project management, the civil service and international business. Close contact is maintained with employers and links are forged via the programme’s advisory group and the Department’s consultancy and research staff work with both large and small enterprises. Strong links with local employers facilitate a continuous business input to the programme.