Business Administration

The MBA programme focuses on developing your academic and managerial skills. An important objective is to provide relevant analytical training in the latest strategic managerial and organisational developments in both the public and private sectors. You will collect and analyse relevant information across a range of areas pertaining to a current situation, synthesise the information into a form appropriate for evaluation of decision alternatives, and engage with people from different cultural backgrounds in order to raise the level of organisational awareness and thinking. 

As a student on the MBA programme, you will study current management theory and acknowledged best practice in areas such as leadership, operations, corporate governance and sustainability. The programme includes coverage of human resource management and organisational behaviour. The study of financial analysis and decision-making emphasises the uses of financial and accounting data to inform and improve strategic decisions and operations. The coverage of business economics emphasises the external context, as well as the economic foundations, for business decision-making across a range of functional areas.

Duration:

One year full-time. The academic year (September to September) is divided into three semesters: September to January; January to June; June to September.

Assessment:

Assessment takes the form of research proposals including a related bibliographic element, case studies, oral assessments and essays. Each student will complete a MSc dissertation worth 60 credits, which deals with an area of chosen study in the third semester. 

Course Fees:

Please see the tuition fee pages for current tuition fees. Please note that all fees are subject to an annual increase.

Funding:

Funding opportunities may be available, please check our funding calculator for details.

This degree will suit you:

• if you want to study a subject of truly global importance
• if you wish to develop a critical appreciation of financial theory, practice and environment
• if you wish to nurture a career in financial services or banking
• if you desire skills highly sought-after by any postgraduate employer.

Key Skills and Competencies:

Study Skills

Alongside the wealth of world-class financial expertise, you will master highly desirable skills in academic research, analysis, argument-formation, presentation and debate. You will also prove your abilities in reflection and self-improvement; you will be able to identify your academic weaknesses and remove them whilst building on your strengths.

Self-Motivation and discipline

Studying at Masters level requires discipline and self-motivation from every candidate. You will have access to the expertise and helpful guidance of departmental staff, but you are ultimately responsible for devising and completing a sustained programme of scholarly research in pursuit of your Masters degree. This process of independent study at an extremely high level will strengthen your skills as an independent and self-sufficient worker, a trait prized by most employers.

Transferable Skills

The MBA programme is designed to give you a range of transferable skills that you can apply in a variety of employment contexts. Upon graduation, you will have proven your abilities in structuring and communicating ideas efficiently, writing for and speaking to a range of audiences, evaluating and organising information, working effectively with others and working within time frames and to specific deadlines.

 MBA programme structure

Part One (September 2018-June 2019)

Semester One

People and Organizations

Managing Marketing

Business Economics

 Semester Two

Corporate Governance and Sustainability

Financial Analysis and Decision Making

+ Either

International Strategy and Operations

Or

Global Marketing

Part Two (June 2019-September 2019)

 Strategic Report

Management Research Project

 Part One Modules

 People and Organisations

This module investigates the ways in which the development of an organisation is driven through its own people. Relevant theoretical principles and models of human resource management, organisational behaviour and leadership are considered. Specific topics include recruitment and selection, employee motivation and remuneration, organisational culture and managing change, and diversity in employment. There is an emphasis on applications using practical examples and case studies.

 Managing Marketing

This module deals with identifying, entering and developing markets. It provides a thorough grounding in the theories, concepts and techniques of marketing, by examining strategic marketing concepts and models. The module evaluates the role of marketing in contemporary organizational environments. A general management approach is used identifying relationships and market orientation as key premises for business and marketing management.

 Business Economics

This module examines microeconomics and macroeconomics principles, concepts and methods of analysis and analyses the microeconomic behaviour of individuals, households, firms, and their interactions. The module also covers the macroeconomic behaviour of economic aggregates, including gross domestic product, consumption, investment, inflation, unemployment and the balance of payments. There is emphasis on role of government policy and regulation at the microeconomic and macroeconomic levels.

 Corporate Governance and Sustainability

This module introduces key concepts, theories, research and practices of corporate governance within an increasingly global context. Contemporary corporate governance codes, disclosure requirements, risk management and ethical systems are examined, with emphasis on the holistic nature of such systems and processes. The module explores auditing and accounting policy issues, with reference to international convergence in professional standards and regulatory responses to current issues. Particular attention is paid to issues of business ethics and sustainability.

Financial Analysis and Decision Making

This module develops a practical grasp of financial and management accounting, financial analysis and financial decision-making, relevant to the aspiring general manager. Topics include the preparation and interpretation of the principal financial statements; accounting requirements and practices for the internal planning, monitoring, management and control of a business; and business finance, including sources of finance, financial management, and stock-market analysis of performance.

 International Strategy and Operations (option)

This module examines international strategy and operations management, including the international supply chain, an increasingly important aspect of business opportunities worldwide. The module examines techniques required for the design, operation and control of business processes and consulting, including methods for reducing supply chain risk. The module emphasises the importance of customer/ supplier relationships, as well as the risks associated with supply chain management.

 Global Marketing (option)

This module examines the identification, entry into, and development of international/global markets. It provides a thorough understanding of the theories, concepts and techniques of global and international marketing, including motives for international expansion, market selection and entry, management of communications and customer relations in international markets, and international branding.