May 2025

MBA Master of Business Administration

Master's Degree, Postgraduate, May 2025

The MBA is an ‘early career’ leadership and management programme, designed to equip students with the concepts, techniques and skills required to thrive in their future career – able to make both an immediate impact (through the knowledge and skills that they develop) and a long-term difference (through gained strategic insights and opportunities for personal reflection) to the organisations that they join or create.  The programme will help develop students who are able to work in highly competitive, dynamic, and volatile markets and support organisations to evolve to meet these external challenges, effectively leading and managing cross-cultural teams and projects.

Our MBA programme has been designed to enhance academic knowledge and foster the career development of its graduates. It caters to individuals from all educational backgrounds who are interested in gaining a deeper understanding of business leadership, aspire to start their own ventures, or seek to transition from specialised roles to management.

Our MBA programme is rooted in the belief that management education should provide a comprehensive introduction to various facets of managerial functions. Central to our programme are three key themes: responsible leadership and management, global career enhancement and sustainable business development, which shape the curriculum and students’ overall experience.

The MBA programme delves into strategic management decision-making, emphasising the integrative nature of factors involved in developing well-rounded international business leaders. Skill development, both in management and personal capacities, is at the heart of our course design and educational approach, as students explore core concepts within a multicultural and global framework.  Sustainability, ethical and responsible business practices are interwoven throughout the course to instil in students a critical understanding of operating as ethical leaders in business environments.

 

**This course is subject to validation for September 2024**

  • Provide a challenging and relevant learning experience that allows participants to develop a critical understanding of theoretical business and management concepts and their practical applications.
  • Enhance students’ comprehension of the complexities and dynamics of international business and management, fostering critical awareness of contemporary organisational issues and challenges.
  • Offer students the opportunity to focus on specific aspects of business and management relevant to their backgrounds, cultures, interests, and career goals, culminating in a live consultancy project.
  • Develop and demonstrate students’ intellectual skills, including information processing, analysis, synthesis, critical thinking, creativity, innovation, and the ability to make decisions in ambiguous and uncertain situations.
  • Promote cross-cultural awareness and understanding by working within diverse student groups and studying effective management across cultures.
  • Equip aspiring managers with the knowledge, skills, and attributes needed to excel in future organisational settings.
  • Produce managers capable of enhancing the quality of decision-making, leadership, and business management practices across various organisations and contexts.
  • Foster a critical examination of sustainable management, including an exploration of sustainability’s conceptual foundations and diverse organisational responses to sustainable and responsible business practices.

The programme has a multifaceted curriculum, marked by its fusion of theoretical insights, practical applications and real-world business problem solving. The programme is tailored to instil a comprehensive understanding of business dynamics, fostering analytical, leadership, and decision-making skills crucial for navigating the complexities of the international business world. The programme will propel graduates’ career prospects and open doors to higher earning potential and diversified career paths.

 

Graduates of the MBA programme will acquire a multifaceted understanding of business management principles, strategic analysis, and leadership. They will gain comprehensive knowledge of various business domains including marketing, finance, human resources, and operations, learning to integrate these areas effectively to make well-informed business decisions. Skills in critical thinking, strategic planning, and effective communication will be honed, enabling graduates to articulate and implement innovative business strategies. The real-world focus of the assessments and the live consultancy project will enhance their problem-solving and analytical skills, allowing them to address complex business challenges pragmatically. The emphasis on responsible business leadership and collaboration will prepare graduates to lead teams and projects effectively, fostering a positive organisational culture and driving business success. By the completion of the programme, graduates will possess the skills, knowledge, and experience needed to excel in leadership roles across a range of industries and sectors.

A wide and innovative range of assessment methods will be used including both individual and group-based assessments allowing students to foster independent learning skills alongside team working, collaboration and leadership skills. Authentic assessments and applied projects are used throughout with a real-world focus. Students will be expected to deliver business reports, verbal presentations, case study analysis and engage in reflective practice. The MBA will include a live consultancy project.

 

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Entry Requirements

UK Home students

  • An honours degree of a British University of equivalent institution (minimum of 2.2)
  • Consideration will be given to UK students with lower-level qualifications (e.g. a 3rd class degree or non-honours degree) who have a relevant range of professional experience. Professional experience will be considered by the programme leader in conjunction with the quality office.

International Applicants

  • An equivalent graduate level qualification from an overseas University of Equivalent institution (minimum 2.2).
  • Secure English Language Test (SELT) equivalent to IELTS 6.5 with no component below 6.0.

Applying Direct Option

You can apply direct to Birmingham Newman University for this course if you have not previously applied to Newman University through UCAS and you are not applying to any other universities.

  • UK home students
  • International students

N.B. will need to enter ‘New User’ account details when first accessing this portal.

Course Fees

UK home students

The course fee, for UK home students, for May 2025  is £9,000 per year.

International students

The course fee for international students is as follows:

Academic year 2024/2025
  • Postgraduate Taught: £13,500 tuition fee
  • International Excellence Scholarship: £2,500

All International Students who apply in 2024/25 will be eligible for the International Excellence Scholarship which will be automatically applied to their offer as a tuition fee reduction.

Academic year 2025/2026
  • Postgraduate Taught: £16,000 tuition fee
  • Undergraduate Taught: £14,000 tuition fee
  • Scholarships: TBC

International students must pay fees and deposit amounts as instructed within their offer letter.

Additional Costs

Birmingham Newman University Alumni receive a 10% discount on all Postgraduate programmes.

Postgraduate Loans

You can apply for a postgraduate loan when enrolling on a full masters’ degree (180 credits), to use as a contribution to the cost of studying and living expenses. For further information visit the postgraduate loans website.

Modules

Please be aware that, as with any course, there may be changes to the modules delivered, for information view our Changes to Programmes of Module Changes page.

Timetables: find out when information is available to students

  1. Discover the importance of responsible management by understanding the social, ethical, environmental, and economic impacts of business decisions. This module will guide you in becoming a responsible manager, driving sustainable development within organisations. You will delve into global social responsibility, shared organisational values, and their influence on business practices. Gain insights into stakeholder engagement, including investors, employees, customers, and communities, and learn how collaboration can enhance organisational performance. Key topics include ethical consumerism, the green economy, the circular economy, and workplace diversity and equality. Transform your approach to business with a focus on positive, sustainable impact.
  2. Prepare for a management role with extensive exposure to project management by exploring both the 'hard' technical skills and 'soft' interpersonal skills essential for successful project execution, including large-scale change initiatives. This module covers human and organisational factors impacting effective project management, including cross-border considerations. Learn to plan and manage projects from inception to completion, utilising current best practices and the latest research. Study various project management methodologies and professional standards, mastering time, cost, and quality management, team creation, risk management, and problem-solving. Understand how international and multicultural elements can affect project outcomes.
  3. Learn to create a market-focused organisation by understanding how international companies design and implement marketing strategies for customer value and competitive advantage. This module delves into the nature of markets and marketing in both customer and consumer contexts, with a focus on Strategic Marketing Planning. You'll explore Segmentation, Targeting, and Positioning to align operations and communications with the needs of target customer groups. Develop skills to build and manage marketing strategies, addressing challenges from sophisticated consumers, social trends, environmental sustainability, and emerging digital technologies. Real-world examples from diverse geographies and market sectors will enhance your learning experience.
  4. Explore how to optimise organisational performance through effective financial management, covering the sources, uses, and allocation of financial resources. This module focuses on using accounting, budgetary, and information systems for managerial planning, decision-making, and control. Learn to apply analytical tools like the balanced scorecard, key performance indicators, cost-volume-profit analysis, and budget variance analysis. Gain insights into performance management in international business settings, including financial reporting tools, cost allocation for sustainable decisions, budget setting techniques, and management issues. Understand the four dimensions of a Balanced Scorecard and their impact on business development. Additionally, learn about capital investment and risk assessment techniques for strategic investment decisions.
  5. Unlock the potential of an organisation's key resource—its people—through exceptional team leadership and people management. This module enhances your skills in team and talent management, covering essential HRM and HRD concepts like recruitment, selection, induction, management, development, motivation, and departure. Embrace diversity in all its forms, including age, sex, sexuality, background, and neuro-diversity, and learn how to leverage it for improved organisational performance. Master the art of creating, leading, and managing diverse teams, including remote teams with varied motivations and aspirations. Collaborate effectively with HR to support individuals and add value to the organisation. Explore change management models and develop the skills to be a credible champion of change, with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the module.
  6. Gain a deep understanding of Corporate Strategy and Strategic Management, with a focus on SMEs operating in fast-evolving international markets. This module explores various frameworks and factors that influence strategy development, applicable to both local and international contexts. Learn how creativity can enhance organisational performance. Develop the skills to navigate complex and dynamic business environments, informing strategic business development. Assess organisational resources, including financial assets, and identify unique capabilities that support a competitive position and sustainable advantage. Craft sustainable strategic business recommendations tailored to specific sectors, equipping your organisation for long-term success in a global market.
  7. The "Career and Future Focus" module is designed to enhance employability skills and prepare students for future career challenges by bridging the gap between academic learning and practical workplace requirements. Emphasising essential competencies needed in today's dynamic business environment, this module fosters critical thinking, problem-solving, effective communication, and leadership skills. Students begin with self-assessment exercises to identify strengths and areas for improvement, followed by workshops and seminars on current market trends and expectations. Key components include CV building, interview techniques, and networking strategies, providing practical tools for presenting to potential employers. Hands-on experience is gained through case studies and real-world projects. By the end of the module, students will have a clear understanding of their career aspirations, improved employability skills, and a robust professional development plan. Completing this course earns a Birmingham Newman University Certificate in Careers, a mandatory requirement for the degree award.
  8. Master the techniques needed for authoritative research in business and management, vital for making informed strategic decisions. This module guides you in producing either an academic dissertation or an applied consultancy project, both aimed at enhancing organisational performance. Explore various research approaches and methods, grounded in specific philosophical perspectives. Learn to set clear research objectives, ensuring your outputs are relevant, rigorous, and impactful. Develop skills in assessing business contexts, utilising relevant literature, and crafting a robust research proposal. Gain proficiency in data collection, analysis, and presentation for both quantitative and qualitative research. Ethical considerations in research are emphasised throughout the module.
  9. Join a small team of consultants to tackle real-world problems for clients in public, private, or third sector organisations. This module enhances your ability to apply conceptual frameworks and analytical skills to develop practical, implementable solutions. You'll present your recommendations in a format that supports client decision-making. Working closely with your client and supervisor, you'll define the problem and scope of the project, set shared objectives, and determine desired outputs. You'll gather, analyse, and interpret data, delivering management recommendations to your client. The module begins with an intensive one-day development programme, equipping you with effective consultancy processes and team-working strategies to ensure success.