Master of Business Administration (MBA)

The MBA is one of the most sought-after qualifications in the world. It represents significant value to both private and public sector organisations. The MBA offers sophisticated business knowledge at a senior level of management and significantly advances leadership skills. Undertaking this qualification demonstrates a determination to succeed in a chosen career area and will bolster your confidence. The course aims to develop analytical and strategic management skills using concepts derived from a wide range of academic disciplines. This enables students to respond creatively and effectively to the challenges presented by a global business environment and to broaden the range of management responsibilities they undertake.

Longevity and Reputation

The MBA offered at the University of Suffolk is one of the longest-running MBA programmes in the UK. It is also formally accredited by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI). This means our MBA graduates, upon meeting all relevant assessment criteria, are eligible to receive three awards upon graduation: their MBA degree, CMI Level 7 Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership and CMI Level 7 Award in Professional Consulting. Students who wish to be awarded the Level 7 CMI Diploma will be required to purchase CMI membership at a cost of £350 per qualification 2018/2019. This qualifies them as formal members of the Institute.

With us, you can choose to study your MBA on either a full-time or part-time basis. The programme is modular and is completed at a pace dictated by the student. The flexible structure of the MBA programme provides an opportunity to build up credit over time towards a full MBA.

It incorporates intermediate awards including the Postgraduate Certificate in Management (three modules, 20 credits per module) and the Postgraduate Diploma in Management (six modules, 20 credits per module).

The full MBA is achieved upon completion of seven modules and a dissertation (a total of 180 credits). Alternatively, you can also opt to take just one module as part of a Continuing Professional Development programme. On passing, this will give you 20 Masters Level credits, which may be used to build up an alternative Masters qualification.

Coverage

The core programme is wide-ranging and includes modules in Operations and HRM, Financial and Risk Management, Global Economic Trends, Strategic Change Management, Strategic Marketing, Consultancy Management, International Business Strategy, and Research Methods. Students are also required to complete a 15,000-word dissertation.

Critique

Many MBA degrees offered elsewhere are principally formulaic how-to courses. With us, however, we actively encourage students to fundamentally question generally-accepted management and leadership wisdom by drawing upon the full range of social scientific knowledge. Not only does this develop a more nuanced and sophisticated understanding of the complex nature of organisations and their functioning, but it develops the transferable skills of evaluation and analysis required of senior management.

Practice-based learning

Students will be involved in live management issues through various projects and assessments, developing leadership and management skills, and undertaking both group-based and individual work. Students are also invited to guest lectures by practising managers, each of whom has extensive experience in their particular field.

Distinctive

The MBA here not only embraces the international dimensions of business and commerce but for those students who opt to study the International Business Strategy module - includes a week s consultancy experience in Boston, Massachusetts.

The University of Suffolk is all about transformation – transforming individuals, our community, our region and beyond. We have absorbed the best traditions in higher education and aligned them with the modern world of employment and entrepreneurship. We are a distinctive, thriving academic community making a clear and immediate impact. Our purpose is to change lives – of individuals and communities, for the better.

In a world where nothing ever stays the same, we all need to change, evolve, succeed and change again. That’s what we do. Be bold and do the same. Together we achieve more.