The Loughborough Full-Time MBA MBA

What you'll study

The Loughborough MBA is designed to provide managers with a challenging educational experience in terms of general intellectual and personal development, within the context of the academic study of business and management.

Modules

The Full-Time MBA degree covers a wide range of topics; to give you a taster we have expanded on some of the core modules affiliated with this programme and the specific assessment methods associated with each module.

• Compulsory
• Optional

Compulsory

To gain the award of MBA, 180 credits need to be achieved

All the core modules are compulsory and account for 150 credits. 30 credits must be selected from the optional modules.

Business Economics (10 credits)

Business Economics (10 credits)

This core module, which takes place in the autumn semester, explores the building blocks of the firm and the market place as well as the external economic environment which impacts upon them. The module gives the student a clearer understanding of the forces at work in the business world and an introduction to important contemporary economic challenges.

Assessment

Typically this module is assessed by 50% coursework / 50% exam

Accounting and Performance Management (10 credits)

Accounting and Performance Management (10 credits)

This module aims to critically evaluate accounting practice and the use of financial information in organisations, using selected contemporary problems and techniques appropriate to the management of organisational performance in a variety of 21st century contexts.

Assessment

Typically this module is assessed by 50% coursework / 50% exam.

Contemporary Perspectives on Leadership (10 credits)

Contemporary Perspectives on Leadership (10 credits)

The module aims to critically evaluate traditional perspectives on leadership, help students understand their own leadership styles and leadership for different situations, and consider approaches to leadership appropriate to global businesses in the 21st century. Irrespective of specialism MBA’s can expect to find themselves in a leadership role. The technical aspects of most roles can be learned, leadership skills are harder to acquire and this module aims to facilitate that process.

Assessment

Typically this module is assessed by 100% coursework.

Marketing (10 credits)

Marketing (10 credits)

This module takes an applied approach to studying the fundamentals of marketing thinking and of strategic marketing. Using company case studies, students work to solve organisational marketing issues. The course teaches theoretical and managerial frameworks that can be immediately put into practice. Students will be able to critically evaluate the importance of a strategic marketing approach; critically evaluate the importance of marketing management; critically evaluate the use of strategic marketing planning frameworks and models; discuss those marketing planning implementation issues that are appropriate to the competitive and market conditions faced by an organisation at a given point in time.

Assessment

Typically this module is assessed by 50% coursework / 50% exam.

Problem Solving for Leaders (10 credits)

Problem Solving for Leaders (10 credits)

The module covers a range of specific leadership behaviours and structured approaches designed to support the development of competences in problem solving and decision making. It provides students with an opportunity to experience these behaviours and approaches in the classroom, and a framework against which the effectiveness of their problem solving efforts can be assessed.

Assessment

Typically this module is assessed by 100% coursework.

Leading Strategic Change (20 credits)

Leading Strategic Change (20 credits)

Concentrates on the leading aspects, looks at the issues of change management and applying strategic models to a detailed case study with students working in groups, acting as a consultancy team, to provide a strategic plan for a company. Asks the question- as leader of a team what would you personally do and how would you cope?

Assessment

Typically this module is assessed by 100% coursework.

Corporate Finance (10 credits)

Corporate Finance (10 credits)

The aims of this module are to: develop a broad understanding of core issues in corporate finance which are of particular importance to students' professional needs; develop numerical reasoning and the ability to interpret numerical data. On completion of this module students should be able to: discuss advantages and disadvantages of various sources of finance; understand and use various capital budgeting techniques for a variety of scenarios; evaluate the impact of capital structure and dividend policy on the value of the firm; evaluate arguments and evidence in relation to key issues in corporate finance; use appropriate tools to analyse problems faced by corporate treasurers.

Assessment

Typically this module is assessed by 100% coursework.

Management of Human Resources (10 credits)

Management of Human Resources (10 credits)

The module covers a range of HR activities such as Performance Management, Recruitment & Selection and Learning & Development. Students will have the opportunity to evaluate theory and practice, develop relevant skills, reflect on their own experience and identify options for improved practice in the future. In contemporary organisational forms day to day management of human resource aspects is often devolved to operational managers. Hence, even if students do not choose to specialise in HR, they will find themselves appraising, performance managing, recruiting and problem solving. This module aims to provide the skills to facilitate this.

Assessments

Typically this module is assessed by 50% coursework / 50% exam.

Managing Innovation (two-semester module) (20 credits)

Managing Innovation (two-semester module) (20 credits)

This is a capstone module for the MBA intended to integrate learning across and throughout the programme. A practical module which gives students the opportunity to work with an outside organisation that needs an innovative solution for their future growth. Using a novel idea generation and risk analysis tool, students work in groups and combine all the knowledge they have gained from their MBA to bring an independent perspective to their partner company’s business.

Assessments

Typically this module is assessed by 100% coursework.

Business Analytics (10 credits)

Business Analytics (10 credits)

The module aims to develop an understanding of the role of business analytics in an organisation, help students understand how data and information systems/technologies can support an organisation and develop an awareness of how analytical methods (forecasting and optimal resource allocation) can help an organisation improve decision making.

Assessments

Typically this module is assessed by 50% coursework / 50% exam.

Professional Development sessions (0 credits)

Professional Development sessions (0 credits)

(compulsory for Full Time students, Zero Credit rated)

This module aims to prepare students with essential study skills for success at MBA level, as well as preparing a framework for extensive careers and employability support. All part time students are invited to join in with this module.

Assessment

Not assessed

Business Administration Project and Research Methods (30 credits)

Business Administration Project and Research Methods (30 credits)

Business Administration Project and Research Methods (runs over year one) or, for those on the Internship pathway, the Work Based Learning Project and Research Methods (runs over both year one and year two) (30 credits)

This major piece of work, supported by an academic supervisor, allows you to research and write an independent, detailed piece of work in an area of personal or company interest, in order to improve your research, evaluation and report writing skills, as well as your ability to directly apply the management concepts you have learnt across the modules.

Work-Based Learning Project and Research Methods

Work-Based Learning Project and Research Methods

Students are required to undertake a work based project which will be developed in collaboration with an employing organisation. They will identify the key issues, develop data collection strategies, identify solutions and aspects of best practice. The solutions are presented as a written report.

Assessment

Typically this module is assessed by 100% coursework, although the university reserves the right to alter this.

Optional

30 credits to be selected

Global Outsourcing and Offshoring of Services (10 credits)

Global Outsourcing and Offshoring of Services (10 credits)

The module will consider the role that outsourcing plays in shaping business strategy and IT strategy and in turn how business and IT strategy affect global sourcing. Perspectives from both the client and supplier side will be considered.

Assessment

Typically this module is assessed by 100% coursework.

Operations Management (10 credits)

Operations Management (10 credits)

This module is all about achieving efficiency and effectiveness in the management of resources that are devoted to the creation and delivery of goods and services in organisations. It enables students to understand the ways managers direct, design, deliver and develop their operations in order to minimise costs and add value to their end products and services. Students apply a number of different frameworks to understand traditional and contemporary issues to aid their management and leadership of operations functions within a broad range of contexts.

Assessment

Typically this module is assessed by 100% coursework.

Managing Corporate Reputation (10 credits)

Managing Corporate Reputation (10 credits)

The aims of this module are: to provide participants with an understanding of how corporate reputation can be managed well and what to do when things go wrong; to develop an understanding of media, media strategy and media management at regional, national and international levels; to develop skills in managing the media and media interactions in a rapidly changing media environment; and to explore corporate reputation, brand management, PR and crisis management within a sports context and compare this context with other sectors. The module makes extensive use of practitioner inputs and live business problems.

Assessment

Typically, this module is assessed by 40% individual presentation / 60% individual coursework.

International Management (10 credits)

International Management (10 credits)

This module course examines the business-environment factors and management styles that influence global companies. The module combines academic reasoning with practical applications. The aims of this module are to provide awareness of the technological, economic, legal and political context in which organisations operate on a global scale; to develop knowledge and understanding in international business theory and managerial practice; to demonstrate the different concepts in managerial styles; and finally to encourage openness to new ideas and awareness that in many situations there is a range of alternatives which should be evaluated.

Assessment

Typically this module is assessed by 100% coursework.

Information Systems, Strategy and Management (10 credits)

Information Systems, Strategy and Management (10 credits)

To provide an understanding of: the strategic importance of information systems (IS) and information technology (IT), the impact of new technologies on industries and competitive environments, how IS/IT strategies are formulated, and how business value is achieved through IT. The module aims to introduce the principles and key concepts of conceptual modelling for aligning information systems to business strategy and business process, to introduce the key theoretical concepts in modelling business strategies using Systems Dynamics.

Assessment

Typically this module is assessed by 100% coursework.

Project Management (10 credits)

Project Management (10 credits)

On completion of this module students will be able to: characterise a project and understand when to apply project management techniques to achieve an objective, recognise the role of people in projects including leaders, teams and stakeholders, describe techniques for planning projects and managing uncertainty and risk, understand the project life cycle and determine appropriate activities at each stage, evaluate criteria for project selection; critically assess the status of a project and establish suitable corrective actions, where appropriate, apply project planning and control techniques such as network analysis; understand the potential benefits of project management software.

Assessment

Typically this module is assessed by 100% coursework.

The European Summer School in Advanced Management (ESSAM) (20 credits)

The European Summer School in Advanced Management (ESSAM) (20 credits)

This module is an excellent opportunity to join the global family of MBA’s, and work on ‘live’ business problems set by real businesses in the region. The module aims to develop an understanding of the changing nature of the practice and processes of strategic management and other advanced management topics as organisations operate in an increasingly internationalised business environment.

This is a two week residential module, availability and location to be confirmed. Additional fees may apply for this module.

Assessment

Typically this module is assessed by 100% coursework.