Master of Business Administration (MBA) (Full-time) - MBA

The Bristol MBA will serve you well in your day-to-day business as well as giving you a passport to a higher-flying career.

You will study six core modules:

Customer and International Market Analysis

• Evaluating dynamic and complex market opportunities
• Identifying potential competitive strategies and understanding how to respond
• Analysing macro and micro environmental factors and incorporating macroeconomic theory
• Studying consumption theories to develop effective market positioning in international markets
• Working from real decision-making situations in the form of case studies, problem-solving activities and discussion of current marketing issues.

Strategy and Implementation

• Examining how companies formulate strategy and translate it into action through case studies and classic readings
• Setting the direction and values of an organisation and achieving competitive advantage in a global economy
• Running a virtual company through a computer simulation, devising a strategy and undertaking critical decision-making tasks.

Leadership, Complexity and Change

• Analysing theoretical and practical issues around key topics such as politics, power, authority and diversity
• Learning how to lead teams based on individual contribution and group dynamics
• Investigating how to work with emotion, risk, and unpredictability
• Exploring ethical and strategic leadership in organisations, including CSR, sustainability, creativity, enterprise and entrepreneurship
• Encouraging self-reflection and critical inquiry.

Managing People in a Global Context

• Looking at the practice and theory of resourcing, acquiring talent, and managing performance in an international context.
• Developing practical skills including: selection, interviewing, negotiation skills, conflict resolution and staff development
• Learning through case studies, problem-solving exercises and role playing
• Accessing interactive web-based support.

Financial Decision Making

• Analysing revenue and costing information for short- and long-term decision making
• Teaming up with finance specialists to support management roles
• Emphasising the importance of using up-to-date financial information
• Using local and international financial databases to enhance the real-time learning environment
• Exploring ethical dilemmas and corporate social responsibility issues.

Systems, Structures and Operations

• Understanding the latest information systems and operations management topics
• Learning through case studies, simulated game playing and scenario planning
• Accessing interactive web-based support.

You then choose a further two optional modules, studying three compulsory modules and one optional module per semester. After these are completed, you will concentrate on your dissertation.

Executive Dissertation / Consultancy Dissertation

You can choose to work on a research project that fits with your interests and ambitions. Alternatively, you can undertake a consultancy research project addressing the needs of a client, putting your skills and adaptability to the test.

Integrated Management Research and Professional Development

In addition, the Integrated Management Research and Professional Development module will support you throughout the course, developing your personal and research skills, according to your particular needs.

The University continually enhances our offer by responding to feedback from our students and other stakeholders, ensuring the curriculum is kept up to date and our graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need for the real world. This may result in changes to the course. If changes to your course are approved we will inform you.

The Bristol MBA is a proactive learning experience so while there are some classroom and one-to-one sessions, these are combined with individual research projects and applied study. Our approach is hands on and practical, focused on developing tangible personal and professional skills.

An important part of the course is the Integrated Professional Skills and Research Methods module. This is woven throughout the programme, connecting the various elements together. Integrated Professional Skills and Research Methods focuses on personal development planning, reflective learning and creating a portfolio. You are encouraged to devise a tailored programme of study that aligns with your professional and personal circumstances.

Collaboration is right at the heart of everything we do, with staff and students sharing knowledge and experience of their business worlds. Bristol MBA students learn through syndicate work, group and individual presentations, student-led seminar groups, case studies, experiential learning, role play and business simulations.

For more details see our glossary of teaching and learning terms.

You can start the full time MBA in either January or September and complete the course in 12 months.

Assessment for the Bristol MBA is by a mixture of work-based assignments (supervised mini projects), examinations, presentations/vivas and your dissertation.

For more detail see our full glossary of assessment terms.