MBA Business Administration

Course Modules

YEAR 1

Financial Decision Making

Managers in all sectors are required to take account of the financial impact of their decisions, and be able to understand and interpret accounting information. This module covers finance - the sources, uses and management of finance; and looks at the use of accounting and other information systems for managerial applications. This module seeks to enable participants to make well informed decisions based upon a sound knowledge of financial reports, systems and developments in the accounting and financial environment.

Strategic Marketing Management

Organisations face a number of challenges and opportunities which they have to respond to through marketing decisions. This module will develop your understanding of the market decisions that organisations face. Through the application of marketing theory, models and tools you will gain an understanding of the importance of the organisational environment and the impact this has for analysis, planning and control in a strategic marketing management context.

Strategic People Management

This module focuses on best practice Strategic People Management in context and will include a critical overview of the key responsibilities, value added contribution and impact of the key People Profession practices including recruitment and selection, performance management, employment law and relations, talent management, organisational development and learning and development. This module will include an overview of the concept of, and the contemporary issues within strategic HRM and strategic HRD together with the influence and issues brought about by the internal and external context.

Sustainable Strategic Management

This module focuses on sustainable strategic management and the role of the leader in the crafting of a sustainable strategic plan, regardless of the industry or sector. It will include a critical review of the responsibilities of the leader in culture formation to support the achievement of the strategic plan. And it will encompass the bringing together of all of the other business functions, finance, people, operations, and marketing in the strategic planning process. It will take an international approach. This module will include an overview of the contemporary issues around strategic planning, together with the influence and issues brought about by internal and external forces and adapting to a continually changing world. It will also critically consider disruptive strategies and the advent and impact of globalisation and big data in strategic decision making.

The Masters Professional Project

The Professional Project module is an independent study unit. Students will be able to draw together learning from their previous subjects, focusing on their key strengths, in the production of a business artefact, this could be, but is not limited to a Business plan, a policy, marketing plan, work-based issue or consultancy project. Alongside the artefact students will develop a thesis outlining the rationalisation for their chosen artefact encompassing methodological approaches and a written critical reflection, which is designed to explain their rational for choice of artefact and reflect on the process of its production and dissemination

The Masters Research Project

Effective leaders, managers, citizens and employees need to be capable of basing their decision-making on information and knowledge derived from research. The aim of this module is to contribute to the research knowledge and skills appropriate for a taught master's programme and relevant for careers in professional or management roles. The participant is required to produce a dissertation, at an advanced level, based on independent research. This should demonstrate an understanding of the philosophy and core principles of research (empirical or non-empirical) and show their competence in the design, execution and reporting of a research-based dissertation. In this way the participant’s ability is developed to carry out subsequent research, independently and to commission, manage and evaluate the research activities of others. Therefore, the knowledge and skills acquired in the module and of producing the project, will contribute to the student's effectiveness throughout her/his career.