Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Study level: Postgraduate
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Studied on campus or 100% online, this MBA course aims to teach you how to respond to the needs of the modern world, by thinking critically and strategically in seeking solutions to complex business problems.

Year of entry

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)
100% online study

Study mode

Full-time
Part-time
Online/Blended

Duration

1 year full-time
2-5 years (part-time)

Course code

On campus - FBLT026
Online - FBLT163

Start date

January 2024
May 2024

How to apply
Book an Open Day
Download a prospectus
Ask a question

Course overview

This course is aimed at aspiring or practising managers, who wish to develop an in-depth understanding of how an enterprise operates.

The course will offer you the chance to:

  • Learn how to initiate and bring about change within an enterprise.
  • Enhance your ability to think critically and strategically in an ever-changing and ambiguous business environment.
  • Develop responsible and ethically based and culturally sensitive practices.
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Joint Top Modern University for Career Prospects

Guardian University Guide 2021 and 2022
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5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings
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Top 5 UK Student City (Coventry)

QS Best Student Cities Index 2023

Why you should study this course

  • You can study the MBA course on campus or online, either as a comprehensive management and leadership programme or with specialised pathways in Artificial Intelligence, Marketing or Health Care. See modules for more information.
  • Provides you with the opportunity to gain the knowledge and skills required to progress to more senior management and leadership roles.
  • You can develop core knowledge of business models and concepts, together with a strong understanding of processes and practices to develop your leadership, financial and project management skills.
  • An MBA is an internationally recognised business qualification widely regarded as essential for managerial positions in a world characterised by strong global competition and continuous change.

Memberships

Small Business Charter (SBC)

Coventry Business School is a recipient of the Small Business Charter (SBC) Award, and currently holds the award until 2025. The award is a mark of excellence for business schools, recognising their expertise in supporting small businesses, student entrepreneurship, and effective engagement in the local economy.

Chartered Association of Business Schools (CABS)

Coventry Business School is currently an active member of the Chartered Association of Business Schools, which has a membership of over 120 business schools and higher education providers, and supports its members in maintaining high standards of teaching and research.

The Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME)

Coventry Business School is signatory to The Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) initiative.

What you'll study

The MBA programme covers three distinct but interconnected stages – Certificate, Diploma, and Master’s, where you have the chance to complete a comprehensive management qualification or specialise through one of five pathways delivered on campus.

If you undertake the MBA on a full-time basis (4 modules per semester) you can choose your MBA Pathway in your second semester after completing all the modules on the certificate and diploma stage of the MBA. If you undertake the MBA on a part-time basis (up to 2 modules per semester) you can choose your MBA pathway in the fourth semester after completing all the modules on the certificate and diploma stage of the MBA.

Please note that upon successful completion, on your final award certificate the course title will be Master of Business Administration and will not refer to the pathway studied. Your transcript will cite the modules studied and will not refer to the pathway chosen. 

Modules

    • Business Models and Processes - 15 credits 
      The aim of this module is to introduce you to business model thinking and innovation and business process design and analysis and provide both knowledge and a higher level of understanding of the role that these play in the global context. Through developing a “live” business idea, you will look to develop an appreciation for differing models and processes, how they can best be applied to different environments and understand the relationship between frameworks for business strategy and planning (models) and the processes through which work gets done. A variety of topics will be dealt with in this module, including business model thinking and innovation, business process design and analysis, the challenges presented through globalisation, business sustainability, dealing with complexity and adapting to change.
    • The Geopolitical, Economic and Legal Environment - 15 credits
      This module introduces you to the three main factors that strongly influence business in the external and the internal environment as well as the local and international environment. These three major factors (geopolitical, economic and legal environment) have an impact in the development of organisations and countries. The module will explore and analyse the concept of geopolitics and examine theories and debates through discussion of the main elements of the geopolitical environment. The aim is to develop your ability to think critically about political issues surrounding us and their impact on the business environment.
    • Financial Analysis -  15 credits
      This module is designed to develop your ability to interpret and use financial information within the strategic framework of an organisation. It is oriented toward the user rather than the preparer of corporate financial statements.
    • Organisational Behaviour and Learning - 15 credits
      This module is designed to provide you with a clear insight into how the behaviours of people within an organisation can impact an organisation’s effectiveness. It reflects the critical role played by Human Resource Management (HRM) in the management of people’s behaviours within organisations in both the national and international context.

    Compulsory

    • Innovation and Entrepreneurship - 15 credits
      This module will foster your entrepreneurial and innovation skills by blending theory and practice to enhance your understanding of the functioning of modern enterprises to ensure sustainability and growth. It aims to endow you with the skills to utilise innovation in either setting up a new venture or bringing an innovative and entrepreneurial vision into an existing organisation.
    • Leadership and Change Management - 15 credits
      This module is designed for aspiring leaders and managers who wish to challenge assumptions and develop an in-depth understanding of how to effectively lead an organisation. It also focuses on how leaders understand change and consider what leadership capabilities are required for transformational change. From these discussions, the module will go on to explore how various leadership capabilities may be suited to different organisational structures and different approaches to change.
    • Strategy and Decision Making - 15 credits
      Effective strategy planning, decision-making, implementation and ongoing management are dependent on deep and wide analysis of current information and data regarding an organisation’s strategic position. This module seeks to widen your perspective and understanding of the principles of strategic management and introduces a variety of analytical models of strategic analysis and strategy formulation. You will also explore the pros and cons of strategic choices and consider the impact of and consequences of strategy implementation.
    • Global Marketing -  15 credits
      The module aims to introduce and develop a contemporary perspective of the global marketplace by focusing on the strategic marketing paradigm. The module requires you to critically discuss and analyse key managerial decisions on formulating and executing global marketing activities, keeping in mind the cultural demands of the various markets across the globe. Marketing research is also included within the module to support the critical evaluation of international markets.

    Compulsory

    • The MBA Consultancy Project* - 30 credits
      The aim of this module is to ensure integration between theory and practice. It enables you to apply your skills and management theory in carrying out live consultancy projects within your own or a host organisation where possible. It also provides an opportunity for you to reflect on your knowledge, experience, and practice. You will be expected to draw upon the knowledge acquired, and the intellectual, technical, and analytical skills developed during your programme. To equip you with the additional research skills required to successfully execute the research, you will be supported by a series of resources on research methodology and writing a consultancy project.

      *This module is not applicable to those studying the Healthcare Sector pathway.

    Optional

  • Optional

    • Project Management – 15 credits
      This module aims to prepare you in delivering strategic change and transformation through the management of projects in organisations. It will develop your understanding of the stages, tools and techniques required for project initiation, planning, execution, control and termination.
    • Decision Making and Risk – 15 credits
      This module aims to promote an understanding of decision-making in a management context. It will examine theoretical knowledge underpinning decision-making and develop skills to solve problems and influence others in the workplace. It will also consider aspects of bias in decision-making from psychological and sociological perspectives. 

    Compulsory

    • Artificial Intelligence Technologies for Business and Management - 15 credits
      This module seeks to provide you with a comprehensive knowledge of working with AI and data, and an understanding of how they are applied in business and business management. Detailed coverage of various machine learning models and hands-on AI exercises will enable you to gain a comprehensive understanding of the AI and data analytics process.
    • Artificial Intelligence Issues - 15 credits
      This module seeks to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the social, ethical, legal issues on artificial intelligence technology and its applications in business and management. You will be equipped with the knowledge of steps that can be taken to mitigate the risks AI technologies may bring to a business. Case studies will be used to enhance your understanding.

    Compulsory

    • Digital Marketing Strategy – 15 credits

    This module is intended to provide you with both the theory and practice of digital marketing. The module builds on existing theories and concepts and encourages you to critically assess the use of the core digital marketing concepts such as social media, email marketing, website design, online advertising and online PR.

    • Marketing Strategy – 15 credits

    This module is key to developing your strategic thinking and operational marketing skills for future application in the workplace. It aims to develop a strategic focus for marketing management by applying operational principles and practices to the framework of the strategic marketing planning process in building organisational strategy. This module also focuses on the implementation, control and evaluation of the marketing planning framework.

    Compulsory

    • Policy Politics and Transforming Practice - 15 credits

    The module seeks to critically consider the relationship between the political process; the development of policy; and the leadership challenges of implementing service changes locally, resulting from national policy drivers. It explores the tensions that can arise when broad policy objectives are transferred into specific local contexts without fully considering all relevant contextual factors. The module also aims to consider the ways in which patients, service users and the general public are informed and educated about such changes, either through official policy development, via the media or through local processes of governance and engagement.

    • Leading in Complex Health Systems - 15 credits

    This module is designed to enable you to demonstrate a critical understanding of the impact of culture, values and complexity on and within health and social care organisations and systems. It will consider management theory, its critical application and seek to understand the challenges of leading and managing complex systems and services and a highly professionalised workforce. You will use this understanding to critically evaluate the impact on systems and organisations delivering services to patients and service users.

    • Transforming Health Care Business Project - 30 credits

    The module is the culmination of the programme and is designed to enable you to bring together your learning into one independent self-directed workplace project. Individual student supervision will be provided to offer guidance on a choice of project and advice on all stages of the project. The project will take the form of a business proposal that addresses an aspect of workplace practice. The aim being to produce a project that will benefit your own workplace, explore service redesign, current practice-based problem/issues, policy implementation, initiatives, or innovations that will impact upon or transform patient care.

    Compulsory

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.

How you'll learn

Study on campus

Teaching and learning methods may include:

  • Seminars and discussion
  • Practical sessions and workshops
  • Simulation exercises
  • Study visits2

Explore our campus    

You will have timetabled classes, online tutorials, and seminars, with all your learning activities available on-demand so that you can learn at the best time and location for you. We record all sessions and provide alternative work for those who cannot attend in person. You have the option to study online.

How online learning works

This course can be offered on a part-time basis. Whilst we would like to give you all the information about our part-time offering here, it is tailored for each course each year depending on the number of part-time applicants. Therefore, the part-time teaching arrangements vary. Request further information about part-time study.

Teaching contact hours

When studying on-campus or online full-time, within your first and second semester, you should have around 12-14 contact hours of teaching a week. The contact hours may be made up of a combination of face-to-face teaching, individual and group tutorials, and online classes and tutorials. Each 15-credit module will consist of around 150 hours of activities.

A strong emphasis is placed on the MBA Consultancy Project (or the Transforming Healthcare Business Project for those choosing the healthcare sector pathway) in your final semester and therefore total teaching contact hours may be reduced.

In addition, we aim to offer you the opportunity to attend additional optional sessions, such as guest lectures (subject to availability), or to meet with staff during their advice and feedback hours.

Additionally, you will be expected to undertake significant self-directed study of approximately 35 hours each week, depending on the demands of individual modules.

As an innovative and enterprising institution, the university may seek to utilise emerging technologies within the student experience. For all courses (whether on-campus, blended, or distance learning), the university may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via online technologies and methods.

Since COVID-19, we have delivered our courses in a variety of forms, in line with public authority guidance, decisions, or orders and we will continue to adapt our delivery as appropriate. Whether on campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety.

Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module.

Assessment methods include:

  • Essays
  • Group work
  • Presentations
  • Coursework
  • Technical Reports
  • Business plans

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.

International experience opportunities

Coventry University, as well as Coventry Business School aim to organise several national and international field trips providing opportunities2 to visit a range of institutions and enterprises, tour their facilities and learn about their operations. You will have opportunities to collaborate with students from around the world both in person and via our online platform.

We also aim to try and secure opportunities for you to learn direct from a range of international business leaders who are invited as guest speakers to share their knowledge and experiences (subject to availability). Furthermore, the international nature of our current course team aims to provide you with a diverse range of experiences from Asia, Europe and Africa.

Entry requirements

Typical offer for 2023/24 entry.

Applicants should hold an honours degree 2:2 or above in a relevant academic discipline. Applications from candidates with relevant experience will be considered on an individual basis. Must have a minimum of two years post-degree full-time work experience in management/admin/ professional capacity.

We recognise a breadth of qualifications; speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

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Please refer to the full requirements in the disclaimer section5.

Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:

Europe

Americas

Middle East

South Asia

South East Asia

East Asia

Africa

Russia and Central Asia

You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

If you do not have the typical entry requirements, you may want to consider studying this course with an international pre-master's. Upon successful completion our International Pre-Master's - Business will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to progress onto this postgraduate degree.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

Typical entry requirements

Applicants should hold an honours degree 2:2 or above in a relevant academic discipline. Applications from candidates with relevant experience will be considered on an individual basis. Must have a minimum of two years post-degree full-time work experience in management/admin/ professional capacity.

Please refer to the full requirements in the disclaimer section5.

English language requirements

  • IELTS: 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each component area
  • If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
  • For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.

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Fees and funding

2023/24 tuition fees.

Student Full-time Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man £20,350   Request fee information
EU £20,350 per year with EU support bursary**
£20,350 per year without EU support bursary**		 Not available
International £20,350   Not available

For advice and guidance on tuition fees3 and student loans visit our Postgraduate Finance page and see the university's Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:

  • This course may incur additional costs associated with any professional experience (up to £4000 for 3 semesters) and field trips2, which could include (but is not limited to) travel, accommodation, activities and visas.

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

**EU support bursary

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in-line with that of UK students. Students studying a Degree with a Foundation Year with us are not eligible for the bursary.

  • We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Your fee status determines your tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available to you. The rules about who pays UK (home) or international (overseas) fees for higher education courses in England are set by the government's Department for Education. The regulations identify all the different categories of student who can insist on paying the home rate. The regulations can be difficult to understand, so the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) has provided fee status guidance to help you identify whether you are eligible to pay the home or overseas rate.

    If you meet all the criteria required by any one category, including any residence requirements, your institution must charge you the home rate. You only need to find one category that you fit into.

Facilities

We have a range of facilities 4 available to support you in putting the theories you are taught, into practice such as:

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The Trading Floor 

The Trading Floor is an invaluable facility which allows you to get hands-on with industry-standard software. Housing 42 dual-screen Bloomberg terminals, the facility can add a dynamic practical element to your course.

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Talent Team

Our dedicated Talent Team can assist you in applying for work placements, graduate-level jobs and offer skills development workshops. They also organise networking events to introduce you to potential employers and industry contacts.

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sigma Centre

The sigma Centre is housed in our Lanchester Library, and offers maths and statistics support through drop-in sessions and bookable appointments.

 

Careers and opportunities

Upon successful completion, you will have knowledge of:

  • Financial concepts, theories and their application to real-world situations.
  • Financing arrangements, strategies and governance structures of business entities.
  • Complex operation and function of financial markets in different regulatory settings.
  • Contemporary and controversial issues of finance in global financial markets.

Upon successful completion, you will be able to:

  • Demonstrate diagnostic and decision-making skills in dealing with financial management problems. 
  • Use advanced mathematical and statistical techniques for financial and investment analysis.
  • Select, retrieve and analyse relevant data and information from finance-related databases, to solve practical problems.
  • Design and conduct research in financial management using appropriate methodologies to advance knowledge in these areas.
  • Critically evaluate the conceptual and theoretical frameworks of finance and challenge assumptions.
  • Exercise judgment in the selection of different methods and approaches to financial management in the corporate environment.

This master’s level course can help lead to careers in financial services, corporate finance, fund management, treasury or banking and insurance sectors. Equally, the skills developed during the course could open a potential future career in the public or private sectors, in financial management or in management more generally.

During your study, you should develop strong analytical skills, clear perspectives on strategy and strategic thinking, and highly effective communication and research skills. These are all in demand from employers in private, public, and third-sector organisations around the world.

Typical roles may include financial planners and controllers, treasurers, stockbrokers, commodities traders, cash and fund managers, insurance adjusters and other positions in banking and finance.

Where our graduates work

Past graduates have gone on to work in varied roles, such as a Financial Planning Analyst for City Bank Indonesia, Senior Finance Officer for Royal Jordanian Airlines, HR Manager within the Marriot Hotels and Financial Administrator for Bank of China, the NHS, UNICEF, Barclays bank, Standard Life, UK public Sector etc.

How to apply

  • Coventry University together with Coventry University London Campus, CU Coventry, CU London, CU Scarborough and Coventry University Online come together to form part of the Coventry University Group (the “University”) with all degrees awarded by Coventry University. 

    1Accreditations

    The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships shall be renewed in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery.

    2UK and international opportunities

    Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or International opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel COVID and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand the visa requirements, please contact the International Office.

    3Tuition fees

    The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

    For International Students, we may increase fees each year but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.

    4Facilities

    Facilities are subject to availability. Since COVID-19, we have delivered our courses in a variety of forms, in line with public authority guidance, decisions, or orders and we will continue to adapt our delivery as appropriate. Whether on campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety.

    5Placements

    Satisfactory health clearance and enhanced criminal record disclosure may be required. As part of the health clearance checks you will be required to provide information about your immunity and vaccination status. You will also be required to provide information about your COVID-19 vaccination status. We therefore recommend that you are fully vaccinated including the COVID-19 vaccine. The information you provide will be used to determine your eligibility to go on placement(s). Placements are provided at the placement provider’s discretion. The University is therefore unable to guarantee the provision of placements or the location and type of placement offered.

    Student Contract

    By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. The 2023/24 Contract is currently being updated so please revisit this page before submitting your application. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.

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