Senior Lecturer in Human Resource Mgmt & OB
Master of Business Administration MBA
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Master of Business Administration MBA
Key Facts
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Level
Master'sPG MBA
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Duration
Full Time: 1 Year
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Starting
September, January, June
SEP, JAN, JUN
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£12,300
Placement fee (Year Two): £1,000 * -
£18,000
Placement fee (Year Two): £1,000 * -
Waterside
Updated 04/11/2025
Updated 04/11/2025
Get in touch
For questions regarding study and admissions please contact us:
UK STUDENTS ENQUIRIES
study@northampton.ac.uk
0300 303 2772
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ENQUIRIES
Overview
The Master of Business Administration MBA is a globally recognised postgraduate qualification for ambitious, motivated graduates. If you aspire to be a business professional and do not have any previous business or management experience, studying for a master of business administration degree will allow you to achieve this. Meanwhile, Executive MBAs are best suited to experienced candidates seeking to progress their career further.
Studying our MBA courses will support your career progression by developing your critical thinking and research skills and enhancing your business knowledge and understanding. You will learn to think laterally, challenge convention and offer informed solutions to business issues. You will also gain valuable skills that will set you apart from others, allowing you to progress to your full career potential.
The MBA standard pathway will allow you to complete your MBA studies in one year. However, if you are seeking to gain UK work experience as part of your studies, consider our popular MBA placement pathway in which you will have the opportunity to take a 6-to-12-month paid work placement as part of your studies*.
Professional Body: Chartered Management Institute
Speak to a current MBA student on Unibuddy if you have any University of Northampton or programme related questions.
Highlights
- Interactive learning activities in small groups; no lengthy lectures in big theatres.
- A special focus on the contemporary and practical knowledge and skills relevant to the markets’ needs.
- A dedicated module designed to prepare international students to the UK Education System, and to help them develop transformable digital and non-digital skills that are essential to today’s business environments.
- A condensed teaching schedule that allows students to have more time to be utilised for their self-guided studies and other self-development activities.
- Chartered Management Institute (CMI) Level 7 Strategic Management and Leadership Practice Diploma upon graduation, and affiliate CMI membership throughout the course of study and three months after graduation.**
An academic discusses a topic with students seated at a conference table in an MBA class.
An academic presents to a class during an MBA study skills session.
Three MBA students work together on a group project during a class.
An academic and two MBA students discuss a topic.
Students sit at a conference table during an MBA seminar.
An academic discusses a topic with students during an MBA seminar.
An academic discusses a topic with students during an MBA class.
Entry Requirements
If you hold a first or second class honours degree from a British university or equivalent, you will be eligible to apply for this Master of Business Administration MBA course.
Equivalent qualifications are considered.
Work experience is useful but is not an essential MBA business entry requirement, so long as you can demonstrate a clear passion and interest in business and/or enterprise.
If English is not your first language, you must meet the following English language requirements:
- IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum of 6.0 in writing and 5.5 in all other skills
for further information regarding English language requirements at the University, please see our English Language Requirements page.
Course Content
Which MBA course is best?
It’s important to do your research when choosing which MBA course to study. The right course for you will depend on your personal interests, experience and ambitions. Your options include General MBA courses, which teach a broad range of business skills and are ideal for those with less managerial experience. Alternatively, if you are progressing to finance-related positions at management and board level, MBA Finance could be a more suitable option for you
What does an MBA qualification get you?
If you choose to pursue MBA study with a university, you can benefit in a number of different ways. The experience and knowledge gained on MBA courses can lead to more career options being available to you, promotion from your current position and an increased salary. They also come with the advantage of global recognition, making them valuable to individuals working abroad.
Enhanced Learning Credits Scheme
The Master of Business Administration MBA is part of the Enhanced Learning Credits Scheme (ELCS). The ELCS is an opportunity for members of the Armed Forces to further or expand on their education. The scheme offers support financially in a maximum of three separate financial years for higher level learning of a nationally recognised qualification at a Level three or above.
Work Placement Year
This MBA course also has the option of a 6–12-month work placement. A Master of Business Administration MBA work placement will give you the opportunity to develop your knowledge and skills in a real-world environment, while completing your Major Project (placement). This will give you an advantage over the competition for jobs and scholarships after you graduate and could be a good starting point for setting up your own business.
Securing a placement
Your placement will need to be appropriate to your level of study and you should be paid for this work. It is important to note that we will support you in securing a suitable placement opportunity, however, it must be noted that placements are highly competitive and there’s no guarantee of a placement offer being made.
The finding and securing of a work placement is the responsibility of the student and while the University cannot offer you a guaranteed placement, our dedicated Student Futures team are on hand to offer help and support to maximise the chances of you finding and securing a work placement, see the FAQs section for further information. If you are unable or unwilling to progress with a work placement, you will have the option to transfer onto our Major Project (standard) module to gain the required credits to complete your programme of study.
Chartered Management Institute (CMI) Level 7 Diploma and affiliate membership*
The CMI is the leading management organisation in the UK with a developing reputation across the world. Membership provides significant benefits in networking, access to information and research. You will receive a CMI Level 7 Diploma and affiliate membership (included as part of your course fees) throughout the course and this will continue to be valid for 3 months after you have graduated.
Modules
Trimester 1
Academic and Digital Skills for Professionals (20 Credits; Compulsory)
You will be equipped with skills and confidence to successfully navigate the demands of both master’s level study and future careers in the digital era. Through reflection, you will be analysing and critiquing previous experiences, situating these in the context of relevant academic literature and real-life case studies.
People Development and Leadership (20 Credits; Compulsory)
You will be able to critically evaluate and develop strategic people development and leadership skills. Application of these skills will enable you to understand individual/collective behavioural dynamics and its influence on organisational goals. You will also have the opportunity to develop self-reflection through reflective practice and models of professional development.
Strategy and Decision Making (20 Credits; Compulsory)
You will be equipped with applied knowledge of strategic management and economic principles that underpin decision making in organisations. You will be analysing how the dynamic business environment influences organisational strategy formulation, and how sustained competitive advantage and growth are achieved through astute decision making.
Career Futures: Employability Skills (0 Credits; Compulsory) – For MBA placement pathway students
You will be equipped with the skills and knowledge to be able to compete for current (placements and internships) and future job opportunities.
Trimester 2
Practical Data Analysis for Business (20 Credits; Compulsory)
You will learn how to effectively utilise secondary data to inform organisational proposals and decisions. You will be equipped with the skills required to acquire, manage, analyse and apply qualitative and quantitative secondary data sets in a business management context.
Marketing Innovation (20 Credits; Compulsory)
You will be provided with a comprehensive understanding of entrepreneurial and intrapreneurial principles, focusing on their application in various business scenarios and emphasising the importance of creativity as a catalyst for innovation and transformation in any business environment.
Financial Management for Organisational Performance (20 Credits; Compulsory)
This module explores the role of Accounting and Finance in organisations, enabling you to understand and analyse financial information for strategic decision making. It examines inter-relationships between business functions, processes, and their impact on organisational performance.
Trimester 3
Sustainable and Transformative Operations Management (20 Credits; Compulsory)
You will be introduced to the concepts and strategies associated with sustainably managing the business operations that are associated with transforming goods and services from the point of origin to the final customer.
One of the following Major Project modules:
– Major Project – Standard (40 Credits; Compulsory) – For MBA standard pathway students only
You will be able to devise an original research project associated with topics and themes from the MBA programme. The module provides opportunities for you to identify, select and analyse secondary data in novel and innovative ways for applied research in business and management contexts.
– Major Project – Placement (40 Credits; Compulsory) – For MBA placement pathway students only
You will learn how to identify, select and research a work-based business or management topic. You will be introduced to key concepts in work-based research and be equipped with the skills required to engage in action research in applied business and management contexts.
Module information for the MBA placement pathway the can be found in this Award Map. While module information for the MBA standard pathway can be found on this Award Map.
* Subject to securing a work placement offer and meeting the programme’s work placement requirements.
** Only applicable to students studying MBA full-time on campus, directly through The University of Northampton. Also, subject to a satisfactory CMI inspection.
Do I need a background in Business to be able to join the programme?
Usually, no. However, having business experience may help your application, and you could potentially develop knowledge and understanding of the taught content quickly.
Will I be required to attend the teaching sessions in person?
Most modules will have an in-classroom (i.e. in-person) three-hour weekly session across thirteen weeks. However, in a few modules, you will also have the opportunity to attend some of the teaching/support sessions online.
How will I be assessed for this Master of Business Administration MBA?
The assessment strategies in this programme allow you to acquire up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills to help you stand out professionally. You may complete some assessments individually, while others may require you to complete a specific task as part of a group. The assessment types in this programme vary between Video Presentation, In-classroom Presentation, Personal Reflection, Case Analysis Report, Business Plan, Portfolio, Time-constrained Report (to be completed in 72 hours), among others.
Will I be able to transfer between programmes/pathways after I complete my face-to-face enrolment?
There is a short window of opportunity, at the start of your programme, to transfer between programmes/pathways. We deal with transfer requests on a case-by-case basis; some requests are easier to accommodate than others. You must discuss your transfer requests with the programme team very early in the programme (preferably during the induction week). For any transfer-related enquiries, please contact MBAsupport@northampton.ac.uk.
Will I have access to professional resources during my MBA studies?
In addition to academic resources (e.g. books and journal articles), we also provide you with a wide range of professional resources (e.g. professional courses) such as LinkedIn Learning, CMI, ILX, and Bloomberg for Education, just to mention a few.
What support will I be provided with to find and secure a work placement?
If you enrol on the Placement pathway, you will study a module called HRMM072 Career Futures: Employability Skills. This module provides the foundation of the skills you need to enter the UK labour market and apply for suitable roles. The intranet site for this module has a wealth of information, including links to various websites where suitable roles are advertised, and roles are advertised directly on the site too. There is a placement-specific FAQs document on the site too.
However, you cannot rely on this module alone for support: you must seek advice and support from the Student Futures team, in particular the Career Development Consultants (CDCs) and the interactive information and activities within the Student Futures Portal. We will not be able to provide you with a placement role, but we can direct you to the places where you can find support, and offer you the opportunities to learn the skills you need to enter the UK labour market.
Depending on when you start, there is a Careers Fair that includes Placement Providers, where you can come to campus and speak with potential employers. The event is an excellent opportunity to practice your networking skills and make a good first impression with real employers.
Additionally, part of your programme includes guest speakers in the Weekly Support Sessions, and these can be great opportunities to ask questions and get tips on applying for placement roles successfully.
Who to contact for more information?
For further information regarding the programme, please contact the MBA team on MBAsupport@northampton.ac.uk.
Fees and Funding
2025/26 Tuition Fees
Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 2025/26 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.
- UK Full Time: £12,300
- International Full Time: £18,000
- Year 2 Placement Fee: £1,000 * (for placements starting in September 2026 or January 2027)
*The placement fee amount will only be charged to you after you secure a placement and are enrolled on the work based project in year 2 of your course. You will not be charged this fee if you do not secure a work placement.
On the MBA course, you will have the opportunity to participate in the MBA business event in your first year.* The MBA business event is optional and the cost should not exceed £500 for flights and accommodation (if you are travelling from the UK). You will need to allow an additional £250 for your expenses.
Please note: Additional fees, over and above your course fees, will be payable for the optional elements, for example for travel and accommodation for the Business Event or by the examination or membership bodies for membership and assessments associated with the qualifications.
*Only available to students studying a full-time MBA on campus directly through the University of Northampton.
For more information about possible funding options, please visit our Scholarships and Fees and Funding pages.
Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 2024/25 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.
- UK Full Time: £11,800
- International Full Time: £17,500
- Year 2 Placement Fee: £1,000 * (for placements starting in September 2025 or January 2026)
*The placement fee amount will only be charged to you after you secure a placement and are enrolled on the work based project in year 2 of your course. You will not be charged this fee if you do not secure a work placement.
Careers and Employability
Unlike other postgraduate programmes which provide in depth specialisation in a specific field, an MBA is interdisciplinary. A Master of Business Administration MBA degree exposes you to all areas of business including accounting, finance, marketing, and human resources.
Campus Facilities
When you study a Master of Business Administration MBA with the University of Northampton, you will be able to enhance your studies by taking advantage of our on-campus facilities, study areas, and services.
