Master of Business Administration MBA

Course Content

• Course Details

  Which MBA course is best?

  It’s important to do your research when choosing which MBA degree 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.

  What does an MBA 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.

  Modules

  Please note the modules shown here relate to the academic year 22/23. The modules relating to the academic year 23/24 will be available from June 2023.

  • Stage 1
    • Managing Operations and the Supply Chain (20 Credits)
      Module code: BSOM046

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to evaluate relevant and appropriate concepts and applications of operations and supply chain management. It will also enable the students to critically analyse the complex issues underlying the topic. Moreover, the learners will have the opportunity to assess strategic decision making processes within their own organisations.
    • Financial Decision Making (20 Credits)
      Module code: FINM036

      Status: Compulsory
      The module is designed to provide students with strategic knowledge and capability in the concepts and applications of accounting, quantitative methods, management information, and IT applications. The module equips participants with skills which enable critical interpretion and interrogation of accounting and financial information in corporate decision making contexts.
    • Managing and Organisational Behaviour (20 Credits)
      Module code: HRMM055

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to develop critical understanding of theories related to organisational behaviour and Human Resource Management. Students will engage in informed decision making and apply theoretical concepts in practice considering the contextual and subjective nature of the discipline.
    • Strategic Marketing (20 Credits)
      Module code: MKTM028

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to equip senior and aspiring senior managers with marketing knowledge and skills to help shape organisational success. The module will give participants a strategic perspective of marketing management and an understanding of the strategic marketing planning process.
    • The Entrepreneurship Report (20 Credits)
      Module code: MKTM033

      Status: Compulsory
      This module explores how to identify and exploit a gap in the market and consider tactics and metrics for the key functional areas to produce a convincing business plan including a road map for a business.
    • Critical Issues in Business (10 Credits)
      Module code: STRM042

      Status: Compulsory
      This module is designed to provide participants with an introduction to study on the MBA programme by making explicit the pervasive issues in business to which they will return throughout their MBA and will examine in detail in the Business Research Project. The module takes a critical perspective throughout, and sets the standards expected and required for students as they progress.
    • Competitive Strategy and Innovation (20 Credits)
      Module code: STRM043

      Status: Compulsory
      Successful organisations need to be flexible and adaptable to rapidly changing circumstances. For managers, this means being able to reconcile a diversity of strategic issues, no matter what their professional background. All managers need the capability to develop and interpret strategies for their organisations, both at corporate and business levels in order to seek competitive advantage in a fast-changing world where innovation and adaptability are key strategic weapons.
    • Business Management Research in Practice (30 Credits)
      Module code: STRM059

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to enable learners to develop advanced-level independent research and critical problem-solving skills within a business context. Learners will develop knowledge of, proficiency in, and application of a range of management research methodologies including qualitatative and quantitative research methods resulting in proposals/ recommendations.
    • International Business Negotiation (20 Credits)
      Module code: STRM060

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to engage learners with the theories and practices associated with international business negotiation. They will develop skills of negotiation in different situations and in cross-cultural contexts, becoming effective and responsible negotiators.
    • Digital Business (20 Credits)
      Module code: BSOM083

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to introduce learners to current debates about the role of digital technologies in society and how they add competitive advantage to organisations. The module will consider where and how digital technologies are used to capture value from new innovations, enhance performance and deliver services.
    • Practical Data Analysis for Business (10 Credits)
      Module code: BSOM084

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to enable learners to effectively utilise secondary data to inform organisational proposals and decisions. Learners will be equipped with the skills required to acquire, manage, analyse and apply qualitative and quantitative secondary data sets.
    • Enterprise in the Circular Economy Value Chain (20 Credits)
      Module code: BSOM085

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to engage learners with the principles of the circular economy. Learners will examine how organisations use and apply these principles, considering how they impact upon business problem appraisal, decision-making, strategy and culture in the context of a `farm-fork? food value chain.
    • Economic Analysis and Value (20 Credits)
      Module code: ECNM023

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to enable learners to make strategic decisions, taking into account critical issues facing organisations in today?s complex and challenging environment. Learners will examine and apply a range of economic tools to aid decision-making.
    • Measuring Organisational Performance (10 Credits)
      Module code: FINM074

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to introduce learners to the features of different organisation types and structures, and associated functions and processes. The module examines the strategic inter-relationships between business functions and processes, and the impact of these on organisational performance through understanding and interpreting financial information.
    • Major Project (Standard) (40 Credits)
      Module code: FINM075

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to enable learners to devise an original research project associated with topics and themes from the MBA programme. The module provides opportunities for learners to identify, select and analyse secondary data in novel and innovative ways for applied research in business and management contexts.
    • Skills for MBA Study (10 Credits)
      Module code: HRMM079

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to equip learners with the skills and confidence to successfully navigate the critical and analytical demands of master's level academic study. Learners will reflect upon their previous study experiences and learning transitions, situating these experiences in the context of relevant academic literature.
    • Ethical and Responsible Leadership (20 Credits)
      Module code: HRMM080

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to enable learners to recognise, develop and apply responsible leadership qualities and skills, in line with the United Nations Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME). Learners will consider how ethical and responsible leadership behaviours contribute towards creating ethically responsible organisations in dynamic organisational environments.
    • Marketing Innovation (20 Credits)
      Module code: MKTM047

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to take a visionary approach and equip learners with innovation knowledge and skills, to deal with the challenges of a fast-moving marketplace, supporting growing organisations in their marketing, where creativity is a driver of innovation and change.
    • Strategy and Decision Making (10 Credits)
      Module code: STRM085

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to introduce learners to the theory and practice of strategic decision-making in, and management of, organisations. Learners will analyse how the dynamic internal and external business environment impacts on the component elements of organisations, and how organisations seek competitive advantage through strategy and decision-making.

  * Only applicable to students studying a full-time MBA on campus directly through the University of Northampton.
  ** Optional – not included in course fees. Only available to students studying a full-time MBA on campus directly through the University of Northampton.
  *** Optional – membership and/or examination fees not

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• 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 course. Work experience is useful but is not an essential MBA entry requirement, so long as you can demonstrate a clear passion and interest in business and/or enterprise.

  English Language Requirements

  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.

  Equivalent qualifications are considered, for further information regarding English language requirements at the University, please see our English Language Requirements page.

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• Fees and Funding

  23/24 Tuition Fees

  Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 23/24 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  • UK Full Time: £11,800
  • International Full Time: £17,500

  Additional costs

  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.

  22/23 Tuition Fees

  Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 22/23 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  • UK Full Time: £11,070
  • International Full Time: £16,000

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Careers and Employability

Unlike other postgraduate programmes which provide in depth specialisation in a specific field, an MBA is interdisciplinary. An MBA exposes you to all areas of business including accounting, finance, marketing, and human resources.