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Master of Business Administration

MBA  
The Course Programme Structure Staff Profiles Why YSJ ?

 

What will I study?

The MBA programme consists of core and option modules, plus a research project taught across three phases of learning. The option modules aim to develop your understanding of the management of innovation and creativity in a commercial context.

Most students will register for and complete the MBA programme. Others can choose to undertake a Postgraduate Certificate in Business Administration (60 credits) or a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration (120 credits). The programme can be taken either full-time (one year) or part-time (two - five years).

There will be one intake each year in September.

The MBA programme consists of 120 taught credits plus a 60-credit research project taught across three phases of learning:

Phase One (September to December - 60 Credits)

Phase One consists of a set of core modules designed to develop both your theoretical knowledge and practical leadership and management skills. It also introduces the concept of operating within an environmentally sustainable business model so that you are better placed to deal with the challenges of a global future.

  • Environmentally Sustainable Business (Core): explores the impact of business on current environmental concerns and issues relating to corporate social responsibility and environmental sustainability.
  • Managing Business Finance (Core): develops an understanding of the role of accountants in the management of a successful enterprise. There is an opportunity to use technical skills and gain a deep understanding of underlying concepts.
  • Human Resource Management (Core): introduces strategic and operational human resource management in a global business environment through theory and practice.
  • Leadership and Management Skills (Core): explores the field of leadership and management skills in a business context. It encourages you to critically analyse styles and theory whilst being self-aware in the decisions they make

 

Phase Two (January to March - 60 Credits)

Phase Two broadens and deepens your understanding of business management whilst continuing the development of practical leadership and management skills. Breadth is added by bringing together the core themes previously studied and viewing them through a strategic lens. Depth is facilitated by allowing you to direct your study through selection of optional modules.

  • International Business Strategy (Core): investigates how organisations develop strategies which reflect internationalisation and its effects on the business and market environment.
  • Leadership and Management Skills (Core): explores the field of leadership and management skills in a business context. It encourages you to critically analyse styles and theory whilst being self-aware in the decisions they make.

Two optional modules can be taken from:

  • Managing Operations and Information Systems (Option): focuses on how these areas create competitive advantage and add value in both production and service areas. Emphasis is placed on Business Process Improvement and Business Process Engineering.
  • International Trade and Globalization (Option): enables you to develop and deepen your understanding of the opportunities and challenges presented by globalisation.
  • Managing Corporate Reputation (Option): theoretical and practical techniques are explored and includes product and corporate branding, and the role of corporate responsibility in adding value to business and markets.
  • Global Marketing Leadership (Option): debates the importance of sustainable relationships between internal and external business and the community, when businesses are market leaders.
  • Managing Innovation and Creative People (Option): develops an understanding of creativity and innovation management in business organisations. 
  • Design in Business (Option): through engagement with projects and case studies, you will explore and understand the broader role of design in a business organisation.

 

Phase Three (April to September - 60 Credits)

Phase Three consists of a 60 credit research investigation culminating in a dissertation. In this phase you have the opportunity to specialise in an area of management that is of particular interest to you or your career.

Throughout the MBA, there will be taught sessions each day, as well as opportunity for guided private study.

 

Module Assessment

A range of assessment types are used. These normally include portfolio work, presentations, written assignments, case study reports, examinations and dissertation projects.

MBA Project Work

At York St John University we are proud to offer ‘live’ projects for our MBA students, working with companies based in the local areas. These might be large international companies, or small to medium sized enterprises or start-up businesses. These projects give our students the opportunity to work with real business people
in the UK and learn from the experience In 2011 some of our MBA students engaged in project work with a For-Profit manufacturing company Firmenich, which produces food flavourings for international giants such as
Walkers Crisps and Nestlé. The two projects looked at ‘Green Initiatives’ and ‘The Cost of Quality’. The ‘Green Initiatives’ project looked into technology for waste extraction which allows the waste to be recycled into biofuel. The students researched the technology, other users, and made recommendations to the
company. ‘The Cost of Quality’ project investigated the company’s distribution chain, looking at ways to
create efficiencies, better manage procedures, and prevent unnecessary losses.

Another project undertaken by MBA students in 2011 was with a Not-For-Profit organisation based in York, called The Healing Clinic. The project focused on the development of a business plan and finding sponsorship and investment for the company. Objectives for the project included providing research on potential investors, producing a Business Case to present to investors, and producing a feasibility study into additional operation sites. Our MBA students take their projects through to the dissertation stage, where they focus on
one aspect of the project work and explore it in more depth.

 

Degree programme information

Programme specifications »