Master of Business Administration - MBA Global

Become a business leader of the future with an excellent understanding of digital platforms, AI, new ways of working, the importance of embedding sustainable development and practice, enabling you to become responsible leaders and managers. 
 
The world of business and commerce is developing at an exponential rate, with the development of new ‘game changing’ technologies and the need for businesses to develop in sustainable and responsible ways. The organisations that will prosper in this new environment will require their leaders and managers to be equipped with the skills, knowledge, traits, behaviours and self-efficacy to navigate, contribute and provide added value as organisations develop to meet new needs.

If you're studying the MBA full time and are an International student, you can choose to apply with a 9-12 month UK based industry placement included as part of your degree. The placement section of the degree takes place and is conditional upon successful completion of your taught modules. You’ll receive support from our Careers and Employment Service as well as the MBA Global programme team to help you apply for placements, including; networking events, CV writing workshops and learning and practicing interview techniques.

First steps for a sustainable future

 Our curriculum is aligned to key initiatives including the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. You’ll develop an understanding of how value may be added that serves, realises and enhances, organisations, employees, consumers, society and the natural environment. We aim to create graduates who are able to provide new insights and propose solutions to the challenges that organisations are now facing, whilst exhibiting the values expected by organisations and society, today and in the future. 

A solid basis in business

The collaborative approach to work on the programme offers excellent networking opportunities – with students from around the World, from private, public and third sectors, allowing you to build valuable connections and professional networks. You will learn through real-world practice drawn from across the global business sector.

All students will have the opportunity to undertake a social impact project over 6 months, either working with, or for, organisations, offering their skills, knowledge, experience and time, to contribute to addressing real world organisational and societal needs. If you study the MBA full time you could also have the opportunity to take a 9-12 month placement in a related industry or sector within the UK to enhance your employability. 

Academic Expertise 

Offering substantial business and management experience, our lecturers combine academic rigour with real-world practice. They are conducting national and international leading and influential research and consultancy work, ensuring the knowledge they share with you is always cutting edge..  
We offer a professional, collaborative learning environment where students can design, create, and test new knowledge and ideas in partnership with academics and industry to build the confidence and creativity required to succeed in their future careers. 

Our teaching is underpinned by partnerships with regional, national and international employers as well as the leading professional bodies. Our networks include major names such as: Rolls-Royce, Boots, JCB, Toyota, Bombardier, DHL, the NHS, Champneys, Chatsworth House, Marriott International, The Dorchester and The Gleneagles Hotel. 

Ways to study the MBA

There are several ways to study our MBA, you can study our MBA full time or part time. Alternatively, we also offer the following delivery methods: 

• MBA (Online)
• MBA Block Delivery

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You’ll study the following modules: 

• Responsible and Authentic Leadership 
• Entrepreneurship and Innovation  
• Strategy, Finance and Business Transformation  
• Sustainable Business Operations  
• Independent Study: Research Methods  
• Digital Marketing Strategies for International Markets 
• Business Analytics for Strategic Decision-Making 
• Independent Study: Dissertation  
• Social Impact Project.

Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.

We offer an engaging learning environment, taking you beyond the classroom so that you can apply your learning to real-world business challenges, including delivering practical solutions for a range of organisations.  You will be inspired by a mix of: 
 

• face-to-face and virtual lectures 
• case studies 
• Simulations and board room activities 
• scholarly debates 
• online collaborative discussions 
• presentations 
• enquiry-based learning 
• problem-solving activities 
• industry seminars and conferences 
• guest speakers 
• visits to business organisations.

Ours is an engaging learning environment, where you will receive plenty of individual support from tutors. We provide you with key reading and online research resources from around the World, and you can make the most of the University’s online teaching portal.

How you are assessed 

Our wide-ranging assessment methods are designed to enhance your transferable skills, personal and professional development. They will provide you with the opportunity to undertake:

• Digital ‘sales pitches’ 
• Digital presentations 
• Creating digital artifacts 
• Board room simulations. 
• Real world social impact projects 
• Case studies 
• Reflective reports.  
• Collaborative activities

Our structured approach to formative assessment means that you will receive lots of support, guidance and feedback on your progress throughout your MBA journey.

The strong international perspectives of our MBA bring a whole new dimension to your CV. Our emphasis on work-based learning also equips you to apply your knowledge in ways which make an immediate impact – whether you are embarking on a new role or advancing your professional practice within your own organisation.

Equally important are the integrated support modules which will help you plan the next stage of your professional development. You can boost your employability through access to career coaching, mentoring and career development workshops.

Gaining a postgraduate degree can significantly boost your earning potential. Latest government statistics* show that postgraduates earn on average £6,000 more per year than graduates, with a median salary of £40,000.

Our Careers and Employment Service will provide you with support from day one of your course to ensure you leave Derby as a ‘work-ready’ graduate – industry aware, motivated and enterprising. Throughout your studies, you’ll also benefit from our Personal Development Planning (PDP) scheme which enables you to reflect on your learning and develop your career ambitions.

The support continues once you’ve completed your course too: you are entitled to further help and guidance from the Careers and Employment Service for up to three years after leaving the University.

*Graduate Labour Market Statistics 2018, Department for Education

Further study

Inspired by the intellectual challenge of the MBA, you could choose to undertake PhD research and develop an academic career. You may be entitled to an alumni discount on your fees if you decide to extend your time with us by progressing from the MBA to a doctorate.

Applicants should normally hold a good honours degree (minimum upper second class) from a UK university (or overseas equivalent) in any subject or a professional qualification deemed to be of equivalent standing. Alternatively, applicants may have significant management experience and a substantial record of achievement. Applicants meeting these criteria may not have previously studied at university.

We welcome and encourage all applicants as long as they can be considered adequately prepared to succeed on the programme. If learners have few or no formal qualifications, they may be able to gain entry to the programme if they have the required communication and learning skills as well as the knowledge, experience and motivation to succeed.

We welcome applications from international students. If your first language is not English you will be expected to have IELTS 6.5 (with at least 5.5 in each skill area). You may be exempt from providing evidence of English language proficiency if you have gained your undergraduate degree from a UK university. Please see further information for international applicants, including a list of documents required.

All applications are considered on an individual basis. Applicants may be invited to an interview, either on campus or online, as part of the application process.

When submitting your application, please ensure it is complete, with all the relevant documents requested in the application form.

Please note fees normally increase in line with inflation and the University's strategic approach to fees, which is reviewed on an annual basis. The total fee you pay may therefore increase after one year of study.

* UK full-time fees paid within one academic year are rounded down to the nearest £50 if applicable

Additional costs and optional extras

About postgraduate awards

Please note at postgraduate level, you'll need to gain the following number of credits in total to obtain the respective awards. If you have any questions please contact us.

This means you will gain 180 credits in total to complete the full MA or MSc. If you are studying part time you will normally complete your studies over two or three years, depending on the course structure.

Funding your studies

Find out more about fees, postgraduate loans and support you may be entitled to.

Find out about funding your studiesFind out about funding your studies

Alumni discount for Derby graduates

We offer a discount on postgraduate course fees for all Derby alumni.

Find out about the Alumni discountFind out about the Alumni discount

Additional information about your studies

Teaching hours

Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.