Master of Business Administration (Sunderland University)

Course details

This internationally recognised MBA programme aims at graduates with significant business/management experience, it will significantly enhance your capability to function as a senior manager within a wide range of commercial and service organisations.

You will develop your strategic management knowledge, competence and problem-solving ability. You will also become familiar with international management practice, and the development of effective business cultures and performance enhancement.

The MBA is designed to draw upon the experience of the candidate and in recognition of the applied nature of the award the programme will emphasis an integrated and practical (professional) orientation over a theoretical approach.

Assessment

Students’ knowledge and understanding of each module are assessed through either examinations or assignments.

Graduation

Students who successfully complete the programme will be awarded the Master of Business Administration degree by the University of Sunderland. This degree is identical to that awarded to on-campus students. Graduates are then allowed to use the title MBA after their names.

Course Outline

Financial Management and Control (15 credits)

Upon successful completion of this module, students will have demonstrated:

• A critical understanding of the key strategic financial statements of an organisation
• Understanding and evaluation of the uses of both quantitative and qualitative accounting information within an organisation
• Knowledge and understanding of theoretical concepts and frameworks to a range of practical situations in order to propose solutions to strategic business problems

Managing and Leading People

Upon successful completion of this module, students will have demonstrated:

• A critical understanding of the attitudes and beliefs, players and influences that exist and the extent to which these help or hinder people and their organisations as they strive to achieve success
• A critical understanding and sound knowledge of the systems, processes and routines that underpin people leadership and management and the basics of people resourcing, learning/development and performance management
• A critical understanding and sound knowledge of the characteristics of successful organisations and of high performance people management

Operations Management (15 credits)

Upon successful completion of this module, students will have demonstrated:

• A critical understanding and explanation of the systematic nature of the Operations Management function
• Critical knowledge of the contribution made by operations management to corporate strategy
• Critical understanding of the interdependence of the operations function and the other key activities of the organisation

International Business Environment (15 credits)

This module examines aspects of the key concept of strategic management within an international business context. Upon successful completion of this module, students will have demonstrated:

• Their understanding of the concepts, terminology & theoretical models associated with international business policies and strategies
• An understanding of the political, socio-cultural, economic and technological factors that have been found to influence variations in international organisational business structures and management styles
• An awareness of the relationship between national and organisational cultures
• Their knowledge of the conceptual theory of ‘internationalisation’, innovation and competitive advantage to different industries and locations

Marketing Management (15 Credits)

Upon successful completion of this module, students will have demonstrated:

• That they understand the merits of particular marketing concepts when applied to selected business situations
• That they can understand the potential impact of factors in the external environment on the marketing activities of organisations
• That they have understanding of the major decisions that organisations confront in satisfying market-place needs
• That they understand market planning in organisations

Global Corporate Strategy (15 credits)

Upon successful completion of this module, students will have demonstrated:

• Their critical understanding and application of relevant theories associated with global corporate policies and strategies
• Understanding of the holistic nature of strategy and apply analytical techniques to solve complex problems in real life organizations
• Knowledge of the strategic decision making process through critical analysis of how strategic decision making enables an organization to relate to its global business environment

Information Management (15 credits)

Upon successful completion of this module, students will have demonstrated:

• A critical understanding of the role of information systems at different levels in business operations within different sectors
• Knowledge of different methods of obtaining data/ information
• Critical understanding of various statistical analyses in processing data/ information in different situations, in particular, with a view to decision making in business operations
• Their knowledge of data using appropriate statistical methods

Project Management (15 credits)

Upon successful completion of this module, students will have demonstrated:

• That they can appreciate the requirements for management control and the application of project control processes
• A critical understanding of the relationship between time, cost and quality in achieving project objectives

Dissertation

Upon successful completion of this module, students will have demonstrated:

• That they can understand specific substantive problems or issues within an organisation or business sector placing them into a strategic context within the research investigation
• A critical understanding of valid research questions via a review of the academic literature; a critical review of the activities and operations of the organisation/sector and the environment in which it operates
• A clear understanding of different research methodologies and their limitations, and be able to critically explain when one might be more appropriate than another in the context of the chosen research topic
• That the project findings have been logically derived and that the conclusions/solutions and recommendations are fully supported by the evidence presented
• That the recommendations for strategic change in the organisation/business sector investigated are capable of implementation
• How the personal and organisational learning that has taken place has affected the development of your skills and competences during the completion of your programme of study