StudyQA — Master: Business Analysis and Strategic Management

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Description Contents Requirements Funding

All taught course units are 15 credits.

Semester 1

Building Strategic Capabilities in Different Business Systems

This unit is the foundation of the course and runs over two semesters. You learn how firms and markets are organised differently across the world, discover why these differences have developed and how they are likely to change, and examine how firms from different business systems develop different strategies and competences. You analyse the implications of these influences in the context of multinational firms managing their subsidiaries, transferring knowledge and key assets and organising their workforce. You also build understanding on how and why different business environments encourage companies to behave in different ways, and manage accordingly.

Analysing Companies: Business Models, Narrative and Numbers

Concepts of business models are introduced as a way of understanding opportunities and constraints faced by companies in delivering financial performance. You are introduced to publications and cases studies on shareholder value and financialisation and about how capital market pressure has an impact upon strategic business choices.

Organisational Design and Strategy: International Contexts

You develop your ability to analyse and reflect upon organisation theory and practice and to understand, diagnose and respond to current and emergent organisational needs and issues. You also enhance your ability to comprehensively analyse complex issues, problems and conflicts that influence organisations and develop skills in proposing robust solutions to those problems.

Business Models: Theory and Practice

With a focus on private sector companies, you carry out an in-depth analysis on the ways in which companies attempt to make a profit. This involves the assessment of a wide range of strategic and operational issues to enhance your understanding of business. You learn how to analyse and reflect on the ways in which businesses add value; understand, diagnose and put forward your recommendations to current and emergent challenges that face companies; and assess case examples to analyse a wide range of issues, problems and conflicts that arise when companies try to implement various business models.

Semester 2

Strategic Management of the Multinational Firm across Divergent Institutional Systems

This unit follows on from Building Strategic Capabilities in Different Business Systems in Semester 1. You compare different institutional systems and analyse the preferred strategies and capabilities of companies across the globe. You build understanding on how international companies and markets are changing and how companies from different societies internationalise in contrasting ways.

Plus three option units from:

Technology, Innovation Management and Business Strategy

You consider the ways in which firms develop and implement technology strategy and manage their technological and innovative capabilities in support of business objectives. The unit will familiarise you with the issues that arise in the formulation of company technology strategy, the management of technology and its integration with business strategy.

International Human Resource Management

You develop an understanding of the international and comparative factors - such as national culture and legislation that shape human resource management. It provides an insight into the role of corporate HR functions and their contribution to business strategy and builds functional knowledge of the main developments in the management of expatriates and other forms of international manager, as organisations move towards global HR service provision, global knowledge management and international partnerships.

The Management of International Organisational Change

You review current ideas and practices on the what, why and how of managing change in contemporary organisations and social systems. In particular, you examine issues and dilemmas facing those managing change.

Global Business Strategy

You broaden your understanding of the strategic challenges and scenarios facing international organisations. Through a combination of lectures, readings and case analysis you develop the ability to identify, analyse and discuss strategic challenges that international companies face.

The Analysis of Business Structures

You are introduced to the main ideas involved in the economic analysis of business institutions with a focus on the economics of organisational architecture. You explore the relations between organisational strategy and organisational architecture and compare economic approaches to organisational analysis.

Digital Technologies, Development and Emerging Markets

You use theoretical approaches and case studies to assess the importance and implications of digital technologies in development globally. You build understanding of issues of policy and political economy that are central to how information and communication technologies (ICTs) work in these in different areas. Continuing innovation, such as the advent of social media and the rapid spread of mobiles, make this area highly relevant to analyses of development and the nature of emerging markets.

Asian Management Systems

You develop an understanding of how business structures and management practices evolve and the impact they have on the development of organisations capabilities and innovative competences. You gain knowledge of how business organisations have differed across major Asian economies, including China, India, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand, The unit provides interdisciplinary analysis on variations, continuities and changes in the structures that shape management systems and practices and govern innovation patterns. It also explores how the structures that govern management systems have shaped innovation strategies.

Business Environment and Strategy in China

You analyse the role of Chinas business environment in shaping organisational practices and competition strategy. You also explore the development of Chinese businesses as a result of the growing strength of the private sector, the entry of multinational corporations in China, and the global competition that the Chinese industries are increasingly facing. The u8nit builds awareness on the likely impact of elements of business strategy on Chinas environment and sustainability of long term development economically, socially as well as ecologically.

Instead of one of these option units, you can choose one unit from outside the course to complement your studies. Your choice of option unit will need to be approved by the course director, and is subject to availability. Students have opted to study units in marketing, supply chain management, corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions.

Summer research period

Client-facing group project with an external organisation / Dissertation (60 credits)

The client facing project is a key element of the course and provides you with valuable experience of working with a company in a consultancy role. It enables you to apply your knowledge to a real business issue and greatly improves your employability.

The result of this project is presented as a research report/dissertation. This experiential learning helps you to become a reflective practitioner or manager.

The project is offered if you gain a minimum of 50% in each first semester course unit. If not, you will be offered a project related to an external client, with no direct contact with the client. For those working on group projects, a group report and an individual report will be produced (both 6,000 words).

Alternatively, you may undertake an academic dissertation of 12,000 words. Your supervisor will help you to define the research and advise, guide and support you throughout.

Past projects have involved our students applying their skills across a range of fields:

* Study on the development of ethical workplaces
* Exploring the strategic expansion of the volunteer tourism industry into the academic market
* Economic performance and sector diversification of the North West and Greater Manchester
* An in-depth analysis of the wholesale market and changing trends towards online shopping
* Strategic positioning in relation to the Offshore Wind Turbine Market in northern Europe

Client-facing projects have included top brand names such as Deloitte; ICI; AstraZeneca and Asda among many others

If you have any queries about a course, please contact us, by telephone:

+44 (0)161 306 1339 or by email: pg@mbs.ac.uk

Note: this document is prepared in advance of the academic year to which it relates, and some modules may change before the course begins in September 2014.

This course provides a global perspective and explores the key issues confronting business organisations operating in the global arena. The course is aimed at graduates with business and related degrees interested in pursuing a career in the area of business analysis and development, including business consulting, or doctoral study.

Following completion of semester two, you undertake a client-facing project with an external client organisation. This, although unpaid, provides you with the opportunity to apply your learning to real business problems, gain valuable work experience of working with a reputed, real client and create networking opportunities.

Course Structure

All taught course units are 15 credits.

Semester 1

· Building Strategic Capabilities in Different Business Systems

· Analysing Companies: Business Models, Narrative and Numbers

· Organisational Design and Strategy: International Contexts

· Business Models: Theory and Practice

Semester 2

· Strategic Management of the Multinational Firm across Divergent Institutional Systems

Plus three option units from:

· Technology, Innovation Management and Business Strategy

· International Human Resource Management

· The Management of International Organisational Change

· Global Business Strategy

· The Analysis of Business Structures

· Digital Technologies, Development and Emerging Markets

· Asian Management Systems

· Business Environment and Strategy in China

Instead of one of these option units, you can choose one unit from outside the course to complement your studies. Your choice of option unit will need to be approved by the course director, and is subject to availability. Students have opted to study units in marketing, supply chain management, corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions.

Scholarships are available - please contact the School for further details

Masters Information Sessions

We are holding a series of Masters Information Sessions due to take place in 2014.

Wednesday 5th Febuary: 12.30-2.00pm

Wednesday 12th March: 12.30-2:00pm

Wednesday 2nd April: 12.30-2.00pm

Wednesday 30th April: 12.30-2:00pm

We are holding these sessionns in the Alumni Club room, MBS West (ground gloor). It's your chance to come along to apeak to staff and current students about the courses we offer.

For more information go to

Full entry requirementsAcademic entry qualification overview: We normally look for a UK bachelor degree with upper second class honours, or the overseas equivalent, in any discipline.When assessing your academic record we take into account; your grade average, position in class, references, and the standing of the institution where you studied your qualification. We particularly welcome applicants from institutions of high ranking and repute.English language: Students whose first language is not English will be required to take an English language test. English Language Requirements IELTS band: 7 CAE score: (read more) Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) is part of the Cambridge English suite and is targeted at a high level (IETLS 6.5-8.0). It is an international English language exam set at the right level for academic and professional success. Developed by Cambridge English Language Assessment - part of the University of Cambridge - it helps you stand out from the crowd as a high achiever. 75 (Grade B) TOEFL iBT® test: 100 IMPORTANT NOTE: Since April 2014 the ETS tests (including TOEFL and TOEIC) are no longer accepted for Tier 4 visa applications to the United Kingdom. The university might still accept these tests to admit you to the university, but if you require a Tier 4 visa to enter the UK and begin your degree programme, these tests will not be sufficient to obtain your Visa. The IELTS test is most widely accepted by universities and is also accepted for Tier 4 visas to the UK- learn more.