MBA

The Bristol MBA degree is practical, flexible and focused. This highly regarded full-time course has been designed to enhance your management career, helping you to reach new heights in business.

An MBA qualification helps you towards better prospects, salaries, and ultimately, further fulfillment in business. The Bristol MBA is rooted in the real world of business and has been carefully designed to give you a practical insight into the key issues facing organisations today in all parts of the world. The course can have a profound impact on your career, helping you exceed your potential, and preparing you for the challenges ahead. Our well-established international links help transform Bristol MBA students into effective business leaders with a global outlook.

People choose to study for an MBA for different reasons and with different outcomes in mind. The Bristol MBA is vocationally focused, allowing you to tailor your studies to develop areas of knowledge relevant to your career plan, meet your particular goals, and shape your business future. Whatever you want to get out of the course, it's going to be demanding and challenging dedication, energy and enthusiasm are a prerequisite.

You can start the full time MBA in either January or September and complete the course in 12 months.

The Bristol MBA will serve you well in your day-to-day business as well as giving you a passport to a higher-flying career.

You will study six core modules:

Customer and International Market Analysis

• Evaluating dynamic and complex market opportunities
• Identifying potential competitive strategies and understanding how to respond
• Analysing macro and micro environmental factors and incorporating macroeconomic theory
• Studying consumption theories to develop effective market positioning in international markets
• Working from real decision-making situations in the form of case studies, problem-solving activities and discussion of current marketing issues.

Strategy and Implementation

• Examining how companies formulate strategy and translate it into action through case studies and classic readings
• Setting the direction and values of an organisation and achieving competitive advantage in a global economy
• Running a virtual company through a computer simulation, devising a strategy and undertaking critical decision-making tasks.

Leadership, Complexity and Change

• Analysing theoretical and practical issues around key topics such as politics, power, authority and diversity
• Learning how to lead teams based on individual contribution and group dynamics
• Investigating how to work with emotion, risk, and unpredictability
• Exploring ethical and strategic leadership in organisations, including CSR, sustainability, creativity, enterprise and entrepreneurship
• Encouraging self-reflection and critical inquiry.

Managing People in a Global Context

• Looking at the practice and theory of resourcing, acquiring talent, and managing performance in an international context.
• Developing practical skills including: selection, interviewing, negotiation skills, conflict resolution and staff development
• Learning through case studies, problem-solving exercises and role playing
• Accessing interactive web-based support.

Financial Decision Making

• Analysing revenue and costing information for short- and long-term decision making
• Teaming up with finance specialists to support management roles
• Emphasising the importance of using up-to-date financial information
• Using local and international financial databases to enhance the real-time learning environment
• Exploring ethical dilemmas and corporate social responsibility issues.

Systems, Structures and Operations

• Understanding the latest information systems and operations management topics
• Learning through case studies, simulated game playing and scenario planning
• Accessing interactive web-based support.

You then choose a further two optional modules, studying three compulsory modules and one optional module per semester. After these are completed, you will concentrate on your dissertation.

Executive Dissertation / Consultancy Dissertation

You can choose to work on a research project that fits with your interests and ambitions. Alternatively, you can undertake a consultancy research project addressing the needs of a client, putting your skills and adaptability to the test.

Integrated Management Research and Professional Development

In addition, the Integrated Management Research and Professional Development module will support you throughout the course, developing your personal and research skills, according to your particular needs.

You will need:

• an honours degree (minimum 2.2) from a recognised Higher Education institution or equivalent from a recognised overseas institution,
• three years' work experience relevant to the MBA course content.

If you do not have a first degree, certain professional qualifications combined with managerial experience may be sufficient.

Your personal statement should include detailed responses to the questions listed below:

• Why have you decided to undertake an MBA at this point in your career? (150 words maximum)
• Why have you chosen to study an MBA at Bristol UWE? (150 words maximum)
• What knowledge, personal qualities and skills would you bring to this course? (150 words maximum)
• What do you intend to do after you have completed this course? (150 words maximum)
• Please describe your past experience within organisations (paid work experience, voluntary experience, family business, entrepreneur projects etc.). In particular, please focus on projects where you have collaborated with other people or institutions/organisations. (300 words maximum)

English Language Requirements:
If English is not your first language, you will be required to meet the Home Office and UWE's minimum English Language requirements, such as the International English Language Test (IELTS) 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in all components.

Bristol MBA International Scholarship