Business Administration

The Richmond University MBA is ideal for students who have recently completed their undergraduate studies. The MBA aims to deliver a programme that will equip you with the key technical competencies companies expect and the critical skills that global organisations value above all: the ability to work with, and lead, multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams; to think creatively about complex problems; and engage and create your own knowledge networks to generate innovative solutions.

Our faculty benefits from global industry experience and will provide students with a solid foundation in strategic business management. Students who participate and complete the internship will apply the knowledge and understanding gained in the classroom in to the workplace environment.

If you are looking for an MBA that offers a values-led curriculum focused on leadership, innovation and best practice - choose the Richmond MBA.

Key Aims/Goals of the Richmond MBA

Develop students’ ability to strategically manage in the workplace.

Develop the ability to apply the techniques and tools utilised within a business for financial analysis and control.

Provide students with the required tools for decision-making and data analysis.

Apply business principles to actual situations through case-study work.

Optional Accredited Internship

The Internship Programme integrates theory with practice. Students will be challenged to relate classroom situations to the workplace, make contacts which may prove valuable to their future employment prospects, and gain confidence in their capabilities, creativity and communication skills. Internships are designed to be both demanding and rewarding. The internship will provide an opportunity to deploy the skills learned on courses in a real world setting, as students produce an assessed record of their experiences. In an increasingly competitive graduate careers market, internships are an invaluable opportunity that not only supplement the theoretical lessons of the programme but also provide a direct link to careers and further opportunities.

The internship is conducted in the Summer months. Candidates who wish to opt out of the intership choose a more extensive dissertation in the Summer semester.

Course Structure:

The structure of the MBA is organised as follows – there are three core courses in the Fall semester, as listed below, and two core course in the Spring semester with two electives, as specified. Students who wish to opt out of the Summer internship choose a more extensive dissertation in the Summer semester.

All courses run depending on demand and faculty availability.

Fall Semester (12 credits) - Core Courses

Financial Management (4 credits)
Economics of Business (4 credits)
Project Management (4 credits)

Spring Semester (12 credits) – Specialised Courses

Organisational Behaviour (4 credits)
Global Marketing Strategy (4 credits)

Plus 1 of the following:

Corporate Governance (4 credits)
Entrepreneurship Management (4 credits)
Leadership and Corporate Strategy (4 credits)

Summer Semester: (12 credits)

Research Methods (4 credits)

Either: Dissertation (without Internship) – 15,000 words (8 credits)
Or: Dissertation (with Internship) – 10,000-12,000 words (8 credits)

Academic BackgroundUS Bachelors degree from an accredited institution, or UK first degree with minimum second class honours, or an overseas equivalent as determined by the University. Relevant work experience is welcomed and may on occasion be accepted in lieu of a first degree, but is not required.Professional StatementWe seek students who are committed to engaging in serious research and who demonstrate a curiosity and interest in their chosen field. Therefore, all applicants must submit a Personal Statement of 1,500 words addressing their reasons for wishing to undertake the Masters programme at Richmond.Academic ReferencesTo help us evaluate your potential for success in the Richmond graduate programme, we require at least one academic references from an academic who know you and who knows your work.English Language ProficiencyThe language of instruction at Richmond is English, and non-native English speakers are asked to provide TOEFL, IELTS, or Pearson Academic Test of English language examination results as proof of their fluency in written and spoken English. We look for an IELTS of 6.5 overall with no element below 6.0 or iBT TOEFL of 88 overall with 20 in reading, 19 in listening, 21 in speaking and 20 in writing, or Pearson Academic Test of English with 61 overall and 56 in each element. Admissions Process:The admissions process is a multi-step team approach. Typically, applications are reviewed by the Postgraduate Applications Review Committee which consists of the Programme Director and the Head of Admissions. These parties will be responsible for deciding upon all matters pertaining to this area.Applications are reviewed holistically. Applications are not eliminated for admission based on test scores, nationality, gender, ethnicity or other factors. Each criterion is considered to provide a holistic picture of an applicant's qualifications. This process allows the committee to select those candidates most likely to be successful in our Programmes. English Language Requirements IELTS band: 6.5 TOEFL iBT® test: 88 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.

Masters Scholarship

Each year Richmond will award a scholarship to a maximum of three outstanding new entrants to our Masters programmes. Each will cover the duration of the programme, subject to grades, with one as a 100% remission of tuition fees payable and the remaining two worth 50% remission of tuition fees payable.

To be eligible for consideration, a prospective scholar must have, by 1st June preceding the programme start date:

accepted the offer of a place on a Richmond Masters programme for the entry year concerned and

submitted a complete scholarship application form.

Recipients of the scholarship will be decided by the Vice Chancellor on the basis of:

their applications for study and the Scholarship,

their level of academic achievement prior to entry to the Richmond Masters programme, and

advice from the Richmond academic departments concerned.

Scholars will be informed by July 15th. The University reserves the right to make the offer of a scholarship subject to certain conditions being met (for example, where the final outcome of undergraduate study is not known at the point of scholarship application)

Once awarded, continuation of the Scholarship into the second and subsequent semesters of study will be dependent on the Scholar:

progressing normally on the programme, having achieved a cumulative GPA of not less than 3.7 by the completion of the previous semester; and

remaining in good standing and making a positive contribution to University life.

The fee waiver is cancelled in total if the student does not remain actively enrolled for three successive semesters (full time programmes) or six successive semesters (part time programmes).

The Masters Scholarship may not be held in conjunction with any other form of financial or scholarship support from the University.

Financial Assistance

Tuition fees, books, a laptop computer (required), and living costs are the main items you will need to take into account in estimating the total cost of your MA Program.

MA students fund their studies from a variety of sources such as loans, grants, and personal resources.

United States Government Loans

Stafford Loans

U.S. citizens and U.S. green card holders may qualify for Stafford loans. To apply you must complete the Free application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). In the U.S. you can also call 1-8004FED AID to request a form. The U.S. Department of Education number for Richmond, The American International University in London is G10594.

Other Loans

There may be some private loans available to American students studying abroad. Private loans are subject to a credit check. Some Richmond students fund their studies through the Sallie Mae Smart Option Student Loans. We do not have a preferred lenders list and we are not currently aware of other U.S. private loan providers. You should consider terms and conditions carefully in comparison with Federal Direct Loans.