About Master of Business Administration, MBA - at University of Winchester
The MBA provides a blend of academic theory with business and management practice to ensure that the knowledge acquired can be readily transferred to the workplace. The programme’s structure conforms to the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) benchmarks for MBA programmes and follows the ‘Dublin descriptors’ for Masters level studies, which establish common standards for European higher education following the 1999 Bologna agreement.
Entry requirements: The MBA is a career development programme. Students are expected to have a minimum of two years business experience usually in a middle management role, plus a first degree from a UK university or its equivalent, at a minimum of lower second class honours. A professional qualification deemed to be equivalent will also be considered. Senior managers with substantial business experience, but without a first degree, may also be considered.
If English is not your first language: IELTS 6.5 (including 6.5 in academic writing) or a TOEFL score of 575 (paper-based) or 232
Programme ContentThe programme aims to create a firm grounding in the knowledge, skills and understanding necessary within strategic management, including how to deal with the demands of complex and rapidly changing business and economic contexts. It also explores the current and emerging theories, techniques and practices of business within the areas of leadership and change management, marketing relationships, financial information for decision making and economics.
Students are encouraged to engage with academic literature, case studies and each other by reflecting on their own managerial and business experiences.
A distinctive feature of the Winchester MBA is that the academic team has chosen to adopt an interdisciplinary approach to modules, as well as aiming to provide a strategic orientation to everything that is taught. Business strategy is a key focus throughout the programme, with strategic elements flowing into all of the topics delivered. In addition, because modules are not discipline-focused, team teaching allows an integrative approach to the modules, with perspectives and contributions from a variety of different specialists.
ModulesCore modules:Leadership in a Changing World
Managing Information for Decision Making
Understanding Markets
Building Success Though Relationships
Strategic Financial Management
Research Methods in Business
Optional modules:
Business Consulting
Global Sports Marketing
Management of Contemporary Global Environmental Issues
The optional courses provide a distinctive flavour to the MBA. The inclusion of the module, Management of Contemporary Global Environmental Issues, builds on an area for which Winchester has an increasing reputation.
Studying Global Sports Marketing is a timely inclusion for managers working in sports-related industries, especially in the run up to the London Olympic Games.
The Business Consulting module provides a valuable opportunity to work on ‘live’ consulting projects and to apply some of the theories studied in a practical context. This will appeal to a broad range of national and international students and provide a tangible value-added service to the local and regional business community.
AssessmentModules are assessed in two elements:
By one or more reports, submitted during the course of the module
A final examination or a coursework assignment
Final examinations allow students to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the topic and to assess how well students can formulate judgements with incomplete or limited information.
Coursework assignments assess the ability to use knowledge and critical understanding of the subject and to develop or apply ideas in a business environment.
CareersMBA programmes are designed to advance the careers of practising managers and professionals and it is intended that students can immediately apply their learning back into their careers.
MBA graduates are sought after by many large and progressive companies and employers see it as an important career development activity for existing employees. On completion of the MBA, students will have gained insights that allow them to bring new value to their employment, addressing any knowledge competency gap perceived when they decided to embark on the course.
