Part-time Global MBA programme content
The two-year Global MBA programme is a part-time modular degree designed around a series of stages during which you develop your knowledge – starting with core organisational functions and processes and moving to a more strategic perspective, echoing the kind of integrated approach needed to conduct effective consultancy.
Each of the programme's 12 modules is taught in a short intensive block, typically lasting three to four days, and has a linked piece of assessment.
Introduction
This initial workshop familiarises you with the demands and approach to learning which the programme adopts. Through structured activities and exercises it helps you to get to know your fellow participants, and provides the foundations for building a successful learning community.
It also contains the programme's first taught module:
Perspectives on Managing and Organising – explores changes in the nature of organisations and the world of work, and how such changes affect the process of managing and leading and the nature of managerial work. This module is designed to run as an integrating thread throughout the first year and to help you reflect on your own practice as a manager.
Part 1: Functional Perspective
Here you study six core modules:
Organisational Behaviour – based on the notion that power, formal and informal structures, human interaction and culture are central to understanding HRM and organisational behaviour practices within organisations, this module introduces you to the main thinkers, theories and perspectives on organisational behaviour. It also explores key concepts for managing an organisation's human resources.
Operations Management – examines the vital role of operations management both in an organisation’s day-to-day activity and in its long-term strategy. The module focuses on the operational challenges involved in ensuring that customer needs and demands are met or exceeded and that the operations function works in an integrated way with other parts of the business or organisation.
Marketing Management – in this module you will acquire, discuss and apply ideas, tools and frameworks that will develop your understanding of how to manage marketing most effectively. The module is designed to help you develop your capability in challenging and improving the planning and implementation of marketing activities.
Business Economics – introduces you to the fundamental concepts of economic analysis. It demonstrates how these can be used to understand microeconomic and macroeconomic problems and to throw light on consumer, business and government decisions. The module will look at important areas such as competition and market power, the role of regulation, and multinational and foreign direct investment.
Financial and Management Accounting – to make effective decisions managers need to understand financial and management accounting techniques, so the focus of this module is on the types of financial information that organisations have to provide to stakeholders – shareholders, lenders, government, etc – and on the management accounting information that managers use to run organisations. It will develop your ability to read and interpret financial and accounting data and to use this to enhance organisational decision making.
Corporate Finance – explores the main topics and issues in finance which are of concern to the general manager, for example, investment appraisal, risk and the required rate of return, capital structure and the cost of capital. Particular attention is given to the use of financial information and analysis in strategic decision-making, in evaluating performance and in assessing strategic options.
Part 2: Strategic Perspective
Here you take three more core modules:
Strategic Management – seeks to develop your appreciation of the ‘science’ and structure of strategic analysis and to give you practical exposure, via a group project, to the ‘art’ of determining strategic direction and managing the strategic process. The module introduces you to a core toolbox of approaches, and also integrates ideas and concepts from previous modules within a strategic framework. This is to enable a wider and more complex discussion of issues and to develop your ability to create actionable organisational recommendations.
Managing Change – looks at how and why an organisation’s strategic context often requires change, and at what the change process may involve in terms of transforming processes, attitudes and structures within the organisation. The module explores models and frameworks you might use for managing change, and looks particularly at the management of individuals through change.
Integrative case-based examinations – a group and individual process, involving the analysis of two substantial cases. The examinations are integrative in that they require you to draw on your knowledge from all of the previous core modules.
Part 3: Integrative Perspective
This final part of the programme has three further elements:
Consultancy Challenge – in this practically-focused module, you apply the skills and learning from earlier parts of the course to a substantial organisational issue, in all its complexity. This integrative project will be complemented by key managerial processes and practices such as teamworking and leadership, stakeholder management and strategic and tactical decision-making – all essential parts of effective strategic learning.
Research Methods for Managers – this non-assessed module is designed to help prepare you for the substantial research project which rounds off the Global MBA.
Organisation-based Project and Dissertation – the most substantial element of the assessment, accounting for 25% of the marks, this final module allows you to investigate in depth an area of critical importance for you or your organisation. You select your own topic and conduct a detailed piece of research in order to develop a set of actionable recommendations. The dissertation is undertaken with the support of an academic supervisor.
