MBA

Master of Business Administration

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Are you ready to invest in your future? Whether you’re looking to take the lead in your field or nurturing a business idea, the full-time MBA at Winchester is ideal for high achieving, ambitious graduates who want to develop the strategic knowledge and skills essential for successful careers in organisations with a sustainable outlook.

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Course overview

With the ultimate goal of ensuring you can drive the success of an organisation through informed decision-making, the course aims to address responsible management in a complex and dynamic global market, through the application of theoretical models, research and critical analysis to real-life business issues.

Alongside the theory, you will participate in grounded discussions of key themes such as Leadership, Stakeholder Management, Business Sustainability and Digital Insight Management. This approach provides you with valuable personal and professional frameworks, which can be readily applied in your future career.

As part of the course, you will increase your ability to creatively and systematically apply knowledge from multiple data sources and develop your capacity to communicate ideas, tactics and strategies in order to influence a wide variety of stakeholder audiences.

You will engage with a wide range of academic literature, the latest business case materials and live business cases, sharing ideas with your peers and tutors before applying theories and ideas in your own writing.

The following compulsory modules form the backbone of your MBA at Winchester: Strategy and Entrepreneurship; Markets and Society; Sustainability and Ethics; Sustainable Innovation and Change; and Integrated Business Research Project: Research Methods.

Classroom sessions are highly interactive and build on the diversity of students’ backgrounds and experiences for the benefit of the whole cohort. Small groups provide opportunities for a person-centred approach to teaching, frequent small group discussions and the application of knowledge to students’ own working environments.

On this dynamic programme, you will develop a broad and relevant understanding of key issues facing modern businesses. Forward-looking in nature, the course has been designed to build your transferable business skills and abilities, as will be required for flexible, perhaps portfolio-based, careers in the ever-changing business world.

What you need to know

Course start date

September

Location

On campus, Winchester

Course length

  • 1 year full-time

Apply

Apply online

Typical offer

A first or second-class honours degree

Fees

From £17,750 pa

Course features

  • Prepare yourself to be a confident, responsible and innovative leader of the future able to meet the shifting demands of the contemporary business world
  • Benefit from small-group teaching led by our knowledgeable, experienced and supportive academic staff
  • Join a group of students bringing and sharing different insights and challenging business-as-usual mindsets
  • The University of Winchester Business School is a United Nations Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) Champion
  • A scholarship of £3,000 is available for students who meet the criteria

Course details

Suitable for applicants from:

UK, EU, World

Learning and Teaching

We pride ourselves on our small-group teaching led by our knowledgeable, experienced and supportive academic staff.

Classroom sessions are highly interactive and build on the diversity of students' work experience for the benefit of the whole cohort. Small groups provide opportunities for a person-centred approach to teaching, frequent small group discussions and the application of knowledge to students' own working environments.

Start date: September

Teaching takes place: Daytime

Location

Taught elements of the course take place on campus in Winchester.

Assessment

Each core module requires one piece of coursework, and a written summative report based on a practical business issue. The final module Supported Independent Study comprises Research & Analysis Methods, with a taught component, and a Business Research Project. All Business Research Projects are work/industry based, relevant to each individual student, and are supported in accordance with the University Assessment Regulations.

Our validated courses may adopt a range of means of assessing your learning. An indicative, and not necessarily comprehensive, list of assessment types you might encounter includes essays, portfolios, supervised independent work, presentations, written exams, or practical performances.

We ensure all students have an equal opportunity to achieve module learning outcomes. As such, where appropriate and necessary, students with recognised disabilities may have alternative assignments set that continue to test how successfully they have met the module's learning outcomes. Further details on assessment types used on the course you are interested in can be found on the course page, by attending an Open Day or Open Evening, or contacting our teaching staff.

Feedback

We are committed to providing timely and appropriate feedback to you on your academic progress and achievement in order to enable you to reflect on your progress and plan your academic and skills development effectively. You are also encouraged to seek additional feedback from your course tutors.

 

Modules

Please note the modules listed are correct at the time of publishing. The University cannot guarantee the availability of all modules listed and modules may be subject to change. The University will notify applicants of any changes made to the core modules listed. For further information please refer to winchester.ac.uk/termsandconditions

Modules

Strategy & Entrepreneurship

Strategic management is the primary decision-making function of senior managers in public, private and third-sector organisations, regardless of scale, ownership or location. This module considers the process of strategic management from theoretical, analytical and practical perspectives and the points of view of a range of stakeholders. It aims to equip you with the ideas and conceptual tools you will need to understand organisational strategic practice and act in a wide range of conditions.

Entrepreneurship is recognised as being fundamental to global economic growth and development, thanks both to the importance of small firms as the mainstay of most economies and the vital role played by dynamic and innovative new ventures. In this module, you will learn to evaluate an organisation’s internal strategic competences and financial resources, and to respond to rapid environmental change. These concepts and practical approaches are firmly embedded within paradigms of sustainability and of ethical management practice.

Markets and Society

The Markets and Society module exposes students to the social, economic, and environmental issues relevant to the study of commercial activities and markets. It examines the business world as a complex, socially-constructed arena where commercial and social exchanges occur and where marketing externalities, such as consumerism and marketing’s impact on more vulnerable segments, are critically examined. Throughout the module, students are encouraged to examine these issues within an international/global context with a focus on practical business applications. Emphasis is placed on analysing issues at the nexus of macro environmental forces, strategy, business relationships, Brand management, marketing and societal welfare. Internal and external Stakeholder management is a key aspect of the module, and students will analyse the complex and dynamic collaborative relationships that influence the effectiveness and impact of business strategy.

Ethical Leadership

This module is aimed at developing in students, a critical understanding of the key issues and concepts in the responsible leadership, management and influence of people in an era of globalisation and rapid change. Students will develop their capacity to build trust and lead others in an ethical and responsible manner across organisational boundaries, building an in-depth awareness of their own preferences, values and behaviours while critically evaluating themselves as effective leaders and influencers in a range of situations. This module also evaluates the principles of responsible management as presented in the United Nations PRME framework. The module draws on and engages with on-going debate concerning the social, economic, environmental, moral and ethical dimensions of business in a global world. Students will critically examine the policy and application of responsible management in their own organisations and industry sector, as they reflect on their personal and professional role in creating sustainable business value.

Strategic Financial Analysis

This module aims to provide a critical understanding of financial planning, control, decision making and risk management by exploring the relationship between the production of information and its subsequent use, communication and interpretation within the organisation. Students will develop a level of confidence in their ability to use, communicate and question financial information, supporting the key tasks of planning, controlling and decision making to create sustainable value.

The module will evaluate the production and subsequent use and interpretation of quantitative and qualitative information that underpins business strategy. The module will assess the impact of corporate governance on the long-term business performance, including the implementation of an ethical and sustainable approach to business. Finally, the module will prepare students to analyse and communicate complex financial, risk management and regulatory information in a format that is suitable for a business audience.

Sustainable Innovation and Change

The module focusses on the challenges faced by organisations that demand significant change, in either their core purpose and operational structure or in the products and services that they offer. You will investigate the opportunities and threats provided by both external and internal forces as an organisation looks to adapt and prosper, with a critical focus on key areas such as Change Management, Innovation Management, Sustainability and Knowledge Management. You will evaluate the dynamic capabilities needed by Managers to sustain their organisations in an increasingly turbulent global business environment, employing models and theories that enable critical, creative and design thinking, resulting in innovative strategies and business evolution. 

The module has a highly practical focus, challenging you to apply the business tools, research and critical analysis to real business issues. Sustainable Innovation principles will form a core component, investigating the challenges, and opportunities, posed both by current environmental changes, and by future trends.

Data and Insight Management

This module will provide students with an understanding of the digital insight management function, enabling a business to gather and analyse the information and data that underpins their critical decision-making processes and long-term strategic development plans. The ability to access, manipulate and evaluate the ever-expanding amount of data is an essential function for any business trying to compete in dynamic markets conditions. However, business leaders don’t just need to be familiar with the processes of data collection and analysis, they need to communicate the often complex and conflicting findings to a wide range of stakeholders. Students will therefore explore the latest data visualisation and augmented reality technologies, as well as the ways in which we make sense of the information around us, examining the consumer as well as the business decision processes. Cybersecurity and data control will be reviewed alongside the ethical implications of data control and the use of insight management techniques.

Integrated Business Research Project: Research Methods

This module will provide students with a strong understanding of research methods in a business context ahead of undertaking the Integrated Business Research Project. Students will study and evaluate research philosophies, learn how to develop research strategies, and understand how to select research methods appropriate to the research question.

Integrated Business Research Project

This module is designed to enable students to complete their MBA journey with a significant independent research project, supported by personal supervision. Students will develop research strategies, conduct research using secondary and/or primary sources and analyse their findings in relation to the wider business, industry and sector issues. The process will support the development of key personal skills, from critical analysis and knowledge acquisition to the development of significant insight through robust inquiry. The skills developed during this process are of great value to employers, demonstrating the ability to critically and forensically investigate a significant business-related issue or opportunity. It can also prompt student interest in conducting further research, whether in a consultancy role or in continued academic research at DBA or PhD level.

Entry requirements

A first or second-class honours degree

Normally a first or second-class Honours degree (or international equivalent).

 

Applications need to be submitted before the published deadline on our website. Late applications can be accepted throughout the remainder of the application year, for more information see our How to Apply section. 

If English is not your first language: IELTS 6.0 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in writing or equivalent.

Applications need to be submitted before the published deadline on our website. Late applications can be accepted throughout the remainder of the application year, for more information see our How to Apply section. 

If you are living outside of the UK or Europe, you can find out more about how to join this course by emailing our International Recruitment Team at International@winchester.ac.uk.

2024/2025 Course Tuition Fees 

  UK / Channel Islands /
Isle of Man / Republic of Ireland

International

Full-time £17,750 £19,500

Additional tuition fee information

If you are a UK student starting your degree in January / September 2024, the first year will cost you £17,750**.

If finance is a worry for you, we are here to help. Take a look at the range of support we have on offer. This is a great investment you are making in your future, so make sure you know what is on offer to support you.

**The University of Winchester will charge the maximum approved tuition fee per year.

As one of our students all of your teaching and assessments are included in your tuition fees, including, lectures/guest lectures and tutorials, seminars, laboratory sessions and specialist teaching facilities. You will also have access to a wide range of student support and IT services.

Additional costs

2024/ 2025 COURSE TUITION FEES

UK/ Channel Islands/ Isle of Man/ Republic of Ireland

Full time: £17,750

International

Full time: £19,500

If you are a UK student starting your degree in January / September 2024, the first year will cost you £17,750**.

If finance is a worry for you, we are here to help. Take a look at the range of support we have on offer. This is a great investment you are making in your future, so make sure you know what is on offer to support you.

**The University of Winchester will charge the maximum approved tuition fee per year.

As one of our students all of your teaching and assessments are included in your tuition fees, including, lectures/guest lectures and tutorials, seminars, laboratory sessions and specialist teaching facilities. You will also have access to a wide range of student support and IT services.

There might be additional costs you may encounter whilst studying. The following highlights the mandatory and optional costs for this course:

Optional

Text books

Core Texts are available from the University Library; however some students prefer to purchase their own copies. Some Core Texts can be bought second hand, or as an ebook which can often reduce this cost. Indicative cost £50-£60.

Mandatory

Printing and Binding

The University is pleased to offer our students a free printing allowance of £5 each academic year. This will print around 500 A4 mono pages. If students wish to print more, printer credit can be topped up by the student. The University and Student Union are champions of sustainability and we ask all our students to consider the environmental impact before printing. 

SCHOLARSHIPS, BURSARIES AND AWARDS

We have a variety of scholarship and bursaries available to support you financially with the cost of your course. To see if you’re eligible, please see our Scholarships and Awards.

CAREER PROSPECTS

Graduates from this programme will be well-placed to pursue a wide variety of business careers and roles, including leadership positions.

In addition, the core business knowledge and entrepreneurial content of this programme will allow students to be confident in starting their own businesses.

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