MBA MBA



A Master of Business Administration is one of the most prestigious postgraduate qualifications, valued by leading employers Internationally

Overview

Designed for professionals, an MBA is different from other master's degrees in that it draws very much on your life and personal experiences. You’ll have group work, real-life examples and case studies to work through.  This internationally-recognised qualification will develop your managerial skills and give you the expertise you need to take on senior roles.

This programme is tailored to the dynamic, contemporary, global business environment, focused on developing skills in business administration and the application of conceptual management theories to current practice.

Typical entry points to this course are in September and January. Please enquire for more information.

Modules

  • Principles and Practice of Marketing
  • Global Business Economics and Finance
  • Management and Organisational Change
  • Leading Strategic Decision-Making
  • Managing Innovation
  • Global Logistics and Supply Chains 
  • Research Skills for Managers
  • MBA Project
Side profile of a Student at a desk using laptop

Mode of Study:

Full-time (available as Online-learning)

Duration:

1 year

Start date:

Jan

Course details

You’ll acquire creative problem solving, critical reasoning and strategic thinking skills, and apply these to your learning about global economic principles, strategic business issues, organisational management and the realities of the competitive marketplace.

You’ll utilise and augment your written and verbal communication techniques, giving you the confidence to present your ideas and strategies to the business world.

On graduation you’ll join our MBA Alumni community, giving you access to future masterclasses and networking.

Employability focus

Employability Skills for Professionals is a series of workshops designed to help MBA students develop the key employability skills that are needed to be successful in their future careers.  

In addition, the Business School Masters Series features talks and panel discussions with senior professionals from across the business world who share their experience and expertise.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Chartered Management Institute. On completion of your MBA, you will automatically be awarded with the CMI Level 7 Diploma. Being registered for the CMI Qualification also gives you membership of the CMI Professional Body and a community of over 170,000 managers and leaders, a wide range of digital resources and tools, and the opportunity to attend a rich range of events. Furthermore, if you have management experience of at least 3-5 years, you are eligible for the FAST TRACK pathway to gain CMI Chartered Manager Status.

What you'll study

You will study eight compulsory taught modules, including Management & Organisational Change, Leading Strategic Decision Making, and Principles and Practice of Marketing to qualify for this award. Each module is equivalent to 200 hours of learning. You will also undertake personal research and complete a final project.

  • calendar

    How you’ll be taught

    This is a full-time course and is split up into three trimesters. You can choose to start in either January or September.

    Duration:

    • September starts: 12 months
    • January starts: 16 months with a three-month break over the summer (after the first taught trimester)

    You’ll learn by a variety of teaching methods including lectures, interactive tutorials and independent study.
  • note and pen

    Assessments

    The MBA programme uses a combination of formative and summative assessments, which vary with each module.

    These include reports, case study analyses, exams, and group presentations. Your final module will involve designing and executing a research project in a relevant business/management area.
  • library

    Facilities

    You will undertake your full time study at our Business School located on Craiglockhart Campus.

Modules

Modules that you will study* as part of this course

Global Business Economics and Finance ( SOE11144 )

The large majority of businesses today operate in a variety of economic environments and their leaders must make economic decisions taking into account market specific information. This module covers the most essential analytical tools required for economic decision making such as: the concepts of economic systems, profit and utility maximisation, demand elasticity, market equilibrium, market structures, macroeconomic objectives, government policies? (monetary, fiscal and trade policies) tools and their impact on businesses etc.Businesses also require funding from shareholders and lenders at the outset and subsequently need to profits and positive cash flows for investment. They are in competition with other businesses for funding, just as much as they are competition for labour and market share. On this course, you will learn to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages to the business of a range of sources of finance. You will also learn how managers report on the financial affairs and financial position of the business and how financial reports can be analysed to evaluate business performance.

Further information

Global Logistics and Supply Chains ( SOE11147 )

This module applies key concepts of logistics and supply chain management to provide you with an understanding of the strategic and operational roles of logistics in the global business environment.
Emphasis is placed on global and pan-European systems for materials sourcing and product distribution, to enable you to learn how businesses configure their supply chains to compete in today’s major trading blocs. Early topics identify key issues in global logistics and contrast international and domestic logistics systems. Subsequent topics explore the main components of global supply chains and the
logistics activities involved in their management.
The module begins with an introduction to the characteristics of global logistics and a discussion of the role of logistics in international business. The module then covers the development of international trade, regional trading blocs and the logistics implications. The rise of global marketing and global logistics is then addressed in the context of the international business environment, requiring the management and operation of inbound supplies and sourcing, manufacturing, global distribution channels, international
transport and international order management. Contemporary issues arising out of the former that will be explored in the latter part of the module include the rise of e-logistics and new developments and organisational issues in developing European and global logistics systems.

Further information

Leading Strategic Decision-Making ( HRM11120 )

The module will cover the following content:
- Organisation Strategy and Strategic Leadership
- Determining the Strategic Direction: Mission Vision and Values
- Strategic Decision-making in Practice
- Transformational Leadership Approaches and Emotional Intelligence
- The Leader-Follower Relationship
- Team Leadership
- Strategic Decision-Making in Innovative Contexts
- Creating Systemic Innovation
- Authentic and Sustainable Leadership
- Resources and Capabilities

Further information

MBA Employability Skills ( TBS11107 )

This is a shell module for timetabling purposes

Further information

MBA Project ( SOE11111 )

This module focuses on student professional development through working with students to develop their understanding of the practise of continuous professional development (CPD) for managers/leaders. A CPD system, informed by the Chartered Management Institute’s ‘Chartered Manager Skills’, is used as a core development tool throughout the programme. In addition, the key generic skills areas which underpin effective managers/leaders performance, are covered in practical workshops – personal and professional development, team building, oral and written presentation, networking, critical thinking, problem solving and defending ideas. The practicalities of undertaking a research project in the field of business and management at postgraduate level is also a core part of this module – a range of research approaches, qualitative and quantitative methods and data analysis techniques are included. There is also emphasis on placed on maximising the impact of research results in the practical business environment.

Further information

Management and Organisational Change ( HRM11117 )

The material covered in the module relates to two broad areas of study: the examination of organisational behaviour, including attitudes, perception, motivation, groups, teams and leadership; and understanding managerial processes, and the development of skills important in the management of people and processes - such as corporate social responsibility. Change management is increasingly important and therefore you will examine the topic by looking at both incremental and transformational change, and the importance of power, politics and conflict.

Focusing on the behaviour of people in a work environment the module places an emphasis on understanding the vital role and importance of people in the change management process. You will develop an understanding of the dynamics of working organisations in a rapidly evolving business environment, specifically the significance of organisational culture. This in turn develops your ability to plan and carry forward sustainable system-wide change programmes.

Further information

Managing Innovation ( ENT11107 )

One of the most significant issues a manager faces when attempting to create a successful organisation in today’s fast changing technologically driven business environment is the management of innovation. This module is about the management of innovation and in this module you will learn how to manage it in a practical way. You will do this by examining, discussing and critically evaluating, in detail, both the theory and practice of innovation management in some of the world’s most innovative organisations. You will, during this learning process, in addition to honing your analytical skills, be encouraged to create an extensive ‘toolkit’ which you could use when managing innovation in your future career.

Further information

Principles and Practice of Marketing ( MKT11108 )

The module is essential to anyone wanting to work in business and / or marketing. Throughout the module we will analyse the principles and practices of marketing with a focus on their practical application.
The module covers:
1. Marketing environment
2. Marketing Strategy and objective setting
3. Marketing communications
4. Understanding Products
5. Pricing strategies
6. Logistics and distribution
7. Services marketing
8. Sustainability
9. Planning and control.
By studying Principles and Practices of Marketing you will learn how to make marketing decisions across an organisation, and how to devise and implement a marketing plan for a product / service of your choice.


Further information

Research Skills for Managers ( SOE11138 )

The content of this module is informed by the Chartered Management Institute’s ‘Chartered Manager Skills’, as well as the academic requirements of the MBA programme. The focus of this module is to develop critical thinking and problem solving skills to prepare you for a range of challenges in your academic and professional career.
Specifically, the emphasis is on developing research skills that will equip you with the expertise to undertake relevant and topical research allied to your MBA Project. The core material covers:
a) critiquing academic and practitioner research from a range of published sources,
b) developing tools and techniques for writing a critical literature review,
c) methodological considerations,
d) research design,
e) research ethics,
f) qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection,
g) manual and computer-based techniques of data analysis and,
h) evaluating and communicating your research.

Further information

* These are indicative only and reflect the course structure in the current academic year. Some changes may occur between now and the time that you study.

ACCREDITED BY

Disclaimer

Study modules mentioned above are indicative only. Some changes may occur between now and the time that you study.

Full information is available in our disclaimer.

Entry requirements

What are the entry requirements for MBA?

The entry requirement for this course is a Bachelor (Honours) Degree at 2:2 or above. In addition, applicants must have two years' professional work experience.  We look for applicants to have a background in any discipline in order to be eligible for the programme. 

We may also consider lesser qualifications if you have sufficient professional work experience within the industry.

Can I get admission into MBA based on my working experience in this sector?

This course has academic entry requirements which are assessed alongside relevant work experience. Full details of any relevant work experience, including references should be submitted with your application and may be considered for entry where the minimum academic entry requirements are below those required.

Usually, unrelated work experience is not considered sufficient for entry without meeting the minimum academic entry requirements. Please contact us with your specific circumstances by submitting an enquiry form above and we will be happy to discuss your options.

Can I make an appointment with an advisor to discuss further about the admission process?

If you want to get more information on the admission process, please get in touch with the postgraduate admissions team by submitting an enquiry form above.

If your first language isn't English, you'll normally need to undertake an approved English language test and our minimum English language requirements will apply.

This may not apply if you have completed all your school qualifications in English, or your undergraduate degree was taught and examined in English (within two years of starting your postgraduate course). Check our country pages to find out if this applies to you.

We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.
Entry requirements by country

Please note that international students are unable to enrol onto the following courses:
  • BN Nursing/MSc Nursing (Pre-registration) (Adult, Mental Health, Child, Learning Disabilities)
  • BM Midwifery/MM Midwifery
  • All Graduate Apprenticeship courses.

See who can apply for more information on Graduate Apprenticeship courses.

We’re committed to admitting students who have the potential to succeed and benefit from our programmes of study. 

Our admissions policies will help you understand our admissions procedures, and how we use the information you provide us in your application to inform the decisions we make.

Undergraduate admissions policies
Postgraduate admissions policies

Fees & funding

The course fees you'll pay and the funding available to you will depend on a number of factors including your nationality, location, personal circumstances and the course you are studying. We also have a number of bursaries and scholarships available to our students.

Tuition fees
Students from 2023/24 2024/25
Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland £16,130 £16,130
Overseas and EU £19,820 tba
Please note tuition fees are subject to an annual review and may increase from one year to the next. For more information on this and other Tuition Fee matters please see Frequently Asked Questions about Fees Click this link for Information of Bursaries and Scholarships
Please note that the tuition fees liable to be paid by EU nationals commencing their studies from 1 August 2021 will be the Overseas fee rate. The University offers a range of attractive Tuition Fee bursaries to students resident in specific countries. More information on these can be found here.


Please note:

The discount for Edinburgh Napier alumni can only be applied to year one of a full-time Postgraduate degree, any additional years are exempt from the discount.

For part time Postgraduate degrees the discount will apply to years one, two and three only and any additional years will be exempt from the discount.

Please read our full T&C here

Careers

The Edinburgh Napier MBA will provide you with the opportunity to realise your full career potential.

You’ll be in demand as employers worldwide seek graduates with a recognised portfolio who are able to deliver solutions in complex organisational settings.

On completion of your MBA, you will automatically be awarded with the CMI Level 7 Diploma. Being registered for the CMI Qualification also gives you membership of the CMI Professional Body and a community of over 170,000 managers and leaders, a wide range of digital resources and tools, and the opportunity to attend a rich range of events. Furthermore, if you have management experience of at least 3 -5 years, you are eligible for the FAST TRACK pathway to gain CMI Chartered Manager Status.

Students after the graduation ceremony at usher hall holding up letters that spell out 'stand out' with the word 'do' in a different colour