MBA Master of Business Administration

A Bachelors degree (UK 2.2 or above) or equivalent qualification from a recognised British/overseas university is required, and for the full-time variant, a minimum of three years’ professional work experience post-graduation with some managerial responsibilities. For the Executive MBA, normally a minimum of five years’ postgraduate experience is required in a managerial role. Applicants who do not possess a degree but hold a relevant professional training qualification, along with a minimum of six years’ managerial work experience, may be eligible to enrol through the mature entry scheme.

English language requirements

IELTS minimum overall: 6.5

IELTS minimum by component: 6.0

All fees are subject to increase or review for subsequent academic years. Please note that not all visa routes permit part-time study and overseas students entering the UK on a Tier 4 visa will not be permitted to study on a part-time basis.

Compulsory Modules

• Managing Human Resources
• Marketing Management
• Operations Strategies
• Financial Management
• Strategic Management in a Global Context
• Action Consultancy and Business Simulation
• Management Research and Dissertation

Optional Modules

• Project Management
• Entrepreneurship
• Financial Strategy
• Strategic Change Management
• Sustainability Management
• Employment and Labour Law

Module Overview

The MBA programme comprises a blend of professional development and academic modules. The foundation is laid by the Management Practice induction programme, aimed at auditing students’ personal and professional development. Thereafter, students follow a series of compulsory and optional modules and a series of key skills workshops that develop robust knowledge and understanding of the global business environment.

Compulsory Modules

Managing Human Resources

This module encourages the development of an ability to critically evaluate a range of approaches used in the management of people in organisational settings. It provides the basis to assess the likely utility of the human dimension of a broader set of management practices.

Marketing Management

This module provides a rigorous theoretical framework for analysing and understanding marketing in various contexts. Integrating theoretical concepts and models with practical application across a range of sectors and settings, the module demonstrates the contribution of marketing to organisational success.

Operations Strategies

This module provides a theoretical and practical understanding of operations strategies in practice. It systematically develops a framework for understanding the management of operations within the context of an organisation’s corporate strategy. The module examines the key components of these strategies in order to develop an understanding of the operations management function.

Financial Management

This module provides an overview of financial accounting data and methods. It enables students to develop a grounding in the key methods of evaluating financial business performance, an appreciation of the processes of financial management and control, and an understanding of investment and financial decision-making processes.

Strategic Management in a Global Context

This module provides both theoretical frameworks and practical understanding of how corporate strategy can be formulated in the light of global environmental change. Globalisation brings new challenges and this module explores how to respond in terms of strategy, capabilities and internal conditions in order to remain competitive.  

Action Consultancy and Business Simulation

During the second semester (or second year of the Executive MBA programme), students are assigned to an external organisation, such as private companies (corporate and SMEs), public sector or voluntary organisations. The focus is upon developing problem-solving and consultancy skills by analysing complex, real-life problems. The module allows students to explore the extent to which theoretical models can be applied in practical business situations. There are two key elements: a complex computer-based interactive business simulation and a consultancy project provided by external business contacts. Outputs include a written consultancy report and presentation to the client organisation.

Management Research and Dissertation

This is a central component of the Surrey MBA programme. Following a thorough grounding in research methods, students conduct a systematic, critical analysis of a management issue of their choice. The dissertation is a key integrative part of the Surrey MBA, requiring the demonstration of an ability to synthesise concepts and apply appropriate theories to a current business management problem. Students are supported by a member of the MBA faculty who will act as the supervisor throughout the duration of the project.

Executive Challenges

Unique to the Executive MBA are our three ‘Executive Challenge’ weekends. These are themed – ‘Managing Uncertainty’, ‘Back to the Shop Floor’ and ‘European Challenge’ – and each presents a real-life problem to be solved in the course of a weekend. The Executive Challenges require participants to demonstrate application of their critical analysis, project management, time-management, teamwork, negotiation and conflict-resolution skills in a high-pressured, but enjoyable, situation.

Optional Modules

Project Management

This module aims to extend your prior learning by linking theory with practice. With a focus on collaborative projects, it helps you develop the ability to plan and manage a small to medium-sized multi-partner project to a successful conclusion. On completion of the module, you will have the knowledge and skills of project management for practical strategic and operational problem-solving.

Entrepreneurship

The objectives of this module are to enable you to evaluate the various theories of entrepreneurship, analyse the economic and social role of entrepreneurship, evaluate factors affecting the development of entrepreneurship in society, critically assess and explore the process involved in developing your own entrepreneurial capability and in creating an entrepreneurial venture.

Financial Strategy

This module aims to provide a theoretical and practical understanding of financial strategy. It develops in-depth understanding of corporate finance theories and practical awareness of how these are applied in the real world.

Strategic Change Management

This module is intended to provide you with an understanding of the concept of strategic change management and, in particular, a broad, multidisciplinary approach to managing development and change.

Sustainability Management

This module examines the place of sustainability in modern business. Taking a holistic view, it analyses sustainability as a business paradigm and examines how concern for the environment and broader economic and social sustainability agendas can be implemented by organisations, strategically and operationally, within local contexts.

Employment and Labour Law

This module introduces the legal principles affecting the employment relationship. Aimed at providing an understanding of the interaction between the law, employment and labour relations, the module focuses on contractual aspects of employment and the effects of statutory duties imposed on parties. It aims to engender an appreciation of the intricacies of employer/employee relations.

*Please note that this list is indicative. Elective modules will depend upon students’ choices and therefore not all modules will run every year.

AACSB

The AACSB is an international body which assesses business schools on the quality of their programmes and operational management. This represents the highest standard of achievement for business schools worldwide. Institutions that earn this award confirm their commitment to quality and continuous improvement through rigorous and comprehensive peer review.

AACSB international accreditation assures students and stakeholders that business schools:

• Manage resources to achieve a vibrant and relevant programme of studies
• Advance business and management knowledge through faculty scholarship
• Provide high-calibre teaching
• Cultivate meaningful interaction between students and well-qualified staff
• Produce graduates who have achieved specified learning goals

AMBA

Accreditation by the AMBA is widely recognised as the global standard for MBA programmes. The association has acted as an advocate for MBA programmes around the world since 1967 and assesses business schools and their post-experience management programmes against rigorous criteria.

These include:

• A clear strategy and mission, explicitly expressed and regularly updated. It will have a clear understanding of the market for its products
• Staff who are credible in terms of their academic qualifications, their ability to teach business at postgraduate level, the quality of their research and the extent of their business contacts and consultancy activities

As the MBA is a post-experience, postgraduate degree, students admitted onto an accredited MBA must have a minimum of three years’ work experience, with an average of around five years’ experience.