1. The University of Bradford
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  3. Postgraduate
  4. MBA (Executive MBA)

MBA (Executive)

MBA


Part-time

Duration

Start date

Location

students can apply

Overview

Our Executive MBA will give you the strategic, financial and people skills you’ll need to progress and perform effectively at senior levels.

The programme combines management theory with real business application; from day one you’ll be able to apply new knowledge and skills in your workplace. You will develop a broad foundation of knowledge in core modules, and focus your studies around a particular sector or discipline in elective modules.

The flexibility of our MBA gives you options to study in Bradford, Dubai, Toulouse (one module) and online through Distance Learning. All modes use the same platform but deliver it in different ways to maximise impact. This provides you with excellent and lasting networking opportunities both during and after your MBA.

Our Executive weekend teaching format provides you with a period of concentrated study that has minimal impact on your career. If you are unable to make a weekend you can study the module online, anywhere in the world.

Our refreshed MBA has been designed with your future employability in mind and we continue to work with major employers on our MBA Advisory Board and International Advisory Board to ensure our syllabus deals with contemporary issues.

We also offer a Senior Leader Masters' Apprenticeship through our Degree Apprenticeship scheme. If you are an organisation looking to make the most of your Apprenticeship Levy and upskill your workforce, find out more about Degree Apprenticeships at the University of Bradford.

Professional accreditation

We are proud to be in an elite group of business schools to hold the triple accreditations of Equis, AMBA and AACSB, often referred to as the "Triple Crown".

Our School of Management MBA courses have been endorsed by the NHS Leadership Academy to deliver the NHS Master's in Business Administration (MBA) programme, as announced in a speech by the Secretary of State in 2016.

Endorsed by the NHS Leadership AcademyEuropean Quality Improvement System AccreditedAssociation of MBAs accreditedAACSB accreditted

Rankings

The University of Bradford is ranked 301-400 in the world for Business and Economics in the 2019 Times Higher Education World University Rankings.

The academics and support staff at Bradford were all brilliant. I could see the value of the MBA in the workplace from day one – and so could the Chief Executive! Emma Stapleton, Chief Growth Officer at Elmwood.

Entry requirements

If you'd like a quick view on your suitability and eligibility for The Bradford MBA before you complete a full application, simply send us your CV and we'll get back to you as soon as possible. Please email it to mba@bradford.ac.uk.

All applications are considered on their individual merits and will be assessed using a collective approach, which takes into account professional status and work experience as well as academic achievement.

Work experience

Candidates must have at least three years’ postgraduate work experience, which can be from any industry, including both private and public sectors, and charitable organisations.

Academic and professional achievements

You should have a good first degree awarded by a UK university or overseas equivalent, or a relevant professional qualification. If you do not have a first degree or professional qualifications you will need to demonstrate significant management or business leadership experience (normally eight years). We will also consider an academic recommendation based on interview.

Numeracy and literacy competencies

We will require evidence of numeracy and literacy competencies, and you may be required to complete an authorised online aptitude test such as the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) or School equivalent: The Bradford Test.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, we may need evidence of your proficiency in English through a recognised test (IELTS, TOEFL or PTE-A). You will be required to achieve a minimum score of:

  • IELTS: 6.5 overall, with no sub-test less than 5.5; or
  • Internet-based TOEFL:
    • For EU, non-UK applicants: 94 overall, with minimum scores of: Listening – 17, Reading – 18, Speaking 20, Writing – 17
    • For International, non-UK/EU, applicants (UKBA requirement): 94 overall, with minimum scores of: Listening – 21, Reading – 22, Speaking – 23, Writing – 21; or
  • PTE-A (Pearson Test of English Academic): 60 overall, with no sub-test less than 51

If you do not meet the IELTS requirement, you can take a University of Bradford pre-sessional English course. See the Language Centre for more details »

What you will study

The programme provides you with the skills of responsible value generation.

The aim, therefore, is to develop strategic leaders capable of sustainable and transformative change in a global business environment.

Please note that for 2019 entry, the module information is subject to change.

Learning and assessment

Teaching for the core is available as block teaching over a weekend. Friday, Saturday & Sunday, 9am – 6pm. The weekends are spaced a minimum of five weeks apart, going up to 9 weeks in some instances. This is to accommodate Easter, Christmas and Bank Holidays.

The majority of modules are available online. This means that if you are unable to make a weekend you can study the module online instead, thus providing you with greater flexibility.

Assessment is mainly by a 4,000 word assignment for the core, and a 2,000 word assignment for the electives. The Management Project is 15,000 words. Additionally there are formative assignments and multiple-choice questionnaires that help develop your confidence and familiarity with the subject matter, without contributing a mark towards your final mark.

Official programme specification

Facilities

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Our state-of-the-art facilities are in a self-contained campus on Emm Lane, set in 20 acres of quiet park land.

We offer library facilities, a trading room and teaching facilities specifically designed for MBA students. This includes flat floor teaching areas and debating chamber configurations.

Fees, finance and scholarships

Tuition fee 2019

Home/EU/International: £21,000

Financial support

See our fees and financial support website.

Scholarships

Every year we award numerous non-repayable scholarships to UK, EU and international students on the basis of academic excellence, personal circumstances or economic hardship. For full details, visit our scholarships website.

Find out more about the Bradford MBA

Register for an online event

Career support

An online career development programme is available to you which covers:

  • Understanding and identifying your skills
  • Leveraging your MBA
  • Selling yourself in a CV
  • How to use LinkedIn, to get a job
  • How to get a job you love?
  • Networking for Career Success
  • Presenting a Professional Image
  • Success at Interviews

Additionally, if you are unavailable to come to campus we conduct individualised online coaching sessions

Career booster

During your time studying at the Faculty of Management and Law you will have the opportunity to take part in our distinctive career booster programme throughout the duration of your course. The programme is designed to equip you with the necessary skills and graduate attributes to be job-ready when seeking employment with leading innovative organisations.

The Career Booster Programme offers you the opportunity to gain certificates in:

  • The European Computer Driving License (ECDL) - the benchmark for digital literacy
  • Sage 50 Accounting and Sage 50 Payroll - training that will allow you to develop leading accounting and payroll software skills
  • Project Manager Professional certificates - giving you the edge when seeking to become a Certified Project Manager
  • Big Data analysis and reporting skills - using Software and Services (SAS) that will lead to certification.

In addition, the programme will also include activities to promote teamwork, confidence, communication and many other skills sought by employers.
Developing a portfolio of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Certificates will demonstrate to employers that you are not only ambitious but also take responsibility for your own professional development.

Career prospects

An MBA is an opportunity to either change career direction or consolidate experience then return and progress in a previous industry or job. The Financial Times Global MBA rankings show that, on average, 20% of alumni achieve board-level positions within three years of graduation.

On completion of the programme participants go into a wide variety of functions and sectors, including IT/Telecoms, Finance & Banking and Industry being amongst the most popular.

Study support

All the material is available online. This includes a study book, lecture slides, audio and video.

In addition to the face-to-face teaching, four online tutorials are available after the weekend module. These will normally be led by the lecturer who conducted the module.

Additionally we have an Effective Learning Service that will assist you in areas such as critical thinking and referencing.

Research

The material is research-led with contemporary material for current managerial and business issues. The redesigned MBA maps to the four research centres of the School of Management, ensuring the programme benefits from the latest insight and evidence base.

Meet our academics

This is the current course information. Modules and course details may change, subject to the University's programme approval, monitoring and review procedures. The University reserves the right to alter or withdraw courses, services and facilities as described on our website without notice and to amend Ordinances, Regulations, fees and charges at any time. Students should enquire as to the up-to-date position when applying for their course of study.