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Overview
This postgraduate top-up qualification builds on your PgDip or equivalent experience, helping you turn leadership knowledge into practical skills and everyday behaviours.
Designed for senior managers with strategic decision-making responsibilities, this course equips you to tackle complex business challenges while applying your learning directly to real-world problems within your organisation.
As a work-based programme, you’ll need to be in a full-time, part-time, or voluntary role to apply.
This qualification is typically a 60-credit follow-on from a Postgraduate Diploma, such as our Senior Leadership (Senior Leader Apprenticeship) (PgDiP). We also welcome applicants with equivalent qualifications from other institutions.
To complete the programme, you’ll submit a dissertation or work-based project, graduating with a full Master’s in Business Administration.
Eligibility
This course accepts UK, EU, and International students.
Course highlights
- Complete a dissertation or work-based project to earn your full MBA qualification
- Study part-time while continuing to progress in your career, applying your learning as you go
- Use your existing experience to your advantage to build deeper insights into strategy, leadership, and management
- Work closely with a dedicated Supervisor and Personal Tutor for guidance throughout your project or dissertation
- Receive feedback and take part in discussions with lecturers and fellow professionals
- Learn from academics actively engaged in research and benefit from guest lecturers
- Access a full range of Library resources, including digital materials available from anywhere
- Connect with other professionals on your course from a range of different fields and attend industry networking events
Contact information
Contact AdmissionsEntry requirements
Eligibility
This course accepts UK, EU, and International students.
Eligibility
This course is available to EU/International applicants who do not require a Student Route Visa. Applicants should have existing work and study rights in the UK under their current form of leave.
September 2025 / January 2026 / May 2026 start
- A Postgraduate Diploma (or equivalent, including professional qualifications), not necessarily in a business related subject, plus at least 3 years of work experience at a professional or managerial level.
- Alternatively, applicants without formal qualifications, but with a minimum of 5 years of management experience, are welcome to apply.
Applicants with non-standard qualifications will be invited to attend an interview. Please get in touch if you're not sure if your undergraduate subject is relevant to this degree.
Equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications will also be considered, such as previous study, employment, voluntary work and training courses, including courses and qualifications you didn't complete. Learn more about our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
If you're applying as an international student with a non-UK degree, you’ll need to show you meet the UK entry requirements listed above.
To find out if your non-UK degree or other qualification is accepted, please visit our page for your country and view the UK equivalent of your qualification.
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 (or equivalent) with no component score below 6.0.
You do not need an IELTS or equivalent certification if:
- you have a UK degree
- you have a degree from a majority English speaking country (not taught by Distance Learning)
- you are a national of a majority English speaking country
Degrees taught solely in English from non-majority English speaking countries will be considered on a case by case basis. Find out more about our English language requirements.
If you do not meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Course costs and funding
Tuition fees (September 2025 / January 2026 / May 2026 start)
- Part time:&²Ô²ú²õ±è;£4,200
(including Transition Scholarship)
- Part time:&²Ô²ú²õ±è;£4,200
- Part time:&²Ô²ú²õ±è;£5,970
СÀ¶ÊÓƵ graduates may receive a 20% alumni tuition fee discount.
Fees are subject to annual increase. Read our tuition fees terms and conditions.
You'll be able to pay your fees in instalments. Find out how to pay your tuition fees.
Funding your studies
Explore how to fund your studies, including available scholarships and bursaries.
If you're a UK student, you may be eligible for a Government Postgraduate Master's Loan, which you can use to help with course fees and living costs.
Loans, scholarships and bursaries
Browse funding such as the Government Postgraduate Loan, our scholarships for new and returning students, and subject specific loans.
Funding for international students
Learn more about sponsorships, scholarships and loans for students applying from outside of the UK.
Fees and funding for Master's courses
Explore Master's funding options, including loans, scholarships, bursaries and more.
Additional costs
These course-related costs aren't included in the tuition fees, so you'll need to budget for them when you plan your spending. Additional costs could include:
- Accommodation: Accommodation options and costs can be found on our accommodation pages.
- Recommended reading: You can borrow key texts from the library and if you choose to purchase these texts they may cost up to £60 each.
- General costs: Such as photocopying, memory sticks, printing charges, binding and specialist printing. We suggest budgeting £75 per year.
- Final project transport or accommodation: where necessary, which related to your research activities. The amount will depend on the project you choose.
Read more about tuition fees and living costs, including what your tuition fees cover.
Modules
Each module on this course is worth a certain number of credits. You'll study modules worth the total number of credits needed for this course.
What you'll study
- Dissertation or Work-based Learning Projects proposal - 10 credits
- Dissertation or work-based learning projects - 50 credits
Changes to course content
We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.
Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry. If a module doesn't run, we'll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.
Business and management studies at the СÀ¶ÊÓƵ is ranked 2nd of the modern universities by research power.
Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021
Read more about our business and management research
How you'll spend your time
We recognise that you'll probably be juggling more demands when you do your Master's degree, as you may be working or you may have family responsibilities.
We'll give you as much indication here as we can of how much time you'll need to be on campus and how many hours you can expect to spend in self-directed study, but please note that these indications are always subject to change. You should receive your full timetable several weeks before you start with us.
Course structure
This top-up course degree will take:
- 9 months part-time, starting in either September, January or May
You can expect:
- to attend induction events on campus during the first week of term
- to complete self directed study in your own time
- to attend 10 meetings with your supervisor across the duration of your course. These can be either in person or online.
Teaching
Master's study is deeper and more specialised than an undergraduate degree. This means you'll focus on something that really matters to you and your career as you work closely with academics committed to the subject.
You'll spend more time in independent study and research than you did for your undergraduate degree, but the majority of your teaching time will be in-person and face-to-face.
Assessment
You'll be assessed through:
- a research proposal (2,000 word count)
- dissertation project (10,000 word count)
University staff
You'll be supported by our supervisory team.
Career development
Careers this MBA’s prepares you for
We've designed this course to support future leaders in their growth towards senior management. You’ll graduate as an expert in leadership with an MBA qualification to showcase your skills to your current and future employers. Holding a recognised MBA award will help you appeal to employers and evidence your experience.
During your degree, you’ll network with lecturers and fellow students which will support your career development.
Career planning
During your course you'll have expert career support from our Careers and Employability Centre, your tutors and our Business and Law Career-Ready Programme. This support will continue for 5 years after you graduate.
You'll benefit from:
- Networking events
- Regular emails from the Career Ready Programme sharing job opportunities, application tips and events
- Workshops to enhance your employability skills
- Recruitment events including the Student and Graduate Opportunities Fair
- 1-to-1 appointments
- CV and cover letter advice
- Interview preparation and practice
- Support starting your own business
Supporting you
Master's study is more focused on independent learning than undergraduate study, but you'll get lots of support via video, phone and face-to-face from teaching and support staff to enhance your learning experience and help you succeed. You can build your personalised network of support from the following people and services:
Types of support
Your personal tutor helps you make the transition to independent study and gives you academic and personal support throughout your time at university.
As well as regular scheduled meetings with your personal tutor, they're also available at set times during the week if you want to chat with them about anything that can't wait until your next meeting.
In addition to the support you get from your personal tutor, you'll also have access to our student engagement officers. They can give you confidential, impartial advice on anything to do with your studies and personal wellbeing, and refer you to specialist support services if you need extra help or support.
You'll have help from a team of study support tutors. Based within the Faculty of Business and Law, these tutors are familiar with the specific requirements your assignments and work closely with faculty academics. This means they can give you focused support with the specific study skills you need to be successful on your course. They're available face-to-face, by phone, email, and by video call.
They can help with:
- Academic writing (for example, essays, reports, dissertations, projects and literature reviews)
- Reflective writing skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Delivering presentations (including observing and filming presentations)
- Understanding and using assignment feedback
- Managing your time and workload
- Revision and exam techniques
If you're a mature student, specialist support to help you return to learning is available.
During term time, Faculty Academic Skills Tutors (AST) are available for bookable 1-to-1 sessions, small group sessions and online sessions. These sessions are tailored to your needs.
Support is available for skills including:
- University study
- Getting into the right study mindset
- Note-taking and note-making skills
- Referencing
- Presentation skills
- Time management, planning, and goal setting
- Critical thinking
- Avoiding plagiarism
If you have a disability or need extra support, the Additional Support and Disability Centre (ASDAC) will give you help, support and advice.
Library staff are available in person or by email, phone, or online chat to help you make the most of the University's library resources. You can also request one-to-one appointments and get support from librarians who specialise in business and law.
The library is open 24 hours a day, every day, in term time.
Our online will help you plan for managing the challenges of learning and student life, so you can fulfil your potential and have a great student experience.
You can get personal, emotional and mental health support from our Student Wellbeing Service, in person and online. This includes 1–2–1 support as well as courses and workshops that help you better manage stress, anxiety or depression.
If you require extra support because of a disability or additional learning need our specialist team can help you.
They'll help you to
- discuss and agree on reasonable adjustments
- liaise with other University services and facilities, such as the library
- access specialist study skills and strategies tutors, and assistive technology tutors, on a 1-to-1 basis or in groups
- liaise with external services
If English isn't your first language, you can do one of our English language courses to improve your written and spoken English language skills before starting your degree. Once you're here, you can take part in our free In-Sessional English (ISE) programme to improve your English further.
How to apply
I'm a current СÀ¶ÊÓƵ student, or a recent СÀ¶ÊÓƵ graduate
If you're currently in your final year of study at СÀ¶ÊÓƵ, or you graduated since July 2024, you're eligible to make a fast track application. You'll have:
- a shorter application form to complete
- access to the 20% Alumni fee discount
- a guaranteed conditional offer, for most Master's courses
After you apply
Once we receive your application, we may ask you for further information. We will then either make you an offer or suggest alternatives if your application is unsuccessful.
You'll usually get a decision within 10 working days, so you shouldn't have to wait too long. Some courses have an interview stage – we'll let you know if you need to prepare for one.
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Admissions terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the СÀ¶ÊÓƵ, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.