Online MBA: Master of Business Administration

What Can I Expect to Gain From My Online MBA?

Our distance learning MBA will provide you with expert management skills and business administration practices and develop the key skills required to understand, respond to and lead change.

Through your online lectures, you’ll develop your awareness of organisational issues, and the ability to evaluate the potential outcomes of complicated or problematic situations in a variety of management contexts.

You’ll reflect on the key issues of the 21st century business environment, the latest developments in management research, and develop a solid understanding of management roles and responsibilities. Additionally, you’ll enhance your communication skills and hone personal attributes to help you learn leadership skills.

How is the Online MBA Programme Structured?

Our MBA consists of six core modules and a major project.

The core modules cover topics including finance, human resources, strategy, innovation and entrepreneurship, organisational psychology and marketing.

What Will I Gain From Studying the MBA Online?

The postgraduate major project gives you the opportunity to carry out your own research. This globally recognised MBA programme will give you the knowledge, skills and confidence to achieve your career goals.

All students will be supported throughout their entire online MBA experience by a dedicated academic and support team and a peer group of like-minded international students from around the world.

Accredited by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI)

CMI Accreditation offers the following benefits

• CMI accreditation means you can choose to receive a second professional qualification when you complete your course – at no extra cost.
• An industry-recognised CMI professional qualification instantly makes you more employable
• You’ll gain access to digital resources, online webinars and the CMI's online resource portal, ManagementDirect
• You can join the CMI Community and get involved with professional networking opportunities
• Opportunities for progression from further learning through to Chartered Manager Status

Modules

Due to the structure of this course, there will be instances where you will study two modules simultaneously during a trimester. You will be supported by your tutors to help manage your workload and assessment deadlines.

Please contact one of our advisers to discuss the pacing of this course and the options available to match your circumstances.

Principles of Marketing Management

You'll work through the main theories and principles of marketing for the marketing manager or business leader, understanding how those theories and principles can be applied in practice to a range of business contexts; from business-to-consumer, business-to-business, charities and arts, to tourism and service-based industries. You'll focus particularly on global business challenges; competition and defining value; a digitally based economy; and societal marketing (corporate social responsibility, sustainability, morals and ethics) whilst also understanding the legal framework that impacts upon marketers and marketing practice such as consumer and data protection laws. This module will challenge you to examine marketing problems that have faced brands and organisations to critically analyse their approach and suggest new alternatives. You'll gain a firm grasp of the scope of marketing in general business management and leadership roles as well as a clear understanding of the specialist areas of study and work as you plan your lifelong career in this very broad industry.

Organisational Psychology in a Social Context

Human Resource (HR) professionals and managers operate within increasingly complex and changing organisational and contextual circumstances in the public, private and third sectors. This is exacerbated by the variety of organisational types and size that contribute to national wealth creation in terms of the services and goods they provide and produce. This module provides you with understanding of market and business contexts in the operational, tactical, and strategic HR function, along with issues of the modern organisation. You'll examine the cultural, political, and social contexts that organisations operate within, both from an internal and external perspective. Furthermore, you'll discover how economic forces affect and influence organisational practices, and their impact upon the function and practises of HR. You'll explore globalisation and how changing demographics and social environments impact on organisational strategy and the HR function. You’ll also explore why ethical and democratic practices are needed to meet the changes of complex business and economic practices (and the management of human resources) in more dignified ways. Finally, you'll see how HR can contribute to and influence the strategic direction of organisational practice in the pursuit of welfare profit, as well as monetary profit.

Management and Strategy

Within this module you'll explore the fields of management and strategy, noting how strategic analysis and formulation contribute to an organisation’s performance. You'll explore practically relevant ideas and frameworks that facilitate strategy design and implementation, dealing with the craft of strategy, identifying and choosing superior competitive positions, how to analyse strategic situations and how to create the organisational context to make the chosen strategy work. Practical and problem-oriented, this module places emphasis on the application of concepts and exploration of frameworks to assist you in analysing and gaining insight into competitive situations and strategic dilemmas. You'll also explore the fields of management and strategy, noting how strategic analysis and formulation contribute to an organisation’s performance.

Principles of Economics

You'll end this module with a toolkit of knowledge around how economists define, evaluate, measure and compare firms’ profit max strategies given different market settings, building a foundation of awareness around the factors affecting both the performance of firms and countries. You'll also be able to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of alternative explanations of economic growth and development. You’ll begin by looking at Microeconomics, examining the ways in which decision-making units (individuals and firms) make their decisions. These fundamental concepts and approaches underpin much of modern microeconomics and consider in detail firms’ input and output decisions based on profit maximisation and cost minimization in different market settings (perfect competition, monopoly, oligopoly, monopolistic competition). Basic economic models are used to introduce you to analytical methods of reasoning with applications and mathematical problems used to help you see clearly the interplay between key concepts. Consumer choice based on utility maximization is considered in detail and then applied to areas such as labour supply. It's then the turn of Macroeconomics, where we master the basic concepts, such as the determination of national income, the workings of the monetary system, causes and consequences of inflation and the reasons behind unemployment. We then introduce the tools of economic theory and develop your understanding of the factors affecting both economic growth and development. You'll examine how a country can increase the size of its national income, and also how increased growth can impact on a society by improving the development indicators. Upon completion you should understand how economists define, evaluate, measure and attempt to boost employment, economic growth and development and reduce inflation and public debt. You'll be encouraged throughout to debate current issues and challenges facing economics, enhancing your policy decision-making capacity by examining a wide range of decisions, alternatives and their implications. Given the scientific papers of leading scientists in the field the module aims to value critical openness to different perspectives, theories and methods, and encourage cross-disciplinary collaboration.

Innovation and Entrepreneurship

You'll critically review existing entrepreneurship and innovation models and concepts, including process models, and explore ‘patchwork’ and ‘opportunity’ based approaches to entrepreneurship and innovation. During the module you'll explore how ‘innovation’ comes from a variety of sources, examine the principles of ‘open’ innovation, and recognise the importance of exploiting available networks and developing an innovative culture. Your ability to analyse and critique ‘entrepreneurial’ business models, both existing and conceptual, will be improved through the utilisation of tools such as the Business Model Canvas. You'll think creatively by proposing innovative solutions to creating and capturing value through the medium of consultancy report and applying some of the theoretical underpinnings of the module. Finally, the principles of entrepreneurship and innovation are analysed in the context of entrepreneurs, start-up and family businesses from across the globe, in various commercial, public-sector and not- for-profit sectors, emphasising the importance and challenges of ‘social’ and ‘sustainability-led’ innovation.

Finance for Decision Making

Management decision making is a complex subject involving many variable factors. The primary objective of this module is to provide a conceptual and analytical framework for looking at organisations operating in capital, financial and operational markets. You'll explore the financial element contained in decisions and the techniques that may be used to assist informed management decisions. You start by considering the availability of financial information that may be relevant to decision making and whether this fits with the information you need to make the decision. This is further developed to the type of decision and differing requirements, leading to a more bespoke deliverable information set that meets the context of the decision. You'll gain an appreciation of core themes prevalent throughout financial management. The module also explores the financial techniques developed by financial and management accountants and how they may be used and applied. Finally, consideration is given to the relevance and weighting of the financial element in the decision-making process and how qualitative issues may be incorporated in the overall decision.

Entrepreneurial Action (Major Project)

The Entrepreneurial Action module will allow you to undertake a project focused on understanding and supporting entrepreneurial action in practice. This is to be undertaken on an individual basis and could be an applied/engaged research project – for instance, an enterprise consultancy project which addresses an opportunity or challenge faced by an entrepreneurial organisation, or researching and developing a new business proposition or idea.

Assessment

You will be assessed as you progress throughout the course using a range of methods including reports, presentations, portfolios and individual assignments.

Our MBA degree is studied 100% online.

You’ll study through Canvas, our world-class online Learning Management System (LMS), which can be accessed from your phone, pc or tablet at home or on the move. Canvas provides instant access to study materials, forums, and support from tutors and classmates, as well as enabling easy submission of your assignments.

On successful completion of your studies you’ll be invited to attend a graduation ceremony on campus. If attending the ceremony in person is not possible then we’ll arrange to have your certificate sent to you.

On average, our students spend 7 to 10 hours per week working on their course, although every student is different. This time can be spent on a range of activities including research, contributing on on-line discussions and working on your assignments.

What could an MBA do for my career?

Online MBAs offer a range of career opportunities open to you, and many top industries are keen to hire an online MBA graduate.

A study published by Statista in 2022 showed that 92% of employers across all industries were looking to hire MBA graduates, showing that the skills demonstrated by MBA graduates are in high demand worldwide.

For example, online MBA graduates are sought after for a range of roles that require strong international business knowledge, critical thinking skills and an understanding of an ever-changing economy.

Doors can also open in the field of consultancy, where businesses seek highly knowledgeable graduates to inform decision-making processes and build strategies for growth and success.

Studying an MBA online can also support you in starting your own business by teaching you the business strategy skills to become a self-sufficient entrepreneur and bring your ideas to fruition.

What job roles can I consider with an MBA?

With an MBA, you can gain the transferable skills and knowledge to work in a variety of job roles and industry sectors. These are just some of the job roles that MBA graduates may consider:

• Business Advisor
• Business Analyst
• Business Consultant
• Business Development Manager
• Business Operations Manager
• Entrepreneur
• Finance Manager
• Human Resources Manager
• Management Consultant
• Marketing Manager
• Project Manager
• Risk Manager

If you are looking for more information about these job profiles and potential salary earnings see Prospects.ac.uk. It’s important to note that salaries can vary widely depending on the job role, employer, industry sector and location.

What skills will I get from an MBA to help my career?

Choosing to study an MBA will give you many transferable skills; here are just some of them:

• Ability to think around complex issues
• Decision-making, even in the absence of complete data
• Evaluate different business models
• Create and implement strategic plans
• Develop leadership skills with the potential to senior leadership level
• Develop entrepreneurial and innovative approaches
• Work with confidence, both independently and in a group
• Develop flexible and creative approaches to problem-solving
• Clear communication
• Manage information from a range of media

What can I study after an MBA?

Depending on your long-term goals and interests you may decide to explore a doctorate qualification. Having a master’s degree under your belt is a key entry requirement in opening doors to study at this level.

Careers Advice Service

Once you become an ARU student you will be able to access our Employability Service, who will work with you throughout your time at ARU and after you graduate, whether that’s landing your first dream job or your next progression step.

We offer:

• careers advice, including one-to-one online and telephone appointments with our experienced advisers
• help with your CV, job searches, applications and interview preparation
• an online portal packed with useful careers resources
• our Employability Programme, which helps you hone the skills employers say they want in graduates

Fees

The full tuition fee for this course is £11,000.

The tuition fees you pay each year will be £5,500. The course is studied over 2 years.

Accredited Prior Learning may reduce the tuition fees. This will be confirmed once your application has been submitted.

Funding

Your course can be fully funded by the Postgraduate Student Loans now available (subject to eligibility).

We offer payment by instalments, so you can spread the cost of studying with us.

For military students: You can use your ELCs towards this course. Anglia Ruskin University is a recognised ELCAS provider (number 1007). Please contact your Learning Centre for details of ELC, eligibility and how to apply.

For more information on how you fund your studies please see our funding page.

With flexible online study, you  can further your  professional development at your  own pace. Online MBA programs will give you a diverse understanding of the world of marketing, operations management, economics and human resources. Throughout the course, you’ll learn the roles that each of these components play in the success of business.

You’ll master the art of leadership in industry, including managing and motivating teams, dealing with management challenges and teamwork to build cohesive strategies for success.

As part of this online programme, you’ll also come to understand the process of innovation, from inception to realisation, and examine how it shapes and influences industries.

project management, to those wanting to break into the global business environment. It's also suitable for international students or those with an undergraduate degree looking to continue their education. You can even study an online MBA with a lifetime of professional experience behind you!

Our course is designed for those who want to pursue a highly interactive higher education programme by distance learning from a university with dedicated and student-focused teaching, but ultimately, there is no ‘ideal’ online MBA student – if you meet the programme entry requirements then all we ask is an open mind and a willingness to learn.

With Anglia Ruskin University, you’ll study a recognised qualification by a well-established distance learning provider.

Our distance learning MBA is designed for flexibility, so you can study around your existing commitments. Throughout your programme of study, you’ll have the full support of your tutors,  fellow students, as well as wider university support services.

We have a team of dedicated distance learning facilitators to help get you set up on the course and offer support with any non-academic help you may need for the duration of your studies.

Find out more about distance learning and our MBA course on our blog:

• 10 Reasons You Should Study An MBA With Us
• What Support Will I Get on A Distance Learning Course?
• Want To Steer Your Career In Tough Times? Try Distance Learning