Cardiff School of Management>Courses>MBA - Master of Business Administration

MBA - Master of Business Administration

The MBA is an internationally recognised and respected qualification for managers. Applicants are from both the public and private sectors in the UK and abroad. 

The teaching programme is aimed at those who are looking to develop their careers and at 'high flyers' that need an understanding of all the major functions of business providing generalist knowledge for prospective leaders. 

In addition to enhancing successful students' career prospects, the course aims to encourage independent and creative thinkers. This is done by following the UK Quality Assurance Agency guidelines in giving students a 'strong practical and professional orientation' differentiating it from other master's programmes.

All students complete seven taught modules, (five compulsory modules and two optional modules), together with a final project.

You can graduate with our generic MBA - Master of Business Administration or choose to study the MBA and select from a range of specialist pathways.

Pathways include:

  • MBA (Business Analytics)
  • MBA (Finance)
  • MBA (Health Sector Management) *
  • MBA (Human Resources)
  • MBA (Islamic Finance)**
  • MBA (Marketing)
  • MBA (Project Management)
  • MBA (Sport Management)
  • MBA (Strategic Management)
  • MBA (Supply Chain and Logistics Management)

Both our generic MBA and MBA pathway programmes include the opportunity to undertake a 12-month industry placement. The placement option is subject to fulfilment of terms and conditions, please see below for more information.

Cardiff campus-based MBA graduates may also be entitled to ACCA and CIMA qualification exemptions.

*Only available at Gulf College, Oman

**Not available for Cardiff-campus based MBA

Course Content​​

Compulsory modules are designed to expose you to state-of-the-art thinking in the key management disciplines and provide opportunity throughout to apply theory to real life management situations.

Compulsory modules (20 credits each)

  • Accounting for Decision-Makers
  • Managing People and Organisations
  • Marketing
  • Strategic Management
  • Operations Management

Generic MBA – Master of Business Administration Optional Modules

Select TWO Optional Modules* (20 credits each)

You can choose 40 credits from a range of optional modules if you're studying the generic MBA - Master of Business Administration.

  • Business Intelligence and the Internet of Things
  • Business with Data Analytics
  • Research Methods
  • Project Finance
  • Management of Finance
  • Finance of International Business
  • Global People Management
  • Leadership Development and Practice
  • Principles of Islamic Finance
  • Islamic Investment Banking
  • Consumer Insights
  • Strategic Global Marketing
  • Project Management Theory and Practice
  • Management of Mega and Complex Projects
  • Logistics in a Global Context
  • Supply Chain and Logistics Management
  • Global Strategic Direction and Change Management
  • Global Corporate Sustainability
  • Governance and Strategy of Sport (module delivered by Cardiff School of Sport and Health Sciences)
  • International Business of Sport and Event Management (module delivered by Cardiff School of Sport and Health Sciences)
  • People and Places: Contextualising the T H E Industries
  • Exploring Hospitality and Tourism Landscapes

  • Leadership in Health Sector Management**
  • Health Sector Operations Management**


*Optional modules are offered subject to demand and availability. Some optional modules are offered only at our TNE partner institutions.

** Only available at Gulf College, Oman.


Specialist Pathways Modules

If you're studying a specialist pathway you will complete the following two modules (40 credits) in your specialism.

MBA (Business Analytics)

  • Business Intelligence and the Internet of Things
  • Business with Data Analytics

MBA (Finance)

  • Management of Finance
  • Finance of International Business

MBA (Health Sector Management)**

  • Leadership in Health Sector Management
  • Health Sector Operations Management

MBA (Human Resources)

  • Global People Management
  • Leadership Development and Practice

MBA (Islamic Finance)*

  • Principles of Islamic Finance
  • Islamic Investment Banking

MBA (Marketing)

  • Strategic Global Marketing
  • Consumer Insights

MBA (Project Management)

  • Project Management Theory and Practice
  • Management of Mega and Complex Projects

MBA (Sport Management)

  • Governance and Strategy of Sport
  • International Business of Sport and Event Management

MBA (Strategic Management)

  • Global Strategic Direction and Change Management
  • Global Corporate Sustainability

MBA (Supply Chain and Logistics Management)

  • Logistics in a Global Context
  • Supply Chain and Logistics Management

 

Final Project Module (40 credits)

After successful completion of compulsory and optional / pathway taught modules, you will complete a 40 credit Final Project. The Final Project module is designed to be an intellectually challenging piece of individual investigative research. It will equip you with the knowledge, capabilities and competences required of today's managers, in a world in which the ability to research new information is increasingly important.

Select one final module (40 credits each)

  • Capstone Project
  • New Business Project
  • Dissertation*​​

* Subject to demand and prior knowledge of research methods.

12-month industry placement

We have introduced a new opportunity to study the Cardiff Met MBA with a 12-month industry placement. This offers you the chance to gain invaluable industry experience as well as an internationally recognised and respected qualification. It is the student's responsibility to secure your own appropriate placement, with the support from the Careers Services and Placement Team.

Scholarships

Scholarships available up to £2500. Details of the scholarship you have been awarded will be detailed in your offer letter.

Placement Terms & Conditions

If you apply and are accepted to the MBA programme with the placement option, you will be given a 2-year student visa. The placement option is subject to fulfilment of terms and conditions.

In order to be eligible for progression onto the placement element of the programme, you will be required to meet all of the following conditions:

  • Pass the following two modules on first attempt (no resits):
    • People and Organisation
    • Accounting for Decision Makers
  • Maintain regular and consistent attendance in the first and second terms.
  • Have no outstanding tuition fees.
  • Seek and secure your own appropriate, relevant industry placement. The placement will need to be formally approved via a Tri-party agreement and approved by the set deadline (further information will be provided once enrolled at the University).
  • You will secure a data gathering agreement with your industry placement if applicable.
  • Pay the placement fee on time.
  • Retrieve any failed assessments (if applicable) during the placement period.

Failure to meet the placement Terms & Conditions by the deadlines will mean you are unable to undertake the placement option and you will be transferred to the one-year standard course structure instead. Please note, this change of course structure/length will be reported and your visa length will be adjusted accordingly.

Course Length and Structure

​It will take 12-16 months, depending on start date. September, January and May intakes.

September and January intake

Students study three modules (60 credits) in the first semester, four modules (80 credits) in the second semester, Final Project (40 credits) in the third semester.

May intake

Students study two modules (40 credits) in the first semester, four modules (80 credits) in the second semester and students' study both Final Projects and the second optional / pathway modules (60 credits) in the third semester.​​

ACCA and CIMA Exemptions

Cardiff campus-based MBA graduates maybe entitled to the following ACCA qualification exemptions*

  • Business and Technology
  • Management Accounting
  • Financial Accounting 

Cardiff campus-based MBA graduates may also receive the following CIMA exemptions*

  • BA1 Fundamentals of Business Economics
  • BA2 Fundamentals of Management Accounting
  • BA3 Fundamentals of Financial Accounting
  • BA4 Fundamentals of Ethics, Corporate Governance and Business Law
  • E1 Managing Finance in a Digital World
  • P1 Management Accounting
  • F1 Financial Reporting

*The above exemptions are provided for information only. It is the graduates' responsibility to make formal applications to relevant professional bodies directly and pay for the exemptions. The exact exemptions are awarded at the sole discretion of the professional bodies.​

​Learning & Teaching​

​For Cardiff-campus based MBA students you will learn through a mix of face-to-face lecturers and seminars. All modules are supported by Moodle, the virtual learning environment which will provide students with a wide range of learning material and study guidance. 

For the final 40 credit module, students are allocated a supervisor who will provide constructive advice on their work as it develops. Students have access to online as well as standard library facilities.

If you are studying with one of our TNE partner institutes, the learning and teaching approach for your MBA may vary. For more details on how you will study, consult the relevant institute.

Assessment

Assessment is via a combination of time constrained open-book examinations, assignments, presentations, groupwork and the final project.

Employability & Careers​

Whether you’re looking to progress into a more senior level, change career or grow your own business, the Cardiff Met MBA is an internationally recognised and respected qualification that will develop your leadership skills and boost your career prospects.

Our Cardiff-campus based MBA also offers academic and employability skills sessions to strengthen your work-based skills and advance your career.

Recent MBA graduates have progressed into management roles for big names such as Development Bank of Wales, DHL UK, Vision Engineering in India, Al Khayyat Investments in Oman and IFS Software Development in Sweden. ​

Entry Requirements​ & How to Apply

Applicants should meet one of the following:

- Possess, or expect to obtain, a minimum of a second class lower division (UK 2:2 classification) degree from a recognised university;

OR

- Have a minimum of five years relevant management experience;

OR

- Hold a professional or other qualification which is deemed acceptable for admission.

International Applicants
Students whose first language is not English will need to provide evidence of fluency to at least an IELTS 6.0 standard or equivalent. For full details about how to apply and English Language qualifications please visit the International pages on the website.

There are quality assurance measures taken at programme, school and institutional level to ensure standards are consistently met.

Selection Procedure:
Selection for this course is through an application form and, where necessary, an interview.

How to Apply:
Applications for this course should be made direct to the university via our self-service facility.

Further information about the mandatory supporting documents can be found here.

For further information please visit our How to Apply pages at www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/howtoapply.

If you are interested in using credit from another institution, or have obtained qualifications and/or experience to study for a course at Cardiff Met, you can find further information on this as well as information on how to apply on the RPL page.

Contact Us

For general enquiries please contact the Admissions Team on 029 2041 6044 or email directapplications@cardiffmet.ac.uk

For course specific enquiries, please contact the programme team:
Email: mba@cardiffmet.ac.uk
Tel: 029 2041 7168​

We endeavour to deliver courses as described and will not normally make changes to courses, such as course title, content, delivery, and teaching provision. However, it may be necessary for the university to make changes in the course provision before or after enrolment. It reserves the right to make variations to content or delivery methods, including discontinuation or merging courses if such action is considered necessary. Please read our Terms and Conditions for the full information.

Key Course Information

Place of Study:
Cardiff School of Management
Llandaff Campus

Course Length:
12-16 months, depending on start date. September and January intakes. 

20% Alumni Discount:
The Cardiff Metropolitan University Alumni Discount is a 20 per cent reduction in tuition fees for Cardiff Met Alumni enrolling on taught postgraduate courses.
See if you are​ eligible.

Course Disclaimer
We endeavour to deliver courses as described and will not normally make changes to courses, such as course title, content, delivery, and teaching provision. However, it may be necessary for the university to make changes in the course provision before or after enrolment. It reserves the right to make variations to content or delivery methods, including discontinuation or merging courses if such action is considered necessary.

Please read our Terms and Conditions for the full information.

 
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