Program Overview

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Master of Business Administration MBA

Overview

The Masters of Business Administration (MBA) is the flagship course within the School of Business and Management. The course will make you a leader of business, focusing on your professional development in leadership, international business, digital skills, and sustainability.

Our modules have been developed in partnership with employers which makes our course about much more than just what’s in the textbook. Through inspiring guest speakers, group challenges, regular social events, and opportunities to impact local industries, you’ll become a member of a diverse community of aspiring leaders able to face the challenges of 21st century business.

We have a range of different pathways tailored to your individual circumstances. Whether it’s the 12-month taught MBA, the 24-month MBA with placement, or the 24-month MBA with Postgraduate Certificate, we have an MBA course to suit you.

You can also opt for one of our specialist pathways, allowing you to focus your MBA on Human Resource Management, Finance, or Marketing.

Why us?

• We've been shortlisted for Business School of the Year in the Times Higher Education Awards 2024
• Benefit from employer engagement opportunities, employer visits, and our guest speaker programme
• Our MBA course has been carefully designed to prepare you for a digital and sustainable workplace
• Our specialist MBA courses allow you to tailor your studies
• We offer our students comprehensive support at every step of the way

Our partners, accreditations and networks

• [List of partners, accreditations, and networks]

Course structure

You’ll study two modules per semester and complete an individual research project. Each module is fully supported by an online learning environment where you'll access all the materials you need.

You’ll attend weekly seminars where you come together to explore the module topics with fellow aspiring leaders and real industry practitioners. For each module, you'll submit an assessment to ensure you can progress.

Course modules

Strategic Leadership for a Sustainable Future (30 credits)

Analyse theoretical approaches to leadership before applying these to strategic and sustainable business issues. Engage with business leaders to identify and develop the employability skills sought after in the digital and global work environments of the future. Conduct reflective practice throughout the module, working to develop a deeper understanding of your own leadership style and identify areas for future development as sustainable business leaders.

International Business in Context (30 credits)

Explore the unique opportunities and challenges of conducting business internationally as globalisation and the digital revolution have increased global connectedness in business. Develop innovative and sustainable solutions and strategies for current and emerging international business issues. Critically analyse approaches to leadership and management in a strategic, international business context to develop diverse stakeholder management acumen and digital business competencies.

Digital Enterprise and Innovation (30 credits)

Gain an insight into digital enterprises and the nature of sustainable innovation. Explore issues of culture, communication and leadership within digital enterprises considering the unique opportunities and challenges they face. Work in conjunction with local and national digital enterprises, and apply your understanding of the underlying theoretical concepts learned to authentic business challenges and develop your digital competencies for future employability.

Corporate Governance and Financial Management (30 credits)

Engage in the exploration of portfolio management and wealth planning, as well as risk diversification, by focusing on creating a sustainable investment portfolio through examination and analysis of financial data of listed companies. Examine various financial management concepts such as capital structure, investment appraisal techniques and mergers and takeovers through real-life case studies. Develop transferable skills needed for roles within financial institutions, stock broking, investment and portfolio management, treasury, and corporate finance departments of companies.

MBA Research Project (60 credits)

Critically examine a suitable topic by completing a research project into an organisation or industry sector with which you are familiar. Complete a series of personal competence, digital skills and research methods seminars all designed to support your research project. Develop a critical understanding of the role and importance of research into sustainable business practice, and by investigating an authentic business issue, you will be better prepared for your return to, or entry into, the world of work, along with an enhanced awareness of your own professional development as a future business leader.

Facilities

You’ll be primarily based at The Reg Vardy Centre, on the Sir Tom Cowie Campus at St Peter’s. The Reg Vardy Centre is a modern building with views of the river, and just a short walk from both the coast and Sunderland town centre.

During your course, you’ll have access to world class facilities, such as our state-of-the-art simulation suite and The Marketing Hub which give you the opportunity to enhance your experience through hands-on activities.

Entry requirements

Our typical offer is:

• a bachelor's degree (3 years) with a 2:2 classification

If you already hold a postgraduate qualification, please see our Applying for additional postgraduate degrees Help and Advice article.

If you don't meet our standard entry requirements, you can take one of the foundation pathways at our partners ONCAMPUS Sunderland. Find out more information and whether your course is eligible on our ONCAMPUS page.

If your qualification is not listed above, please contact the Student Administration team at [insert email] for further advice.

This course is designed to support career acceleration for suitably academically qualified applicants. All levels of practical work/work experience will be considered including applications from candidates with pre-graduation or limited
o work experience post degree who can display that they'll benefit from a course of this type.

We require a relevant degree or equivalent professional qualifications.

If English isn't your first language, please see our English language requirements.

Is your qualification not displaying here? For international qualifications, search our full list of international entry requirements for this course.

Fees and finance

• 2025/26 fees:
  • £18,000 if you're from the UK/Europe
  • £19,000 if you're an international student

Take a look at the scholarships and bursaries that may be available to you.

This information was correct at the time of publication.

Career ready

Business graduates from Sunderland have secured roles in organisations such as Facebook, Microsoft, Sage, HSBC, IBM, Enterprise, Nissan, Accenture, Procter & Gamble, Merck & Co, Barclays, Nissan, Marriott Hotels, Viacom 18, PricewaterhouseCoopers, and Adidas.

Graduates from this course have found the MBA accelerated their career trajectory and allowed them to progress into senior and executive level roles more quickly in both local, national, and global businesses. Many graduates have also chosen to set up their own business.

Optional PgCert in Human Resource Management or Digital Marketing and Analytics

Following the completion of your MBA course, you can continue your studies by completing an optional Postgraduate Certificate in Digital Marketing and Analytics or Human Resource Management.

This route enables you to develop specialist knowledge in the areas of digital marketing and analysis or in skills in people management and learning and development.

The total duration of the MBA with PgCert is 24 months.

Industry links

We invite business leaders into the University to share their experiences with students. Past speakers include Divine Chocolate’s Head of Sales and Marketing and Sunderland Football Club’s CEO.

Learning from business professionals can be very useful if you’re not sure what career to pursue when you graduate. If you already have a plan for your career, these events are an excellent way to start building a network of business contacts.

Programme support

The programme team is very much committed to supporting you on your learning journey. We provide a robust personal tutoring system setting academic goals and working with you to keep this on track. Study skills development is a feature of the programme support, for example, honing critical skills and critical writing. We pride ourselves on Sunderland being a friendly and sociable place to study – many long-lasting friendships and networks are formed within our Sunderland MBA cohorts.