Program Overview

MBA Top-Up MBA

Overview

This Master of Business Administration (MBA) Top-Up is for people who already hold a Postgraduate Diploma in Management Studies or an equivalent postgraduate qualification.

We understand that your MBA is part of an onward journey. We offer extensive career support to help you gain a rapid return on your investment in yourself – and achieve your personal goals.

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

Course structure

Teaching and learning methods include lectures, seminars, class discussions, case studies, group work, presentations, and applied study.

Assessment is mainly through the dissertation and assignments, as well as exams in some subjects.

Course modules

For the 90-credit Top-Up, you will study one of the 30-credit MBA core modules and complete your 60-credit MBA Research Project. The module you study will depend on when you start and your entry qualifications.

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 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.

Entry requirements

We don’t currently display entry requirements for Ireland. Please contact the Student Admin team for further information.

This course is designed to support career acceleration for suitable graduate applicants. All levels of practical/work experience will be considered including applications from graduates with limited
o work experience post their master’s degree who can display they'll benefit from a course of this type.

This course converts a standard master’s level qualification to an MBA. Therefore, a relevant postgraduate or equivalent professional qualification is a requirement to apply for this course.

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 are:

• £9,000 if you're from the UK/Europe
• £9,500 if you're an international student

See the scholarships and bursaries that may be available to you.

This information was correct at the time of publication.

Career ready

The applied nature of our MBA course will build on your previous managerial experience while moving you forward on a journey of practical professional development. The course is an investment in yourself that can lead to higher salary, promotion opportunities, greater employability, and flexibility in an evolving job market.

Graduate success

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

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.

Meet the students

• "The MBA is the very foundation and motivation for the initiative." - Abedalrahman Al-Zghoul
• "Sunderland has provided me with brand new critical thinking skills." - Mohammad Adwan
• "It's been absolutely great, inside the class, and the experience outside the class as well." - Octavian and Hanneke Lazin

Meet the team — MBA Top-Up

• Kym Maria Drady, Senior Lecturer in Human Resource Management
• Sharp Cooper, Senior Lecturer in Operations Management
• Yashar Salamzadeh, FHEA, CMBE, Senior Lecturer in Digital Business
• Julia Janfeshar Nobari, Senior Lecturer in Accounting and Finance

View all staff for MBA Top-Up

Related courses

• MBA Master of Business Administration
• MBA Master of Business Administration (Human Resource Management)
• PgCert/PgDip Management Studies