Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Our flexible MBA masters degree in Business Administration programme has been designed with a practical element and will develop your advanced leadership skills. You will also develop an in-depth understanding of the functional components of management, strategic management and specialist areas of study relating to your career aspirations.

Our MBA is student-centric and is focused on your career development. It blends academia and practical applications whilst building your confidence and competency through personal experiences. You will develop skills across a range of business functions including strategy, accounting, economics, operations management, people management, commercialisation, business development and marketing. You will attend our on-campus nine-day Leadership Week and conduct a Consultancy Project for a client organisation.

Our Online MBA is ranked equal 1st in the world for Class Experience and 2nd in the world for Faculty and Teaching by QS Distance Online MBA Global Rankings 2018.

What You Will Study

You will learn the fundamentals and key decision-making that take place in business functions within the business environment and then apply this at a strategic level. You will attend our nine-day Leadership Week event and utilise your knowledge and skills in an applied business context in the Consultancy Project.

Part-time and Online Distance Learning

Stage 1

You will develop an in-depth understanding and gain experience of decision making in relation to a range of business functions including Accounting and Corporate Finance, Operations, Strategic Analysis and People Management.

Stage 2

You will continue to develop your understanding of various business functions including Business Development, Marketing and Sales, and develop a commercialisation plan for a technology-based project. You will participate in our 9-day Leadership Week event which includes a Business Simulation Exercise, academic and practical workshops, outdoor leadership development day, and guest speakers from academia and industry.

Stage 3

You will utilise your knowledge and skills in an applied business context, for a client organisation (typically for your employer), through the Consultancy Project. The project is supported by a tutor from RGU and is designed so that the project recommendations bring real value to the client organisation.

Modules

Modules and delivery order may change for operational purposes. The University regularly reviews its courses. Course content and structure may change over time. See our course and module disclaimer for more information. 

Teaching & Assessment

Full-time

You will learn through a combination of lectures, seminars and workshop sessions which compromise of a mix of group study, simulation, case studies and presentations.

• Lectures - 20 students per group, 3 hours per week
• Seminars - 20 students per group, 6 hours per semester
• Project Supervision - 1:1 supervision, 24 hours final semester only
• Practical class or workshop - 20 students per group, 100 hours per semester
• Independent Study - 450 hours per semester

Part-time (Weekend Delivery)

You will attend weekend workshops at our Garthdee Campus, of which you are required to attend approximately 16-20 days per year for the first two years. You will have access to your learning materials from home/remotely through our online virtual learning environment, CampusMoodle.

Online Distance Learning (ODL)

You will learn via our online virtual learning environment, CampusMoodle which provides you with lectures and course materials and allows you to study from any location. You will participate in active, group-related learning within a supportive online community setting.

Part-Time / Online Distance Learning

• Lectures - 40 students per group, 2.5 hours per week
• Seminars - 40 students per group, 2.5 hours per semester
• Webinar - 40 students per group, 2.5 hours per semester
• Project Supervision - 1:1 supervision, 12 hours final semester only
• Practical class or workshop - 40 students per group, 32-48 hours final semester only
• Independent Study - 250 hours per semester

Leadership Week

You will participate in our 9-day Leadership Week event, held on campus, which includes a Business Simulation Exercise, academic and practical workshops, outdoor leadership development day, and guest speakers from academia and industry. You will have the opportunity to meet and network with fellow MBA students across all modes of study and industry experts from local and national businesses.

Independent Study

The total learning effort on the course is the equivalent of 1800 hours over 12 months (full time) or 33 months (part time or online distance). This is to include independent study and coursework preparation, workshops, lectures and other activities.

Assessment

Full Time

Year 1

• 1 written exam, 24 hour time window; online exam
• 7 written assignments, including essay
• 3 reports
• 1 portfolio
• 1 project output
• 2 oral assessments
• 3 group critiques

Part Time / Online Distance Learning

Year 1

• 1 written exam, 24 hour time window; online exam
• 4 written assignments, including essay
• 1 report

Year 2

• 2 written assignments, including essay
• 1 report
• 1 portfolio
• 2 project outputs
• 1 oral assessment
• 3 group critiques

Year 3

• 1 written assignment, including essay
• 1 report

Placements and Jobs

Placements

Within the Consultancy Project you will act as a consultant for a business on an agreed issue relating to its operations. It allows you to apply your knowledge, leadership and strategic thinking skills within a practical context, face challenges of working within new settings, apply learning to new problems and earn valuable experience of working in a multi-national environment.

All projects are strategic in nature and focus on real opportunities facing an organisation or government department/agency. Previous projects have ranged from developing an international gas utilisation and monetisation strategy in West Africa to developing a global strategy and franchising for a major oil company. You can also use the Consultancy Project as an opportunity to produce a business plan for your own entrepreneurial ventures.

PLACEMENTS AT RGU

Job Prospects

An MBA is an internationally recognised qualification which will help you to capitalise on your experience to date and build on your previous qualifications. On completion, you will be able to take that next step in your career to a senior leadership position either within your existing organisation, a new organisation or on setting up your own business.

CAREERS

How to apply

Please visit the website to find out how to apply.

Visit the Master of Business Administration (MBA) page on the Robert Gordon University website for more details!