Masters in Business Administration

MBA
PGCert, PGDip
MBA: On campus; Global MBA+; Blended
learning

Final award
Intermediate awards available
Mode of delivery
Details of professional body
accreditation

N/A

Relevant QAA Benchmark statements

Date specification last up-dated

Postgraduate degrees in Business and

Management
February 2014

Alternative locations for studying this programme

Location

Which elements?

Rheinische Fachhochschule
Cologne
WIM Malaysia

Entire programme

Akmi Metropolitan College,

Athens/Thessaloniki

Entire programme
(in Greek language)

Entire programme

Taught by Taught by Method of

UEL staff local staff Delivery
Yes
Yes
Blended
Learning
No
Yes
Blended
Learning
No
Yes
Full-time

Programme content
If you are a graduate with three or more years of managerial, entrepreneurial or professional
experience, searching for the next destination in your career, then our MBA will help take
you there. Whether you are looking to move up in your existing industry or branch out into a
new one, you will benefit from a thorough grounding in management fundamentals, exposure
to cutting edge research and best practice, and honing of your teamworking, leadership and
consulting skills. Along with the established business disciplines economics, finance,
marketing, operations management, human capital management, strategy and project
management you will study entrepreneurship and corporate sustainability. You can take a
general MBA, or options in Finance, International Business, Leadership or Healthcare
Management. You will gain a deep understanding of how organisations work, and of how
you can make an impact on the one that has the foresight to employ you!
MBA at UEL

A flexible choice between full time study or the executive attendance based on
blended learning (Global MBA+), a blend of weekend/evening attendance and
internet-based learning. Working managers can continue in employment while
studying
Innovative teaching using iPads for full-time students and internet streaming and
video for those studying at a distance
The possibility, though our Global Campus, of combining studies in London one of
the worlds most vibrant and connected financial centres with semesters abroad,

including US; Germany and Malaysia (Note: immigration regulations may limit
choices for some students and additional fees could apply)
Purpose built, state of the art MBA suite and teaching facilities with easy connections
to the centre of London and Canary Wharf
A Business School with 20 years experience in the MBA field
Experience diversity at first hand more than 15 different nationalities in the average
class in one of the worlds most diverse cities. And learn a second or third language
Gain certified training on Bloomberg while studying
Learn about, and experience, social entrepreneurship through our non-credit activities
such as the Global Scholars Scheme

Entry requirements
Applications will be considered from graduates with a GCSE Maths Grade C (or equivalent)
and a 2:2 honours degree or its equivalent from any discipline. International qualifications
will be checked for appropriate matriculation to UK Higher Education postgraduate
programmes.
Students must have a minimum of 3 years (preferably five) managerial, professional or
entrepreneurial work experience. That experience must have been acquired after their first
degree. Applications will be considered, on a case-by-case basis, from people with 7 years of
experience as senior managers or as principals in their own businesses. Such applications
may be considered from people who do not have a first degree, or who have acquired one
after many years of work experience.
Students that apply to enter stages of the programme may be admitted through normal
Accreditation of Experiential Learning (AEL) or Accreditation of Certificated Learning
(ACL) processes, or through an approved articulation agreement. Therefore such applicants
must be able to demonstrate and evidence that they have the required learning outcomes as
listed in the modules for which they are seeking exemption. In the great majority of cases,
however, students will be expected to take and pass every module in the MBA.
In the case of applicants whose first language is not English, then IELTS 6.5 overall and
minimum 6.0 in all elements (or equivalent) is required.
Technical requirements for the MBA based on executive attendance and blended
learning
To participate in the Global MBA+ you need:

1. Unlimited access to a PC or Mac capable of running recent versions of standard MS

Office and browser software (or equivalent) for producing word-processed
documents, spreadsheets and presentations. Your PC must be capable of running the
required plug-ins for the Virtual Learning Environment (Adobe Flash player, Adobe
PDF Viewer, Apple QuickTime).
2. Reliable broadband internet access. For each module that you take, you will be
expected to spend up to 12 hours online per week, participating in streamed tuition
sessions and discussions and accessing resources, including video material.

3. A valid and reliable email address.

4. Access to a printer ( recommended).

Programme structure
The MBA consists of six 30-credit modules. Full time students will complete this in 12
months, while students on the Global MBA+ will take up to 24 months depending upon the
number of modules they opt to take in a given semester.
Learning environment
The UEL full-time based programme is taught at a brand new centre, namely University
Square Stratford, which is located in the area of Stratford in proximity of the Olympic
Park. Other facilities, such as Bloomberg terminals, are housed at UEL modern Docklands
site.
Each full-time student entering the programme will receive an iPad which, as well as giving
access to extensive on-line materials, allow a high level of interactivity and feedback during
teaching sessions. There are three main forums for learning and study:

Lectures which set the context for learning, introduce themes, and structure regular
reading. The aim is an interactive experience in which programme participants can
draw on and challenge module tutors. Students on the Global MBA+ will attend
some lectures at weekends/evenings while attending others virtually through the
internet
Seminars which offer scope for exploring case studies, group work in preparing and
delivering presentations, role plays and simulations. As with lectures, students on the
Global MBA+ will have a mixture of weekend/evening and internet-based discussions
and activities
Self-directed learning based on a framework provided for each module, involving
structured reading and problem-solving, much of it web-based. Both full-time and
Global MBA+ students will make extensive use of Moodle, our virtual learning
environment. Whilst in the Global MBA+ much work will be individual, enabling you
to set your own schedule, for most modules, you will be expected to participate in
group discussions or chat sessions, or to work together with other distance learning
students as a group on projects and assignments.

Assessment
Each module is assessed separately typically, there are two pieces of assessment for each
taught module, so that you will have four assessments to complete in each semester. A typical
mix could include an examination, two will be group projects, and one will be an individual
report. In addition, you will have, depending upon which Option you choose, a further
individual or group practical or theoretical research-based assessment. All assessments count
towards your Masters award.

Students with disabilities and/or particular learning needs should discuss assessments with
the Programme Leader to ensure they are able to fully engage with all assessment within the
programme.
International students studying full time who might need to resit particular modules, could
substitute live attendance of the module with the equivalent distance learning materials.
Some of the assessments could be performed electronically (e.g. individual examinations) by
using available features of the Virtual Learning Environment (Moodle).
Relevance to work/profession
MBAs help you develop in four ways that are central to a career:

You develop an integrated understanding that helps you see each part of a business in
the context of the organisation as a whole, and of its environment
You become critically aware, so you are better equipped to assess evidence for and
against a point of view, to challenge received wisdom
You develop skills in identifying, diagnosing and solving complex problems
You develop a set of interpersonal and leadership skills that help you work with other
people, possibly from other cultures.

This gives you the mature, positive, yet critical approach which organisations need if they are
to develop and thrive in a complex and rapidly changing business context, and the personal
skills needed to be an effective manager.
Dissertation/project work
The MBA, as a practical management qualification, does not feature a formal dissertation.
Students will be involved in two practical projects on the module Consultancy and
Entrepreneurship. One project will consist of a real consultancy activity for an external
organisation, while another project will consist of developing the business plan for a new
start-up business. The module Managing Marketing and Operations involves substantial
research on two companies. The chosen Option may also involve a major piece of researchbased work as part of the assessment.
Added value

An iPad and access to the learning materials that this offers (may not be offered on
Global MBA+ or by all our partners)
24/7 access to one of Londons most highly acclaimed Libraries and Learning
Resource Centres
Flexibility in time and location of study on our Global MBA+ and Global Campus
Experience diversity dont just read about it on a global programme
Exceptional preparation for the world of employment and career guidance
Access to an international Alumni network of around 4,000 past MBA students
through the MBAs own, exclusive, Alumni Association
Wide range of non-credit activities including visiting and inspirational speakers,
national and international field trips, involvement in social projects and training in
Bloomberg

Your future career

Graduates typically take up positions in multinationals or aspiring multinationals or in family
firms. A considerable number also go on to start their own businesses.
How we support you
The programme aims to provide consistent and continuing support for students through staff
involved in teaching, administration and programme management. For full-time students, a
key contact point is the Business School Helpdesk, which can help with a range of student
enquiries. Academic support will be provided by module leaders and the programme leader
There is also help with particular linguistic needs through UELs Academic English Study
Support service (AESS), delivered by the English Language Centre. Dedicated support is also
available from staff experienced in the enhancement of numeracy skills.
In general support is provided through,

the programme leader acting as your personal tutor (or another colleague teaching on
the programme)
accessible and supportive module tutors,
student support centre with dedicated staff,
induction process that aims to develop key skills for UK study,
an ongoing parallel support programme of English language and study skills,
an on-line facility for learning skills.
large learning resource facility with on-line databases,
self-study areas
a dedicated Careers Service.
Support and guidance for students study by blended learning on the Global MBA+

Global MBA+ students will receive academic support from their individual module leader.
The role of the module leader is to monitor the effectiveness of the students learning during
the module for which they are responsible, providing feedback, encouragement and support.
Local partners will also offer advice (e.g about choice of Options) and support on issues
affecting a students studies.
Bonus factors
There will be the possibility of internships with companies in London for full-time students.
(Note: UEL cannot commit to find an internship for every student; students are encouraged to
identify their own internship opportunities).
Our Global Reach and Global Scholars programmes offer sponsored opportunities to pursue a
project in a country around the world that deepens your learning and helps you put it into
practice, often in a social enterprise context.

Programme aims and learning outcomes

What is this programme designed to achieve?

This programme is designed to give you the opportunity to:

Develop an integrated understanding that helps you see each part of a business in the
context of the organisation as a whole, and of its environment
Become critically aware, and equipped to assess evidence for and against a point of
view, to challenge received wisdom
Develop skills in identifying, diagnosing and solving complex problems
Develop a set of interpersonal and leadership skills that help you work with other
people, possibly from other cultures.

What will you learn?

By the end of this programme you will be able to:
Knowledge

Debate the implications of the major developments and trends in the international
business environment
Critically discuss the business dynamics of different industries with reference to both
strategies and operations
Recognise and respond to management dilemmas, in particular those relating to issues
of sustainability and entrepreneurship, in relation to complex international
environments

Thinking skills

Select the appropriate theories, conceptual frameworks and analytical tools to apply to
a business problem
Make sense of complex, incomplete and ambiguous information through
appropriately detailed analysis.

Subject-Based Practical skills

Appraise the situations of organisations and industries

Use theories and best practices for solving complex problems and managing business
trade-offs
Undertake research into major business problems or issues and provide effective
recommendations for change
Contribute to the formation and implementation of strategies, at functional and
organisational levels, within an international context

Skills for life and work (general skills)

Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with both expert and non-expert
audiences
Manage and lead teams of professionals
Demonstrate leadership in challenging situations.
Work to exacting deadlines

The programme structure

Introduction
All programmes are credit-rated to help you to understand the amount and level of study that
is needed.
One credit is equal to 10 hours of directed study time (this includes everything you do e.g.
lecture, seminar and private study).
Credits are assigned to one of 5 levels:
0
equivalent in standard to GCE 'A' level and is intended to prepare students for year
one of an undergraduate degree programme
1

equivalent in standard to the first year of a full-time undergraduate degree programme

2
equivalent in standard to the second year of a full-time undergraduate degree
programme
3
equivalent in standard to the third year of a full-time undergraduate degree
programme
M

equivalent in standard to a Masters degree

Credit rating
The overall credit-rating of this programme is 180 credits.
Typical duration
The duration of this programme is one calendar year full-time and two calendar years parttime.
It is possible to move from full-time to part-time study and vice-versa to accommodate any
external factors such as financial constraints or domestic commitments. Many of our students
make use of this flexibility and this may impact on the overall duration of their study period.
The maximum duration of this programme is 6 years, and the maximum time for any one
module is 3 years.
How the teaching year is divided
The teaching year is divided into two semesters of roughly equal length. A typical student
registered in a full-time attendance mode will study two 30 credit modules per semester and a
typical student registered in a part-time attendance mode will study one or two modules per
semester. Two further taught modules are offered during the summer period.
What you will study when

Structure of MBA (full-time attendace and executive attendance based on blended learning)
Semester A
Global Business
Analysis (30 credits)
Managing Marketing
and Operations (30
credits)

Semester B
Semester C
Global Management Sustainable Strategic
of People and
Management (30
Projects (30 credits) credits)
Consultancy and
Option (30 credits)
Entrepreneurship (30
credits)
OR Work-based
learning

Students on the full-time MBA will take two modules in each semester. Students on the
Global MBA+ will take one or two modules in each semester, according to their own
requirements.
Level

UEL
Module
Code

M
M

M
M

M
M
M
M
M

Available by Module Title

distance
learning
(Y/N)
Y
Global Business
Analysis
Y
Managing
Marketing and
Operations
Y
Global
Management of
People and
Projects
Y
Consultancy and
Entrepreneurship
Y
Sustainable
Strategic
Management
Y
Changes in the
business
environment
Y
International
Business
Y
Finance
Y
Leadership
Y
Healthcare
Management
Y
Management
Report: WorkBased Learning

Requirements for gaining an award

Credit

Status

30

Core

30

Core

30

Core

30

Core

30

Core

30

Option

30

Option

30
30
30

Option
Option
Option

30

Option

In order to gain a Postgraduate Certificate, you will need to obtain 60 credits at Level M.
In order to gain a Postgraduate Diploma, you will need to obtain 120 credits at Level M
In order to obtain a Masters, you will need to obtain 180 credits at
Level M. These credits will include a 60 credit level M core module of advanced independent
research.
Masters Award Classification
Where a student is eligible for an Masters award then the award classification is
determined by calculating the arithmetic mean of all marks and applying the mark obtained
as a percentage, with all decimals points rounded up to the nearest whole number, to the
following classification
70% 100%
60%- 69%
50% - 59%
0% - 49%

Distinction
Merit
Pass
Not passed

Teaching, learning and assessment

Teaching and learning
Knowledge is developed through

Integrated tutor led lecture and class/group seminar/case study/discussion

Private study to prepare for group discussion and presentations.
Private study to prepare for assignments and report writing.
Reference and access to literature resources, including on-line academic and business
journals and databases
Online discussions and activities

Thinking skills are developed through

Seminars and group work

Case studies and associated problem-solving activities
Structured group/seminar discussion
Reflective activities with feedback
Presentations of prepared work
Online discussions and activities

Practical skills are developed through

Case studies, role plays and workshops

Researching presentations and projects both group and individual

Skills-based activities with feedback

Skills for life and work (general skills) are developed through

Report writing
Presentations
Completion of major consultancy and business planning project

Assessment
Knowledge is assessed by

Group and individual presentations.

Group and individual course work/assignments.

Thinking skills are assessed by

Group work
Presentations
Assignments, which may based on case studies

Practical skills are assessed by

Business reports which may be based upon case studies

Consultancy reports and business plans

Skills for life and work (general skills) are assessed by

Reports and presentations

Consultancy reports and business plans

How we assure the quality of this programme

Before this programme started
Before this programme started, the following was checked:

there would be enough qualified staff to teach the programme;

adequate resources would be in place;
the overall aims and objectives were appropriate;
the content of the programme met national benchmark requirements;
the programme met any professional/statutory body requirements;
the proposal met other internal quality criteria covering a range of issues such as
admissions policy, teaching, learning and assessment strategy and student support
mechanisms.

This is done through a process of programme approval which involves consulting academic
experts including some subject specialists from other institutions.

How we monitor the quality of this programme

The quality of this programme is monitored each year through evaluating:

external examiner reports (considering quality and standards);

statistical information (considering issues such as the pass rate);
student feedback.

Drawing on this and other information, programme teams undertake the annual Review and
Enhancement Process which is co-ordinated at School level and includes student
participation. The process is monitored by the Quality and Standards Committee.
Once every six years an in-depth review of the whole field is undertaken by a panel that
includes at least two external subject specialists. The panel considers documents, looks at
student work, speaks to current and former students and speaks to staff before drawing its
conclusions. The result is a report highlighting good practice and identifying areas where
action is needed.
The role of the programme committee
The programme has a programme committee comprising all relevant teaching staff, student
representatives and others who make a contribution towards the effective operation of the
programme (e.g. library/technician staff). The Global MBA+ will have representatives who
will take soundings from the online community and make relevant recommendations their
attendance at the programme committee may be electronic. The committee has
responsibilities for the quality of the programme. It provides input into the operation of the
Review and Enhancement Process and proposes changes to improve quality. The programme
committee plays a critical role in the quality assurance procedures.
The role of external examiners
The standard of this programme is monitored by at least one external examiner. External
examiners have two primary responsibilities:

To ensure the standard of the programme;

To ensure that justice is done to individual students.

External examiners fulfil these responsibilities in a variety of ways including:

Approving exam papers/assignments;

Attending assessment boards;
Reviewing samples of student work and moderating marks;
Ensuring that regulations are followed;
Providing feedback through an annual report that enables us to make improvements
for the future.

The external examiner reports for this programme are located on the UEL virtual learning
environment (Moodle) on the school notice board under the section entitled External
Examiner Reports & Responses. You can also view a list of the external examiners for the
UEL School by clicking on the link below.

http://www.uel.ac.uk/qa/CurrentExternalExaminers.htm
Listening to the views of students
The following methods for gaining student feedback are used on this programme:

Module evaluations
Student representation on programme committees (meeting twice a year)
Student surveys (annually)

Students are notified of the action taken through:

Summarising mid-module feedback on Moodle (our Virtual Learning Environment)

for the module and detailing relevant actions in response
Discussion of summaries of all completed module feedback in the programme
committee and relevant actions to be taken at modular and programme-level
Individual responses to students as required

Listening to the views of others

The following methods are used for gaining the views of other interested parties:
The following methods are used for gaining the views of other interested parties:

Formal contact with external examiners

Approval for major changes in the programme via the Schools Standing Quality
Committee , programme committee and external examiners
External industry and practitioner views via the Schools Business Advisory Board

Further information
Where you can find further information
Further information about this programme is available from:

The UEL web site (http://www.uel.ac.uk)

The student handbook (give web-site where available)
UEL Manual of General Regulations http://www.uel.ac.uk/qa/
UEL Quality Manual http://www.uel.ac.uk/qa/
Regulations for theAcademic Framework http://www.uel.ac.uk/academicframework/

The Royal Docks Business School website http://royaldocksbusiness.com/mba