MBA top-up (Executive)
Course Overview
Whatever sector you currently work in, this MBA top-up (Executive) qualification is designed to help you understand the problems and challenges facing all enterprises and organisations – and identify potential solutions. Offered as a full-time course over two trimesters, which is less than a full calendar year, you’ll have the opportunity to develop vital skills that can be applied in almost any business.Areas covered include building a thorough knowledge of an organisation and its leadership; developing creative and systematic approaches to underlying business issues; and understanding how business and management practices can be improved. Throughout the course, you’ll have the opportunity to cultivate your intellectual capabilities of research, critique, synthesis and innovation, culminating in a master’s level dissertation.
We aim to optimise learning by employing a varied programme of blended teaching and learning methods, including lectures, workshops, group tutorials, individual tuition and guest speakers. By tutoring you in strategic thinking skills, the course will allow you to develop the sought-after analytical and critical competencies that prestigious employers in today’s global economy value so highly.
Highlights
- MIM and the University of Bolton have a well-established partnership of over 10 years.
- This MBA course offers you the chance to join a well-established postgraduate community engaged in preparing themselves for a career in executive management.
- Teaching and supervision are delivered by a dedicated team of experienced and well-qualified staff drawn from business and academia.
- You'll undertake a research and study skills module which will assist in your studies.
Key Features
- This course aims to develop your critical knowledge of organisations, their management and the complex business issues they face.
- You’ll have the chance to apply research and analysis skills, culminating in a master’s level dissertation.
- An intensive Research Methods and Study Skills module is designed to prepare you for writing your dissertation.
- Teaching is conducted by a highly-dedicated team, with specialist knowledge in a wide range of subject areas and close links to business and industry.
- Course materials are available online, allowing you to prepare work at home and ensuring in-class learning is highly interactive.
- You’ll have access to University e-learning resources, an extensive e-library and the support of University librarians. We'll make use of innovative learning strategies, including blended learning delivered through the University's virtual learning environment.
- Professional academic and administrative staff at both MIM and the University of Bolton will jointly provide you with the support and resources needed to ensure you have an excellent learning experience as part of the University of Bolton.
- As an off-campus student, you also receive the support of a dedicated Off-Campus team and resources, to help make you truly feel part of the University.
Entry Requirements
- You must have both of the following: at least two years' work experience in a business or management capacity; and a HE Level 7 qualification with at least 120 credits in business or management (for instance, Postgraduate Diploma in Management, Edexcel DMS, ABE/ABP Level 7 Extended Diploma).
- We'll also consider applications where appropriate work experience can be demonstrated in lieu of, or in addition to, the published academic qualifications in line with the University’s Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL) procedures.
- When applying you must include a reference from your current employer. The reference should clearly state how long you have been employed by them and give a breakdown of your job content and roles and responsibilities.
- Your application form must be accompanied by a reflective overview of the managerial responsibilities you have undertaken to date.
Where changes are made to material information contained in this course description or a decision is taken to suspend a course between the offer of admissions and enrolment, we will inform applicants at the earliest possible opportunity and will outline the various options available to the applicant.
Career Opportunities
No matter what part of industry or commerce you work in, the MBA top-up (Executive) course will assist you to deepen your critical understanding of the problems and challenges facing enterprises and organisations and equip you with the analytical and critical faculties to identify potential solutions. You’ll gain an overview of key business practices, and develop further skills in areas such as operational management, marketing, strategic planning and accounting.
An MBA is often a route to promotion or a career change. Companies in every industry around the world seek out business and management professionals with an MBA. Every business, from tiny start-ups to large companies, need someone with experience and the necessary education to support common business processes like accounting, finance, human resources, marketing, public relations, sales, and management.
What can I do with this qualification?
An MBA is also highly respected around the world, so if you're interested in a global business career then it could be beneficial - particularly as qualifications from UK business schools are so well regarded. It can also help you to specialise in your current sector, or a new industry that you want to move into. If you want to continue your study then you could opt for a research degree (MPhil, DBA or PhD).
Alternative career options
Graduates can also use the qualification as a stepping-stone into a range of other careers. For some of these roles, relevant experience and/or further postgraduate study may be required. Some of these careers include:
- Hotel and leisure management
- Public relations
- Financial management
- Information systems
- Market research analysis
- Product management
- Health policy and information
- Purchasing
- Teaching and education
- Media (TV, film, online, newspaper, magazine)
- Advertising
- Self-employment
- Logistics
- Banking
- Auditing and quality assurance
- Project management
- Risk and insurance
Professional Recognition
After successfully completing your MBA programme you may apply for membership of the Chartered Management Institute. Please note that terms and conditions apply. More details are available from http://www.managers.org.uk/
Fees & Funding
Home/EU Fees
No fee information is currently available, please contact the University of Bolton’s Academic Fees team by emailing AcademicFees@bolton.ac.uk for more information.
International Fees
Please contact the centre of study for fees and funding information – details can be found in the Programme Contacts section of this page.
Bursaries
Click here for more information on our Master's Bursaries.
Important note regarding tuition fees for the 2025-26 academic year: EU nationals who meet residency requirements (have settled or pre-settled status) may be eligible for 'Home' fee status. If you do not meet these residency requirements, overseas fees will apply. Irish citizens living in the UK or Ireland will be eligible for 'Home' fee status under the Common Travel Area arrangement. Please read the student finance for EU students web page on www.gov.uk for information.
The fees for a student's course of study will be set for the normal duration of that course subject only to inflationary increases – measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) recorded in March each year to take effect for subsequent start dates.
How to apply
Home Applicants
Home applications are not possible for this course
This course is only available to International students.
International Applicants
Please apply directly to the University using the apply online link shown below.
You’ll need to provide the following information as part of your application. Please ensure you have electronic copies ready to upload to our online application system, as we will not be able to process your application form without these details. Suitable file formats include .PDF, .DOC, .DOCX and .JPG.
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Up-to-date CV
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Identification documentation
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Proof of qualifications
Should you have any questions, please contact the University’s link tutor/admissions tutor. You can find their name, email address and phone number in the Programme Contacts section of this page.
The centre of study can provide you with detailed information about the application, payment and enrolment process for this programme. Please contact them directly – details are available in the Programme Contacts section of this page.
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Apply online: MIM, Malawi Master of Business Administration Top Up - 28 September 2024
Teaching & Assessment
A variety of teaching and learning strategies are used to help you understand and develop a range of concepts, knowledge and skills. These include lectures, seminars, tutorials and seminars.
The assessment strategy for the programme is designed to make sure you achieve the overall aims of the programme, as well as the learning outcomes for individual modules. As well as being a way to assess your achievement, assessment also helps you to organise and develop your learning. Assessment feedback can help you develop your skills and an understanding of your own strengths and weaknesses.
The assessments you will be required to complete fall into two general categories, formative and summative. Formative assessments do not contribute to your overall module grade, but they are a part of the learning strategy for a module and you are required to complete them. Summative assessments do contribute to your overall module grade. You’ll also receive feedback on these assessments, so you will know what you have done well and where you can improve.
Many different forms of assessment are used. The major ones being: coursework (usually essays); reports/case studies; oral presentations; research proposal; and the dissertation.
Modules
The modules listed below may be a mixture of compulsory and optional. You may not have the opportunity to study all the modules shown as part of the course.
- Research and Study Skills
- Research Methods
- Dissertation II
- Leadership and Management
- Strategic Management
- Change Management
Assessment methods
| Level | Assessment method |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | Coursework 100% |
Learning Activities
| Level | Activity |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | Guided independent study 78% Scheduled learning and teaching activities 22% |
The university will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver your course as described in its published material and the programme specification for the academic year in which you begin your course. The university considers changes to courses very carefully and the university will minimise any changes. Please be aware that our courses are subject to review on an ongoing basis and changes may be necessary due to legitimate staffing, financial, regulatory and academic reasons. The content of course modules and mode of associated assessments may be updated on an annual basis. This is to ensure that all modules are up-to-date and responsive to employment and sector needs. The published course material and the programme specification contain indicative ‘optional modules’ that may be subject to change due to circumstances outside of our control. For this reason, we cannot guarantee to run any specific optional module.
