Summary
Are you ready to take your career to the next level? The Ulster University Executive MBA is a challenging Master's degree designed for ambitious professionals.
Offered by the Ulster University Business School, the Executive MBA is designed to meet the needs of experienced or aspiring managers who wish to expand their knowledge and skills to equip them for senior management positions.
This Master's programme will help you to relate your work experience to business theory, broadening your understanding of organisations and the increasingly competitive environment in which they operate. You will enhance your knowledge of business functions, processes, and strategies. The innovative modules will also challenge you to examine your own business practices and management style, and develop your strategic and critical thinking skills.
The Ulster University Executive MBA allows students to make an impact in the workplace via practical based assessment and assignments, many of which have led to demonstrable improvements within the students' organisations.
About
An MBA is an internationally recognised passport to a successful business career. The Ulster University Executive MBA can be studied part or full-time and is designed to equip experienced or aspiring industry leaders and business owners with the knowledge and confidence to be successful in their fields.
Delivered by the Ulster University Business School, Northern Ireland's leading business school for research and ranked 7th out of 101 business schools in the UK (Research Excellence Framework 2014), the Ulster MBA blends both commercial experience and theoretical learning.
As an Ulster University MBA student, you will study alongside a diverse range of professionals, gaining exposure to different organisations and sectors whilst developing your network. This diversity makes for a richer learning environment where knowledge and ideas can be shared. We also offer students excellent support throughout the course, both in their academic study and in their development as managers and business leaders.
You will be taught by academically qualified subject experts who possess a wealth of industry experience within leading organisations. We also work in close collaboration with local and international employers to ensure that the course is relevant and that what you study meets business needs.
The quality of our MBA is recognised by a number of professional bodies and chartered institutes who have provided exemptions from their own qualifications.
What Separates the Ulster University MBA?
A practical and applied learning experience - Designed through engagement with over forty local and international employers, everything covered in our programme is readily applicable to real organisations and delivered by our subject experts.
Assessment involves applying course learning to the individual's organisation or live case studies.
Personal and professional skills development - The course begins with an immersive 2-day professional development residential (costs covered in course fees). As part of the course assessment there is a strong focus on personal and professional skills development throughout the programme.
Overseas field trip- Embedded in personal and professional skills development, this 3 to 4 day trip is offered in semester 3. Whilst subsidised, some additional costs may apply.
Linked with the Harvard Business School- Ulster is the first UK university to join the prestigious network of universities affiliated with Harvard Business School. Our students benefit from modules, such as International Competitiveness, delivered by our staff (trained at Harvard) in this area.
Become a Chartered Manager- We have embedded the Chartered Management Institute's (CMI) Level 7 Diploma in Strategic Leadership and Management into our programme. Students can opt to gain this qualification automatically at graduation meaning they can become a Chartered Manager through the exemption route (additional costs to the CMI apply). We are the only MBA in Northern Ireland to offer this professional accreditation.
Networking - Our students have many opportunities to build their networks, both during, and after the course via events, conferences and guest talks. All students are members of the MBA Association of Ireland providing a range of events and inter-university competitions.
Flexible completion points - Ulster University's Executive MBA allows you to have the flexibility and choice over your learning. Should your circumstances change, you have the option to exit with a postgraduate certificate or postgraduate diploma.
Babson Build: Entrepreneurship Programme - Babson Executive Education is in the top eight global customer providers (Financial Times and BusinessWeek). Our students are offered the opportunity to attend a 5-day entrepreneurship programme at their campus in Boston (additional cost applies).
Largest Alumni Network - Ulster University has the largest alumni of any MBA programme in Northern Ireland, including: Gerry Mallon (Chief Executive, Tesco Bank); Dr Joanne Coyle (Innovation Manager, InvestNI); Chris Conway (Chief Executive, Translink NI); Kevin Kingston (CEO, Danske Bank NI); Kirsty McManus (IoD NI Director); John McMullen, MBE (Chief Executive, Bryson Charitable Group); Cara McAleer (Chief Operating Officer, Flowlens); and Jerry Milliken (Senior Director, Caterpillar NI).
Teaching and learning assessment
The MBA is taught in a lecture format which is highly interactive, this allows students to draw upon their own experiences when discussing management theory and practice leading to an in-depth understanding of the subject area. This form of teaching also allows students to learn from each other as well as from the lecturing staff.
In addition to business theory and practice, you will develop your skills in the areas of:
Communication
Leadership
Team working
Negotiation; and
Conflict resolution
The course is mainly assessed via coursework (individual and group).
Work placement / study abroad
Executive MBA students tend to be in employment while undertaking the course, as such, a work placement is not offered. There are opportunities to conduct live case studies within several host organisation and students may decide to undertake their Management Project in an organisation other than their own. There are also opportunities to study abroad e.g. the overseas field trip and the Babson Build Entrepreneurship Programme.