Flexibility is at the heart of the Durham MBA (Online) as you can personalise your programme to meet your career goals. You can study fully online, complete some of your learning at Durham, and undertake relevant optional modules.
The Durham MBA (Online) will enhance your key business and leadership capabilities to enable you to achieve your career aspirations whilst you continue in full-time employment, so you can apply what you learn directly into the organisation you work for.
The international diversity of our students, alumni and faculty will give you the ability to network virtually with people from across the world, and from a wide-range of business sectors. You will be able to enhance your global business experience through the optional International Business in Context module.
The programme, which runs over two academic years, has been developed to reflect the modern realities of an energetic corporate and commercial environment and equip you with key strengths such as analytical thinking, global awareness and effective communications skills.
World-class Business Education
6th in the world, 4th in Europe, 3rd in the UK (Financial Times Online MBA Rankings 2024)
7th in Europe, 4th in the UK (QS Online MBA: Europe 2023 )
Programme structure
Core modules:
These are the foundation of your programme – establishing the management knowledge, understanding and research skills every leader needs.
Accounting, Finance and Economics examines the economic and financial contexts in which organisations operate and develops your skills in the application of economic analysis to the way a business makes decisions and addresses planning. You will look at a range of business management functions such as accounting, evaluating financial performance, working capital evaluation, financial planning, investment decisions and financial risk management.
Leading and Managing People develops your understanding of leadership and management in organisations and the processes and practices around contemporary human resource management. The module also considers issues such as organisational behaviour including motivation, ethics and sustainability, the skills and requirements for leadership and managing change and the processes associated with human resources such as recruitment, reward and recognition.
Marketing explains the function of marketing, its application in commercial contexts such as business-to-consumer and business-to-business trading and the main issues it faces. Looking at areas such as marketing environment, buyer behaviour, market research and segmentation, targeting and positioning (STP) you will develop an understanding of how customers acquire products and services, how to segment markets and position brands and the principles of the marketing mix framework.
Operations and Technology develops your understanding of operations and technology management within organisations and explores the factors that govern operations management decisions.
Strategic Management aims to broaden your understanding of the strategic management of organisations and the impact of the wider external environment by examining how companies attempt different business and corporate strategies to achieve or maintain a competitive advantage. You will gain a knowledge of strategy formulation and implementation under conditions of changing industry competition, firm resources, and technology.
Sustainability and Ethics looks at the impact of sustainability and ethical issues on organisations and considers the role and purpose of business and other organisations in society. It also considers the roles and impacts of business ethics, corporate social responsibility, risk management and compliance, and governance.
Strategic Consulting Project is an advanced in-depth investigation of your choice into an issue or a business challenge which is applicable to an industrial, commercial, public sector or charitable organisation. It also teaches you the appropriate quantitative and qualitative research methods knowledge and skills to undertake a research project at masters level.
In recent years, optional modules have included:
Management Consultancy
Project Management
New Venture Creation
Business Analytics
Technology Forecasting and Innovation Analytics
International Business in Context
Careers and employability
Supporting your career
Your personal career advancement is an integral part of your Online MBA journey. Designed by identifying what global MBA recruiters demand and in consultation with MBA alumni, you will build, explore, discover and create your profile to elevate your global career.
Our Careers team provide a dedicated personal consultancy service to all MBA students and graduates. Whether you’re looking to advance your career within your current function or sector, or switching career path, they will support you throughout your programme and beyond.
Enhance your employability
Through our extensive international business connections, you have the opportunity to engage with world-class recruiters, corporate connections and alumni from around the world.
One-to-one appointments with an MBA Career Consultant are designed to help you with specific issues, from finding a route into your career to applying for your dream role. Our professional team can also connect you with other organisations or individuals to help kick-start your career.
Career workshops
These workshops are held throughout the year in Durham and are designed to enhance your personal skills. Core sessions include career and skills strategies, interview skills, developing a CV and covering letter.
Sector-specific presentations
These sessions are delivered in Durham by specialists from within the industry. Subjects range from careers in finance, and consultancy to renewable energy.
Accelerate your capabilities
Your key leadership capabilities will be honed and enhanced through your MBA experience, to provide you with the practical knowledge and training you need to succeed.
Online resources
Durham students and alumni have access to a comprehensive selection of career development resources and tools, which include global job boards and international recruiter databases, an e-learning platform, newsrooms, video library and an annual career and leadership development webinar series.
The Durham MBA (Online) is delivered by leading academics through a mixture of video content, tutor-facilitated discussion, directed reading and reflective activities with opportunities for self-assessment and peer-to-peer learning. The course includes around 15 hours per week of independent study outside of contact hours.
While you can choose to study fully online, there is also an option to choose blended study where you can attend University-based teaching sessions for a number of modules.
The virtual learning platform provides 24-7 access to your learning materials and enables you to fully immerse yourself in the learning experience. You can also take part in live webinar sessions and group discussions that will be facilitated by course tutors.
Assessment
Assessment is rigorous and is carried out using a range of tools designed to analyse your knowledge and skills. These include essays, case analyses, reflective journals, presentations and portfolios. You will also complete a business project, which is worth one-third of your final mark.
Depending on the pathway selected you may also complete a business report or produce an analytical project.
Entry requirements
Candidates must be able to demonstrate at least three years’ continuous post-graduation work experience, in one or more positions with significant managerial responsibility.
First or Upper Second Class Bachelors Degree, or international equivalent (applicants who do not meet this requirement will be required to submit a portfolio of evidence demonstrating capability in areas such as management experience, critical thinking skills and communication skills).
additionally, applicants whose first language is not English will be required to demonstrate evidence of proficiency in English language as follows: a recent test score of 7.0 or above in IELTS with no element below 6.0, 102 or above in TOEFL IBT with no element below 23 or an alternative University approved English language test. Further details can be found at Direct Entry Band C - Durham University. Where applicants use both written and spoken English in their daily work, we may be able to accept an employer letter confirming this as an alternative to a formal language test.
This course includes online activities, you will need a computer with reliable internet access. Our recommended operating systems are Microsoft Windows 7+ or Apple Mac MacOSx 10.9+.
We recommend a minimum 1 Mbps internet connection but a greater bandwidth (up to 8Mbps) will provide a better experience for some resources and events. If relying on an employer’s internet connection, be aware that firewall restrictions and policies may exist that prevent access to all or part of the course.
You will need:
Recommended web browser Windows: Internet Explorer 11+, Chrome 39+, Firefox 34+ MAC OSX: Safari 8+, Chrome 39+, Firefox 34+
The ability to open and edit Microsoft Office documents (e.g. Microsoft Office, OpenOffice or access to Googledocs)
Flash player
JAVA
Ability to open .pdf documents (e.g. Adobe Reader)
A headset or headphones and microphone
To participate fully in some online events students should have a webcam and to access some tools and resources you may need the ability to install software.
As well as your online application, please submit the following:
Your CV or resume including: full details of previous employment, dates of employment, main duties and responsibilities, salary per annum (in £ sterling) and any periods of unemployment including dates and an explanation
Copy of your degree certificate (where appropriate)
Copy of your English test results (where appropriate)
Note:
Only files of type .doc, .docx, .gif, .jpg, .pdf, .png, .rtf are permitted to be uploaded.The maximum file size is 5MB.
Application Deadlines
In order to join the September 2024 cohort on Monday 23 September 2024, you must submit your application by Monday 2 September 2024. Any documentation to meet outstanding conditions must be submitted by Monday 9 September 2024. You must accept your offer and your offer be unconditional by Monday 16 September 2024.
College membership
All students of Durham University will become a member of one of our Colleges. Here is more information about what college membership means to our students. Once you have accepted your postgraduate offer, the Accommodation and Allocations Office will contact you with further information regarding how to express college preferences. You can also apply for college accommodation if you wish to.
Fees shown are for one year. Total fee will depend on the length of your programme. All fees are subject to annual increases. For more information please visit the Tuition Fees page www.durham.ac.uk/postgraduate/finance/tuition
Our postgraduate programmes with a focus on employability fully equip you with the skills and industry insight to embark on a successful and rewarding business career.
The knowledge and understanding you develop reflect the Department’s values of sustainability, wellbeing and equality of opportunity across the globe.
You gain a combination of analytical and practical skills that employers value, such as independent thinking and problem-solving, and are able to enhance your people skills that are essential in business and much sought after by employers.
Management and Marketing
Our postgraduate programmes with a focus on employability fully equip you with the skills and industry insight to embark on a successful and rewarding business career.
The knowledge and understanding you develop reflect the Department’s values of sustainability, wellbeing and equality of opportunity across the globe.
You gain a combination of analytical and practical skills that employers value, such as independent thinking and problem-solving, and are able to enhance your people skills that are essential in business and much sought after by employers.
Department information
Business School
The School is one of the UK’s longest established business schools and one of an elite group of institutions in the UK to be accredited by all three major bodies – the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the Association of MBAs (AMBA) and the European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS).
We consistently rank highly in independent league tables for both the quality and reputation of our Department, with teaching delivered by a world-class academic community that includes experienced business professionals and researchers who work across a wide variety of business disciplines.
We recruit students from around the world onto our postgraduate programmes. Our students take part in live business projects, internships and placements as part of their studies, enabling them to apply their knowledge to practical challenges in the most forward thinking companies. We have an active alumni network of more than 36,000 graduates in over 140 countries.
Our Business, Management and Marketing programmes are delivered by the Department of Management and Marketing, one of four departments at Durham University Business School (alongside the Department of Accounting, Department of Economics and Department of Finance).
The School is one of the UK’s longest established business schools and one of an elite group of institutions in the UK to be accredited by all three major bodies – the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the Association of MBAs (AMBA) and the European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS).
We consistently rank highly in independent league tables for both the quality and reputation of our Department, with teaching delivered by a world-class academic community that includes experienced business professionals and researchers who work across a wide variety of business disciplines.
We recruit students from around the world onto our postgraduate programmes. Our students take part in live business projects, internships and placements as part of their studies, enabling them to apply their knowledge to practical challenges in the most forward thinking companies. We have an active alumni network of more than 36,000 graduates in over 140 countries.
Facilities
You’ll be taught across the university campus by world leading academics from the Business School. You’ll have access to the Business Schools modern, spacious meeting rooms and study areas.
The university campus is within walking distance of the historic centre of Durham, a city with UNESCO World Heritage Status. Resources include up-to-date financial information and online databases. In addition, you’ll have access to Durham University’s prestigious libraries and archives.
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