Course specification and structure
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PBMBATOP - MBA (Top Up)

Course Specification


Validation status Validated
Highest award Master of Business Administration Level Masters
Possible interim awards
Total credits for course 60
Awarding institution London Metropolitan University
Teaching institutions London Metropolitan University, European University College of Business
School Guildhall School of Business and Law
Subject Area Business and Management
Attendance options
Option Minimum duration Maximum duration
Part-time Distance Learning 6 MONTHS  
Course leader  

About the course and its strategy towards teaching and learning and towards blended learning/e-learning

This distance learning course enables a top-up to a full MBA for candidates with an existing, recognised Level 7 award equivalent to 120 credits in Leadership and Management, which maps closely with the content of the LondonMet MBA. Candidates will also need to have a minimum of two years of management work experience.

The course team have included assessment of prior learning in the Admissions process. Because of the diversity of L7 qualifications, all applications will be reviewed by the course team for suitability.

The course consists of two distance learning modules, both of which are delivered via an e-platform The first module, Management Learning and Research introduces students to the philosophies and practices associated with reliable research and enables students to engage critically with research methodologies and to design their own research proposal. Teaching for this module will consist of on-line resources, live lectures, videos and guidance, with additional support provided via email and Skype.
The second module, Business Research Project enables students to undertake a detailed research project in their own context, with support provided by an individually assigned supervisor
Students will have been asked to indicate their potential research project during the Admissions process

Course aims

The MBA (Top up) aims to enable its graduates to:
1. Develop an understanding of key business functions of organisations and the external environment in which business operates;
2. Apply and evaluate forms of business analysis in a variety of contexts;
3. Identify and assess strategic challenges faced by modern organisations and articulate ways in which these challenges can be met;
4. Acquire a range of cognitive and transferable professional, management and leadership skills, that emphasise social responsibility and which include intellectual, inter-personal, and applied decision-making skills;
5. Undertake personal, academic and professional development and develop the capacity for life-long learning and career-building;

Course learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding
Upon successful completion of the MBA, students will be able to:
1. develop an understanding of key business functions of organisations and the external environment in which business operates
2. articulate core business concepts, theories and models and use these tools to analyse business problems in a variety of contexts, demonstrating an awareness of ethical dimensions of business decision-making;
3. identify and evaluate strategic choices facing business organisations and make ethically informed strategic decisions and plans for the implementation of change;

Cognitive/intellectual skills
By the end of the course the students are expected to develop higher order skills reflected in their ability to:
1. Apply intellectual skills and critical reasoning with particular emphasis on the development of the higher order skills of analysis and evaluation of concepts and models relevant in business decision-making;
2. Be able to relate theory to the student’s own practice and work environment
3. Undertake independent research and use acquired knowledge to analyse and evaluate specific issues and problems in business.
4. Demonstrate self-awareness and general study skills, problem solving, working with others, communication, self-management, self-presentation and decision-making.

Practical/transferable skills including employability
By the end of the course, students will have developed practical/transferable skills that will enhance their employability. They will be able to:
1. Demonstrate strategies and methods which provide independent learning capabilities required for continuing professional development and which demonstrate initiative and personal responsibility;
2. Work within time and other constrained environments, requiring the need to be selective and precise and to make informed decisions;
3. Produce reports and give oral presentations to a professional level;
4. Work effectively in groups and demonstrate management and leadership, team-working, planning, communication, influencing and other “soft” skills.

Course learning outcomes / Module cross reference

Develop an understanding of key business functions of organisations and the external environment in which business operates:
Management learning and research
Business Research Project

Articulate core business concepts, theories and models and use these tools to analyse business problems in a variety of contexts, demonstrating an awareness of ethical dimensions of business decision-making: Business Research Project
Management learning and research

Identify and evaluate strategic choices facing business organisations and make ethically informed strategic decisions and plans for the implementation of change: Business Research Project
Management Learning and Research

Demonstrate strategies and methods which provide independent learning capabilities required for continuing professional development and which demonstrate initiative and personal responsibility;
Business Research Project

Assessment strategy

Assessment for the two modules will be as follows:

Management Learning and Research

1. A comparative methodological critique of two research studies (qualitative and quantitative)
2. A 3,000 words proposal.

The Business Research Project

1. A research project report of 8-9,000
2. A research summary (equivalent to 1,000 words) suitable for a business audience.

Arrangements for promoting reflective learning and personal development

Students will be asked to self-assess prior to the submission of the two courseworks required for Management Learning and Research. This approach anticipates that students will engage closely with the requirements of the assessments and develop a good understanding of the grading criteria

Students will be asked to actively reflect on the feedback given on their research proposals and revise their plans as appropriate prior to commencing their research projects

The Business Research Project requires students to carry out independent work and encourages them to reflect on what they have learned through the process of the research project.

Arrangements on the course for careers education, information and guidance

By the end of the course, students will have developed practical/transferable skills that will enhance their employability. They will be able to:

1. Demonstrate strategies and methods which provide independent learning capabilities required for continuing professional development and which demonstrate initiative and personal responsibility;
2. Work within time and other constrained environments, requiring the need to be selective and precise and to make informed decisions;
3. Produce reports and give oral presentations to a professional level;
4. Work effectively in groups and demonstrate management and leadership, team-working, planning, communication and other “soft” skills.
5. Lead and manage effectively in different organisational contexts

Career opportunities

The course can provide entry into a variety of careers in UK and international organisations. Previous students have found employment in a range of public, private and third sector organisations, including roles in marketing, finance and general management. As well as securing new employment, the MBA has also helped others advance further within their current careers.

Entry requirements

You will be required to have:

  • a good bachelor’s degree (2.2) in any subject or equivalent
  • a recognised Level 7 award that is equivalent to 120 credits in Leadership and Management, which maps closely with the content of the London Met MBA – because of the wide variety of qualifications this covers, each individual application will be reviewed for suitability by the course team
  • a minimum of two years' management experience, which is supported by employer references

You will also need to indicate your proposed research topic in the personal statement on your application.

Because this is a distance learning course, you will be able to complete the course from your own country of residence.

All applicants must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the English language. Applicants who require a Tier 4 student visa may need to provide a Secure English Language Test (SELT) such as Academic IELTS. For this course, IELTS may be required at a minimum of 6 or equivalent. For more information about English qualifications please see our English language requirements.

Official use and codes

Approved to run from 2016/17 Specification version 1 Specification status Validated
Original validation date 07 Feb 2018 Last validation date 07 Feb 2018  
Sources of funding
JACS codes
Route code MBATOP

Course Structure

Stage 1 Level 07 September start Offered

Code Module title Info Type Credits Location Period Day Time
MN7183 Management Learning and Research Core 20        
MN7P95 Business Research Project Core 40 NORTH SPR NA  
          NORTH SUM NA  

Stage 1 Level 07 January start Offered

Code Module title Info Type Credits Location Period Day Time
MN7183 Management Learning and Research Core 20        
MN7P95 Business Research Project Core 40 NORTH SPR NA  
          NORTH SUM NA  

Stage 1 Level 07 April start Not currently offered

Code Module title Info Type Credits Location Period Day Time
MN7183 Management Learning and Research Core 20        
MN7P95 Business Research Project Core 40        

Stage 1 Level 07 July start Not currently offered

Code Module title Info Type Credits Location Period Day Time
MN7183 Management Learning and Research Core 20        
MN7P95 Business Research Project Core 40