Core modules

• Purposeful Leader
• Global Perspectives on Responsible Business
• Understanding the Economy
• Strategy in a Complex and Uncertain World
• Managerial Finance
• People Management and Organisations
• Marketing
• Sustainable Operations
• Accounting, Accountability and Decision-Making

You must choose ONE of the following.

• MBA Company Project
• Entrepreneurial Project
• Research Project: Dissertation

You must choose an additional 40 credits in total. When choosing the optional modules, you can also choose a specialism.

There are three specialisms you can choose from: Marketing; International Business & Strategy; and Innovation & Business Transformation. These require a specific combination of optional modules.

Marketing pathway

Students who wish to be awarded the Marketing pathway must choose at least two of the following modules (each worth 10 credits):

• Digital Marketing
• Corporate Communication and Reputation Management
• Global Marketing Consultancy: International Residential (Immersive module)

Any remaining credits should be chosen from the full list of optional modules below (can include one from the immersive modules, unless global marketing consultancy: international residential has been chosen).

International Business and Strategy Pathway

Students who wish to be awarded the International Business and Strategy pathway must choose the following module:

• International Business in a Complex Environment

And at least one of the following modules:

• Entrepreneurship and Innovation
• Change Management

Any remaining credits should be chosen from the full list of optional modules below (you can include one from the immersive modules).

Innovation and Business Transformation Pathway

Students who wish to be awarded the Innovation and Business Transformation pathway must choose the following modules:

• Entrepreneurship and Innovation
• Fintech, Digital Finance and Blockchain

And at least one (and no more than one of the immersive modules) of the following modules:

• International Business Experience: Doing Business in Mexico
• Doing Business in the Middle East: Energy transition and post-oil economies
• The future for SouthEast Asia Economies: regionalisation and de-globalisation

Any remaining credits should be chosen from the full list of optional modules below (which can include one from the immersive modules, unless international business experience: doing business in Mexico, doing business in the Middle East, or the future of southeast Asia economies have been chosen).

Optional modules if no specialism has been chosen

You may choose three or four from the following selection of modules as long as at least one is in your home location. Each module is worth 10 credits.

• Crisis and Resilience Management
• Fintech, Digital Finance and Blockchain
• Entrepreneurship and Innovation
• Change Management
• International Business in A Complex Environment
• Digital Marketing
• Corporate Communication and Reputation Management

Students who chose three options from the above can choose one of the following modules:

• International Business Experience: Doing Business in Mexico
• Doing Business in the Middle East: Energy transition and post-oil economies
• The future for SouthEast Asia Economies: regionalisation and de-globalisation
• Global Marketing Consultancy: International Residential

Unless indicated otherwise the modules listed for this programme are for students starting in 2024.

Please note: The modules listed on the website for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods. On rare occasions, we may need to make unexpected changes to compulsory modules; in this event, we will contact offer holders as soon as possible to inform or consult them as appropriate.

Tailor modules to your ambitions

As part of your 12 taught modules, you can choose up to three modules from one of our specialist MBA pathways:

Marketing - Digital Marketing, Corporate Communication & Reputation Management, Services Marketing and Global Marketing Consultancy

International Business & Strategy - Entrepreneurship & Innovation, Change Management and Cooperative Strategy & Systems Thinking

Innovation & Business Transformation - Fintech, Digital Finance & Blockchain, Enabling Sustainable Business Transformation (Experiential module), Doing Business in the Middle East: Energy Transition and Post-oil Economies (Experiential module), and The Future for Southeast Asia Economies: Regionalisation and De-Globalisation (Experiential module)

Join our diverse international community

As part of our full-time MBA, you’ll get to learn from and network with a range of recognised business leaders through a series of industry seminars designed to give you contemporary, future-proof perspectives. Our speakers are often Birmingham MBA alumni, who’ll share their insights to help you advance in your career.

• #84 QS World University Rankings 2024
• #32 in Europe (Financial Times Full-time MBA ranking 2023)
• #1 in the UK for being most frequently targeted by the country’s top employers (High Fliers Research 2024)

In our Full-time MBA, you’ll grow your confidence and learn the latest business thinking:

• Build personal values and accountability through responsible, purposeful leadership
• Grow the analytical skills needed for smarter decision-making
• Carry out research, learning to analyse and integrate complex information
• Promote an ethical, inclusive, innovative and supportive culture to drive sustainable business improvement
• Enhance your skills in negotiation, communication, leadership and stakeholder management, with added digital and interpersonal skills
• Join workshops and our specialist series of seminars focused on Cross-Cultural Managerial skills and Organizational Resilience.
• Engage in career development workshops led by consultants
• Our classes and seminars stimulate critical thinking and discussion. All to equip you with vital business skills, such as analysis, negotiation and synthesis. By working on case study assignments in small groups, you’ll also link theory to practical situations, building your interpersonal and problem-solving skills.

Become a responsible business leader, feel confident you’ll succeed and be fully prepared to accelerate your career in global business. Our support and expertise will open up new opportunities, getting you ready for the world.

Lifelong careers support

From day one of your MBA, you can tap into the expertise of our career consultants. Whatever your short or long-term goals, our career support will put you in the best position to achieve them. We’re one of the few business schools that offer lifelong support throughout your career.

University-wide, our careers and employability team offers internships, careers fairs, support, access to bursaries and events with top UK employers, plus activities for start-ups and entrepreneurs.

An international experience

At Birmingham Business School, your experience will be truly multicultural. You’ll join a melting pot of diverse students on our campuses in Birmingham, Dubai and Singapore. Our MBAs include activities with global firms like IBM, Accenture, Capgemini, Deloitte, Mondelez, KPMG, Santander and HSBC. All creating an experience of rich global learning, international relationships and perspectives.

Global alumni network

Throughout your MBA, you’ll have many opportunities to learn directly from our alumni at top international companies. When you graduate, you’ll become part of the same alumni network, who can offer you further advice, support and expertise.

Skills development

Our Skills Development Consultant offers personal coaching to help you develop the soft skills of a top business leader. You could grow as a team leader and player, become a better communicator, a great negotiator or the kind of presenter who inspires an auditorium. From interview practice to industry networking events, we’ll help you develop the skills you need to achieve your professional career goals.