Master of Business Administration

Combining theory and practical business experience, the Durham MBA will advance your knowledge and capabilities within a personalised career pathway closely aligned to your own professional aspirations.

The Durham MBA is continually enhanced to ensure you perform at the cutting-edge of your profession. Both challenging and inspirational, the programme will take you on your journey to achieve your career goals.

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 one academic year, 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

• 78th in the World - Financial Times Global MBA Ranking 2024
• 16th in the World for Career Progression - Financial Times Global MBA Ranking 2024
• 9th (UK) 31st (Europe) 101st-110th (Global) - QS World University Rankings 2024
• 2nd (UK) 4th (Europe) 10th (Global) - Corporate Knights Better World MBA 2023

Programme structure

You will study the following core modules:

• Accounting and Finance
• Applied Strategic Management
• Economics for Global Business
• International Business in Context
• Leading and Managing People
• Marketing
• Operations and Technology
• Sustainability and Ethics
• Strategic Consulting Project
• The Boardroom Exercise

Pathway-specific modules:

Consultancy: Management Consultancy and Project Management

OR

Entrepreneurship: Entrepreneurial Management and Entrepreneurial Practice

OR

Technology: Business Analytics and Technology Forecasting and Innovation Analytics

Core modules:

Accounting and Finance looks at the financial tools of accounting and finance, in particular, the techniques of financial statement analysis and investment appraisal. You will gain an understanding of the factors affecting the financial planning and risk assessment of a firm and of financing and capital structure decisions.

Applied Strategic Management studies how companies employ different business and corporate strategies to achieve or maintain a competitive advantage. It does so by providing real-world scenarios in which to apply strategic thinking through live strategic projects. You will gain an in-depth understanding of formulating and implementing strategy amid changing competition, resources and technology. Specialist techniques for analysing the competitive and contextual environment are also studied.

Economics for Global Business enables you to acquire and demonstrate knowledge and understanding of those elements of economic analysis that are relevant for managing in the global economy. The module aims to develop your skills in the application of this economic analysis in business decision making and planning.

International Business in Context involves a visit to a company overseas. The visit aims to develop your awareness of business and management issues internationally and enhances your ability to function effectively in the global business environment. You will learn to understand the value of national culture and language in the way business operates.

Leading and Managing People aims to increase your effectiveness as a leader. It will develop your understanding of the nature of leadership and management in organisations and the key issues in the theory and practice of applying them. The module also looks at change management and studies the range of contemporary processes and practices for the management of human resources.

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. You will explore the relationships between buyers and sellers and the role of marketing in the acquisition of products and services, the segmentation of markets and the positioning of brands. You will also look at recent developments in marketing thinking, including relationship marketing, services marketing and the impact of digital marketing. The module also considers the ethics and sustainability issues in areas such as customer data, communication messages, sales practices, purchasing behaviours, and managing global supply chain relationships.

Operations and Technology introduces the key concepts, theories and methods in operations and technology management and explores the factors that govern operations management decisions. The module presents tools and methods for understanding and managing costs, speed, flexibility, dependability and sustainability.

Strategic Consulting Project provides you with an excellent opportunity to gain real and relevant career experience by carrying out an in-depth investigation into a business issue or challenge in an industrial, commercial, public sector or charitable organisation. You will work with a real organisation and analyse and evaluate the issue while applying the knowledge and skills you have acquired in the classroom.

Sustainability and Ethics develops your understanding of the impact of sustainability and ethical issues on organisations and explores global sustainability in a business context. You will analyse the role and purpose of businesses and organisations and their impact on other parts of society. You will explore trends in business ethics, corporate social responsibility, risk management and compliance, and governance.

The Boardroom Exercise offers one of the most challenging but rewarding aspects of our MBA. It features a real-life simulation of a boardroom and gives you the opportunity to apply learning from modules to a senior management team’s activities in an international organisation. You will enhance your analytical and critical thinking and strategic management skills and will be able to network with a number of different business professionals to develop key business relationships.

Personalise your programme

Our MBA programme includes a combination of core modules and specialist pathways, giving you the opportunity to develop your knowledge, skills and capabilities and specialise in specific areas most suited to your own professional needs.

Consultancy Pathway

This pathway will enable you to build your consultancy capability by critically examining the complexities of managing projects in a business context including planning, monitoring, quality control and closure. You will explore the intricacies of leadership, culture, change and motivation of project teams. You will also have the opportunity to work within a company where you can put your knowledge and theory into practice.

Entrepreneurship Pathway

The Entrepreneurship pathway is designed to provide you with the knowledge, skills and capability of management and corporate entrepreneurship, including the ability to create your own new business venture. You will also have the opportunity to attend master classes run by industry experts, as well as receive one to one mentoring from experts in the industry.

Technology Pathway

As the role of technology continues to increase in importance to the world of business, this pathway will enhance your in-depth knowledge of business-analytics techniques and give you a critical insight into technology innovation. On this pathway you will increase your range of skills to interpret results and the relevance of them for your company. You will also develop the ability to choose appropriate techniques to apply to challenges and fully understand the role of technology as a game changer in terms of creating new products or markets.

Careers and employability

Careers & Professional Development CPD

The Careers & Professional Development CPD module is an integral part of your MBA journey. Designed by identifying what global MBA recruiters demand and in consultation with MBA alumni, you will build and explore the skills and capabilities needed to elevate your global career. Your key leadership capabilities will be honed and enhanced through your tailored MBA experience to provide you with the practical knowledge and training you need to succeed. You will also have the opportunity to personalise your development by assessing your own skill levels, setting challenging goals and creating an individual action plan.

The module will contribute to the overall aims of the MBA programme by offering you opportunities to develop your skills and capabilities in the areas of leadership, digital, global and sustainability and ethics. Our International, Engagement and 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.