Established in 1985, the Stirling MBA combines academic theory with real-life business case study analysis which will equip students with the awareness, knowledge, tools and techniques that are essential for dealing with business challenges in their parts of the world. The programme offers a critical coverage of functional areas of business and management (finance, marketing, economics and human resource management) that are essential for effective management. This forms the basis upon which advanced modules are introduced that provide a strategic analysis of key concerns that are pertinent in business today.
Course objectives
Understanding business in terms of inclusion, environmental, cultural, social and economic sustainability is central to the Stirling MBA. These concerns and perspectives are explored in particular in the context of emerging economies with the explicit intent of providing a different business education. Throughout the world, such issues are taken increasingly seriously as a response to the current financial crisis and the Stirling MBA is the first MBA program in Scotland that is specifically designed to cater to this important agenda.
Entrance requirements
Academic Qualifications & Work Experience: A good honours or equivalent degree in any discipline, or an equivalent professional qualification. While at least two years’ work experience is normally required, candidates with less but who have an outstanding academic record may be considered for admission.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence of your proficiency such as a minimum IELTS score of 6 (minimum 5.5 in each skill), or TOEFL: Listening 21, Reading 22, Speaking 23, Writing 21.
Funding
A limited number of 30 percent fee scholarships, awarded on academic merit, are available.
Postgraduate Student's Allowance Scheme (PSAS) awards are available on a competitive basis to Home/EU fee paying students.
Information on possible sources of funding
Modes of study
Full-time: MBA: one year
Course start date
September
Application procedure
The Stirling Management School is currently reviewing the content of the MBA. For the most up-to-date information contact the Stirling Management School:
Tel: +44 (0) 1786 467418
Email: management@stir.ac.uk
Structure and content
The full-time Stirling MBA combines academic theory with real-life business case study analysis. Successful completion of the taught element leads to the award of the Postgraduate Diploma.
Programme content will include:
- Business in and with Emerging Economies
At Stirling, we recognise that the way business activities are managed, and the impact of those activities, varies across the globe. It is forecast that emerging economies will have a significant impact on world economic development – expected to constitute more than 50 percent of world GDP by 2050. The Stirling MBA explores the concept of doing business in and with emerging economies, contrasting it with business elsewhere
- Environmental, Cultural, Economic and Social Responsibility
The focus of the Stirling MBA is developing businesses and decision-making skills, enabling students to concentrate on the ‘big picture’ of responsibility in all of its economic, environmental, cultural, social and thus business dimensions, areas in which we have distinctive research expertise. This is also in line with the requirements of the United Nations Principles for Responsible Management Education (UNPRME), to which the Stirling Management School is a signatory
- Personal and career development
Complementing the academic element of the programme are a range of personal and career development workshops and activities that require communication, reflection and analysis. These activities begin at the very start of the programme during induction, and run as an integrated theme throughout the year. The aim is to help you to develop the self-awareness, critical thinking skills, leadership skills and team-working competences that are vital to effective managing
- Internships
A limited number of students will be offered the opportunity to undertake an internship with a selected organisation either in Scotland or internationally. Internships will be awarded following a competitive interview process
Flexibility of choice
You will have the opportunity to tailor your MBA programme towards your chosen career path. Six MBA variant programmes are currently available.
Elective Modules (select one from the following list of variant options):
- Master of Business Administration (General)
- Advanced Strategy & Leadership
- MBA (Project Management)
- Project Management Fundamentals
- MBA (International Marketing)
- International Marketing
- MBA (Human Resource Management)
- Contemporary Issues in HRM
- MBA (Finance)
- Financial Statement Analysis
- International Corporate Finance
- MBA (International Retailing)
International Retailing
- MBA (Climate Change)
- Energy Markets & Policy
- The Economics of Climate Change
Delivery and assessment
There will be considerable emphasis on active and participative learning, with extensive use of seminars, case studies, role play simulations and workshops, as well as formal lectures. Assessment is by a mixture of examination and coursework, including written assignments, class tests and presentations.
Preparation
Contact the School for information on your timetable and reading lists.
Course Director
Dr Silvia Sacchetti
RAE rating
The reputation of our research staff was recognised in the most recent Research Assessment Exercise (RAE), where 85 percent of our research activity was rated as being of ‘International Significance’.
Our students
Student Viewpoint
Tungalag Sukhbat, MBA
I did the MBA course at Stirling University during the academic year of 2003-2004. Since my graduation from the MBA course I have been working, first in banking, and then in the consultancy field in my home country, Mongolia. I moved to the latter to broaden my professional view and experience as well as to utilise my knowledge gained from my MBA time. (My dissertation theme was Development of the consulting industry in Mongolia, and its future) During my consultancy career I have worked in a number of development and business consultancy projects with various international development organizations and businesses as a team leader and an expert since 2007. The organizations I have worked with include World Bank in Mongolia, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, International Fund for Agricultural Development, German Development Cooperation, KfW Bankengruppe, and companies from leading sectors of economy in Mongolia including mining and cashmere processing. Areas covered during those consultancy works have been wide and embrace an advisory role in business development projects by Mongolian small and medium enterprises, studies for bigger multinational businesses on their preferred subjects in relation to the business and economic environment of Mongolia.
I associate all those developments and achievements on my consultancy career with knowledge, insights, and skills gained during my MBA study time in Stirling University.
Stirling MBA brochure
For more information on the Stirling MBA programme structure, please download Stirling MBA (pdf 1MB)
Six reasons why you should choose the Stirling MBA?
1. Flexibility of choice: You will have the opportunity to tailor your MBA programme towards your chosen career path. Six MBA variant programmes are currently available – Project Management, Finance, International Marketing, Human Resource Management, International Retailing, and Climate Change. These specialist routes build upon core elements of the MBA, and if you select this option you will choose from a range of specialist elective modules (drawn from existing MSc modules) during the Spring semester, and then continue on to undertake your MBA Project within this specialist field.
2. Internships: A limited number of students will be offered the opportunity to undertake an internship with a selected organisation either in Scotland or internationally. Internships will be awarded following a competitive interview process.
3. Business in and with emerging economies: At Stirling, we recognise that the way business activities are managed, and the impact of those activities, varies across the globe. It is forecast that emerging economies will have a significant impact on world economic development – expected to constitute more than 50% of world GDP by 2050. The Stirling MBA explores the concept of doing business in and with emerging economies, contrasting it with business elsewhere.
4. Environmental, cultural, economic and social responsibility: The focus of the Stirling MBA is developing businesses and decision-making skills, enabling students to concentrate on the ‘big picture’ of responsibility in all of its economic, environmental, cultural, social and thus business dimensions, areas in which we have distinctive research expertise. This is also in line with the urging of the United Nations Principles for Responsible Management Education (UNPRME), to which the Stirling Management School is a signatory.
5. Personal and career development: Complementing the academic element of the programme are a range of personal and career development workshops and activities that require communication, reflection and analysis. These activities begin at the very start of the programme during induction, and run as an integrated theme throughout the year. The aim is to help you to develop the self-awareness, critical thinking skills, leadership skills and team-working competences that are vital to effective managing.
6. Life after the Stirling MBA: Our graduates are in demand and find jobs in management or consultancy roles very quickly. Companies and organisations that have recently hired our graduates include Deloitte, Deutsche Bank, Barclays Bank, L’Oreal, Tesco and British Gas, among many others.
Find out more
http://www.management.stir.ac.uk
Career opportunities
Graduates’ careers upon graduation have been in the full range of private, public and voluntary sector organisations, including positions in production management, finance and banking, public relations and customer relations, sales and marketing, higher education, project management, the civil service and international business.
