MBA
Our online, part-time MBA is placed 1st in the UK and 24th in the world in the Part-Time MBA global Eduniversal Rankings.
Study a flexible, affordable degree with a Triple Crown accredited (AACSB, AMBA, EQUIS) business school. Aston University empowers you to enhance your employability and tackle real-world problems with a curriculum enriched by strong links to industry.
Programme Overview
Our MBA programme provides a dynamic, hands-on experience designed to instil an entrepreneurial leadership mindset. Going beyond conventional learning, the programme challenges you with real-world business problems, fostering the ability to think strategically and lead effectively.
Delivered by the triple-accredited Aston Business School, the curriculum covers a diverse spectrum of business topics, providing a holistic understanding of the global commercial landscape. Guided by a distinguished team of educators and industry experts, our approach emphasises practical application, ensuring you acquire skills relevant to contemporary business challenges.
Throughout the programme, you will have the opportunity to apply your learning to real-world situations and explore concepts in relation to your own interests and career goals. The programme culminates in a final project that reflects your aspirations, whether in consulting, research or entrepreneurship. This programme is designed for those who aspire to elevate their careers by gaining real-world problem-solving skills, strategic thinking abilities, and excellence in leadership, all within a flexible online format that celebrates diversity and innovation. You will emerge as a confident, entrepreneurial leader poised for success in the modern global business arena.
Triple Accreditation: Aston Business School is proud to be among 1% of business schools worldwide with triple accreditation from AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS.
Get the Aston Edge: Gain a competitive advantage through this integrated personal and professional development programme.
We’re amongst the best in the world for business: We’ve been ranked 66th in the world (and into the top 10 in the UK) in the 2024 QS World Rankings by subject for Business and Management Studies.
1st in the UK: The Aston Online MBA has been placed 1st in the UK and 24th in the world in the Part-Time MBA global Eduniversal rankings.
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What You Will Learn
- Strategic Leadership Competence: Learn to inspire and guide teams towards achieving organisational goals, through a deep understanding of formulating and implementing effective strategies.
- Advanced Problem-Solving Skills: Tackle complex business challenges with innovative solutions, leveraging a real-world understanding of business operations and management.
- Enhanced Global Perspective: Expand your view of global business practices and challenges, enabling you to operate effectively in international markets and multicultural environments.
- Sustainability and Ethical Management: Prepare to integrate sustainability and ethics into business decisions, promoting responsible management practices.
- Digital Literacy and Innovation: Develop skills to navigate the digital transformation of industries, through an understanding of the strategic use of technology for business innovation and growth.
- Professional Growth and Self-Reflection: Develop a keen sense of self-awareness and a proactive approach to personal and professional development, supported by reflective practice.
- Robust Professional Network: Gain access to a valuable global network of industry professionals, alumni, and peers, facilitating career opportunities through networking and live events.
- Career Advancement: Be equipped for high-impact roles in various sectors, including investment banking, management consultancy, and beyond, with the skills to lead and innovate in a rapidly changing business world.
Why Study Online With Aston University?
Aston University Online offers various advantages, making it an appealing choice for prospective students globally.
Flexibility and convenience – fit your studies into your work/life balance.
Built for online – interactive, engaging, and purpose-designed curriculum available 24/7.
Affordable – spread the cost, pay monthly or in instalments, and earn as you learn.
Supported – dedicated student support and online tutors.
Expert tutors - staff with industry experience and experts in their fields.
Empowering creativity – complimentary full access to Adobe Creative Cloud tools for developing dynamic multimedia content and presentations through video, graphics and audio.
Transparent pricing – apply for free, with no hidden costs.
Ready for work and life – rigorous academic standards and curriculum focusing on the skills sought by employers (for now and the future).
Recognised for quality
Aston Business School is proud to be among 1% of business schools worldwide with triple accreditation
The most important thing you can do to succeed in the programme is to show up and engage.
Career Prospects
Aston MBA graduates have secured high-profile roles with leading international companies across various sectors, including investment banking, management consultancy, manufacturing and rail transport Recent graduates have also secured positions with blue-chip companies, such as Morgan Stanley, KPMG, Standard Chartered Bank and Amcor.
Thanks to Aston’s Alumni network, you will have the chance to connect with these former graduates in a range of professions.
Aston graduates go on to excel in a range of roles and sectors—whether thriving in the world of business and academia or taking the leap from university into the life of an entrepreneur.
Recent graduates have gone onto roles including:
Business Analyst: Strategise solutions and drive enhancements for thriving organisational success.
Investment Banking: Navigate complex financial transactions, influence major deals, and strategise investments that shape the global economy.
Human Resources Director: Steer the strategic orchestration of talent and foster a culture of excellence within the workforce from a senior leadership position.
Tax Manager: Manage fiscal responsibilities and guide tax strategy and compliance to uphold integrity and optimise financial performance.
Credit Analyst: Scrutinise credit and lending data to shape the fiscal foundations of business decision-making.
Programme Structure
With an integrated approach to traditional business and management topics, our MBA programme offers a comprehensive curriculum that merges classic business and management principles with modern strategy, equipping you with the essential skills and in-depth understanding necessary to excel in today’s dynamic business landscape.
Each credit of study is equivalent to 10 learning hours (e.g. 15 credits reflects 150 hours of learning).
Optional modules are reviewed each year and may change to reflect the expertise of staff, current trends in research, as a result of student feedback, or demand for certain modules.
Modules
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30 credits
- Leadership - Develop leadership skills crucial for guiding and inspiring teams.
- Economics - Understand economic principles and their impact on business decisions.
- Strategy - Learn to formulate and implement business strategies for organisational success.
Finance and Marketing for Strategic Decision Making
30 credits
- Marketing - Acquire knowledge and strategies for effective market positioning and communication.
- Financial Reporting - Gain proficiency in understanding and interpreting financial data for decision-making.
- Managing Finance - Master financial management principles for effective decision-making.
Leadership and Operational Excellence
30 credits
- Responsible Management - Cultivate ethical and socially responsible decision-making in business.
- Managing Operations - Learn efficient operational management to optimise business processes.
- Managing Change - Develop the ability to navigate and lead through organisational change.
- Legal Awareness - Acquire an understanding of legal aspects relevant to business operations.
Navigating Digital Transformation: Innovating for the Future
30 credits
- Digital Transformation - Embrace the digital era with a focus on alternative assessments and entrepreneurial thinking.
- Flexible application – Apply concepts, models and frameworks of digital transformation to the setting of your choice.
Modules
The Aston Edge
30 credits
- Research and investigation skills - Develop proficiency in research methodologies and
investigative approaches. - Personal and professional development - Reflect on and consolidate personal and
professional growth achieved during the MBA program
Strategic Business Project
30 credits
This gives students the opportunity to design their own learning experience that applies to their specific area of interest. The purpose of this project is to act as a springboard for their future career and as such, there are a number of ways this can be completed:
- A consultancy project on behalf of a client or organisation
- A business plan for their own business
- An Industry/themed research project
Programme Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this programme, students will be able to:
- Critically discuss current theoretical and practical management literatures and concepts that underpin management thinking and practice in a global context.
- Demonstrate a systematic knowledge of the range of management disciplines and competencies.
- Demonstrate critical awareness of how the management disciplines integrate and feed into strategic decision-making at a corporate level.
- Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of how strategic decisions are made and implemented.
- Demonstrate competence in critical reasoning, creative thinking and the development of visionary ideas.
- Critically analyse, interpret and evaluate relevant data, including financial and other managerial reports.
- Identify, analyse, diagnose and propose (and evaluate) solutions to complex managerial
issues and problems. - Offer informed and considered opinion when presented with managerial issues and problems.
- Engage intelligently in debates about what constitutes “best practice”.
- Build upon their knowledge and understanding of the theories they have engaged with to make a wide range of management and strategic decisions.
- Demonstrate a range of transferable skills necessary to lead effectively in a responsible,
dynamic, multicultural organisation.
Entry Requirements
Entry requirements
- A UK 2:2 (lower second-class honours) degree or international equivalent
- Equivalent overseas degree recognised by Aston University (click here for more information).
* English language skills are assessed during admissions. If we need evidence of your English language skills, we may ask you to take one of the recognised tests such as IELTS.
Additional requirements:
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You will also need to provide:
- At least three years' relevant post-graduation work experience by the time you start your programme.
- An official academic transcript of your grades (in English)
- Two references - preferably one from an academic referee, the other from your current or previous employer; two professional references may be accepted from applicants with substantial work experience.
- A degree-level professional qualification.
Interview: Successful applicants will be required to attend an online interview as part of the application process.
Alternative entry requirements:
We accept applications from candidates with relevant work experience who have not completed a graduate qualification.
We take a holistic approach in evaluating applications. The information contained on this website details the typical entry requirements for this programme for the most commonly offered qualifications. Applicants with alternative qualifications may wish to enquire prior to application whether or not their qualifications are deemed acceptable. For less commonly encountered qualifications this will be judged on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the academic admissions tutor.
Please contact our Admissions Team for advice before applying at: enquiries@astononline.ac.uk
English language requirements
Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to provide evidence of an English language qualification.
Find Out If You Qualify
If you have any questions about your eligibility or the application process, please get in touch with the Aston Online Admissions Team:
Email: enquiries@astononline.ac.uk
Call: +44 (0) 121 824 6374
Our office is open Monday to Friday, 09:00-17:00 GMT
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