Master of Business Administration (Full-time) (MBA)
The Master of Business Administration (MBA) at Swansea Business School (SBS) is a well-established programme that has been offered to students from across the world for over 20 years. It is designed to equip both experienced professionals and recent graduates with the skills needed to succeed in today’s business world.
This general management qualification is highly regarded on a global scale. It helps students develop key leadership skills, making it ideal for those seeking career development or a career change. Whether you are aiming to progress in your current role, start an entrepreneurial path, or enter the business world for the first time, this programme offers a flexible and modern approach to learning.
The MBA at SBS is unique in offering both real-world practice and practical experience, allowing students to apply what they learn directly to their careers. The programme offers different pathways, including MBA (Tourism Management) and MBA (International Hospitality Management), catering to students who wish to specialise in these industries. Throughout the course, there is a focus on global business, giving students a broad understanding of how businesses operate internationally.
At ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø, learning is flexible and can be tailored to suit individual needs. Students can choose to study on-campus, online, or through a blended mode that combines both. This flexibility is perfect for those balancing studies with work or other commitments. The course encourages lifelong learning, ensuring students are constantly growing and adapting to the demands of the business world.
Throughout the programme, students will work on client projects, which provide hands-on experience and an opportunity to develop solutions for real businesses. This is a key part of the MBA’s focus on innovation and prepares students to tackle the challenges of modern business.
Studying alongside an international cohort offers the chance for rich collaboration and networking with professionals from different backgrounds and industries. This helps to create a well-rounded experience, broadening your perspectives and building connections that are valuable in any business career.
Overall, the MBA at Swansea Business School is an excellent choice for those looking to develop their management skills and open doors to new career opportunities.
Course details
- Full-time
- On-campus
- English
Why choose this course?
What you will learn
Our MBA programme is designed to prepare students for a rapidly changing global Business environment, promoting a balance between theoretical knowledge and practical application.
Through modules focused on leadership development, innovation, and real-world practice, you will develop global business acumen and critical general management skills. The course provides flexible learning options, with pathways available for full-time or part-time study in both standard and non-standard modes. Below is a breakdown of what you will learn based on the delivery method.
Year 1:
In this flexible option, students will cover foundational topics, balancing studies with their professional life. The first year focuses on Strategic and Agile Business Management, Managing People, and Global Business Challenges, offering real-world practice alongside work.
Year 2:
Students will focus on completing their dissertation, where they have the flexibility to delve into a client project or other business research areas. This will allow for career change or advancement while maintaining professional responsibilities.
Compulsory
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
(60 credits)
Disclaimer
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The modules outlined above provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this course based on recent academic teaching. We continuously review our courses to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Where your course includes optional modules, these are to provide an element of choice within the course. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed.
You’ll typically complete 120 credits per year of study on a full-time course. For more information visit our Student Agreement.
Ratings and Rankings
Staff
Our People
You will be taught and supported by a wide range of professional staff and teams here to help you get the university experience you are looking for. Our teaching staff were ranked 2nd in Wales for Teaching, Assessment and Feedback and Academic Support (NSS 2024) meaning that the support and feedback you get will help you learn and develop strong academic skills. Our students have placed us 1st in Wales for Learning Opportunities and Student Voice (NSS 2024) meaning that there are a wide range of opportunities available to enhance your studies and that students play an active role in shaping their learning experiences. Our commitment to your learning has seen our students place us as 1st in Wales and joint 3rd in the UK for student satisfaction (Times Higher Education, 2024, ‘Overall Positivity’ measure). Find out more about our academic staff who teach across our courses.
Further information
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Applicants must be over 21 years old and possess one or more of the following:
- Recognised honours degree (minimum of a 2:2) or equivalent.
- Professional qualification.
- The university’s diplomas/certificates in business management.
- Applicants who are over 25 years old and do not meet the above criteria may be admitted to the course provided their professional or managerial experience is deemed appropriate.
Certain exemptions from taught modules may be considered and will be decided on an individual basis in accordance with ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø’s Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning process.
Admissions Advice and Support 
For specific advice and support you can contact our enquiries team for more information about entry requirements. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
English language requirements 
If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.0, with not less than 5.5 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Visit the International Applications section of our website to find out more about our English Language Requirements and pre-sessional English Language Courses.
Visa and funding requirements 
If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
For courses of more than six months’ duration you will require a Student visa. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
International students who require a Student visa should apply for our full-time courses as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship.  
For full information read our visa application and guides. â¶Ä¯â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study.
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Modules are assessed by coursework. This may take various forms, work-based projects, small research projects, presentations, case study analysis and the dissertation. Students on the full-time programme, or who are not currently in employment, may be able to base their projects on companies from the extensive SBS employer network to provide alternatives to work-based assignments.
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Some modules in this course are available to study through the medium of Welsh either fully or partially. In all cases students will be able to submit written assessments through the medium of Welsh.
If you choose to study your course either fully or partially through the medium of Welsh, you may be eligible to apply for scholarships and bursaries to support you with your studies.
We are continuously reviewing our Welsh medium provision, the precise availability of modules will vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Where your course offers modules available through the medium of Welsh this may vary from year to year, and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means the availability of specific Welsh medium modules cannot be guaranteed.
Extracurricular Welsh Opportunities
There are many ways to engage with Welsh culture and life at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø, including joining clubs and societies for Welsh speakers and becoming a member of our vibrant Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol branch. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Opportunities to Learn Welsh
We also provide a variety of opportunities to learn and develop your Welsh language skills.
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As an institution, we seek to continually enhance the student experience and as a result, additional costs may be incurred by the student on activities that will add value to their education. Where possible these costs will be kept to a minimum, with additional activities being optional.
Field trips will be available for students, which are optional. Costs for UK and International trips will be provided at the beginning of the academic year.
Students will be expected to pay four weeks prior to field trips taking place and three months before departure for travel and visa costs for overseas placements.
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You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available, please visit our Bursaries and Scholarships section.
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Past students have enhanced their career advancement in the private, public and voluntary/not-for-profit sectors in the UK and overseas.
Full-time students also participate in a programme of organisational visits, workshops and CPD events (in liaison with the Chartered Management Institute) to provide application and networking opportunities. They are also supported in finding appropriate work experience opportunities and in planning and progressing their careers after graduation.
The content of the programme is vocationally focused, using real case studies of current organisations. Students are encouraged to share their own work experience and apply their knowledge and skills in creative and innovative ways.