Master of Business Administration (Finance) - MBA

This Master of Business Administration course builds on your previous business experience and enhances your real-world management capabilities.

This MBA has a particular focus on finance. The course prepares you for senior roles that have major financial responsibility. Our aim is to accelerate your progress towards well-paid positions of leadership.

You will develop a deep strategic understanding of the different functions within organisations. You will also learn how to re-apply the best of international management practices and how to implement approaches that deliver outstanding results.

In addition to the core elements completed by all our MBA students, you will undertake the specialist module ‘Management, Accounting and Control’. There is also flexibility to choose a finance-related dissertation topic that reflects your personal interests and aspirations.

Our course focuses on problem-solving ability and linking theory to real-world challenges. As part of this, we encourage visits to local companies as well as guest lecturers who share their practical business experiences. We understand that your MBA is part of an onward journey. We offer extensive career support to help you gain a rapid return on your investment in yourself. 

As well as this MBA which focuses on finance, we also offer other related courses. We offer a broader MBA, and also MBAs with a particular focus on Human Resource Management, Supply Chain Management and Marketing.

Sunderland Business School has partnered together with the Chartered Management Institute, to offer you dual accreditation with your MBA to enhance your professional profile and add to your achievements. On successful completion of your MBA, you will be eligible for the Chartered Management Institute Level 7 Extended Diploma in Management and Leadership. During your study period, you will also become an Affiliate Member of CMI, which gives you access to CMI’s knowledge resources.

Download the programme specification for more information on the Master of Business Administration (Finance) course.

Course Content

The course mixes taught elements with self-directed research. You can negotiate the topic of the dissertation to reflect your personal interests and career aspirations.

Modules on this course include:

• Financial Management and Control (15 Credits)
• Strategic Management in an International Context (15 Credits)
• Professional Management and Leadership Development (30 Credits)
• Value Creation in Organisations - Managing Operations and Marketing (30 Credits)
• Management Accounting and Finance for Decision Making (30 Credits)
• MBA Project (60 Credits)

Teaching and Assessment

We use a wide variety of teaching and learning methods which include lectures, seminars, class discussions, case studies, group work, presentations and applied study.

Assessment is mainly through the dissertation and assignments, as well as exams in some subjects.

Information about course regulations and documentation can be found on the Academic Services website.

Employment and Careers

The MBA degree is one of the most prestigious and sought-after postgraduate degrees in the field of management and leadership.

The applied nature of our MBA course will build on your previous managerial experience while moving you forward on a journey of practical professional development. The course is an investment in yourself that can lead to:

• Higher salary
• Promotion opportunities
• Greater employability
• Flexibility in an evolving job market

The most common reason for undertaking an MBA is to improve job opportunities. Previous University of Sunderland MBA graduates now work in roles such as:

• Financial Controller in the Gulf region
• Financial Analyst for ultra-high net worth investors
• Operations Director in an oil company
• Management Consultant with an international consultancy group
• General Manager in Eastern Europe
• Division Chief in China
• Business Development Manager for an automotive supplier
• Vice President of a Canadian corporation

Fees and Scholarships

Visit the website for further information on course tuition fees, scholarships and other funding information.

This course is designed to support career acceleration for suitably academically qualified applicants.

All levels of practical work/work experience will be considered including applications from candidates with pre-graduation or limited/no work experience post degree who can display that they will benefit from a programme of this type.

Relevant degree or equivalent professional qualification.

All applications are subject to University approval.

In addition to academic qualifications, you must also have a minimum level of English language skills. If English is not your first language, please see our English language requirements.