Business Administration (Top-up) MBA

Location

Stoke-on-Trent campus

Gain a globally recognised business qualification in just seven months by building on your prior training and knowledge.

You can undertake our MBA (Top-Up) from anywhere in the world as it is completed online through flexible, part-time study. It’s aimed at aspiring leaders who already have a Level 7 diploma and want to top this up to a Masters. You will focus on completing an in-depth research project.

The MBA will enable you to deal with real-world issues of leadership and management, demonstrate key competencies and help shape your career ambitions. You will also be part of the intellectual and challenging environment of our Business School, where you can draw on support from our leading experts.

The qualification will help you gain a competitive advantage in your chosen field. Our MBA graduates have gone on to enjoy rewarding and dynamic careers in many industries and countries, with some setting up their own businesses.

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: MBA Business Administration

Duration

This is a part-time top-up and will run over 6 months.

Course content

You will start with an intensive study period of up to five days, looking at essential research skills. This will cover areas such as quantitative and qualitative methods, data collections, statistical analysis and conducting literature reviews.

You will also come up with the topic for your dissertation and will give a 10-minute presentation on your idea.

The rest of the MBA will be devoted to this research project and will culminate in you submitting a 15,000-word dissertation. We will assign you a supervisor with relevant subject matter expertise to support you.

Modules

The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module.

Year 1 compulsory modules
Dissertation (D/L) 60 credits

Entry requirements

To apply for this course, you must meet the following criteria:

  • Hold a Level 7 Diploma or Extended Diploma in a Leadership or Management subject worth a minimum of 120 credits.

For equivalent entry requirements in your home country, please see the information on our country pages.

Choose your country

Get country-specific details on entry requirements, fees, scholarships and support services. Choose your country to see how University of Staffordshire can support you from application to arrival.

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Facilities

Support for distance learners

Studying remotely doesn't mean that you will be left to study alone. Which is why we ensure that however you study with us, you'll still be able to access the same services as our on-campus students. Read more

However you study with us, or wherever in the world you’re based, you’ll still be able to access the same services as our on-campus students, including IT and study support, online library, careers and wellbeing service. We’ll help to connect with other online learners to help you get the most out of your learning experience and feel a part of the community. Find out more: Support for distance learners

Blackboard (VLE)

Blackboard is a virtual learning environment which houses your learning content. It enables online teaching/learning, provides spaces to build online communities and knowledge sharing.

Careers

Students on this programme have the opportunity to enhance their studies with a placement year, gain valuable work experience, and take part in international activities—potentially supported by the Turing funding.

All students have access to Careers, Placements & Employability, our dedicated careers team.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

We know that everyone learns differently. So, not only do we use traditional ways of teaching like lectures, we also use problem-based learning to help you apply your skills.

The methods used will vary depending to the subject matter, whether it's literature review, qualitative research methods or quantitative research methods. Our approach ranges from formal lectures to student-centered supervision activities, including formative assessments and draft reviews leading up to the final dissertation submission. 

Directed independent study will be utilised to reinforce and expand the knowledge, skills, and competencies acquired during the face-to-face or online intensive week of teaching and learning. This will provide a deeper understanding and context for the dissertation module. Academic mentors and supervisors will be available to offer one-on-one support as needed.

The virtual learning environment (VLE), including Blackboard and other digital media, plays a crucial role in maintaining communication and providing direction. It ensures a comprehensive learning experience that complements and enhances the face-to-face and online learning. The dissertation module is fully integrated into the VLE facilitating both face-to-face and online learning opportunities.

Assessment

This course includes a variety of assessments designed to challenge your cognitive, critical, and intellectual abilities, as well as your research approaches and interpersonal competencies in management and leadership.

You will be assessed by the following:

  • Presentation (proposal during intensive week): 10%
  • Dissertation (15,000 words): 80%
  • Viva: 10%

Assignments will typically be submitted and feedback provided via the Blackboard Learning Portal. All results will be available electronically.

Learning support

Your course tutors will provide lots of support. But you can also take advantage of our Academic Skills team, who can help you with:

  • Study skills (including reading, note-taking and presentation skills)
  • Written English (including punctuation, grammar)
  • Academic writing (including how to reference)
  • Research skills
  • Critical thinking
  • Revision, assessment and exam skills (including time management)

Additional support

If you have additional needs like dyslexia or a sensory impairment, then our Student Inclusion Services are here to help make sure nothing stands in your way.

Fees

For the course starting on 26 January 2026 the tuition fees are:

Study option UK / Channel Islands International
Part-time £6,500 per course £6,500 per course

For the course starting on 26 May 2026 the tuition fees are:

Study option UK / Channel Islands International
Part-time £6,500 per course £6,500 per course

For the course starting on 21 September 2026 the tuition fees are:

Study option UK / Channel Islands International
Part-time £6,500 per course £6,500 per course

If you would like to know more about the fees listed and what this means to you then please get in touch with our Enquiries Team.

Alumni discount

If you have previously completed an undergraduate degree with us, you may be entitled to an alumni discount off your course fee for any subsequent postgraduate taught course. For further information please contact feesandbursaries@staffs.ac.uk.

Accommodation and living costs

Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees. 

For more information on accommodation and living costs, please see: Accommodation

Sources of financial support

Providing you are studying towards a full Masters qualification you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan of up to £11,570 to help with tuition fees, maintenance and other associated costs. Student loans are available for many of our postgraduate degrees and are provided by the Student Loans Company (SLC). The loan can cover a wide range of postgraduate study options; part-time, full-time and distance learning. 

For more information and how to apply visit masters loan.

Apply

Location Award Study option Start date
Stoke-on-Trent campus MBA Part-time, top-up, distance learning 26 January 2026 Apply now
Stoke-on-Trent campus MBA Part-time, top-up, distance learning 26 May 2026 Apply now
Stoke-on-Trent campus MBA Part-time, top-up, distance learning 21 September 2026 Apply now

Rules and regulations

If you are offered a place at University of Staffordshire, your offer will be subject to our rules, regulations and enrolment conditions, which may vary from time to time.

Students of University of Staffordshire enter into a contract with us and are bound by these rules and regulations, which are subject to change. For more information, please see: University Policies and Regulations. 

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for Career Prospects

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2025

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Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

of Research Impact is ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Very Considerable’

Research Excellence Framework 2021

of Research is “Internationally Excellent” or “World Leading”

Research Excellence Framework 2021

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