Business Administration (Top-up)

For HM Forces

Award

MBA

Study option

Location

Stoke-on-Trent campus

Start dates available

January 2026
May 2026
October 2026

Apply now

Our award is a globally recognised qualification in business management, which recognises your prior training and experience. This vocationally relevant and career enhancing programme is both challenging and stimulating, with a truly international perspective.

The study programme is tailored to the needs of services’ personnel, with clearly-defined study commitments.

We have intakes in September, January and May. Each intake will commence with a five-day intensive study period delivered on campus.

On completion of the intensive study period you will be appointed a dissertation supervisor who has the relevant subject matter experience and will provide support during your project research. This will be conducted via face-to-face, email, MS Teams or by telephone.

The duration of the course is approximately 7 months (2 semesters).

To make an initial enquiry about this programme please contact the HM Forces team

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

Course content

The MBA Business Administration benefits from visiting lecturers from industry who enhance teaching and learning, with high levels of face-to-face, email and telephone support.

In addition to adding value to your military career, our MBA will provide highly valuable exposure to the varied ideas necessary for success in almost any public or business organisation. Some graduates have used the MBA to gain a competitive advantage in their current field, others have gone on to enjoy rewarding and dynamic careers in many industries and countries, or even set up their own businesses.

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
Year 1 compulsory modules
Dissertation	60 credits

Entry requirements

Our entry requirements take into account the extensive management experience and training of HM Forces personnel. If you have successfully completed one of the following qualifications or career courses, you would be eligible to join the MBA Top Up:

Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in a Business/Leadership discipline (120 credits)
Level 7 Extended Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership (120 credits)
RAF Intermediate Officer Development 5 (IOD 5/ IOD C)

Fees

The total course fee is £2,500 and the course is listed on the ELCAS website.
The University is an Approved ELC Provider. Our Provider Code is: 1442.

International entry requirements

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.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

You will be an active learner interacting with content, your fellow students and your supervisor. Support is available when you need it. You can contact your supervisor and academic mentor, information service staff and subject specialist librarian by phone, email or in person.

Our teaching is supported through our Virtual Learning Environment called Blackboard. This means you can access a range of materials to support your studies wherever you are via your PC, tablet or phone. This includes accessing video, audio and discussion forums where you can debate subjects with your tutors and fellow students.

Assessment

The dissertation project is assessed as follows:

Presentation: 10%
Dissertation (15,000 words): 80%
Viva: 10%

Typically, assignment submission and feedback will be via the Blackboard Learning Portal. All results will also be made 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.

Apply now to Business Administration

Location	Award	Study option	Start date	Apply Link
Stoke-on-Trent campus	MBA	Part-time, top-up	19 January 2026	Apply now
Stoke-on-Trent campus	MBA	Part-time, top-up	18 May 2026	Apply now
Stoke-on-Trent campus	MBA	Part-time, top-up	5 October 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.