Business Administration (online)

Entry requirements

• Candidates must be able to demonstrate at least three years’ continuous post-graduation work experience, in one or more positions with significant managerial responsibility.
• First or Upper Second Class Bachelors Degree, or international equivalent (applicants who do not meet this requirement will be required to submit a portfolio of evidence demonstrating capability in areas such as management experience, critical thinking skills and communication skills).
• additionally, applicants whose first language is not English will be required to demonstrate evidence of proficiency in English language. Further details can be found at Direct Entry English Language Required - Durham University. Where applicants use both written and spoken English in their daily work, we may be able to accept an employer letter confirming this as an alternative to a formal language test.

This course includes online activities, you will need a computer with reliable internet access. Our recommended operating systems are Microsoft Windows 7+ or Apple Mac MacOSx 10.9+.

We recommend a minimum 1 Mbps internet connection but a greater bandwidth (up to 8Mbps) will provide a better experience for some resources and events. If relying on an employer’s internet connection, be aware that firewall restrictions and policies may exist that prevent access to all or part of the course.

Months of entry

September

Course content

The Durham MBA (Online) will enhance your key business and leadership capabilities to enable you to achieve your career aspirations whilst you continue in full-time employment, so you can apply what you learn directly into the organisation you work for.

The international diversity of our students, alumni and faculty will give you the ability to network virtually with people from across the world, and from a wide-range of business sectors. You will be able to enhance your global business experience through the optional International Business in Context module.

The programme, which runs over two academic years, has been developed to reflect the modern realities of an energetic corporate and commercial environment and equip you with key strengths such as analytical thinking, global awareness and effective communications skills.

World-class Business Education

• 9th in the world, 5th in Europe, 3rd in the UK (Financial Times Online MBA Rankings 2025)
• =10th in the world, TBA in EMEA, TBA in the UK (QS Online MBA Ranking 2026)

Key Timings for your Online MBA

The Online MBA commences on Monday 21 September 2026.

• Online Modules are led by module Leaders and tutors and delivered over 12 weeks - nine weeks of teaching and three weeks of assessment preparation.
• There are opportunities to interact through live webinars, weekly online activities, discussion forums, industry insights, online group work, and recorded video lectures. Webinars happen in real-time (via Zoom) and you will normally have a choice of dates/times to sign up to. They are also recorded and available on the module site on Learn Ultra should you be unavailable on the set dates.
• Modules are designed to allow for up to 15 hours of study time per week and students can choose how to fit this in around work and personal commitments.
• Block Taught Modules are offered at various times throughout the year. They provide an excellent opportunity to meet fellow students face to face, to meet faculty and the programme team. Most core modules are taught over four days, with optional modules being taught over three days, and all are delivered in Durham except for International Business in Context and New Venture Creation which are offered at overseas locations over a five-day period.

Our MBA programme includes a combination of core modules and specialist pathways, giving you the opportunity to develop your knowledge, skills and capabilities and specialise in specific areas most suited to your own professional needs.

Course structure

Year 1 modules

Core modules:

These are the foundation of your programme – establishing the management knowledge, understanding and research skills every leader needs.

Accounting, Finance and Economics

examines the economic and financial contexts in which organisations operate and develops your skills in the application of economic analysis to the way a business makes decisions and addresses planning. You will look at a range of business management functions such as accounting, evaluating financial performance, working capital evaluation, financial planning, investment decisions and financial risk management.

Leading and Managing People

develops your understanding of leadership and management in organisations and the processes and practices around contemporary human resource management. The module also considers issues such as organisational behaviour including motivation, ethics and sustainability, the skills and requirements for leadership and managing change and the processes associated with human resources such as recruitment, reward and recognition.

Marketing

explains the function of marketing, its application in commercial contexts such as business-to-consumer and business-to-business trading and the main issues it faces. Looking at areas such as marketing environment, buyer behaviour, market research and segmentation, targeting and positioning (STP) you will develop an understanding of how customers acquire products and services, how to segment markets and position brands and the principles of the marketing mix framework.

Operations and Technology

develops your understanding of operations and technology management within organisations and explores the factors that govern operations management decisions.

Strategic Management

aims to broaden your understanding of the strategic management of organisations and the impact of the wider external environment by examining how companies attempt different business and corporate strategies to achieve or maintain a competitive advantage. You will gain a knowledge of strategy formulation and implementation under conditions of changing industry competition, firm resources, and technology.

Sustainability and Ethics

looks at the impact of sustainability and ethical issues on organisations and considers the role and purpose of business and other organisations in society. It also considers the roles and impacts of business ethics, corporate social responsibility, risk management and compliance, and governance.

Strategic Consulting Project

is an advanced in-depth investigation of your choice into an issue or a business challenge which is applicable to an industrial, commercial, public sector or charitable organisation. It also teaches you the appropriate quantitative and qualitative research methods knowledge and skills to undertake a research project at masters level.

Optional modules:

In recent years, optional modules have included:

• Management Consultancy
• Project Management
• New Venture Creation
• Business Analytics
• Technology Forecasting and Innovation Analytics
• International Business in Context

Information for international students

If you are an international student who does not meet the requirements for direct entry to this degree, you may be eligible to take a pre-Masters pathway programme at the Durham University International Study Centre.

Fees and funding

For further information see the course listing.