Business Administration (Online)

Flexibility is at the heart of the Durham Online MBA as you can personalise your programme to meet your career goals. You can study fully online, complete some of your learning at Durham, undertake relevant optional modules, or choose to follow a pathway.

The global spread of 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.

Online MBA in detail

Structured around a two year study calendar, you can choose to undertake the programme 100% online or take a blended approach where you combine your online learning with residential modules. Whichever way you choose, our comprehensive induction will equip you with an essential toolkit of study skills to help you prepare for your MBA.

Our virtual learning environment is at the heart of your Online MBA experience. Through this you will receive online lectures, podcasts and webinars, as well as participating in a range of e-learning activities, discussion boards and virtual group work. There is a virtual campus, complete with powerful social networking tools to keep you in touch with your fellow students wherever they are in the world.

This virtual campus is supported with an annual Summer School held here in Durham, which brings together students from around the world to provide support and inspiration to drive you forward.

You will be expected to devote around 15 hours per week to study, and if you choose to undertake core modules at Durham these will typically take place in April and October.

Your online personal career advancement service is also core to the programme, accelerating your leadership capabilities to realise your full potential. Gaining global business experience is also an option through the International Business in Context module, which will give you the ability to operate within an international business environment.

Course structure

You will complete:

• Five core modules
• Two optional modules
• Strategic Case Analysis

Five core modules

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

• Accounting, Finance and Economics
• Leading and Managing People
• Marketing
• Operations and Technology
• Strategic Management

Two optional modules

Optional modules provide you with an opportunity to enhance and deepen knowledge and skills in areas of particular interest to you, and that are relevant to your future career.

Modules on offer are dependent on demand, but in previous years have included:

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

You also have the option to take a structured pathway focusing on the area of entrepreneurship, consultancy or technology. To undertake a pathway you would need to complete the following modules:

• Entrepreneurship: Entrepreneurship and New Venture Creation,
• Consultancy: Management Consultancy and Project Management, or
• Technology: Business Analytics and Technology Innovation

Strategic Case Analysis

In this final project you will demonstrate your ability as an independent learner and researcher. This project will showcase your in-depth knowledge and understanding of topics covered in core modules.

The 12,000 word strategic case analysis will test your understanding of the case writing, analysis process and relevant research methodologies. It will also demonstrate your ability to apply and interpret what you have learned across your MBA to the analysis of a particular issue in depth.

Summer School

The Online MBA Summer School brings together students from around the world to provide support and inspiration to drive you forward.

This optional Summer School usually takes place during a week in July, and gives you the opportunity to study optional modules and take part in a rich menu of personal advancement workshops.

Hosted by the Business School, in the beautiful city of Durham, the Summer School also includes stimulating speaker events, a variety of social events, and a truly unique opportunity to taste the Durham experience.