Distance Learning MBA

Programme structure

On your Distance Learning MBA programme, you will undertake eight required modules, your choice of four electives, and a strategic consulting project or dissertation. Each of the 12 modules should take approximately 100 hours, which typically includes a minimum of 27 hours of structured teaching (live teaching and online learning/support) and the remainder made up of guided online study, independent self-study and assessment preparation.

Required modules

Your Distance Learning MBA study programme will feature eight required modules, which are designed to provide you with a solid foundation in management, business, and leadership. In addition to this, we have integrated Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) factors across required modules, allowing you to address this complex, multidimensional subject from different angles depending on the discipline in which it is contextualised.

These modules are taught online and during your residential weeks. Your required modules will be taught through a combination of bespoke authored text, lectures, seminars, plus group and networking activities.

Elective modules

As well as undertaking eight required modules you will choose four elective modules from a wide choice to customise your MBA and achieve your aims. One of your four elective modules will be a required face-to-face module. You will have a range of face-to-face modules to select from which may be based at our Warwick campus, WBS London, The Shard, or at an international location. A second face-to-face module may be studied at an additional cost. Please note that module availability may vary year-to-year depending on student demand and scheduling constraints.

Two residential weeks

Face-to-face interaction is an essential element of our programme so you will join us on campus for two residential weeks during the course. These intensive face-to-face periods of study will include the beginning of teaching for one module through lectures, case studies, seminars, group work and assessment briefings; provide an opportunity to network face-to-face with your cohort; and give you the chance to focus on yourself as a leader as well as provide the opportunity for careers and professional development support. Residential weeks typically run in March and September in your first year of study.

Strategic consulting project or dissertation

You will have the choice to undertake either a strategic consulting project or traditional dissertation. The strategic consulting project, which is undertaken in self-selected groups of three, focuses on practice and is based in an employment setting. The dissertation is more academic with a focus on theory, but is still highly relevant in the world of business.

Leadership

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Operations Management

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Corporate Reporting and Decision Making

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Financial Management

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Innovation and Strategic Entrepreneurship

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Marketing

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Organisational Behaviour

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Strategic Advantage

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Online learning

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Face-to-face

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You will have the choice to undertake either a strategic consulting project or traditional dissertation.

The strategic consulting project focuses on practice and is based in an employment setting. You will work as part of a group on the project with 10% of your assessment being based on group work and 90% based on an individual consulting report. This is your opportunity to consolidate everything you have learnt and apply it to a real business.
Academically, it tests your ability to apply your learning to real management issues.

Professionally, it may well open the door to your next career move.

If you choose to undertake the dissertation option, although more academic with a focus on theory, it is still highly relevant in the world of business. It will demonstrate that you can assimilate your learning, take multiple perspectives on a business issue and explore your subject thoroughly.

Previous participants have explored: 

  • Equity crowdfunding and its role in future startup and small business finance 

  • Formulating a donor loyalty framework 

  • Implementation of a knowledge management strategy in a business critical group.

How we teach

Our cutting edge technology will ensure you feel fully connected and that you never miss anything, regardless of your schedule. Teaching primarily takes place via our bespoke online learning environment my.wbs, which houses our teaching materials, interactive spaces and our online classroom: wbsLive. Easy to use, my.wbs enables interaction in lectures, discussions and syndicate groups. It also allows you to test yourself, to access lessons and lecture recordings, submit assignments and to connect with other students and academics. 

  • Face-to-face module - In addition to the residential weeks, the programme includes one required face-to-face module which is included in your tuition fees. You may have the option to take further modules face-to-face at an additional cost
  • Teaching team - Each module has a teaching team of subject specialists to support you online. They will facilitate wbsLive sessions, moderate online discussions and make sure you are up-to-date with subject-relevant topical information
  • Study materials - You will receive tailor-made multimedia study materials with additional reading and resources. You will also have timetabled webinars throughout each module. You’ll also be able to access video interviews featuring our faculty and inspirational business leaders
  • Exclusive online business insights - Our interactive study materials are supplemented by free online access to business and management journals and the extensive University of Warwick library which includes business databases such as Mintel, Amadeus and Statista. 

Learning facilities 

Our online learning platform, my.wbs, lets you take control of your learning, access webinars, participate in group work and communicate with your lecturers and Programme team. 

For each module, there is a dedicated welcome page with a text introduction and welcome video from the module leader providing you with an overview of which topics will be covered.  

Every module consists of nine lessons and is delivered through a mixture of text, video, screencasts (audio over slideshow), activities, webinars and assessments. You can even test yourself with multiple choice quizzes and receive immediate feedback to keep your learning on track. You will also work with your group online. Additionally, for most modules, you will have access to the core textbook online (you will be given an ebook to be accessed via your digital bookshelf). Much of the online content is downloadable and can be viewed whilst travelling. 

my.wbs is built to be compatible with a wide range of types and size of device, all you will need is an internet connection and up-to-date browser versions to access learning materials. For the best experience our recommended computer specification is shown at https://warwick.ac.uk/compspec. my.wbs works well on any modern iOS or Android device.