MBA in Islamic Finance (Executive) 1. Course Overview Why choose this course? The Centre for Islamic Finance at the University of Bolton, has an excellent track record in delivering quality programmes of study and staff will strive to make your studies in the Executive MBA in Islamic Finance as fulfilling and fruitful as possible. Teaching is conducted by a highly dedicated team, with specialist knowledge in a wide range of subject areas, and maintains close links to business and industry. Course materials are available online, allowing applicants to prepare work at home which ensures that in-class learning is highly interactive. Course overview The MBA Islamic Finance is a new career development programme offered in part time mode of study, for those currently in management positions. This new postgraduate qualification offers a suite of contemporary modules which allow you to develop the knowledge required to work in the growing and sophisticated Islamic Finance sector. You will gain skills in being effective, in working independently and as part of a team, while critically evaluating and developing good practice in key areas of business management and in the planning and management of general, commercial and Islamic Finance products and services. Applicants who opt to study part time will normally complete their programme of study over six semesters, which is two full calendar years. About the course No matter what part of industry or commerce you work in, the new MBA Islamic Finance (Executive) course will assist you in gaining essential skills to work in Islamic Finance, one of the fastest growing sectors in the financial world, estimated to be worth over $1.5 trillion. In addition, the programme will provide a critical understanding of the problems and challenges facing enterprises and organisations and equip you with the analytical and critical faculties to identify potential innovative solutions. These qualities are highly sought by prestigious international employers. Special features The MBA Islamic Finance (Executive) programme offers you the chance to join a well-established postgraduate community engaged in preparing themselves for a career in executive management in the Islamic Finance Sector. In addition, teaching and supervision is offered by well qualified and
dedicated teams of experienced staff drawn from the Centre of Islamic Finance and Bolton Business School. The university enjoys excellent libraries, 24/7 IT facilities, WiFi and learning areas. All students studying on the MBA Islamic Finance (Executive) programme will be provided with access to a research and study skills module which will assist them in their academic studies. Furthermore the programme will also benefit from guest lecture from the International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC) on the need for holistic approaches to thinking about strategy, risks, key stakeholder interests and financial performance. The block delivery mode allows students to effectively combine work and study commitments. 2. Key Information Award(s): MBA Islamic Finance (Executive) Mode of attendance: Part-time Duration(s): Two Years Start date: January 2016 Entry requirements: Applicants should normally have the following: Significant work experience in a business or management capacity; and a UK honours degree/postgraduate degree (or equivalent), English language certificate where relevant. Applicants for whom English is not their first language will be required to achieve at least a score of IELTS 6.5 upon entry to the programme. Applicants who do not possess the above qualifications but have substantial managerial experience may be considered for entry on to this course. All application forms need to be accompanied by a reflective overview of the managerial responsibilities undertaken to date. A letter of reference on headed paper from the current/most recent employer should also be provided clearly showing length of employment and a breakdown of roles and responsibilities. All applicants will be interviewed prior to admission onto the programme. Awarding body: University of Bolton Location(s): University of Bolton
University of Bolton: Deane Campus, Deane Road, Bolton, BL3 5AB3. Course Content What you will learn You will study a contemporary curriculum with a focus on Islamic Business Transaction Law, Islamic Finance and Investment and the key functional areas of management: Human Resource Management, Financial Management and Decision Making, International Marketing Management and Strategic Management and Leadership, many of which will be beyond the borders of your current, familiar management responsibilities. The aim is to stretch your management competencies into new areas of potential responsibility in the field of Islamic finance. The MBA programme offers a suite of contemporary modules which will allow you to develop your knowledge of organisations and their management in today s fast-moving global economy, in order to reflect and improve your own management practice. What you will study Islamic Business Transaction Law This module will introduce you to Islamic law. The methodologies and concepts of Islamic law will be investigated to provide in-depth knowledge related to various Islamic business transactions. You will gain a critical understanding of fiqh al-mu amalat including maal (property), huquq (rights), milkiyah (ownership), and aqd (contract). You will develop an in-depth knowledge of Islamic schools of thoughts and Usul Al-Fiqh. The concept of riba (interest) and gharar (ambiguity) and contemporary related issues will be critically explained and discussed. In addition you will gain enhanced knowledge and skills in the application of Islamic commercial and financial transactions. The module will also evaluate current Islamic finance issues related to Sharia governance and regulation. International Marketing Management This module aims to provide you with a critical understanding of the global marketing process and the opportunity to develop and refine relevant skills in the practice of global marketing. You will gain experience of evaluating and analysing the challenges faced by managers in the development and deployment of a global marketing strategy, and you will develop an advanced awareness of the need to consider a range of alternative approaches to dealing with strategic planning and management issues in order to achieve global or regional competitive advantage. To gain and enhance your critical knowledge and understanding you will consider and critically evaluate key stages of the organisations global marketing planning process. By the end of the module you will have developed a superior appreciation of the processes and outcomes in the implementation of the global marketing planning process.
Financial Management and Decision Making This module is designed to introduce managers (usually who have no previous background in finance) to the concepts of financial management, and to explore the corporate aspects, and their differing organisational contexts, that determine sources of corporate funding. The module will also consider legal and other key issues, affecting corporate financial management. It will develop your knowledge and understanding of the theoretical concepts of financial management, and enable you to analyse and evaluate financial statements to provide a basis for informed decision-making. You will develop an understanding of capital budgeting, strategic financial issues and control systems and how they can assist more informed decisions. Human Resource Management This module aims to provide a general introduction to HRM in organisations. It will show an awareness of the merits and difficulties associated with new and different forms of work patterns and job designs aimed at enhancing performance, motivation and commitment. It will contribute to the wider debate by examining the organisational functions that are attributed to human resource managers. Islamic Finance and Investment This module will help you to develop a critical understanding of the concepts and practical operations of the Islamic financial sector. It will also help you to critically assess the unique issues associated with Islamic financial products and operations. In addition, you will be able to identify the risk elements related to Islamic financial products and mitigation techniques relating to Islamic banking. You will also develop a clear understanding of Zakat and Waqf and their crucial role within the Islamic financial sector. This module will also help you to extend your analytical skills to assess the developments and contemporary issues related to the Islamic capital market and Sukuk. An introduction to takaful will be delivered giving an in-depth knowledge of the prohibited elements in conventional insurance from an Islamic perspective. Takaful models will be explored and discussed to enhance critical understanding of this important area of Islamic Finance. Corporate governance and regulations will be comprehensively introduced followed by issues and challenges faced by the Islamic finance and investment sector. Strategic Management and Leadership Strategic Management and Leadership is a fundamental and necessary requirement for organisations faced by rapidly changing socio-economic and political landscapes. The module appreciates the relationship between leadership skills and abilities, and the incessant strategic development and evolution of organisations. This is set against a context where leadership is seen as a proactive and dynamic process incorporating organisational vision, processes and politics.
The module is designed to enhance your knowledge of the importance and role of strategic planning and decision-making within contemporary organisations. It seeks to explore the complex challenges and issues faced by organisational leaders and provide the framework and tools to think about these in a structured and systematic way. Skills of strategic thinking and analysis will be applied to current and future challenges in a way that demonstrates both theoretical understanding and practical application. In this regard, you will be required to critically evaluate a strategic plan and make innovative recommendations for improvement. Research and Study Skills This module supports your success on the MBA Islamic Banking programme as a whole and allows you to develop your academic skills including writing skills, information literacy skills and presentation skills. Research Methods This module prepares you for the dissertation. It will enable you to make informed decisions about which research methods are appropriate under particular circumstances and specifically in relation to your own research. You will develop your knowledge of a range of research tools and analytical techniques. You will also receive guidance on the structuring of your dissertation. MBA Dissertation (Islamic Finance) The dissertation provides you with the opportunity to undertake an extended and substantial piece of research; to synthesise the academic knowledge acquired from the taught MBA Islamic Finance modules and to produce an evaluative and critical discussion of strategic issues relevant to the international Islamic Finance topic under study. The dissertation follows the completion of the research methods module which is a prerequisite for commencement of the dissertation. Following receipt of feedback from the second research methods assignment, you will improve the initial three chapters and in conjunction with your supervisor s guidance, you will then undertake data gathering either by fieldwork or desk research or some combination of both, evaluate and synthesise the findings and present them clearly. You will also present a set of conclusions drawn from the findings. 4. Careers Careers & and professional development The MBA Islamic Finance is a new variant of the internationally recognised management qualification sought by those who wish to either inject pace into their goals of career progression or those who wish to be well-prepared to find opportunities with Islamic Finance Institutions and regulatory agencies.
On completing the programme you will be qualified to pursue a career in wide range of management roles in the Islamic Finance Sector, and in the public, private and voluntary sectors. Modern employers pay a high premium for graduates with expertise in this high-demand sector. Others may opt to commence study for a research degree (MPhil, DBA or PhD). Professional recognition On successful completion of the MBA Islamic Finance (Executive) programme you may apply for membership to the Chartered Management Institute. Please note that terms and conditions apply. More details are available from http://www.managers.org.uk/ 5. Fees and Funding 12,500 - Fees Scholarships of up to 4,000 are also available. For further details please contact the Director of the Centre for Islamic Finance. 6. Contact For an informal discussion and further details about the course including fees and admission please contact: Professor Mohammed Abdel-Haq Email: Mohammed.Abdel-Haq@bolton.ac.uk Tel: +44 (0)1204 903162 Or Dr Sabri Mohammad Email: Sabri.Mohammad@bolton.ac.uk Tel: +44 (0) 1204 903162