2013 Hull University Business School
Contents The Hull approach 2 How your programme works 5 Programme content 6 Career development and networking opportunities 8 The learning environment 10 Applying for the Executive MBA 12 Set in attractive grounds, our Business School is housed in historic buildings with state-of-the-art facilities. www.hull.ac.uk/hubs 1
The Hull approach Welcome to the class of 2013 Join the global network of students and graduates for whom the MBA is a progressive and lifeenhancing qualification. will help you develop as a confident, responsible business professional with the advanced skills required by today s fast-changing, competitive world. World-class teaching and learning facilities, as well as a supportive learning environment are central to your Hull University Business School experience. Although the workload is demanding, I have found a way to get my study/work/ life balance just about right. The course requires commitment there is no doubt about that but once you establish a pattern of study that works for you, it is definitely manageable. Neeti Gupta Hull Executive MBA Our students have a variety of reasons for enrolling on this year s programme. From fulfilling their potential and delivering the competitive edge to their organisations to acquiring advanced skills and a global outlook, they are highly-motivated to learn at a high level and contribute to our vibrant learning community. Your fellow students for 2013, selected from diverse organisations in the public, private and charity sectors, will provide a wealth of expertise, industry knowledge and support. And all this is underpinned by the cutting-edge knowledge and globally-recognised research that is at the heart of the Business School. Our approach The holistic approach of the Hull MBA something we call Connected Thinking enables you to think strategically, recognise important connections, and implement change, while all the time being aware of the needs of the wider organisational context and global business environment. My MBA studies provided me with a breadth of knowledge across several industries. I gained both a practical and academic understanding, which has proved invaluable in my role...it enhanced my ability, as a leader, to think creatively. I gained the confidence to ensure success, by managing change in attitude and culture proactively. Sara Davidson, BMW Group UK Ltd. At the school, we re committed to developing responsible leadership for a complex world, and ethical business practices are at the heart of the Hull MBA. We are proud to be one of the first academic institutions to sign up to the Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) initiative and to be an active player in the European Academy of Business in Society (EABIS). And our Triple Crown of independent, global accreditations from AMBA, EQUIS and AACSB something only 15 business schools in the UK and 1% globally have earned confirms our status as a leading UK business school. What are the benefits of the MBA? Long-term success based on the development of core skills in problem solving, leadership, strategy development and communication A professional qualification, the Chartered Management Institute Level 7 Diploma is awarded to all MBA graduates. Fast-track application for Chartered Manager status is also available. A robust personal development programme, tailored to your needs, allowing you to make an immediate and positive contribution in your organisation. Access to global networks and ongoing support long after your programme has finished through our Alumni Connect scheme. Interaction with managers from a rich variety of private, public and voluntary sector organisations, enabling you to share experiences of practice in different industries and gain a broad perspective on challenging issues. 2 www.hull.ac.uk/hubs 3
How your programme works A degree which is accredited by internationally-recognised bodies and awarded by an established educational institution How is it delivered? The Executive MBA by part-time study is completed over two The MBA Dissertation Following successful completion of the programme, the Opportunities to address real issues and add significant organisational value on a consultancy-style project. Varied recent examples have included working with a local church helping to identify additional income streams and reviewing the loan approval process for a national banking group. years and is typically delivered over long weekends to accommodate work commitments. Participants take 12 modules, organised around the integrated themes and delivered on a block basis, typically 15,000-word dissertation provides you with an opportunity to carry out a significant piece of research in an area of personal interest related to the world of business and management. Who is it for? Graduates with at least three years appropriate experience can apply. The Hull MBA has over a long weekend. On completion of the taught elements, time is spent working independently with expert academic supervision on the dissertation. Your dissertation can be based around a project for your organisation. Past areas of investigation have included research into HRM and relocation, market share, costing, proven to be beneficial to a wide range of individuals from different sectors and at different stages of their career. This ensures a rich mix of participants from the private, public and voluntary sectors, bringing together a variety of perspectives and experience. Those taking up study must have a sustained level of motivation and commitment to the programme. In order to maximise the potential for intellectual growth and development, The taught elements of the Hull MBA are organised around five interconnected key themes, ensuring that learning in one area can be associated with and deepen understanding in all others. The main functional areas in business are addressed across the themes of Managing Relationships, Managing the maintenance of machinery, biofuels, marketing material and the application of private sector techniques in the public sector. With careful selection, your dissertation can address pressing issues and add significant value to your organisation. We have sponsored three of our managers to undertake the Executive MBA in the last 5 years and all have successfully completed the course and returned more rounded and capable. They are all now operating at a higher level in the organisation. They found the structure highly effective. The Thursday to Sunday classroom sessions were effective in delivering reams of information, the 4-6 weeks in between provided the time to digest the info and complete the assignments with the right balance of urgency and pace. participants will also need an enquiring and open mind and be willing to share their own knowledge of and perspectives on issues that affect every business. Applications from those with senior-level experience, but without an undergraduate degree, are always welcomed. Value Chain, and Managing Knowledge, providing you with a comprehensive overview of how modern organisations operate. Alongside this specialist expertise the programme cultivates a broad perspective on the management of complex organisations, management decision making and the personal and professional skills needed to operate effectively in dynamic international contexts. This is achieved through integrative material on the themes of Managing in a Global Context and Managing Strategically, exploring issues that run throughout the programme and across the functional themes. Further modules enable participants to focus on particular interests by deepening and broadening their understanding in a range of diverse and regularly updated areas. These provide the opportunity to customise the programme according to the needs of you and your organisation, and enhance your MBA through sophisticated subject knowledge delivered by experts in the subject area. Linked to the five key themes, these modules enable participants to focus on developing capabilities in leadership and change management or in specialist functional areas. International awareness To help enhance your global perspective, we provide opportunities for you to gain international experience, network with different groups, and explore other business interests in other cultures. All MBA participants studying at Hull are encouraged to enhance their international perspective by taking one of their taught modules alongside the Hull MBA cohort in Bahrain, Muscat, Hong Kong or Singapore. Through this you will gain a valuable cultural experience, enlarge your familiarity with international business contexts and practices, and widen your networks and circle of colleagues and friends. The international study option will also include organisational visits at the overseas location. These company visits will be hosted by a fellow MBA participant at his or her workplace, ensuring a shared context for host and visitor and fostering comparative perspectives among the Hull MBA community. David Bishop, Director of Strategy Development at KCOM Group Plc. 4 www.hull.ac.uk/hubs 5
Programme content It was the best and most productive learning experience of my managerial career. The benefits to my own personal learning and my organisation were evident from the outset. My career has now developed considerably from a senior manager to governing one of the top high-security prisons in the UK. Paul Foweather, Senior Leader Governor, HMP Full Sutton, at National Offender Management Service The module content of the Hull MBA programme, organised under the five key themes, is updated each year to ensure that it is relevant to the real world. Theme: Managing in a Global Context Managing in organisations develops understanding of the nature of contemporary organisations, and the challenges of managing within complex and volatile environments. It examines issues such as leadership and managing change in culturally diverse environments and explores how organisational structures and processes can enable effective working practices. Organisational change, innovation and corporate governance explores the best way to encourage effective interventions in the context of ethics. This module encourages you to develop and enhance analytical and diagnostic competencies, while exploring the nature of creativity in organisational settings. You ll gain an appreciation of entrepreneurial and intrapreneurial practices and look at effective leadership at strategic and operational levels. International business provides a sound understanding of internationalisation of business activities to enable you to undertake robust analysis of the impact of changes to business environments caused by the globalisation process. You ll understand what factors should be considered and how these may be analysed to appraise the effectiveness of management systems and structures in an evolving and complex global environment. Theme: Managing Relationships Human resource management enables you to develop your understanding of key issues of managing people in the workplace combining aspects of HRM strategy and practice and examining the ways in which elements of human resource management affect and support the performance of individuals, groups and teams and the organisational whole. Economic environment provides a broad introduction to the main concepts of economics, with a particular focus on how to apply an economic perspective to the wide variety of issues and problems you are likely to encounter in your profession. These range from pricing decisions and strategies at the firm level, to the international effects of exchange rates, and other global factors. Theme: Managing the Value Chain Marketing introduces key theoretical marketing concepts and basic aspects of applied marketing practice in the context of strategic marketing management within different organisational contexts. You ll see how marketing activities can help organisations build strategic and sustainable value, resulting in competitive advantage. Operations management is concerned with the process of creating and delivering products and services. It considers key issues involved in managing the operations function; the primary tools and techniques for managing the improvement of the operations function; and demonstrate operations management's strategic importance to organisations. Theme: Managing Knowledge Accounting and finance for managers delivers a solid understanding of the role of accounting and finance in an organisation and the ability to communicate effectively with specialist accounting and finance staff. It provides an overview of the use of financial statements and accounting information for decision-making, considering the various sources of finance available to organisations, as well as capital investment appraisal techniques. Research methods provides the tools and techniques to design and conduct a research project, drawing on the skills and knowledge developed during the course. It is an opportunity to develop your interests in a particular area and demonstrate an ability to undertake a significant piece of individual research. Skills gained, such as data collection and analysis, will not only prepare you for your dissertation but will benefit you throughout your career. Theme: Managing Strategically Managing holistically helps you understand the need for managers to adopt a systems approach in order to promote better management decision-making within complex organisations. This approach requires managers to be creative and innovative in order to get an holistic view of the context for strategic management and problem-solving. Strategic management does not aim to deliver ready techniques or tools, but to explore the complexity, richness and debates in and around strategic management. Its goal is to facilitate you in asking critical questions ones which will lead to the development of creative insights and innovative solutions to organisational problems. Consultancy and intervention aims to develop your skills in carrying out internal consultancy and 'change' initiatives in your workplace. You ll gain greater insight into the process and tactics of consultancy, developing understanding of theoretical concepts associated with the management of change and the client/consultant relationship. Learning will also take place through a live consultancy intervention conducted in a small group. 6 www.hull.ac.uk/hubs 7
Career development and networking opportunities A comprehensive programme of personal and professional development (PDP) is integrated into the MBA course to help you achieve your career goals. PDP activity complements the course content, so you will grow as a business professional at the same time as you are learning new tools and techniques. We will help you to uncover the strengths you already have and to develop further in areas including leadership, communication, analysis, problem solving and teamwork. Just one way in which we do this is through bespoke coaching and access to CareerLeader a tool used by top business schools, designed specifically for MBA students to help define career goals. The support that we provide does not end with graduation. We encourage all our students to keep in touch with us after they have finished their studies by joining our global community of more than 26,000 graduates. These range from senior managers in functional areas to chief executives in organisations including Hilton International, Rolls-Royce, KPMG, Ernst & Young, Ericsson, HSBC and UNICEF. Through our Alumni Connect scheme you will have access to tailored career development advice and support, webinars, networking events, online resources and more, to help you continue your professional growth wherever you are located and whatever your business. MBA participants further benefit from the school s affiliation with AMBA, a worldwide contact network, around two-thirds of whose members are senior managers, board directors or CEOs. All MBA graduates are also able to take advantage of automatic membership of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) at Licentiate level and to the Chartered Management Institute (CMI). Upon successful completion of the MBA, participants will be awarded the CMI Level Seven Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership and will be able to apply for Chartered Manager Status. As well as thought-provoking business simulations and games, guest speakers and research seminars enliven the learning experience, bringing module content to life and provoking fresh insights into business practice. More than a stylishly appointed reception area, the main entrance to the Business School is a place to share experiences and best practice. 8 www.hull.ac.uk/hubs 9
About Hull and the region The learning environment Hull University Business School provides a stimulating environment in which fundamental issues within international business and management are studied, developed and used to influence practice. Hull University Business School is only the 15th business school in the UK to earn the prestigious Triple Crown of accreditations for our business and management provision. Only 1% of business schools world-wide have achieved Triple Crown status by earning AACSB accreditation, the European Foundation for Management Development quality mark, EQUIS, and the Association of MBA (AMBA) accreditation for the MBA programme. The school is housed in four inspiring listed buildings which have been sympathetically renovated to accommodate the seamless integration of first-class modern facilities, including dedicated computer suites, a 500-seat lecture theatre and a fair-trade cafe. Our postgraduate students further benefit from our world-class Logistics Institute and the University s vast library collections and electronic information resources as well as access to extensive, modern ICT facilities. Further information on the school and its resources can be found at www.hull.ac.uk/hubs. The University of Hull The University of Hull, England s 14th-oldest university, is a centre of excellence in teaching and research and has a reputation as one of Britain s friendliest universities. It has active links to industry and commerce and to the local community as well as an international reputation. Dining out plenty of choice in bars and restaurants in the city centre, above. Traditional buildings at the heart of the city are testimony to Hull s rich heritage, right. More information on the University, its achievements and its facilities for graduate students can be found at www.hull.ac.uk. About the city of Hull Hull combines the very best of an urban waterfront location with a rich heritage. In addition to being one of Europe s busiest port complexes, providing access to 320 million customers across mainland Europe within 24 hours, the region is positioning itself to become a key player in the renewable power sector, with the cornerstone being the development of Green Port Hull. Because of its location at the gateway to Europe, multinational organisations choose to base their operations in Hull and the region. The region is a manufacturing hub and home to the healthcare giants Smith & Nephew and Reckitt Benckiser, as well as BP and Kimberly-Clark. The cities of Sheffield, Leeds, Manchester, Nottingham and York are easily accessible by rail or road and the direct train service from Hull to London takes around 2.5 hours. Hull is also served by international airports at Manchester, Leeds and Humberside and overnight ferries to Europe, making the city well connected for travel further afield. Hull enjoys an urban waterfront location. 10 www.hull.ac.uk/hubs 11
Applying for the Executive MBA Our corporate partners University of Hull Published August 2012 Hull University Business School welcomes suitably qualified individuals to apply for entry to its MBA programmes. To be eligible for admission, applicants should normally possess a minimum of three years appropriate post-graduation work experience a good degree awarded by a UK university or comparable overseas institution, or an equivalent professional qualification Applicants with degrees from non-english speaking countries will be required to demonstrate English language proficiency. Applicants who do not have a degree or equivalent professional qualification and meet the other eligibility criteria may submit a Portfolio of Evidence to demonstrate that they can benefit from, contribute to and succeed on the programme. Please contact us for guidance. You must also submit a University of Hull Postgraduate Application Form, completed and signed a current detailed CV a 200-word personal statement indicating what you hope to gain from the MBA and the contribution you would make to the programme two good letter-headed work references proof of qualifications to date How to apply You can apply online or download an application form through the Postgraduate section of the University website at www.hull.ac.uk. E pgstudy@hull.ac.uk www.hull.ac.uk/hubs. Scholarships and fees The Business School offers a number of scholarships and bursaries to UK/EU and international MBA students each year. Further details can be found at www.hull.ac.uk/hubs-awards or through the Business School website at www.hull.ac.uk/hubs. Contact us Information about applying for MBA programmes, tuition fees, and scholarships and bursaries can also be found on the MBA pages of the Business School website at www.hull.ac.uk/hubs. If you wish to discuss any aspect of your application, please contact: Admissions Team Hull University Business School Hull, HU6 7RX, UK T +44 (0)1482 463254 F +44 (0)1482 463370 E businessmasters@hull.ac.uk www.hull.ac.uk/hubs Business Connections In addition to our corporate partners, we would like to thank the following organisations for engaging with the Business School: Airbus Cummins Deloitte Enterprise Rent A Car GE Money General Motors Gist Hewlett Packard IBM Institute of Directors KPMG L Oreal Marks & Spencer Microsoft National Grid NHS Oxford Economics Samsung Siemens Sony The Walt Disney Company Disclaimer This publication is intended principally as a guide for prospective students. The matters covered by it may be subject to change from time to time, both before and after students are admitted, and the information contained in it does not form part of any contract. While every reasonable precaution was taken in the production of this brochure, the University does not accept liability for any inaccuracies. 2759~SH Sept 2012 12 www.hull.ac.uk/hubs 13
Our AMBA accredited MBA provides a holistic perspective for developing responsible, strategic leaders; equipped to succeed in a fast-changing, competitive world with an approach we call Connected Thinking. Go beyond www.hull.ac.uk Admissions Service University of Hull Hull, HU6 7RX T 01482 466850 F 01482 442290 E pgstudy@hull.ac.uk