What are the objectives of the Bournemouth MBA?

The Bournemouth MBA is intended to provide a first-class management development experience that will enable you to become a more effective manager and enjoy the associated benefits of enhanced career progression and wider opportunity. The MBA provides a thorough grounding in business and management disciplines and develops the personal skills that will mark you out as a successful manager .

What will I gain from studying on the Bournemouth MBA?

You will gain a thorough grounding in all of the key business and management disciplines, the latest ideas, tools and techniques for solving organisational problems, and the personal skills and self-confidence that will mark you out as a successful manager.

What does the Business Research Project entail?

The business project involves working on a business or management issue or area of concern, in order to identify an answer or key recommendations for improvement. The work is likely to involve the application of relevant ideas and best-practice to real organisational problems.

Should my Bachelors degree be in a particular subject area?

We will consider applications with qualifications from all subject areas.

If I do not have a Bachelors degree may I still apply for the Bournemouth MBA?

We normally do require a Bachelors degree with three years of relevant work experience. However, if you do not meet these criteria you are still welcome to apply and the MBA Director will review your application.

Do I need to take an English language test such as IELTS or TOEFL?

Yes, if English is not your native language and your Bachelors degree has not been taught in English*.  We require a minimum of IELTS 6.5 (academic) overall with a minimum of 5 in writing and TOEFL score of 90 Internet Based Test.

If I have under three years work experience can I still apply for the Bournemouth MBA?

Our standard entry criteria requires three years of relevant work experience in addition to a good Bachelor Honours degree. However, if you do not meet this criteria we would still welcome an application from you. Your application will be assessed by the MBA Director for suitability for the Bournemouth MBA.

* Although certain countries teach their degrees in English the level is not suitable for entry onto our MBA. Our MBA Admissions Team are able to advise.

If I have under three years work experience can I still apply for the Bournemouth MBA?

Our standard entry criteria requires three years of relevant work experience in addition to a good Bachelor Honours degree. However, if you do not meet this criteria we would still welcome an application from you. Your application will be assessed by the MBA Director for suitability for the Bournemouth MBA.

Will you consider work experience I obtained whilst studying my Bachelors degree?

Yes we will take this into consideration when reviewing your application but the quality of your work experience will be considered along with period of time you have been working for.

Can I submit an application online?

Yes you can. Save your time and receive a speedy response by using our Online Application Service on our How to Apply pages .

Can I submit an application by post or fax?

It is possible to apply for the Bournemouth MBA through the post or fax. Details on how to download the form and where to send are on our How to Apply pages.

Do I need to submit any additional supporting documentation along with my application form?

Yes please submit a copy of your CV, copies of your degree certificate(s) and transcripts and English language certificates if applicable. If any of these documents are not in English, you will need to have them translated by an official translator. You will still need to send us your untranslated versions as well.

We will also require two satisfactory references, one of which must be academic (see below), but we can consider your application whilst we wait for these from your referees.

Do I need an academic reference?

If you studied your previous qualification within four years we do expect an academic reference in addition to a professional reference. If you studied more than four years ago we are happy to accept two professional references.

When do I need to apply by?

We do not have a set deadline for applications but if you are an international student it is advisable to do so by the end of July for visa purposes. We will still accept applications after this date. UK and EU applications for the full and part-time routes are advised to apply by the middle of August for the September start.

What if I am not successful in my application?

If this is the case, then we will recommend a suitable course based on your application.

Do I need to attend an interview?

All applications are reviewed by the MBA Director. Should it be necessary to interview you, we will contact you and arrange a mutually convenient time.

Would I need to attend an interview in person?

Generally we would like the interview to take place in person but this isn't always practical. A telephone or video conferencing interview may be arranged as an alternative.

Are there any open days I could attend?

We have a range of MBA and more general open days throughout the year. Come along and Meet/Visit Us.

Is it possible to meet the MBA Director to discuss the Bournemouth MBA and its suitability for me?

Yes if you would like to arrange an appointment please contact us , part of askBU, the University's dedicated future students service.

Do you provide accommodation for full-time MBA professionals?

Yes there is a range of Bournemouth University accommodation for full-time students. To apply, you will need to hold an unconditional offer and have secured your place on the course. Visit the Accommodation page for more information.

What accommodation options are available for part-time students?

Flexible short-term accommodation is available through local private hotels. A list of short-term accommodation (pdf 30kb) is available.

When does the Bournemouth MBA start?

The full- and part-time courses commence in September. Specific dates will be issued in due course.

How often do I need to attend if I am a part-time student?

Following an induction weekend, the course is delivered on a consecutive Friday and Saturday approximately once every four weeks with breaks for the Christmas and Easter vacations.

What is the cost of the Bournemouth MBA?

The cost is £15,000 for both the full one year and part-time two-year course. The cost for the part-time is £7,500 per year.

Are there any scholarships available?

The Business School offers a wide range of scholarships, further information on which can be found on the Fees and Funding page, along with other Bournemouth University scholarships.

What discounts are available?

If you pay your fees in full before or on enrolment you will receive a 5% discount.

BU graduates automatically receive a further 15% discount, and can receive an additional 5% if paying their fee in full.

Am I required to pay a deposit in advance?

In order to secure your place you are required to pay a £1000 deposit in advance. This is only refundable if you fail to meet the conditions of your offer or for international students who have their visa refused (proof will be required).

How many instalments can I pay in?

You can pay in a maximum of 8 instalments.

I am not able to complete an assignment on time

You will need to complete a Mitigating Circumstances Form; this will need to be sent to your Programme Administrator before the assignment deadline. This also applies if you are not able to sit an examination due to illness or personal circumstances. You must attach appropriate supporting evidence to the form e.g. GP note.

How does the marking system work?

The pass mark for all units is 50%. Some units have more than one piece of work. If there is more than one piece of work, you are normally required to achieve 46% or higher in each part of the unit and 50% or higher in the unit as a whole. The weightings of each piece of work within a unit can vary and are detailed in the unit specification or unit outline on myBU. At the other end of the scale, pieces of work achieving a mark of 70% or more are considered to be an extremely good piece of work. Please refer to the University Standard Assessment Regulations for a complete set of details. All marks received are subject to ratification by the next board of examiners.

I have lost my student ID card. Where do I get a replacement?

If you lose your student ID card you need to go to askBU and they will issue you with a replacement, there is a replacement fee of £10.

What do I do if I have failed an assignment?

If your mark is below 50%, please read the University Assessment Regulations for further details. All marks and student profiles are considered at exam boards (held once or twice each year). If you have been unsuccessful in a piece of work, you will be given an instruction after the exam board explaining your next course of action. In most cases this is likely to be a re-submission of work (this may or may not be the same piece of work as you did the first time around), although this decision is dependent upon your whole performance on the course at that time. In the meantime, please continue with your study and concentrate on the units you are currently timetabled to be working through.

I am really struggling to keep up with the workload. What should I do?

If you have circumstances that you feel may have affected your studies during the academic year, you may ask for them to be taken into account by the Board of Examiners. You must complete and submit a Mitigating Circumstances Form. You must attach appropriate supporting evidence to the form e.g. GP note.

What help is there for students/graduates about employment?

Visit the Graduate Employment Service website for more information.

What help is there for international students studying at Bournemouth University?

At BU we hope to be able to help you make the transition between cultures (both academic and social) easier and to give you the tools to manage your learning and social life effectively. On arrival we offer a comprehensive orientation programme and throughout the year we can offer support information or advice. Find out more.