3. 3
University of St Mark & St John has over 170 years of heritage,
tradition, academic excellence and experience working in
partnership with higher education institutions to offer a broad
range of collaborative higher education programmes.
Academically, the University of St Mark & St John strives for
excellence. The National Student Survey results have placed the
University of St Mark & St John in the top 15% of all institutions.
In the Sunday Times University Guide, it was ranked 4th for
Teaching Excellence (ahead of Oxford University) and 3rd
overall amongst university colleges.
The University of St Mark & St John offers a great range of
courses from Foundation Degrees & Progression Courses to
Honours Degrees and
Postgraduate study.
Amongst the oldest and most experienced teacher training
providers in the South West, the University of St Mark & St John
has been successfully training teachers since 1840, receiving
praise in the Ofsted inspections. The University of St Mark &
St John has excellent links with local schools and is both well
known and well respected.
Staff are passionate about their subjects and work hard to
help students fulfill their potential and succeed in their studies.
They provide plenty of contact time in a supportive and
friendly environment.
The University of St Mark & St John wants to ensure that you
are well prepared for employment when you graduate, so it
provides all the transferable skills you need, along with practical
experience in relevant employment fields. The University of
St Mark & St John supplies an excellent careers service and
the most recent government statistics show that over 90% of
graduates are either in employment or continuing in higher
education six months after graduation.
Located in the South west of England, Plymouth is
perfectly situated to make the most of the countryside,
moorland and coast.
University of St Mark & St John
Staff are passionate about their
subjects and work hard to help
students fulfill their potential
and succeed in their studies.
4. 4 Why study online
Studying online gives you the opportunity to adapt YOUR time to the course and not the
other way around. Progress is made at YOUR pace and you may enjoy the flexibility study-
ing online provides, in regards to where and when to study. It is completely interactive,
giving you the opportunity to communicate with fellow students and your personal tutor
via emails, discussion boards and chat rooms.
Technology mediated learning seems all set to enhance the accessibility of modules
and in fact, pursuing a degree has become much easier now with the introduction of
online modules through a state of the art learning environment.
Online study is far more convenient and flexible than traditional face-to-face classes. With
the University of St Mark & St John, your degree comes to you. Wherever you are, you can
study for your MBA.
Although it is a self-study module, you will always have the support of our teaching
faculty and communication with fellow students through our online learning platform.
The MBA degree you earn will hold the same value, acceptance and credibility as any
equivalent degree earned in a traditional campus environment.
There are no compulsory residential elements to our degrees â though you can, if you
wish, attend our tutorials or take some modules on campus.
With the University of
St Mark & St John, your
degree comes to you.
Wherever you are, you can
study for your MBA
5. 5
Highlights of online learning
n The prospect of earning your MBA online offers a state of the art learning environment,
the freedom to participate in classes whenever and wherever you choose and the
opportunity to earn the highly respected degree you need to advance your career.
n Your classes will take place in an online environment. You can log in at any time at
your convenience. Once online, youâll communicate with your instructors and fellow
students, read assigned texts, access digital materials, post assignments and comment
on other studentâs assignments. While youâre required to log in at least two separate
days each week, you will, of course, benefit greatly from regular and more frequent
attendance.
n Your online course experience will take place on an advanced learning management
system designed to facilitate the optimal learning experience for students. In addition
to the educational platform youâll utilize to communicate with faculty and fellow
students, youâll also have access to e-textbooks offering you the capability to highlight,
annotate, create bookmarks, search, download and self-assess.
n Similar to a campus classroom, the online experience will include extensive participation
and interaction with faculty and fellow students.Youâll also use the online forum to
communicate with advisors, teaching assistants and instructional specialists.
n Once you have successfully completed your degree, you will be eligible to participate
in the traditional graduation ceremony at our campus in Plymouth. The annual
ceremony takes place in the autumn.
n Module sequences begin each month, so you can enroll in and begin your degree
programme, immediately putting you that much closer to your graduation.
n Youâll take one module at a time, each lasting 6 weeks. This advanced learning method
designed for adults allows you to concentrate your entire focus on one subject area
before moving onto the next, while also allowing you to earn your degree in an
accelerated time frame.
n The MBA degree you earn will hold the same value, acceptance and credibility as any
equivalent degree earned in a traditional campus environment.
n An S.O.L. (supported open learning) option is available at selected and approved centres
where students benefit from on-campus tutorials in addition to online learning.
6. 6
Duration Of Modules:
The University of St Mark St John online MBA modules are of 6
weeks duration each. Students take one module at a time and upon
successful completion they can take the next.
Evaluation Of Performance
Continuous evaluation of student performance is undertaken
throughout the offering of each module. This includes evaluation of
assignments, tests and projects.
CreditTransfer
If you have successfully completed post graduate modules, your
studies may be able to count towards the credit requirements of the
online MBA. If we accept the transfer of credits this will reduce the
number of modules you will need to study with the University of
St Mark St John and allow you to gain the MBA in a shorter period
of time.
To find out more about credit transfer opportunities please email
our Academic Affairs department.
*The transferability of credits is subject to the University of St Mark
St Johnâs transfer credit policies, and requires the submission of official
transcripts. The official transcripts will be evaluated to determine the
credits that will officially apply toward a degree programme.
Grading System
The grading policy for the MBA is the following:
Grade and numerical equivalent
Distinction 70 - 100
Merit 60 - 69
Pass 50 - 59
Condonable Fail 40 - 49
Fail 1 - 39
No Work Submitted 0
Academic Policies and Regulations
7. MBA Admission Policy
The University of St Mark St John online MBA is a rigorous
academic programme for high-potential business professionals.
The Office of Admissions takes into account all aspects of each
candidateâs profile: academic, professional and personal, with a
view towards admitting all those who are eligible for graduate
business education, show strong potential and determination
for career success and can contribute to a rewarding, collective
educational experience.
Minimum admission requirements for the Online MBA programme:
1. An accredited Bachelorâs degree (European, American or
equivalent) is required for admission to the MBA programme.
Some professional qualifications may also be acceptable.
Extensive professional experience may also be considered for
admission to the programme.
2. Proficiency in English - Students satisfy the English requirements
if their first degree was taught in English. Otherwise, they would
need to present a minimumTOEFL score of 550 paper-based or
213 computer-based, or GCSEâOâLevel with minimumâCâor
IELTS with a score of 6.5 or score placement at the MBA English
Placement Test which can be taken online. The University offers
English modules at various levels to help students reach the
required standard for admission.
3. Official transcripts from all universities or colleges and other
post-secondary educational institutions (including trade
schools) attended. Instead of hard copy transcripts, you may
supply official electronic transcripts issued by a post-secondary
institution directly to The University of St Mark St John online.
You must supply transcripts regardless of the number of credits
earned or the type of school you attended. If you do not list all
post-secondary institutions on your application and these are
Studying online gives you
the opportunity to adapt
YOUR time to the course and
not the other way around.
7
Admission Requirements
8. 8
listed on transcripts received from other institutions, processing
of your application will be delayed until you have submitted the
remaining transcripts.
4. Academic Background - Applicants with a non-business
background can be admitted onto the programme but they may
have to take preparatory foundation modules.
5. Personal Statement - a personal statement is required as part of the
admission process to the MBA programme.
Please note all submitted materials become the property of
The University of St Mark St John online.
Progression Routes
Direct entry into specific levels of the MBA programmes is possible
for those candidates who hold business related Level 7 qualifications
and wish toâtop-upâtheir diplomas to an MBA degree, provided the
learning outcomes of their award satisfy those of the equivalent
levels of the MBA programme for which they seek admission. Direct
Entry and other AP(E)L (approved prior and experiential learning)
opportunities are considered on an individual basis. Details of such
opportunities can be discussed with an Admissions Adviser.
Period Of Study
The The University of St Mark St John MBA takes a minimum of 12
months to complete. Typically students require 18 months.
Application/Registration
Students can complete the Application/Admission procedure online
through the MBA website
www.ucpmarjononline.co.uk
After the submission of the application form and the payment of the
application fee, the studentâs application form is processed and a
decision is reached within 2 working days.
Upon admission the student is requested to pay the initial deposit
and then is given access to the VLE (Virtual Learning Environment).
Applicants are requested to submit the following documents:
n Completed MBA Application Form
n Copies of academic qualifications
n Academic Transcript/Grade Report
n Other certificates or examination results
n TOEFL/GCE/GCSE/IELTS results
n GMAT results
n Recent photo
n Curriculum Vitae
TheOfficeofAdmissionswillnotprocessanyApplication forAdmission
unlessallrequireddocuments,aslistedabove,aresubmitted.
10. 10
The MBA
PROGRAMME STRUCTURE
The The University of St Mark St John MBA Programme requires
students to complete 46 credit hours/120 ECTS, in order to obtain the
MBA Degree.
The The University of St Mark St John MBA Core Programme
consists of 9 Core Modules. These Core Modules are designed
to provide the student with an integrated education in all the
fundamental areas of business.
CORE MODULES
CREDITS ECTS
MBA-604 Decision Making Tools and
Research Methodologies 15 7.5
MBA-607 Organizations and HR Management 15 7.5
MBA-608 Business Economics 15 7.5
MBA-621 Financial Managerial Accounting 15 7.5
MBA-622 Financial Management 15 7.5
MBA-667 Strategic Marketing 15 7.5
MBA-670 Operations Quality Management 15 7.5
MBA-685 Corporate Strategy 15 7.5
OPTION A - MANAGEMENT SPECIALIZATION (choose 4)
CREDITS ECTS
MBA-701 Organizational Behavior 3 7.5
MBA-703 Business Ethics 3 7.5
MBA-706 Managing Corporate Change 3 7.5
MBA-707 Entrepreneurship and SMEâs 3 7.5
OPTION B - MARKETING SPECIALIZATION
CREDITS ECTS
MBA-713 Consumer Behavior 3 7.5
MBA-717 Corporate Social Responsibility 3 7.5
MBA-718 Marketing Communications 3 7.5
MBA-719 Global Marketing 3 7.5
OPTION C - FINANCE SPECIALIZATION (choose 4)
CREDITS ECTS
MBA-721 Portfolio Analysis 3 7.5
MBA-723 Financial Risk Management 3 7.5
MBA-726 Working Capital Management 3 7.5
MBA-728 Advanced Corporate Finance 3 7.5
OPTION D - MIS SPECIALIZATION
CREDITS ECTS
MBA 730 Business Intelligence 3 7.5
MBA 731 Enterprise Information Systems 3 7.5
MBA 732 Systems Thinking and Practice 3 7.5
MBA 733 MIS Project Management 3 7.5
In partnership with the University of Nicosia
Module sequences begin each
month, so you can enroll in
and begin your degree
programme,immediately
13. 13
MBA â 604 DECISION MAKING TOOLS AND
RESEARCH METHODOLOGIES
The objective of this module is to introduce students to decision making
methods and tools, as they are applied in business and management. The
module is divided in three parts, the first part introduces inferential statis-
tics, the second part introduces the principles of regression and forecast-
ing methods as applied in business and management and the third part
introduces the principles of optimization and decision theory. A number
of applications and case studies are discussed to provide virtual hands-on
experience in decision making.
MBA â 607 ORGANIZATIONS HR MANAGEMENT
This module provides a comprehensive review of essential personnel
management concepts and techniques focusing on practical applications
that all managers need to deal with in their HR related responsibilities. The
module focuses on specific explanations and illustrations of essential HR
management topics like job analysis, selection and recruitment, testing,
training and development, compensation and performance appraisal
MBA â 608 BUSINESS ECONOMICS
This module critically examines economic and strategic managerial deci-
sions under various economic and market conditions. It also introduces stu-
dents to a vital international comparative perspective in order to highlight
how different economic systems and structures, influence economic and
business performance, market environment and thus corporate strategies.
MBA â 621 FINANCIAL MANAGERIAL ACCOUNTING
This module provides a general overview of financial and management
accounting theory and practice. The focus is on the following topics: cash
flow statements, analysis of financial statements, issues related to contrib-
uted capital (legal capital, preferred stock, treasury stock, stock splits), and
income and changes in retained earnings (earnings per share, dividends,
and statement of changes in stockholdersâequity). In the second half of
the modules, students will address Management Accounting covering
Planning and Control, Short-term Decision Making, Strategic Manage-
ment Accounting and the Management of Working Capital and Sources
of Finance.
MBA â 622 FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
This module addresses the principles, concepts and practices of corporate
financial management, and the theories and applications underlying the
financial decision making process.Topics covered include agency theory,
valuation, capital structure and cost, capital budgeting, corporate bankruptcy,
working capital management, dividend policy, and mergers and acquisitions.
MBA â 667 STRATEGIC MARKETING
This module provides students with a comprehensive knowledge base in
the field of marketing, including its philosophy, application and strategic
context. The module describes the leading theories and models that are
used to explain key concepts in strategic marketing and identifies the
external and internal forces that impact upon the choices involved in the de-
velopment, production and distribution of goods and services. The module
additionally cultivates the skills and competencies required towards strate-
gic marketing planning, with various tools and processes being presented
both as a theoretical basis and in their practical application framework.
Students are finally taught how to practically integrate theory with prac-
tice towards the development of a strategic marketing plan.
MBA â 670 OPERATIONS AND QUALITY MANAGEMENT
This module examines the basic elements of operations management with
particular focus on inputs and suppliers, process and capacity planning,
forecasting, inventory management, product and project management,
implications of globalization, and the issue of quality and competitiveness.
Emphasis is placed on demonstrating how the operations function can
support business strategy.
MBA â 685 CORPORATE STRATEGY
Managers face no greater challenge than that of strategic planning
and strategic management. Guiding a complex organization through a
dynamic, rapidly changing environment requires the best of judgment.
Strategic planning issues are invariably ambiguous and unstructured, and
the way in which management responds to them, determines whether an
organization will succeed or fail. In this capstone module students will be
asked to face the aforementioned challenges. They will become familiar
with the strategic planning process in the for-profit and non-profit sectors,
within the context of the global aspects of strategy.
15. 15
MBA â 701 ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR
This module introduces students to the importance of effective design
and management of organizations through the thoughtful application of
knowledge concerning the behaviour of people in the workplace. The em-
phasis is on the human actor who is central to organizational effectiveness
and success. The module focuses on developing professional competen-
cies related to topics such as motivation, communication, leadership,
group and team work, organizational change design, culture and change
and occupational stress.
MBA â 703 BUSINESS ETHICS
How do people live their lives according to a standard ofârightâorâwrongâ
behaviour? The concepts ofâbusiness ethicsâare examined, where employ-
ees face the dilemma of balancing their own moral standards with those
of the company they work for. Should the business world be viewed as an
artificial environment, where the rules by which you choose to live your
own life donât necessarily apply?
MBA â 706 MANAGING CORPORATE CHANGE
This module focuses on the management of change in contemporary
organizations. The information presented covers the theories, models,
methods and techniques used by change agents to bring about positive
change within organizations. Here, the primary emphasis will be on: (1)
an open systems model of organization; (2) an action research framework
for change agent (consultant) engagement, (3) the interrelated methods
and associated techniques of organizational development, total quality
management, and business process re-engineering, and (4) complemen-
tary tools, techniques and future trends.
MBA â 707 ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND SMEâS
This module demystifies the process of starting a business by present-
ing difficult business concepts in a manner that can be assimilated by
the small business entrepreneur. Students will learn how to start a small
business, operate a small business and turn their ideas into viable business
opportunities..
16. 16
MBA â 713 CONSUMER BEHAVIOR
This module promotes an understanding of consumer decision processes
developed through appropriate applications of behavioural sciences.
Consumer decision making processes are further considered in the con-
text of environmental and cultural dimensions. The implications of these
processes are also considered in relation to product position planning,
marketing organizational strategies, and decision-making in strategic
market planning.
MBA 717 CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
The module aims to provide the students with a comprehensive under-
standing of the Societal Concept of Marketing. Major emphasis is placed
on corporationsâstakeholders, ethics and public policy. Strategies like
Corporate Social Responsibility, Corporate Citizenship, Green Marketing
and Corporate Philanthropy are analyzed through a critical theoreti-
cal approach, case studies and other means of developing the required
knowledge and understanding of the subject. Students will understand
the need for Marketing Managers to create marketing strategies which can
integrate stakeholder interests, respect personal values, support commu-
nity development and at the same time to be economically successful.
MBA â 718 MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS
This module deals with the theoretical background and the practical
skills necessary for the management of an organization and its need to
communicate strategically and effectively in the contemporary media
context. It focuses on the specific tasks of communication within Public
Relations, Promotion Advertising. The student is taught how to practi-
cally apply methods and communication skills in ways which enhance the
functioning of a corporation in the competitive market, while creating and
maintaining a strong image internally and externally, within the general
organizational marketing strategy.
MBA â 719 GLOBAL MARKETING
This module teaches the general principles of marketing as related to
global markets, including foreign market entry, local marketing and its
contribution to global business management. Furthermore, it is designed
to develop studentsâtheoretical understanding of strategic market
planning through the process of case study and simulation of company
decision-making processes.
Marketing
Specialization
17. MBA â 721 PORTFOLIO ANALYSIS
This module critically examines the management of an investment port-
folio under conditions of uncertainty, and choice of strategies to balance
performance and risk. Portfolio objectives of individuals, corporations
and funds and practical and theoretical problems associated with the
techniques of optimal portfolio selection, construction and revision are
addressed. Measurement of portfolio performance and related empirical
evidence and the role of IT in portfolio management are also covered.
MBA â 723 FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT
This module addresses the identification of financial risk and design of
optimal risk management programmes and the financial instruments used
for financial risk management. Topic areas covered include interest rate fu-
tures, stock index futures, currency futures, international financial futures,
commodity futures, stock and stock index options, options on futures,
swaps, and financial engineering products.
MBA â 726 WORKING CAPITAL MANAGEMENT
This module analyses the long and short-term resource allocation strate-
gies used by corporations. The module covers working capital manage-
ment, including but not limited to cash management and inventory
management models, and combines theory and application. Furthermore,
it analyzes intermediate theories and techniques of cash, accounts receiv-
able, inventory, and accounts payable management.
MBA 728 ADVANCED CORPORATE FINANCE
Corporate finance is the specific area of finance dealing with the financial
decisions made within corporations and focuses specifically upon the
tools and analysis used to make such decisions. The corporationâs value is
enhanced when the return on long term capital exceeds its cost managing
at the same time efficiently and effectively the corporationâs working capi-
tal. Corporate finance therefore, is essential to safeguard the maximization
of return to the invested funds in a corporation.
17
Finance
Specialization
19. MBA 730 BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE
The module aims to provide students with conceptual and practical Busi-
ness Intelligence skills that will equip them with a competitive edge in
almost any contemporary workplace. This module aims to examine data
mining aspects including data capturing, cleansing, validation, storage
and analysis. Ultimately, the student will be able to organise and manage a
Business Intelligence unit for his/her organisation.
MBA 731 ENTERPRISE INFORMATION SYSTEMS
This module examines the role of Information Systems and Information
Technologies in improving business efficiency and effectiveness. Issues
covered include developing structured frameworks to manage business
processes, tactics and tools used to ensure that the organization targets its
EIS development, Information Communication Technology planning and
control processes and how data is created generated and flows through
EIS systems.
MBA 732 SYSTEMS THINKING AND PRACTICE
This module explores how to solve problems while taking into account all
the different aspects and their relationships. Issues covered include system
concepts and languages, how to use System Thinking to analyse and im-
prove situations, appreciate the observers bias in system creation and an
ability to apply Soft System Methodology to analysing a problem.
MBA 733 MIS PROJECT MANAGEMENT
This module prepares the student to successfully manage projects solving
business problems with technology. The main issues covered are project
plans and schedules, project resource administration, managing teams,
using project management tools and techniques and developing the skills
to analyse the implications of change.
19
Studying online gives
you the opportunity
to adaptYOUR time to
the course and not the
other way around.