MBA - Frequently Asked Questions
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1. Rankings
2. Accreditation
3. Modes of study
4. Fees, scholarships and funding
5. Eligibility criteria
6. Timings
6.1. Start of course
6.2. Deferral
7. Teaching and faculty
8. Collaborative arrangements
8.1. Tias Nimbas
8.2. Other
9. Applying
9.1. Process
9.2. Application form
1. Rankings
Q: How is the Bradford MBA programme ranked worldwide?
A: Full-Time Programme Financial Times Rankings:
- 14th in the UK
- 25th in Europe
- 95th in the world
2. Accreditation
Q: How is the Bradford MBA programme accredited worldwide?
AMBA (Association of MBAs): We were among the first business schools in the UK to receive portfolio accreditation for all our MBA programmes (including full-time, executive part-time and distance-learning MBAs) from AMBA.
EQUIS: We have the prestigious EQUIS (European Quality Improvement System) which is the leading international system of quality assessment, improvement, and accreditation of higher education institutions in management and business administration, run by the European Quality for Foundation for Management Development.
AACSB: We are currently in the process of being accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), with our aim of achieving this accreditation in 2012. This would give us the Triple Crown of accreditations; around 1% of Business Schools in the world are accredited by all 3 of these organisations.
3. Modes of study
Q: Can you switch between pathways?
A: Yes, if you start on the Full-time MBA for example, you can switch to the Distance learning or Executive, or vice versa, if your circumstances change.
4. Fees, scholarships and funding
Q: What are the tuition fees for the various Bradford MBA programmes?
Fees are £22,450 for students from the UK, EU and International. We recommend that other typical expenses including food and accommodation will cost you approximately £7,500. The fee structure means that 50% of it is required to be paid before the start of teaching and the remaining 50% can be paid in equal instalments every 2 months.
Accelerated MBA:
The fees for the Accelerated MBA are £24,950.
Are there any scholarships available for the MBA?
- Scholarships of up to a maximum of £5,000 are awarded by the School of Management, based on merit for self-funded, or part self-funded, MBA applicants studying a course in Bradford, Perugia or Dubai. Distance-learning students, or those studying elsewhere, will not be eligible to apply for this scholarship
- An Alumni relationship bursaryof 25% of the self-funded element of the MBA fee is offered to Bradford University alumni who meet either of the criteria:
- Achieved a Bradford undergraduate degree at grade I or II(i), whether studied in Bradford or at a partner institution
- Achieved a Bradford Master’s degree (all classifications), whether studied in Bradford or at a partner institution
- A Business relationship bursary of up to 25% on any company-sponsored or part-sponsored MBA programme is available for companies with whom the School has a relationship or demonstrated business engagement. The amount would depend on the strength of the relationship, which might include companies who have previously funded a student on a Bradford programme, employed an undergraduate placement student or MBA student to undertake a project, employed a member of faculty to produce a KTP or research project, commissioned a customised Executive Education programme, or supported the School with speaker events, but this list is not exhaustive and other business engagement activities could be considered eligible.
- The University offers one Academic Excellence award of one third of the total fee, to Bradford MBA applicants
Q: Is Bradford University covered under the Commonwealth Shared Scholarships Scheme?
A: The Bradford MBA is not covered under the Commonwealth Shared Scholarships Scheme. However, the following scholarships are available to view on the link below:
http://www.brad.ac.uk/external/tuitionfees/support/scholarships.php
Q: Is there any discount on fees depending on country of origin or birth (for example if I am from Kenya can I pay lower fees)?
A: No, the tuition fees are the same for everyone in the world.
Q: What payment methods can I use for my fees?
A: Payments for tuition fees, accommodation fees and living expenses can be made either in advance, on arrival or in instalments using one or more of the following methods:
- Credit/Debit Card
- Bank Transfer
- Cheque
- Banker's Draft
The links below provide you with information about paying fees here at Bradford University:
http://www.brad.ac.uk/hub/Payzone/PayingYourFees/
http://www.brad.ac.uk/hub/Payzone/Instalmentplans/
Q: Do you charge extra for exams?
A: We do not charge additional fees for examinations.
Q: What are the living costs for Bradford-based (for example on the Full-time MBA) students?
| Accommodation including heating, lighting and services | £400 to £700 per month |
| Food and drink | £100 to £150 per month |
| Other living expenses including entertainment, telephone calls, clothing, insurance | £150 to £250 per month |
| Books and learning materials | £500 to £800 |
| Travel- Students can purchase an annual student bus ticket which allows unlimited bus travel within West Yorkshire | Approx. £300 per academic year |
Q: Can you arrange a part-time job for me while I am studying?
Some of our full-time MBA students do take part-time jobs in the evenings, at weekends or during vacations. The University of Bradford JobShop advertises such opportunities, and tries to match skills and experience with the vacancies available. However, we do not encourage our full-time MBA students to take part-time work, as the course itself is intensive and demanding. Many workshops and other events are also scheduled outside the usual teaching timetable.
Q: Will I need a work permit to work in the UK?
A: Non-EU students usually require a work permit to work in the UK. Employers normally have to apply for a permit when they offer a job to a non-EU citizen, or students may apply for a permit themselves through the Highly Skilled Migrant Worker scheme. The School of Management cannot give advice on work permits and students are advised to consult the information at www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/workingintheuk/
5. Eligibility criteria (Entry Requirements)
Q: What are the entry requirements for the Bradford MBA?
A: To be eligible for the MBA (all programmes), you will need:
- A first degree from an approved university or another acceptable professional qualification is desirable but is not essential. We recognise that there are experienced and able managers who may not immediately fulfil these normal entry requirements, in which case you are encouraged to apply and be considered on the merits of your career profile and achievements. Usual entry requirement is: UK degree minimum 2:2 (honours); European degree gross percentile average (GPA) of 2.5 out of 4.0 or 6.5 out of 10, or overall average of 70 from 100 per cent.
- At least three years' relevant postgraduate work experience
- Proficiency in English - a 6.5 score on IELTS test of English, 580 in written TOEFL, 240 in computer-based TOEFL or 94 or better in the internet-based TOEFL are needed from non-native speakers. Also you can take a pre-masters English course for international students wishing to improve their English if you have an IELTS score of 6.0 taken within the last 2 years.
- GMAT score of 600 or above within the last 2 years. If you do not have a GMAT score we will arrange for you to take the Bradford Test, which is an online assessment of numerical and verbal reasoning.
Q: Is GMAT an essential requirement of admission for the MBA?
A: If you can attain a GMAT score of 600 or above it will result in you being exempt from the Bradford Test. If you do not get a GMAT score of 600 or above you will be invited to take the alternative Bradford Test.
Q: May I transfer credits from other institutions?
We do allow credit transfer, only from other AMBA accredited institutions and usually for students who have begun a course elsewhere and, having moved home or work, request admission with advanced standing. We normally offer exemption on a subject-by-subject basis.
Q: Can I have an unconditional offer and then study for IELTS?
A: No. We make unconditional offers only to candidates who have met all our admission criteria.
Q: How long and how much is the pre-masters English course?
A: The course fee is £1,500 for the six-week course (accommodation separate). The course starts on 1st August 2011 and finishes on 9th September 2011. You must have a 6.0 IELTS score to do this programme. If you are offered a place on the English course, you must send a £550, non-returnable deposit to secure your place.
Q: I started an MBA course 10 years ago or more, is it possible for me to continue the course where I left off?
A: You cannot continue a course you started so long ago. If you wish to attain an MBA you need to start the course from fresh. This is because the curriculum has changed as well as what employers require students to learn, for example sustainability issues.
Q: Can I come to Bradford University without taking an IELTS or TOEFL test?
A: IELTS and TOEFL are an essential requirement of admission onto the MBA for non-native speakers of English and therefore cannot be waived.
Q: I have less than 3 years experience, can I still apply?
A: Unfortunately you must have 3 years relevant experience to study for the MBA. On the rare occasion that someone has highly relevant experience and will have 3 years by the start of the course (for example has 2 years and 10 months experience at the time of application) we will consider their application.
Q: Can anyone judge my eligibility to join the MBA programme?
A: Your eligibility to join the programme will be evaluated once you apply. You can find an application form, as well as other information about the programme including entry requirements, fees, funding and course structure in the link below:
6. Timings
6.1. Start of course
Q: What are the start dates for the different MBA programmes?
Full-Time MBA:
September each year
Accelerated MBA:
January
6.2. Deferral
Q: Can I defer entry onto the MBA programme?
A: You may be able to defer entry onto the MBA programme, subject to CAS regulations. You should apply for deferral after you have applied for the MBA and the decision is at the discretion of our admissions team.
7. Teaching and faculty
Q: What is the average age of full-time Bradford MBA students?
A: The average age of our full-time MBA students is 29, and they have an average of six years' work experience.
Q: How are the MBA modules structured?
A: The Full-time MBA programme is structured as follows:
In stage 1, you have a formal induction and study 8 compulsory modules:
- Business Accounting
- Business Economics
- Business Research
- Corporate Finance
- Marketing
- Managing People
- Operations Management
- Strategic Management
In stage 2, you study 5 elective modules that you select from the indicative list below:
- Advanced human resource management
- Business simulation
- Capital markets and investment management
- Consumer behaviour
- Corporate marketing
- Corporate social responsibility
- E-business
- Entrepreneurship
- Financial risk management in European banking
- Global supply chain management
- Intellectual property in international business
- International business strategy
- International financial management
- Management of change
- Management of international business in emerging economies
- Managerial leadership
- Marketing communications
- Mergers and acquisitions
- Product innovation
- Project management
- Service quality
- Strategic decision-making
- Sustainable operations
In stage 3, you complete a management project.
Please see the link below for full details about the modular structure:
http://www.bradford.ac.uk/management/programmes/mba/ftmba/study/
8. Collaborative arrangements
8.1. Tias Nimbas
Following a long-standing and successful relationship, TiasNimbas Business School and Bradford University school of Management have announced the termination, with effect from the end of the 2010-11 academic year, of the Fulltime dual degree MBA programme currently delivered in the Netherlands at the TiasNimbas location in Utrecht. Both Schools will, individually, continue to deliver full-time international MBA programmes; TiasNimbas with a new programme based at the Tilburg University campus in the Netherlands and we of course continue with our own MBA in Bradford.
The DBA is unaffected by this change.
8.2. Other
Q: Can you guarantee to find a job for me after I have graduated?
A: Our dedicated career development adviser can provide you with plenty of help in understanding the job market, identifying the qualities that employers seek and finding a job. You may also include your CV in our MBA Directory, which we send annually to recruitment consultants and make available to employers and recruiters as a searchable CV database on the web. We also have a web-based jobs board where recruiters can post jobs for suitable postgraduate students. Because our MBA is a quality qualification, tied closely to the world of work, employers regard it highly. We consequently have an excellent record in helping graduates to gain challenging and rewarding management jobs. However, we cannot guarantee to find a job for each of our MBA graduates.
Q: How much do Bradford MBA graduates earn?
A: This obviously depends on the job the student takes after graduation, and the country in which he or she works. On average, as a student on our full-time programme you can expect to almost double your salary four years after beginning your studies. As a part-timer you can expect, on average, to see a 69 per cent increase.
Q: Is Bradford a safe environment?
A: Bradford is a relatively safe city. Government figures reveal that crimes of robbery and violence against the person occur much less frequently, per head of population, in Bradford than in similar UK cities such as Liverpool, Birmingham, Nottingham and Manchester.
Q: Will I be sure to get accommodation on site?
A: There is accommodation available for all who want it. Some 26 rooms are available at the School of Management campus. Student accommodation is available at the main University of Bradford campus. There is also plenty of good-quality private accommodation available at a reasonable price within walking distance of the School of Management.
For more information about accommodation in and around Bradford, visit:
http://www.unipol.org.uk/bradford/
9. Applying
9.1. Process
Q: My previous employer is unavailable so I cannot get an official recommendation from them. Can an unofficial written recommendation be considered?
A: We require official recommendations from current employers from all our MBA applicants. If you cannot obtain this, you will be required to submit any reference you can.
Q: What is the deadline for applying for the MBA?
A: There are no set application deadlines on our MBA programmes, however applicants are encouraged to apply early. For those who would require a Visa to study in the UK, please bear in mind that the time it takes to obtain the Visa significantly extends the application process. Applicants are advised to apply for the MBA at least 6 weeks prior to the start date, so for example those wanting to join the September 2012 intake should apply no later than 31st July.
Q: How long will it take you to process my application?
A: Provided you have sent us all the supporting documents we need, we can normally process your application within a week of receiving it. Please feel free to contact our admissions office after this period of time.
Q: Do you charge an application fee?
A: We charge no application fee, but ask you for a £2000 deposit to accept a place if an offer is made. This applies even if we have not applied any other conditions to your offer. Your deposit guarantees your place on the programme and you must confirm your wish to take up the place by paying the deposit within eight weeks of the date you receive our offer letter in the post. If you do not pay the deposit within this timescale, you will not be allocated directly to a learning set and, although we will continue to hold your application on file, you will receive a place only if we have not filled our recruitment quota. The deposit is a pre-payment, not an extra charge, and will be deducted from your tuition fee.
9.2. Application form
Q: What will the admissions team require from me to judge my eligibility?
A: Along with the complete application, other information we require includes your previous degree and education transcripts, 1 reference- preferably at least one of these from a current or recent-most employer and the results of any English tests you have taken (for example IELTS or TOEFL) to prove your proficiency in English. We also require your CV/resume.
Q: Is there any word limit for the answers I write on the application form?
A: There is no word limit on the answers you write in the application form, however if you feel your answers are becoming too wordy you can simply upload a CV or Personal Statement, as long as you answer the question you are being asked properly.