MBA - Advanced Entry (Top-up)

Next Intake Start Dates:

• April 2025 (1DL04)
• September 2025 (1DL09)

The course begins with Induction and Research Methods online webinars which takes approximately 5 weeks.

Fee: £3180

The course content consists of two parts and takes approximately seven months to complete.

The first module is Research Methods (8 weeks) followed by the Dissertation (3.5 months, elapsed time is approximately 7 months). You will submit an 8,000 to 10,000-word dissertation on a management topic of your choice and ideally related to your workplace.

Research Methods (20 credits)

The Research Methods module introduces research as practised in business and management disciplines. Following satisfactory completion at the exam board, you will progress onto the Dissertation.

At the end of the Research Methods module, you should be able to:

• Understand and explain existing research and use that knowledge to plan your own research by knowing which research methods to use and when
• Source, evaluate and appropriately reference information from a range of sources
• Integrate the findings of existing research to ask a new research question
• Engage in critical thinking when reading and comprehending research articles
• Critically evaluate a range of quantitative and qualitative research paradigms
• Conceptualise a problem; formulate a methodology, aim and objectives; design a research strategy, collect, analyse, and interpret quantitative and qualitative data as appropriate
• Apply theoretical principles underlying descriptive and inferential statistics
• Select and justify the most appropriate analyses, interpret the results, and write up the results accurately and completely
• Develop a robust Research Proposal appropriate for an MBA Dissertation

Dissertation (40 credits)

On successful completion of Research Methods, you will move onto the Dissertation, which provides an opportunity for an in-depth study of a topic relevant to management. It requires you to:

• Critically evaluate major schools of thought within relevant management theory
• Translate theory into practice through the study of its application in the real world
• Undertake empirical research in this area
• Draw conclusions about the implications of the results for managerial decision-making, in particular strategic

After completion of the dissertation, you should be able to:

• Formulate research questions at a level appropriate for a masters
• Critically review the relevant literature
• Select the most appropriate methodology for the collection of data, justifying that choice
• Apply that methodology to collect primary or secondary data
• Select a method of analysis appropriate to their research question, within the context of what is commensurate to master’s level
• Present the results in a manner that is clear and comprehensive
• Draw conclusions about the results for the conduct of management

Students wishing to join the course must provide the following supporting documents:

• A Curriculum Vitae.
• A Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in a Strategic Leadership and Management subject awarded by ATHE, LRN, NCC Education, OTHM (including units Strategic Financial Management (20 credits) and Strategic Marketing (20 credits)), Pearson or SQA in the last 5 years (students need to submit both certificate and transcript on application).
• An Undergraduate Qualification Equivalent to UK Bachelors 2:2 or higher – work experience may be considered for candidates not meeting this requirement.
• A High School Certificate.
• A Statement of Purpose.
• Two letters of Reference/Recommendation.
• A copy of your passport or another form of photographic ID.

International Applicants:

• A Secure English Language Test: IELTS 6.5 or equivalent.
• A copy of your passport (and all UK visas where applicable).

In addition to the above requirements, all applicants will be required to take a Microsoft Teams interview with the Programme Director. Details of these arrangements will be sent subject to your successful application.

How to Apply

Register your interest in applying for the MBA Advanced Entry and a member of the team will get back in touch with you.

You can also email the Programme Manager, Andrea Steel at ASteel@cardiffmet.ac.uk, with any questions about the MBA Advanced Entry before making an application. Please ensure when emailing, you include your CV, Certificate and Transcript.

Applications for this course should be made direct to the University via our self-service facility. For further information please visit our How to Apply pages.

The MBA Advanced Entry (Top-up) route is also delivered using blended delivery methods to graduates from the below approved institutions:

Minerva Elite Performance

UK based Minerva Elite Performance offers students who are transitioning from the armed forces to complete the EDEXCEL Level 7 Extended Diploma in Strategic Management & Leadership, the award is 120 credits which allows for progression to the Cardiff Metropolitan MBA Advanced Entry (Top-up) programme.

NCC Education

NCC Education is a UK awarding body and global provider in education with over 200 partner centres in more than 50 countries. NCC Education is regulated by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (OFQUAL) and delivers the Level 7 Diploma in Business Management. Following successful completion, students are ready for the MBA Advanced Entry (Top-up).

Westford School of Management

Westford University College are a well-respected educational facility based in the UAE who offer international students the Level 7 Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership. Our successful partnership with Westford College for the last 10 years has seen more than 1250 students crossing over to the Cardiff Metropolitan MBA Advanced Entry (Top-up) programme.

Cardiff Metropolitan University is proud to have signed the Armed Forces Covenant. A pledge that together we acknowledge and understand that those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, should be treated with fairness and respect in the communities, economy and society they serve with their lives.

What is ELCAS?

ELCAS is a scheme run by the Ministry of Defence to provide financial support to armed forces personnel (both serving and service leavers) to study a course at university, which is of direct benefit to the service, and which leads to personal and professional development.

If you are in your qualifying resettlement phase you may be eligible to claim under the Joint Funding Initiative Publicly Funded Further Education/Higher Education (PFFE/HE).

For more information on ELCAS and how to apply, please visit our Armed Forces Personnel page.

I already have a masters; can I use this towards the MBA Advanced Entry (Top-up)?

No, only a Postgraduate Diploma can be used towards the MBA Advanced Entry (Top-up).

Will ‘Advanced Entry’ appear on my final MBA certificate?

No, the MBA Advanced Entry (Top-up) course is designed to give candidates the same experience as full-time MBA students, therefore your Cardiff Metropolitan Certificate will have ‘Master of Business Administration’, with no reference to the method in which it was obtained.

What is the difference between Online, Blended and Distance learning?

Many educational institutions use different terminology to explain these modes of study:

• Online learning combines videos and materials given at the start of the course to complete at a time most suited to the students’ needs.
• Blended learning incorporates both face to face teaching and supported online learning through Moodle, our Virtual Learning Environment, as well as offering one to one supervisor support through the Dissertation.
• Distance learning integrates interactive webinars plus online face to face sessions with a designated supervisor. Help and guidance is provided along the way plus supported online learning through Moodle, our Virtual learning Environment.

Should you have additional questions not answered here, please email: CSM-MBAAdvEntry@cardiffmet.ac.uk