Master of Business Administration (with optional Placement/Project year) MBA

1 Year On Campus Masters Program

University of Chester

Program Overview

The MBA at the University of Chester is designed to give you the skills and confidence to take on leadership roles in today’s fast-changing business world. You’ll develop practical knowledge in strategy, finance, marketing, and leadership, while learning how to solve real business problems creatively — perfect for anyone aiming to make an impact in management or start their own venture.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1 (full-time 1-year route)
In the first year, you’ll build a strong foundation in essential business skills. In Responsible Leadership and Ethics, you’ll explore how to lead with integrity and make decisions that balance business success with social responsibility. Marketing Management will show you how to understand customers, create strong brands, and plan effective marketing strategies, while Finance for Managers equips you with the tools to read financial reports, make investment decisions, and manage budgets confidently.

With Strategic Management, you’ll learn how to plan, implement, and adapt strategies that help organisations thrive, while Creative Thinking and Problem Solving for Managers gives you practical techniques to tackle complex challenges with innovative solutions. You’ll finish the course with Management Research in Action, a hands-on project where you apply your learning to solve a real business problem — a great way to demonstrate your skills to future employers.

Placement / Project Year (2-year route)
If you choose the two-year route, you can swap the dissertation for a professional placement or client-led project. This gives you invaluable industry experience, helping you put theory into practice, expand your professional network, and boost your career prospects.

Focus Areas
Leadership & ethics, strategic management, marketing, finance, creative problem solving, research & consultancy, real-world business projects.

Learning Outcomes
You’ll graduate ready to lead with confidence, make informed strategic and financial decisions, design effective marketing strategies, solve complex business problems creatively, and deliver research or consultancy projects that have real-world impact.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)
The MBA aligns with global standards of management education, guided by experienced faculty and an AMBA-member course leader.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)
The University of Chester Business School has been recognised as “Business School of the Year” at the Times Higher Education Awards 2024 — highlighting its focus on quality education, industry relevance, and graduate employability.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Chester, the MBA isn’t just about sitting in lectures — it’s about doing business. From day one, you’ll get hands-on experience that helps you build practical skills you can use straight away. Whether it’s working on real business projects, going out on placements, or collaborating with peers in lively workshops, you’ll learn by actually applying what you study. The Business School gives you access to top-notch facilities, industry connections, and expert support, so you’re set up for success in the real world.

Here’s what that looks like in practice:

Professional Placements and Projects: On the two-year MBA, you can spend a year working with a real company or on a client-led project. It’s a chance to experience everyday business challenges, work in teams, and see how the theory you learn applies in real situations.
Management Research in Action: Even if you do the one-year route, you’ll tackle a real-world business problem through this module — planning, researching, and presenting solutions that could make a real difference to an organisation.
Modern Learning Facilities: You’ll study at the Chester Business School’s Queen’s Park Campus, which has computer labs, a dedicated business library with group study pods and quiet zones, seminar rooms, a lecture theatre, and even a boardroom for practical exercises and networking events.
Industry Connections: Guest speakers, business events, and networking sessions give you early access to potential employers and help you see how business works outside the classroom.
Career Support: The University’s Careers and Employability Service helps you prepare for jobs and placements, from CV guidance to interview practice, giving you a head start before graduation.

Progression & Future Opportunities

After finishing your MBA at Chester, you’ll be ready to take on leadership and strategic roles in a variety of industries. Many graduates step into positions such as business consultant, strategic manager, marketing or brand manager, financial analyst, or even launch their own businesses. The program equips you with a versatile skill set — from strategy and finance to leadership and creative problem-solving — so you can confidently take on real-world challenges and make an impact.

Here’s how the University helps you turn your MBA into a successful career:

Careers and Employability Support: The university’s award-winning careers team is with you every step of the way — helping with one-to-one consultations, CV and application advice, mock interviews, job and internship listings, and networking opportunities with over 500 employers.
Strong employment outcomes: Chester graduates enjoy excellent prospects — with almost 90% in employment or further study, and over 70% in high-skilled roles. This shows the MBA gives you real career traction.
Industry connections & masterclasses: You’ll benefit from guest talks and masterclasses from industry experts, giving you current business insights and opportunities to expand your professional network.
Placement or project experience: If you take the two-year route, a professional placement or client-led project lets you get hands-on experience, making your CV stand out to future employers.
Long-term value of your skills: The MBA teaches leadership, strategy, finance, marketing, and problem-solving — skills that are in demand across sectors, giving you flexibility and confidence in your career path.

Further Academic Progression:
If you want to continue studying after your MBA, you could pursue a PhD in Management, Business Strategy, or a related area, or take specialized postgraduate diplomas and certifications to deepen your knowledge in finance, entrepreneurship, consultancy, or research.